Q60. Into how many Tarangas is Kalhana’s Rajatarangini divided?
[UPPCS Mains, 2015]
A. Six
B. Eight
C. Ten
D. Twelve
Answer: B. Eight
Explanation: Rajatarangini consists of eight Tarangas, literally ‘waves’, narrating Kashmir’s dynasties from legendary antiquity to approximately Kalhana’s own twelfth-century period.
Q59. Which author–work pair is incorrectly matched?
[UPPCS Re-Examination, 2015]
A. Life of Xuanzang–Hui-li
B. Natural History–Ptolemy
C. Histories–Herodotus
D. Historiae Philippicae–Pompeius Trogus
Answer: B. Natural History–Ptolemy
Explanation: Natural History was written by Pliny the Elder. Ptolemy is instead renowned for geographical and astronomical works, including the Geographia and Almagest.
Q58. According to Kautilya’s Saptanga theory in the Arthashastra, which is the seventh constituent of the state?
[UPPCS Prelims Re-Exam, 2015]
A. Janapada
B. Danda
C. Mitra
D. Kosha
Answer: C. Mitra
Explanation: Kautilya’s seven limbs are Swamin, Amatya, Janapada, Durga, Kosha, Danda and Mitra, representing the ruler, administration, territory, fortifications, treasury, force and allies.
Q57. Varahamihira’s Panchasiddhantika reflects the influence of which astronomical tradition among those emphasised in the examination?
[UPPSC Kanoongo, 2014]
A. Greek astronomy
B. Chinese astronomy
C. Mayan astronomy
D. Babylonian literature alone
Answer: A. Greek astronomy
Explanation: Some systems summarised by Varahamihira preserve clear Greco-Roman astronomical influence, illustrating intellectual interaction between Indian and western astronomical traditions.
Q56. Which combination consists entirely of plays attributed to Harshavardhana?
[UPPSC RO/ARO, 2014]
A. Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyadarshika
B. Ratnavali, Meghaduta and Nagananda
C. Priyadarshika, Mudrarakshasa and Ratnavali
D. Nagananda, Kadambari and Raghuvamsha
Answer: A. Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyadarshika
Explanation: These three Sanskrit dramas are traditionally credited to Harsha. Meghaduta is Kalidasa’s, Mudrarakshasa Vishakhadatta’s and Kadambari Banabhatta’s.
Q55. Who wrote Indica, describing aspects of Mauryan India?
[RRB JE, 2014]
A. Megasthenes
B. Ptolemy
C. Pliny
D. Arrian
Answer: A. Megasthenes
Explanation: Megasthenes visited the Mauryan court as a Seleucid ambassador. His observations, though preserved only in fragments, remain important evidence for Mauryan society.
Q54. Tolkappiyam is primarily a work on:
[UPPSC Kanoongo, 2014]
A. Tamil grammar and poetics
B. Medicine
C. Astronomy
D. Statecraft
Answer: A. Tamil grammar and poetics
Explanation: Tolkappiyam is the oldest extant Tamil grammatical work and also discusses phonology, morphology, poetics, social conventions and classifications employed in classical Tamil literature.
Q53. Who composed Gaudavaho?
[UPPSC Kanoongo, 2014]
A. Vakpati
B. Bana
C. Magha
D. Bharavi
Answer: A. Vakpati
Explanation: Vakpati wrote the Prakrit poem Gaudavaho, celebrating Yashovarman of Kannauj. It combines royal praise with conventions of historical court poetry.
Q52. The Panchatantra is traditionally attributed to whom?
[MPPSC Prelims, 2013]
A. Vishnu Sharma
B. Somadeva
C. Kalhana
D. Narayana
Answer: A. Vishnu Sharma
Explanation: The Panchatantra is a didactic collection of animal fables intended to communicate practical wisdom and political understanding through layered narrative stories.
Q51. Which classical Tamil work has sometimes been described as a ‘Laghu Veda’ because of its ethical authority?
[UPPSC RO/ARO Mains, 2013]
A. Tirukkural
B. Silappadikaram
C. Manimekalai
D. Tolkappiyam
Answer: A. Tirukkural
Explanation: The Tirukkural contains concise universal ethical teachings concerning virtue, material prosperity and love, earning exceptional authority within Tamil literary culture.
