Q10. In classical Sanskrit dramas of the Gupta and related period, women and lower-status characters commonly spoke:
[UPSC CSE Prelims, 1995]
A. Prakrit
B. Sanskrit exclusively
C. Pali exclusively
D. Tamil
Answer: A. Prakrit
Explanation: Sanskrit dramaturgical convention often assigned Sanskrit to elite male characters while women and many other characters spoke particular Prakrit varieties, reflecting literary rather than simple everyday usage.
Q9. Who is conventionally called the ‘Father of History’ in the Western classical tradition?
[RPSC/RAS, 1994]
A. Herodotus
B. Thucydides
C. Megasthenes
D. Strabo
Answer: A. Herodotus
Explanation: Herodotus’ Histories systematically narrates the Greco-Persian conflicts while incorporating ethnographic accounts, earning him the traditional designation ‘Father of History’.
Q8. India’s national motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ is taken from which Upanishad?
[MPPSC, 1994]
A. Mundaka Upanishad
B. Kena Upanishad
C. Isha Upanishad
D. Katha Upanishad
Answer: A. Mundaka Upanishad
Explanation: ‘Satyameva Jayate’—Truth alone triumphs—comes from the Mundaka Upanishad and was adopted beneath the State Emblem of India.
Q7. Charaka Samhita is principally a work on:
[MPPSC, 1993]
A. Medicine
B. Grammar
C. Astronomy
D. Statecraft
Answer: A. Medicine
Explanation: The Charaka Samhita is one of Ayurveda’s foundational texts and focuses particularly on internal medicine, diagnosis, treatment, diet, physiology and medical ethics.
Q6. Which ancient Indian work is encyclopaedic in character and covers subjects ranging from astronomy to architecture and meteorology?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, 1993]
A. Brihat Samhita
B. Meghaduta
C. Ashtadhyayi
D. Mrichchhakatika
Answer: A. Brihat Samhita
Explanation: Varahamihira’s Brihat Samhita surveys an exceptionally wide range of knowledge, including astronomy, astrology, rainfall, architecture, gems, omens and groundwater.
Q5. Which set of author–work pairs is correctly matched?
[UPPCS, 1992]
A. Panini–Ashtadhyayi; Vatsyayana–Kamasutra; Chanakya–Arthashastra; Kalhana–Rajatarangini
B. Panini–Rajatarangini; Vatsyayana–Arthashastra; Chanakya–Kamasutra; Kalhana–Ashtadhyayi
C. Panini–Kamasutra; Vatsyayana–Ashtadhyayi; Chanakya–Rajatarangini; Kalhana–Arthashastra
D. None of these
Answer: A. Panini–Ashtadhyayi; Vatsyayana–Kamasutra; Chanakya–Arthashastra; Kalhana–Rajatarangini
Explanation: These four pairings connect foundational works respectively with Sanskrit grammar, erotic-social theory, statecraft and the historical chronicle of Kashmir.
Q4. The teaching ‘Your right is to action alone, never to its fruits’ is found in:
[UPPCS, 1992]
A. Bhagavad Gita
B. Rigveda
C. Dhammapada
D. Arthashastra
Answer: A. Bhagavad Gita
Explanation: The statement expresses the Gita’s doctrine of Nishkama Karma—performing one’s prescribed action without attachment to personal gain or the fruits of action.
Q3. Which ancient Indian collection became exceptionally famous for being translated into numerous Indian and foreign languages?
[RPSC/RAS, 1992]
A. Panchatantra
B. Natyashastra
C. Arthashastra
D. Raghuvamsha
Answer: A. Panchatantra
Explanation: The Panchatantra travelled through Persian, Arabic and European translations, making its animal fables one of India’s most widely disseminated literary traditions.
Q2. Who wrote Saundarananda?
[MPPSC, 1991]
A. Ashvaghosha
B. Nagarjuna
C. Vasumitra
D. Nagasena
Answer: A. Ashvaghosha
Explanation: Ashvaghosha’s Sanskrit poem Saundarananda narrates the spiritual transformation of Buddha’s half-brother Nanda and combines polished poetry with Buddhist religious instruction.
Q1. Kalidasa is traditionally believed to have flourished during the reign of which Gupta ruler?
[MPPSC, 1990]
A. Chandragupta II
B. Samudragupta
C. Skandagupta
D. Kumaragupta II
Answer: A. Chandragupta II
Explanation: Literary tradition associates Kalidasa with Chandragupta II Vikramaditya and the classical Gupta cultural milieu, although firm contemporary evidence for his exact chronology remains limited.
