Q20. Consider the assertion that Gandhara sculpture reflects Hellenistic influence and the reason that Hinayana Buddhism was shaped by this art. Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1998]
(A) Both true and reason explains assertion
(B) Both true but reason does not explain assertion
(C) Assertion true, reason false
(D) Assertion false, reason true
Answer: (C) Assertion true, reason false
Explanation: Gandhara art reveals Greco-Roman stylistic influences, notably in drapery and naturalistic representation. Yet its anthropomorphic Buddha imagery is not evidence that the earlier Hinayana tradition was determined by that artistic form.
Q19. Which pairs of classical texts and authors are correctly matched:
–Mrichchhakatika–Shudraka;
–Buddhacharita–Vasubandhu;
–Mudrarakshasa–Vishakhadatta;
–Harshacharita–Banabhatta?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1998]
(A) All four
(B) 1, 3 and 4
(C) 1 and 4 only
(D) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (B) 1, 3 and 4
Explanation: Mrichchhakatika is attributed to Shudraka, Mudrarakshasa to Vishakhadatta and Harshacharita to Banabhatta. Buddhacharita was composed by Ashvaghosha rather than Vasubandhu, a different Buddhist scholar.
Q18. Which Mughal-period author referred to the European discovery of America?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]
(A) Malik Muhammad Jayasi
(B) Amir Khusrau
(C) Raskhan
(D) Abul Fazl
Answer: (D) Abul Fazl
Explanation: Abul Fazl, Akbar’s chronicler and author of the Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari, incorporated information about regions and events beyond India into his learned prose. He is the author identified in this historical literature question.
Q17. Which pairings of Sanskrit authors with major works are correct:
Varahamihira–Brihat Samhita;
Vishakhadatta–Devichandraguptam;
Shudraka–Mrichchhakatika;
Bilhana–Vikramankadeva Charita?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]
(A) Only first two
(B) All four
(C) Only first and third
(D) Only second and fourth
Answer: (B) All four
Explanation: Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, Vishakhadatta is associated with Devichandraguptam, Shudraka with Mrichchhakatika and Bilhana with Vikramankadeva Charita. Their texts span scientific, dramatic and historical Sanskrit literature.
Q16. Which poet and regional language associated with Mahabharata retellings are correctly paired?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]
(A) Sarala Dasa—Bengali
(B) Kashiram Das—Odia
(C) Tikkana—Marathi
(D) Pampa—Kannada
Answer: (D) Pampa—Kannada
Explanation: Pampa was an early Kannada literary figure associated with the Vikramarjuna Vijaya, also called Pampa Bharata. The other pairings mix up the languages of notable Mahabharata translators and poets.
Q15. In which Upanishad does the conversation between Nachiketa and Yama occur?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]
(A) Chandogya Upanishad
(B) Mundaka Upanishad
(C) Katha Upanishad
(D) Kena Upanishad
Answer: (C) Katha Upanishad
Explanation: The Katha Upanishad presents Nachiketa’s conversation with Yama, the lord of death. Their dialogue probes questions about the Self, mortality and liberation, making it a landmark philosophical text.
Q14. Which ancient Indian script was normally written from right to left?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]
(A) Brahmi
(B) Nandinagari
(C) Sharada
(D) Kharoshthi
Answer: (D) Kharoshthi
Explanation: Kharoshthi was used principally in northwestern South Asia and is written from right to left. Its direction differs from Brahmi and many of the descendant Indic scripts, which are written left to right.
Q13. The Buddhist text Milindapanha records a dialogue between King Menander and which monk?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]
(A) Nagasena
(B) Nagarjuna
(C) Nagabhatta
(D) Kumarila Bhatta
Answer: (A) Nagasena
Explanation: Milindapanha, or Questions of Milinda, presents a philosophical exchange between Indo-Greek ruler Menander and Buddhist monk Nagasena. It is especially noted for logical dialogues about identity, rebirth and the non-self doctrine.
Q12. What is the equivalent Vikrama Samvat date for a Badami inscription dated Shaka year 465?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1997]
(A) 601
(B) 300
(C) 330
(D) 407
Answer: (A) 601
Explanation: The Vikrama era begins roughly 135 years before the Shaka era, making Shaka 465 equivalent to approximately Vikrama Samvat 600 or 601 depending on calendrical reckoning. The examination answer is 601.
Q11. With which famous temple were the traditional devadasis closely associated in Odisha?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 1996]
(A) Jagannath Temple at Puri
(B) Sun Temple at Konark
(C) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
(D) Mukteshwar Temple at Bhubaneswar
Answer: (A) Jagannath Temple at Puri
Explanation: Women serving in the ritual arts at Puri’s Jagannath Temple were historically known as maharis. Their dance tradition is among the cultural streams associated with the later development and heritage of Odissi.
