Q1hardCommon Misconception
In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
(a) Andhra
(b) Gandhara
(c) Kalinga
(d) Magadha
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Gandhara (option b) is the most famous Buddhist centre and many aspirants reflexively associate any Buddhist centre question with Gandhara. Magadha (option d) is also a strong distractor as Buddhism originated there. Dhanyakataka (modern Amaravati) is specifically in the Andhra region, associated with the Mahasanghika sub-sect.
Q2easyCommon Misconception
With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is the trap. Most aspirants assume stupas are purely Buddhist, but the concept of burial mounds predates Buddhism -- pre-Buddhist burial mounds existed. Stupas were adopted and popularized by Buddhists but not originated by them. Many would mark all three as correct and choose (c).
Q3moderate
With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as
(a) capital cities
(b) ports
(c) centres of iron-and-steel making
(d) shrines of Jain Tirthankaras
Answer: (b)
Q4hardDistractor Pairing
Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?
(a) Kings employing women bodyguards.
(b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
(c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
(d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
Answer: (d)
Trap: Distractor Pairing
Options (a) and (b) sound plausible as royal/court customs. Option (c) describes a relatable agricultural practice that could seem like a Sangam-era rural custom. The actual practice of ritual suicide by starving (Vattakirutal) is a very specific and lesser-known Sangam tradition, making (b) a tempting choice for those who vaguely recall Sangam-era assemblies.
Q5moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following dynasties:
1. Hoysala
2. Gahadavala
3. Kakatiya
4. Yadava
How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) None
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Aspirants often confuse 'early medieval' periods. All four dynasties -- Hoysala (10th-14th c), Gahadavala (11th-12th c), Kakatiya (12th-14th c), Yadava (12th-14th c) -- rose much later than the 8th century. The trap is that aspirants may vaguely associate these with 'medieval India' and assume at least one or two emerged in the 8th century.
Q6easy
With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
Literary work : Author
1. Devichandragupta : Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita : Somadeva Suri
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (b)
Q7easy
"Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects."
The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?
(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Shaivism
(d) Vaishnavism
Answer: (b)
Q8hard
Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and canal-cum-aqueduct several a kilometres long from the river to the capital city?
(a) Devaraya I
(b) Mallikarjuna
(c) Vira Vijaya
(d) Virupaksha
Answer: (a)
Q9moderate
Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?
(a) Ahmad Shah
(b) Mahmud Begarha
(c) Bahadur Shah
(d) Muhammad Shah
Answer: (c)
Q10easy
By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?
(a) The Regulating Act
(b) The Pitt's India Act
(c) The Charter Act of 1793
(d) The Charter Act of 1833
Answer: (d)
Q60hardCommon Misconception
With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with
(a) archaeological excavations
(b) establishment of English Press in Colonial India
(c) establishment of Churches in Princely States
(d) construction of railways in Colonial India
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (a) archaeological excavations is the strongest trap. Alexander Rea, Longhurst, Burgess, and Sewell were all involved in archaeological work in India. Robert Sewell wrote 'A Forgotten Empire' about Vijayanagara. The official answer (c) about churches seems incorrect based on historical records. This question is widely disputed.
Q62moderateScope Confusion
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day.
Statement-II: It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
Answer: (b)
Trap: Scope Confusion
The trap is choosing (a) instead of (b). While the Swadeshi Movement's emphasis on handlooms seems like a direct explanation for National Handloom Day, the official answer indicates they are not causally linked in the way (a) suggests. The date was chosen to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement, but the movement itself is not the 'explanation' for declaring the day in the assertion-reason format.