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BPSC 2023 — Ancient & Medieval India Questions with Answers
All 33 Ancient & Medieval India previous-year questions from BPSC 2023, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.
Practice Ancient & Medieval India as a timed test →- Q1.Nalanda + Vikramshila + Odantapuri universities
"Bihar has been the centre of learning and spirituality for ancient time." Explain in detail.
- Q2.Mughal Empire
In which of the following battles are the main adversaries not correctly mentioned?
- a)First Battle of Panipat—Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
- b)Second Battle of Panipat—Tipu Sultan and Marathas
- c)Battle of Haldighati—Maharana Pratap and Akbar
- d)More than one of the above
- Q3.Delhi Sultanate
During the Delhi Sultanate, for whom was the post of 'Muqaddam or Chaudhary' used?
- a)Revenue Officer
- b)Village Accountant
- c)Village Headman
- d)More than one of the above
- Q4.Mughal Empire
Tabaqat-i-Akbari, which is sometimes considered more reliable than Abul Fazl's Akbarnama, was written by whom?
- a)Nizamuddin Ahmad
- b)Abdul Hamid Lahori
- c)Gulbadan Begum
- d)More than one of the above
- Q5.Vijayanagara Empire
Which of these famous rulers founded a suburban settlement named Nagalapuram near Vijayanagara in the name of his mother?
- a)Harihara
- b)Bukka
- c)Krishnadevaraya
- d)More than one of the above
- Q6.Mughal Empire
Who among these proposed to Humayun that if he was allowed to rule Bengal, he would offer Bihar and an annual tribute of 10 lakh dinars?
- a)Sher Khan
- b)Bairam Khan
- c)Bahadur Shah
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q7.Nalanda + Vikramshila + Odantapuri universities
Vikramshila University was established by whom?
- a)Dharmapala
- b)Devapala
- c)Gopala
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q8.Magadha Empire — 16 Mahajanapadas to Empire
What was the region south of the Ganga called in ancient times?
- a)Taxila
- b)Chola
- c)Anarta
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q9.Early Indian Civilizations
When did the use of iron begin in the Indian subcontinent?
- a)Approximately 12000 years ago
- b)Approximately 6000 years ago
- c)Approximately 9000 years ago
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q10.Post-Mauryan Dynasties
According to a Sanskrit inscription composed around the second century, who repaired the Sudarshan Lake, an artificial reservoir?
- a)Kanishka
- b)Rudradaman
- c)Harsha
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q11.Indus Valley Civilization
Which of the following animals was not known to the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?
- a)Bull
- b)Horse
- c)Elephant
- d)None of the above
Explanation: While some archaeological evidence of horse remains has been found at sites like Surkotada, the horse was not widely known or domesticated by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization compared to animals like the bull and elephant, which were prominently depicted and used.
- Q12.Mauryan art — Pillars, Stupas, Sanchi-like work in Bihar
In Indian art, the construction of 'Stupa', 'Chaitya' and 'Vihara' is related to which of the following?
- a)Ajivika sect
- b)Vaishnava sect
- c)Buddhism
- d)Shaiva sect
Explanation: Stupas, Chaityas, and Viharas are distinct architectural forms that are central to Buddhist art and architecture in India, serving as places of worship, meditation, and residence for monks.
- Q13.Nalanda + Vikramshila + Odantapuri universities
Consider the following statements regarding the Vikramshila University in Bihar: 1. It was located in the present-day Banka district of Bihar. 2. It was established by King Gopala I of the Pala dynasty. 3. The 'Vajrayana' sect of Buddhism flourished here. 4. Other subjects like Astronomy, Logic, Law, Grammar and Philosophy were also taught here. Which of the above statements are incorrect?
- a)2 and 3
- b)1 and 4
- c)1 and 2
- d)None of the above
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as Vikramshila University was located in Bhagalpur district, not Banka. Statement 2 is incorrect as it was established by King Dharmapala, not Gopala I. Statements 3 and 4 are correct. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.
- Q14.Mughal Empire
Consider the following statements: The arrival of Babur into India led to the 1. introduction of gunpowder in the subcontinent 2. introduction of arch and dome in the region's architecture 3. establishment of Timurid dynasty in the region 4. introduction of cannons in warfare. Which of the above statements are correct?
- a)Only 1 and 2
- b)1, 2 and 3
- c)3 and 4
- d)None of the above
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as gunpowder was known in India before Babur. Statement 2 is incorrect as arch and dome architecture was introduced by the Delhi Sultanate much earlier. Statement 3 is correct as Babur established the Mughal dynasty, which was a branch of the Timurid dynasty. Statement 4 is correct as Babur is credited with effectively introducing and popularizing cannons (artillery) in Indian warfare.
- Q15.Trade & Ports
Which among the following ports was called Babul Makka (Gate of Makka) during the Mughal period?
- a)Calicut
- b)Surat
- c)Cambay
- d)Broach
Explanation: During the Mughal period, Surat was a crucial port city and the main gateway for pilgrims embarking on the Hajj to Mecca, earning it the title 'Babul Makka' (Gate of Mecca).
- Q16.Maratha Administration
'Ashta Pradhan' was a Council of Ministers
- a)in the Gupta administration
- b)in the Chola administration
- c)in the Maratha administration
- d)in the Vijayanagara administration
Explanation: The 'Ashta Pradhan' was a council of eight ministers that assisted and advised the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the administration of his empire.
- Q17.Foreign Travellers
Consider the following statements: 1. Fa-Hien was a Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Harsha. 2. Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- a)Only 1
- b)Only 2
- c)Both 1 and 2
- d)None of the above
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II. Statement 2 is incorrect as Hiuen Tsang visited India during the reign of Emperor Harsha. Therefore, neither statement is correct.
- Q18.Scholars & Scientists
Match List-I with List-II: a. Charaka b. Brahmagupta c. Varahamihira d. Vishakhadatta ; 1. Mathematics 2. Medicine 3. Playwright 4. Astrology. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
- a)a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3
- b)a-2, b-1, c-3, d-4
- c)a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1
- d)a-1, b-4, c-3, d-2
Explanation: Charaka was a physician (medicine), Brahmagupta was a mathematician, Varahamihira was an astrologer, and Vishakhadatta was a playwright.
- Q19.Delhi Sultanate
Who among the following introduced the Persian festival Nowruz in India?
- a)Firuz Shah Tughlaq
- b)Alauddin Khilji
- c)Balban
- d)Iltutmish
Explanation: The Persian festival Nowruz was introduced in India by Ghiyas ud din Balban to enhance the prestige of the king and the court.
- Q20.Bhakti Movement
Nathpanthis, Siddhas and Yogis made devotional religion popular in
- a)Northern India
- b)Southern India
- c)Eastern India
- d)Western India
Explanation: Nathpanthis, Siddhas, and Yogis were influential in Northern India, promoting devotional religion through their ascetic practices and philosophical teachings.
- Q21.Magadha Empire — 16 Mahajanapadas to Empire
Which city served as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Magadha during the early Vedic period?
- a)Rajagriha
- b)Campa
- c)Vaishali
- d)Pataliputra
Explanation: Rajagriha (modern Rajgir) was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Magadha during the early Vedic period, before Pataliputra became the capital.
- Q22.Literature
Nitisara, an early book of politics, was written by
- a)Kautilya
- b)Kamandaka
- c)Charaka
- d)None of them
Explanation: Nitisara, a treatise on ancient Indian politics and statecraft, is attributed to Kamandaka, who was a disciple of Chanakya.
- Q23.Literature
Futuhat-i-Alamgiri was written by
- a)Ishwardas Nagar
- b)Bhimsen
- c)Haridas
- d)None of them
Explanation: Futuhat-i-Alamgiri, a historical account of Aurangzeb's reign, was written by Ishwardas Nagar.
- Q24.Gupta dynasty — Magadha base, golden age
According to Chinese source, Meghavarman, the ruler of Sri Lanka, sent a missionary to which of the following Gupta Kings for permission to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya?
- a)Chandragupta I
- b)Samudragupta
- c)Chandragupta II
- d)None of them
Explanation: According to Chinese sources, King Meghavarman of Sri Lanka sent an envoy to Samudragupta to seek permission to build a Buddhist monastery at Bodh Gaya.
- Q25.Magadha Empire — 16 Mahajanapadas to Empire
In ancient times, the area to the south of the Ganga was known as
- a)Takshashila
- b)Chola
- c)Anarta
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q26.Ancient India
When did the use of iron begin in Indian subcontinent?
- a)Around 12000 years ago
- b)Around 6000 years ago
- c)Around 9000 years ago
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q27.Mauryan dynasty — Chandragupta, Ashoka, Pillar Edicts
According to the rock inscription in Sanskrit, composed around second century CE, Sudarshan Lake, an artificial reservoir, was repaired by
- a)Kanishka
- b)Rudradaman
- c)Harsha
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q28.Gupta dynasty — Magadha base, golden age
The temple of Deogarh near Jhansi and the sculptures in the temple at Garhwa near Allahabad are the important remains of the
- a)Gupta art
- b)Rashtrakuta art
- c)Maurya art
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q29.Medieval India
In which of the following battles are the main opponents not correctly stated?
- a)First Battle of Panipat—Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
- b)Second Battle of Panipat—Tipu Sultan and Marathas
- c)Battle of Haldighati—Maharana Pratap and Akbar
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q30.Delhi Sultanate
During the Delhi Sultanate, the designation 'Muqaddam or Chaudhari' was used for
- a)revenue officials
- b)village accountant
- c)village headman
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q31.Mughal Historiography
Tabaqat-i-Akbari, which has been sometimes considered more reliable than Abul Fazl's Akbarnama, was written by
- a)Nizamuddin Ahmad
- b)Abdul Hamid Lahori
- c)Gulbadan Begum
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q32.Vijayanagara Empire
Who among the following famous rulers founded a suburban township of Nagalapuram, near Vijayanagara, after his mother's name?
- a)Harihara
- b)Bukka
- c)Krishnadevaraya
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
- Q33.Medieval India
Who among the following made an offer to Humayun that he would surrender Bihar and pay an annual tribute of 10 lakh dinars if he was allowed to retain Bengal?
- a)Sher Khan
- b)Bairam Khan
- c)Bahadur Shah
- d)More than one of the above
- e)None of the above
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