UPSC IAS / IPS — MCQ Practice Questions & Answers

Question 1

Which of the following statements about the Indus Valley Civilization is correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. It was contemporary with the Egyptian Old Kingdom and Mesopotamian civilizations — The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300-1300 BCE) was contemporary with Egyptian Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2181 BCE) and Mesopotamian civilizations. Its script remains undeciphered, there is limited evidence of temples, and it was primarily urban and sedentary, not nomadic.

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A. It had a written script that has been fully deciphered by scholars

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C. Evidence of large temples and priest-kings has been found at all major sites

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D. It was primarily a nomadic pastoral civilization with seasonal settlements

Question 2

Which Vedic text is considered the oldest and contains hymns primarily dedicated to various deities?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Rigveda — The Rigveda is the oldest Vedic text (c. 1500-1200 BCE) and consists of 1028 hymns dedicated to various Vedic deities like Indra, Agni, and Soma. The Yajur Veda contains sacrificial formulas, Sama Veda contains musical chants, and Atharva Veda contains spells and incantations.

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A. Yajur Veda

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C. Sama Veda

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D. Atharva Veda

Question 3

The Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya expanded significantly with the help of which key minister?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Vishnugupta (Kautilya/Chanakya) — Vishnugupta, also known as Kautilya or Chanakya, was the chief minister and strategist of Chandragupta Maurya (c. 321-297 BCE). He is credited with helping Chandragupta establish and expand the Mauryan Empire. Kautilya authored the Arthashastra, a treatise on statecraft and administration.

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A. Radhagupta

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C. Bhagurayana

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D. Sisupalgarh

Question 4

During the Gupta Empire under Chandragupta II, the Chinese traveler who visited India was:

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: A. Fa-hien — Fa-hien (also Faxian) visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (c. 375-415 CE) and left detailed accounts of Gupta administration, culture, and Buddhism. Hiuen-tsang visited during Harsha's reign in the 7th century CE, not the Gupta period.

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B. Hiuen-tsang

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C. I-tsing

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D. Marco Polo

Question 5

Which Mauryan ruler is credited with establishing the Maurya Empire and conquering most of northern India?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Chandragupta Maurya — Chandragupta Maurya (r. 321-298 BCE) founded the Maurya Empire with the help of his advisor Kautilya and conquered most of northern India through military campaigns. Ashoka expanded the empire further and later embraced Buddhism.

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A. Ashoka

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C. Bindusara

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D. Brihadrath

Question 6

Which of the following sites of the Indus Valley Civilization has provided evidence of a sophisticated drainage system and standardized weights and measures?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Mohenjo-daro — Mohenjo-daro is renowned for its advanced urban planning features including a sophisticated drainage system with underground sewers, standardized brick sizes, and uniform weights and measures. These indicate a high degree of civic organization in the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE).

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A. Harappa

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C. Kalibangan

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D. Lothal

Question 7

The Rigveda contains references to the Dasas and Dasyus. In the context of Vedic history, these terms most likely refer to:

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. Non-Aryan or indigenous populations encountered by the Aryans — In Rigvedic literature, Dasas and Dasyus refer to the indigenous or non-Aryan populations that the Aryans encountered and often came into conflict with. The Rigveda frequently mentions battles between Aryans and these groups, particularly in the context of cattle raids and territorial expansion.

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A. Aryan pastoral groups who migrated together

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C. Vedic priests who performed rituals

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D. Wealthy merchant classes in Vedic society

Question 8

The Gupta Empire is often referred to as the 'Golden Age' of India. Which of the following correctly describes a characteristic of this period?

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. The development of the zero and decimal system occurred during this period — The Gupta Empire (c. 320-550 CE) witnessed remarkable developments in mathematics, with scholars like Aryabhata and Brahmagupta formulating concepts of zero, the decimal system, and trigonometry. This period also saw flourishing in Sanskrit literature, astronomy, medicine, and architecture.

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A. It saw the decline of Sanskrit literature and mathematics

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C. Buddhist temples completely replaced Hindu temples

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D. It marked the beginning of Islamic rule in India

UPSC IAS / IPS - MCQ Practice Questions