10 questions

UPSC Prelims · Ancient History PYQ

Post-Mauryan Period UPSC PYQ — Sungas, Kushanas & Satavahanas

The Sunga and Kanva dynasties, Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian rulers, the Kushana empire under Kanishka, and the Satavahanas of the Deccan.

10 Questions · 1995–2025
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  1. 1 2024

    Which work is attributed to playwright Bhasa?

    1. AKavyalankara
    2. BNatyashastra
    3. CMadhyama-vyayoga
    4. DMahabhashya
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: C. Madhyama-vyayoga

    Explanation

    Madhyama-vyayoga is the Sanskrit play by Bhasa based on the Mahabharata.

  2. 2 1999

    The Indo-Greek kingdom set up in north Afghanistan in the beginning of the second century BC was

    1. ABactria
    2. BScythia
    3. CZedrasia
    4. DAria
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: A. Bactria

    Explanation

    The Indo-Greek kingdom was established in Bactria, located in north Afghanistan, around 200 BC. Demetrius I expanded Greek rule, forming a Hellenistic kingdom.

  3. 3 1998

    Assertion (A): The Gandhara School of art bears the mark of Hellenistic influence.
    Reason (R): Hinayana form was influenced by that art.

    1. ABoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
    2. BBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
    3. CA is true, but R is false
    4. DA is false, but R is true
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: C. A is true, but R is false

    Explanation

    Assertion is true as Gandhara art reflects strong Hellenistic influence. Reason is false because the Hinayana tradition avoided anthropomorphic depictions of the Buddha and remained aniconic; Gandhara art aligns with Mahayana Buddhism.

  4. 4 1995

    The term Yavanapriya, mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts, denoted

    1. Aa fine variety of Indian muslin
    2. Bivory
    3. Cdamsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance
    4. Dpepper
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: D. pepper

    Explanation

    Yavanapriya literally means 'beloved of the Yavanas' (Greeks or Central Asians). It refers to pepper, a highly prized Indian spice in foreign markets, especially among Greeks and Romans.

  5. 5 1992

    In which one of the following the Gandhara sculptures of the Buddha are typically Indian and not Greek or Roman?

    1. AIn the treatment of the robe
    2. BIn the rendering of the physiognomy
    3. CIn the iconography
    4. DIn the style
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: C. In the iconography

    Explanation

    While Gandhara art blended Graeco-Roman techniques for realistic drapery and physiognomy, the iconography — the symbolism, gestures (mudras), and spiritual attributes of Buddha — remained purely Indian.

  6. 6 2000

    The practice of military governorship was first introduced in India by the

    1. AGreeks
    2. BShakas
    3. CParthians
    4. DMughals
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: A. Greeks

    Explanation

    The Indo-Greeks introduced the system of appointing military governors called 'Strategos' to administer provinces, a practice later adopted by subsequent foreign rulers.

  7. 7 2000

    Which one of the following dynasties was ruling over North India at the time of Alexander's invasion?

    1. ANanda
    2. BMaurya
    3. CSunga
    4. DKanva
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: A. Nanda

    Explanation

    Alexander's invasion of India (327-325 BCE) coincided with the reign of the Nanda dynasty, then ruling over the Magadha empire in North India.

  8. 8 2003

    Consider the following statements:
    1. The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinated by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga.
    2. The last Sunga king, Devabhuti was assassinated by his Brahmana minister Vasudeva Kanva who usurped the throne.
    3. The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed by the Andhras.
    Which of these statements is/are correct?

    1. A1 and 2
    2. BOnly 2
    3. COnly 3
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

    Explanation

    All three transitions are historically recorded: Pushyamitra Sunga overthrew Brihadratha to found the Sunga dynasty; Vasudeva Kanva assassinated Devabhuti to found the Kanva dynasty; and the Kanvas were finally displaced by the Satavahanas (Andhras).

  9. 9 2002

    The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on

    1. Aa conflict between Gods and Demons of ancient Hindu lore
    2. Ba romantic story of an Aryan prince and a tribal woman
    3. Cthe story of the power struggle between two Aryan tribes
    4. Dthe court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: D. the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya

    Explanation

    Mudrarakshasa dramatizes the political intrigue and strategy by which Chanakya helped Chandragupta Maurya overthrow the Nanda dynasty, rather than any mythological or tribal theme.

  10. 10 2006

    With reference to the invaders in ancient India, which one of the following is the correct chronological order?

    1. AGreeks – Sakas – Kushans
    2. BGreeks – Kushans – Sakas
    3. CSakas – Greeks – Kushans
    4. DSakas – Kushans – Greeks
    Reveal answer

    Correct answer: A. Greeks – Sakas – Kushans

    Explanation

    The Indo-Greeks were the earliest of these invaders (2nd century BCE), followed by the Sakas (Scythians), and then the Kushans, who established their empire from around the 1st century CE.

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