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4392 Previous Year Questions • 2016–2026 • Prelims, Mains, Essay, Optionals

Topic:[Prelims] History of India and Indian National Movement.128 PYQs
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Prelims - Paper 1 (GS)

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2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.3

Consider the following statements: I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika. II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver. The above statements have been associated with which of the following?

1
Emergence of urban life
2
Transition to money economy
Ancient History
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.7

Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India:

1
The earliest epigraphic use of the place-value system in India is found in the Mankani plates from Gujarat (AD 595 – 596).
2
In the ninth century, place-values become general in inscriptions all over India.
3
The place-values have been found in Sanskrit inscriptions in South-east Asia as early as the seventh century.
Ancient Indian History
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.8

Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns: I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels. II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered. III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?

1
Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.
2
Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.
3
Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.
Ancient Indian History
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.10

Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period: I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface. II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells. Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?

1
There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
2
Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle).
3
There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.
History of India
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.12
What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?
History of India
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.13

Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched?

1
Vitasta : Chenab
2
Asikni : Jhelum
3
Parushni : Ravi
4
Yavyavati : Beas
History of India
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.14

Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct?

1
It was located in the lower Krishna valley.
2
In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.
3
The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.
History of India
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.15

Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?

1
Senguttuvan : Chera
2
Udiyanjeral : Chola
3
Nedunjeliyan : Pandya
Ancient History
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.16

Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939?

1
Bose failed to win the confidence of Mahatma Gandhi.
2
The Congress Left was disunited and failed to support Bose.
3
The Communists did not support Bose in his endeavours.
4
The supporters of M.N. Roy and socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan preferred Congress unity to supporting Bose.
Modern History
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.17

Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856:

1
The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts.
2
A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders.
3
The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars.
Modern History
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.18

Consider the following assertion: The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

1
Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates.
2
Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism, which was growing stronger.
3
Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates.
Modern History
2026•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.20
In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate?
Ancient Indian History
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.13
The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was
Ancient History
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.14
Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and 'Gunabhara'?
Ancient History
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.15
Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
Ancient History
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.16
1
The delivery reached its destination just about time.
2
The evidence presented by Shyam states something different than what is being presented by Ram.
3
That is the difference of somebody doing his duty and not doing his duty.
Ancient History
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.17
1
Amidst the scuffle and the resultant confusion, the thief managed to slip away.
2
There was not a single person amongst those assembled who was willing to become the leader.
3
Among the members of the community the local doctor was the one who was most respected.
Ancient History
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.19
1
The ship put in at the first available port to repair its damaged hull.
2
The advertisement was put out for wide circulation.
3
The matter had become so urgent that it could not be put off for another day.
Ancient History
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.20
1
It is widely acknowledged that he takes after his aunt.
2
He was reluctant to take in any more responsibility.
3
He assured the client that he would take out the matter at the first given opportunity.
Modern History
2025•Prelims•Paper 1 (GS)•Q.71
"Sedition has become my religion" was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of
Modern Indian History
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