Ancient India

19 UPSC Mains GS I questions on Ancient India, 2013 to 2026, newest first, as UPSC set them. See also practice questions on Ancient India toppers answered.

1. 2026 Q1Analyze the importance of Ashokan inscriptions for reconstructing Mauryan history.10 marks · 150 words
2. 2025 Q1Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.10 marks · 150 words
3. 2024 Q1Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period.10 marks · 150 words
4. 2023 Q1Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India.10 marks · 150 words
5. 2023 Q11What are the main features of Vedic society and religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society?15 marks · 250 words
6. 2022 Q12Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.15 marks · 250 words
7. 2022 Q13Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture.15 marks · 250 words
8. 2020 Q1The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss.10 marks · 150 words
9. 2020 Q2Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate.10 marks · 150 words
10. 2019 Q1Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art.10 marks · 150 words
11. 2018 Q2Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India.10 marks · 150 words
12. 2017 Q1How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times ?10 marks · 150 words
13. 2015 Q1The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment.12.5 marks · 200 words
14. 2015 Q2Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a fine aesthetic sense comparable to modern painting. Critically evaluate this comment.12.5 marks · 200 words
15. 2014 Q1To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the present day urbanization ? Discuss.10 marks · 150 words
16. 2014 Q2Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain.10 marks · 150 words
17. 2014 Q3Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were associated a number of renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its strategic location caused its fame to flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered as a university in the modern sense. Discuss.10 marks · 150 words
18. 2013 Q1Though not very useful from the point of view of a connected political history of South India, the Sangam literature portrays the social and economic conditions of its time with remarkable vividness. Comment.10 marks · 200 words
19. 2013 Q2(a)Discuss the ‘Tandava’ dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions.5 marks · 100 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers, upsc.gov.in. Topics are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.