1996 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies

Question 41: History and Culture

In the context of ancient Indian society, which one of the following terms does not belong to the category of the other three?

aKula
bVamsa
cKosa
dGotra

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Kula (family), Vamsa (lineage or dynasty) and Gotra (clan descended from a common sage) all describe kinship and descent in ancient Indian society. Kosa means treasury, one of the seven limbs of the state (saptanga) in Kautilya's scheme, so it does not belong with the other three. Remember: kula, vamsa, gotra - descent; kosa - treasury.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Kula means family or lineage, a kinship term.
  • (b) Vamsa means lineage or line of descent.
  • (c) Right: Kosa means treasury, not a kinship term.
  • (d) Gotra is a clan descended from a common ancestor.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.