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Consider the following statements:
1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)

1 only

(b)

2 only

(c)

Both 1 and 2

(d)

Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer

(b)

Explanation

Statement 1- Wrong Explanation: There are many Parables in Upanishads Statement 2- Correct Explanation: The Upanishads were compiled around 600 BC, while Purans were likely composed between the 3rd and 10th century CE.

Microtheme: SourcesXLiterature —
14 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

  1. [2024] Consider the following statements:
    1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
    2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
  2. [2024] Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhāsa?

    • (a) Kavyaalankara
    • (b) Natyashasta
    • (c) Madhyama-vyoga*
    • (d) Mahabhashya
    Correct Answer: (C) Madhyama-vyoga*
  3. [2023] Which one of the following explains the practice of Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?

    • (a) Kings employing women bodyguards
    • (b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters
    • (c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals
    • (d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
    Correct Answer: (D) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death
  4. [2023] With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs :
    Literary work Author
    1. Devichandragupta : Bilhana
    2. Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri
    3. Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna
    4. Nitivakyamrita : Somadeva Suri
    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    • (a) Only one
    • (b) Only two
    • (c) Only three
    • (d) All four
    Correct Answer: (B) Only two
  5. [2022] “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:

    • (a) Akbar
    • (b) Humayun
    • (c) Shahjahan
    • (d) Aurangzeb
    Correct Answer: (A) Akbar
  6. [2022] According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ?
    1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
    2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
    3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son.
    Which of the statements given above are correct ?

    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
  7. [2022] Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct ?

    • (a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
    • (b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
    • (c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.
    • (d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.
    Correct Answer: (B) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
  8. [2022] With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts :
    1. Nettipakarana
    2. Parishishtaparvan
    3. Avadanashataka
    4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
    Which of the above are Jaina texts?

    • (a) 1,2 and 3
    • (b) 2 and 4 only
    • (c) 1,3 and 4
    • (d) 2,3 and 4
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 and 4 only
  9. [2021] With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous

    • (a) Jain monks
    • (b) playwrights
    • (c) temple architects
    • (d) philosophers
    Correct Answer: (B) playwrights
  10. [2020] With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following
    statements:
    (1) Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.
    (2) Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.
    (3) Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta – II.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 2 and 3 only
    • (c) 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (C) 3 only
  11. [2016] Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of
    Sunga dynasty?

    • (a) Swapnavasavadatta
    • (b) Malavikagnimitra
    • (c) Meghadoota
    • (d) Ratnavali
    Correct Answer: (B) Malavikagnimitra
  12. [2014] The national motto of India, ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from?

    • (a) Katha Upanishad
    • (b) Chandogra Upanishad
    • (c) Aitareya Upanishad
    • (d) Mundaka Upanishad
    Correct Answer: (D) Mundaka Upanishad
  13. [2008] What does Baudhayan theorem (Baudhayan Sulva Sutra) relate to?

    • (a) Lengths of sides of a right-angled triangle
    • (b) Calculation of the value of pi
    • (c) Logarithmic calculations
    • (d) Normal distribution curve
    Correct Answer: (B) Calculation of the value of pi
  14. [2003] ‘Mrichchhakatika,’ an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka, deals with:

    • (a) The love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan
    • (b) The victory of Chandragupta II over the Shaka Kshatrapas of western India
    • (c) The military expeditions and exploits of Samudragupta
    • (d) The love affair between a Gupta King and a princess of Kamarupa
    Correct Answer: (A) The love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan