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