SIMPLIFY HISTORY PROGRAM

GS (Prelims)
Ancient History Material

Session 1
27th May 2024
Division of history in different segments:

1. Sources of history – Archaeological and Literary.

2. Political–
• Political expansion
• Theory of kingship
• Administration
Division of history in different segments:

3. Economic –
• Agriculture – production and land ownership
• Crafts and Industry
• Trade
• Money Economy
• Urbanization

4. Social-
• Varna and Caste system
• Family – Marriage and succession
• Condition of women, shudras and untouchables.
Division of history in different segments:

5. Cultural –
• Religion and philosophy
• Language and literature
• Art – Architecture, sculpture, paintings, Music
• Technology
While underling the change we are supposed to keep in our
mind following diagram:
The above diagram will help the candidates in ‘Horizontal Study’
of History. In other words, they can move from one period to the
next, very smoothly, noticing the change while making the
information within the structure just as examples.
For effectiveness of the formula, History should be divided into the
following parts:
Part-I
✓ Pre-History and Proto-History
✓ Palaeolithic Period (Lakhs of years BCE to 10,000 BCE)
✓ Mesolithic Period (10,000-6000 BCE)
✓ Neolithic Period (6000 BCE onwards)
✓ Chalcolithic Period (3500 BCE onwards)
✓ Harappan Civilisation (2600 BCE to 1900 BCE)
✓ Late Harappan and Chalcolithic Culture (1900 BCE to 1000 BCE)
✓ Iron phase (1000 BCE onwards)
In order to underline the shift or change here, the following
formula introduced:
Climatic Factor > Technological Change > Change in Livelihood
> Social Change > Change in Cultural Approach
Model Questions
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Indus
Valley Civilization:
1. The Aryan invasion led to the decline of Harappan
cities.
2. The Harappan people had developed a temple-based
religious cult.
3. The Harappan civilization maintained trade
relationships with merchants from the Gulf region.
How many of the above statements can be conclusively
proved based on archaeological findings?
(a) Only one (b) Only two
(c) All the three (d) None of the above
2. Consider the following statements regarding the decline of
the Indus Valley Civilization:
1. The Indus Valley Civilization collapsed abruptly.
2. Following the civilisation's decline, the number of
human settlements increased in the southern and
eastern regions of the erstwhile civilisation.
Which of the following statement/statements is/are
correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 2 (d) None of them
Part-II
✓ Vedic Period (1500 BCE – 600 BCE)
✓ Buddha Age (600 BCE to 400 BCE)
✓ Maurya Age (400 BCE to 200 BCE)
✓ Post-Mauryan Period (200 BCE 300 CE)
✓ Gupta Period (300 to 600 CE)
✓ Post Gupta Period (600 CE to 750 CE)
✓ Early Medieval age (750 CE to 1200 CE)
For underlining shift or change here the same formula of
division which has been mentioned during the early phase should
be followed i.e. Political, Economic, Social and Cultural.
 Political
Political expansion– here, the map should be used for displaying the
boundary of the state and empire. Then there should be study of the
state, empire, dynasty and kings in a horizontal manner.
Early
Vedic
Period
Vedic
Period
Maurya
Period
 Post
Maurya
Period
Gupta
Period
Post Gupta
Period
 Early
Medieval
Period
You simply need a brief idea about Political history. You may find a
maximum of one or two questions from this segment. So you need to
make a ‘horizontal’ survey of different dynasties and specific
contributions of certain kings in Part-II (Vedic to Early Medieval Age).
Model Questions
Q. Consider the following political dynasties:
1. Pushyabhuti dynasty
2. Maitrakas dynasty
3. Chalukyas of Badami
4. Pratihara dynasty
How many of them are contemporary to each other?
(a) Only two (b) Only three
(c) All of them (d) None of the above
Q. Put the following dynasties in chronological order and in
ascending manner-
1. Gahadvala dynasty
2. Maukhari dynasty
3. Gupta dynasty
4. Kakatiya dynasty
Code:
(a) 1, 4, 3, 2 (b) 2, 3, 1, 4
(c) 3, 2, 1 ,4 (d) 3, 1, 2, 4
 THEORY OF KINGSHIP

It sheds light on the evolution of the institution of monarchy and

also focuses on the position of the king vis-a-vis his people.
Q. In which of the following texts the theory of kingship has
clearly been mentioned for the first time-
(a) Rigveda
(b) Aitareya Brahmana
(c) Taittiriya Aranyaka
(d) Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Q. View the following statements:
Assertion (A): During Gupta period the King started to
assume pompous titles, with claims to divine kingship.
Reasoning (R): The power and prestige of the king increased
during this period.
(a) A and R both are correct and Statement R is the correct
explanation of A
(b) A and R both are correct but Statement R is not the
correct explanation of Statement A
(c) Statement A is correct but Statement R is incorrect
(d) Statement R is correct but Statement A is incorrect
 ADMINISTRATION
You need to observe the structure of the government,
very minutely.

Model Questions
Q. Taxation system was not established during the Rig Vedic
period. Which of the following factors seems to be the most
appropriate for this?
(a) Rigvedic people did not practice agriculture.
(b) Urban life had not flourished during the Rig Vedic period.
(c) Agriculture was not fully established during Rig Vedic
period.
(d) During the Rig Vedic period, people were not accustomed
to paying taxes.
Q. How many of the following features is/are common between a
tribal structure (Vedic period) and a feudal structure (Early
Medieval Age)?
1. The weak position of the king
2. A decentralised administration
3. The rise of intermediaries between the king and the
people
Code:
(a) Only One (b) Only two
(c) All Three (d) None of the Above
Q. Which of the following officer(s) was/were associated with the
district administration under Mauryas?
1. Pradeshika
2. Rajjuka
3. Gopa
Code:
(a) 1 Only (b) 1 and 2 Only
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
 ECONOMY
Agriculture and ownership of land- make a
‘horizontal’ survey

Model Questions
Q. How many of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The role of land revenue was generally 1/16 of total
production.
2. Manu did not permit Shudras to practice agriculture.
3. Satvahana King started land grants for Brahmnas and
Buddhist monks.
Code:
(a) Only one (b) Only two
(c) All the three (d) None of above
Q. Read the following choices:
(i). Kulyavapa
(ii). Dronavapa
(iii). Nivartana
Which of terms mentioned above represent/represents a unit
of land measurement?
(a) Only (i) (b) Only (ii)
(c) (i) and (ii) (d) (i), (ii) and (iii)
Q. Which of the following Smriti writer declares that the land
belongs to the one who cultivates it first-
(a) Manu
(b) Yajnavalkya
(c) Narad
(d) Katyayana
 CRAFT AND INDUSTRY
Take a cursory look at the evolution of craft and
industry from Vedic Period to Early Medieval
Age.

Model Questions
Q. Read the following statements-
1. During the Ancient period, craft gradually got linked to
the caste status.
2. During the Mauryan Period, the state had a monopoly
over certain crafts.
3. The members of higher castes could not adopt the
occupation of lower castes.
Code:
(a) Only One (b) Only Two
(c) All Of Three (d) None of the above
Q. Read the following statements. Which of them is not
correct?
(a) A Guild (Sreni) represents a group of artisans.
(b) A Guild (Sreni) consists of a single caste men.
(c) A Guild (Sreni) consists of different caste groups.
(d) The head of a guild was Jyesthaka.
 TRADE
You should focus on the rise and decline of
internal and external trade during this phase.

Model Questions
Q. When the Roman Empire was devastated due to Huna
invasions in the Third Century CE, Indian merchants
depended on which of the following regions for trade?
(a) African trade
(b) Western European trade
(c) South East Asian trade
(d) Middle Eastern trade
Q. Which of the following items is/are counted among
exportable items from India to the outside world?
1. Silver
2. Lead
3. Horse
Code:
(a) 2 only (b) 1 and 2 Only
(c) 2 and 3 Only (d) None of the above
 MONEY ECONOMY - Observe the evolution of money
economy.
Q. Consider the following choices
i. Pagoda
ii. Dinar
iii. Besant
How many of the above mentioned coins belonged to the
category of gold coins?
(a) Only Only (b) Only Two
(c) All the three (d) None of the above
Q. Which of the following dynasties issued lead coins?
(a) Maurya
(b) Satvahana
(c) Kushana
(d) Gupta
 URBANIZATION

Q. Which of the factor/factors contribute/contributes to the rise of

urban centres-
i. Political centres emerge to be urban centres.
ii. Agrarian surplus resulted into the rise of urban centres.
iii. Trade made a contribution to the rise of urban centres.
Code:
(a) only iii (b) i and ii
(c) i ,ii and iii (d) ii and iii
SOCIAL STRUCTURES
Model Questions
Varna and Caste- Underline the evolution of Varna and Caste from Vedic
to the Early Medieval Age-
Q. Which of the following statements are inferred from the description
of the four-fold Varna system in the Purushasukta of the Rigveda?
1. The Varna system was created by divine authority.
2. Hierarchical division existed within the Varna system.
3. There was change in Verna hierarchy from time to time.
4. The duty of Shudras was to serve other three Varnas.
Code:
(a) 1, 2, and 3 only (b) 1, 2, and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only (d) All 1, 2, 3, and 4
Q. How many of the following factor/s contributed to the
evolution of the caste system in ancient India?
1. Caste division based on birth.
2. The practice of Hypergamy (Pratiloma marriage).
3. Adopting of occupations of higher Varnas by lower Varna
people.
Code:
(a) Only One (b) Only Two
(c) All Three (d) None of the Above
Q. Which of the following factors contributed to the
proliferation of castes during ancient India?
1. The growth of mixed castes
2. The growth of various occupational groups.
3. Formation of distinct caste group from various craft
categories.
Code:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) All 1, 2 and 3
CONDITION OF WOMEN, SHUDRAS AND
UNTOUCHABLES

From Vedic period to Early medieval age there

was gradual decline in the condition of women.
You should be able to identify the extent of decline
as well as the cause of decline.

Model Questions
Q. Which of the following characteristic/s is/are associated with
Rig Vedic society?
1. Women's Participation in the Sabha.
2. Education for women
3. Child marriage.
Code:
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 Only
(c) All 1, 2, and 3 (d) 1 and 3 only
Q. Assertion (A): The social status of women declined with
growing complexity of Varna and Caste in society.
Reason (R): It was considered necessary to maintain the purity
of Varna system.
Code:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (A) is the correct
explanation of (R).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (A) is not the correct
explanation of (R).
(c) (A) is correct but (R) is incorrect.
(d) (A) is incorrect but (R) is correct.
 SHUDRAS

Q. Which of the following Smriti-writer gave the Shudras the

right to practice agriculture?
(a) Manu
(b) Yajnavalkya
(c) Narad
(d) Parasar
 UNTOUCHABLES

Q. The term ‘Antyavasayin’ was used to describe which of the

following, in Ancient India?
(a) Buddhist Monks
(b) Ascetics
(c) Untouchables
(d) Shudras
 CULTURE
Religion and Philosophy

Model Questions
You are supposed to underline the change from Vedic Period to
early medieval age.
Q. In the context of religion, which of the following aspects are
similar between Harappan civilisation and Vedic civilisation?
1. Polytheism 2. Worship of Goddess
3. Idol worship 4. Sacrifice (Yajna)
Select the correct code:
(a) 1, 4 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) All 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q. Assertion (A): The Upanishads rejected the Vedic religion.
Reason (R): The Upanishads emphasise that knowledge is more
important than sacrifice (Yajna).
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason
(R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason
(R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Q. Which of the following entity/entities patronised both
Buddhism and Jainism?
1. King
2. Trader
3. Head of the family (Grihapati)
Choose the correct code:
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None of them
Q. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct regarding the
Dhamma of Ashoka?
1. Ashoka's Dhamma was a state religion.
2. It consisted of certain instructions given to the officials
and people by the state.
3. It talked about tolerance and goodwill.
4. It encouraged the subjects of his state to remain
dedicated to his ‘personal religion’.
Choose the correct code:
(a) 3 only (b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only (d) All 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q. In context of Indian history, how many of the following
aspects is/are shared by both Jainism and Buddhism?
1. Avoiding extreme penance and indulgence.
2. Rejection of the authority of Vedas.
3. Questioning the significance of rituals.
Choose the correct code:
(a) Only One (b) Only Two
(c) All Three (d) None of the above
LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Evolution of dialogues and literature

Model Questions
Q. Consider the following scriptures:
1. Saundrananda
2. Gathasaptasati
3. Sutralankara
4. Malindapanho
Which of the aforementioned works is/are written in Pali or
Prakriti?
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, and 4 only (d) 2, 3, and 4 only
Q. Which of the following text/texts fall under the category of
Shruti literature?
1. Vedas
2. Upanishads
3. Dharmsutra
4. Manusmriti
Choose the correct code:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 4 only (d) All 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
(Book) (Author)
1. Ramacharitam - Sandhyakar Nandi
2. Gaudavaho - Bilhana
3. Naishadha Charita - Sriharsha
Choose the correct code:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) All 1, 2, and 3
(d) 1 and 2 only
 ART AND ARCHITECTURE
The history of art and architecture is usually
traced back to the Maurya Period. So we should
observe the gradual evolution of art and
architecture from Maurya Period to the Early
medieval age.

Model Questions
Q. How many of the following statements is/are correct
regarding a Stupa?
1. It has a circumambulatory path.
2. It contains a Harmika.
3. It has a sanctum sanctorum.
4. A Vedika is constructed around it.
Choose the correct code:
(a) Only one (b) Only two
(c) All Three (d) None of the above
Q. What is/are correct regarding a Chaitya?
1. It was a memorial of important Buddhist saints.
2. It had a Stupa in the centre.
3. It was a rock-cut structure.
Choose the correct code:
(a) 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3 only
Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct about Guptan
temples?

1. All the temples built during period were free standing temple

2. Guptan temples were made of stone and bricks both

3. All Guptan temples belonged to lord Vishnu

Choose the correct code:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Consider the following features:
1. Stupika
2. Mandapa (Assembly Hall)
3. Pyramidal Shikhara
4. Temple constructed on higher platform
Which of the aforementioned characteristics is/are related to
the Dravida style?
(a) 2 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2, and 3 only (d) All 1, 2, 3, and 4 only
Q. Which of the following is/are characteristics of Shore Temple
at Mahabalipuram?
1. Vimana
2. Pyramidal Shikhara
3. Mandapa (Assembly Hall)
4. Gopuram
Choose the correct code:
(a) 1 and 4 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) All 1, 2, 3, and 4
Q. Ajanta represents how many of the following art forms-
1. Architecture
2. Paintings
3. Sculpture
Choose the correct code:
(a) 2 Only (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. In Ajanta caves, which of the following images are depicted-
1. Buddha and Bodhisattvas
2. Vishnu
3. Durga, Shiva, and Parvati
Choose the correct code:
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
 TECHNOLOGY

Q. How many of the following specimens of metallurgy were

developed during the Gupta Period?
1. Bronze statue of Buddha statue as Sultanganj
2. Bronze statue of Shiva Natraj
3. Iron pillar of Mehrauli (Delhi)
Choose the correct code:
(a) Only one (b) Only two
(c) All the three (d) None of them