WBCS Preliminary Ancient India Previous Year Question Paper

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2000

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2001

 

07. The finest specimen of Pallava architecture are

(A) Temples at Madurai
(B) Temples at Tanjore
(C) Kailashnath Temple at Ellors
(D) Rock-cut Ratha temples at Mahabalipuram

 

O8. The greatest scholar of Medical Science during the Gupta Age

(A) Bhatta
(B) Bana
(C) Charaka
(D) Bhagabhatta

 

09 Buddhist doctrines are contained in

(A) Jatakas
(B) Sotapaths
(C) Upanishads
(D) Dhammapadas

 

10. The most important source of information for the municipal administration of the city of Pataliputra in the Mauryan Empire is

(A) Indra
(B) Arthasastra
(C) Mudrarakshasa
(D) Asokan inscriptions

 

11. Which of the following Gods does not belong to the Rigvedic period?

(A) Indra
(8) Maruts
(C) Shiva
(D) Adm

 

12. Whose contemporary was the famous grammarian Patanjali?

(A) Agni Mitra Sunga
(B) Pushya Mitra Sunga
(C) Vasudeva Kanva
(D) Gautami Putra Satakami

 

13. Chalukyas established their empire in

(A) Gujrat
(B) Malwa
(C) Deccan
(D) Far South India

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2002

14. Which of the following was not a part of the Tripitaka (three baskets)?

(A) Jatakas
(B) Vinaya (350 BC)
(C) Sutta (300 BC)
(D) Abhidhamma

 

15. According to Buddhist tradition Chandragupta Maurya belonged to the Moriya tribe of

(A) Shudras
(B) Vaishvas
(C) Brahmanas
(D) Kshatriyas

 

16. Which of the following me true with regard to the Gandhara School of Art

(1) Buddha’s figure appears here for the first time.
(ii) Its craftsmen used white stone to make images,
(iii) It was also known as Greco-Buddhist Art
(iv). Its figures were superior in the Mathura School of Art

(A) i, ii and iii
(B) and i
(C) and iv
(D) is and iv

 

17. Whom does the Gayatri mantra in the Rig Veda address?
(Vishvamitra)

(A) Indra
(B) Agni
(C) Savitri
(D) Ushas

 

18. The original name of the Sect which later came to be known as “Jaina’ was

(A) Tirthankaras
(8) Jina
(C) Nigranthan
(D) Argent

 

19. The Kalinga that is mentioned in the (262-261 RC)

(A) 13th Rock Edict
(B) 12th Rock Edict
(C) Bhahru Rock Edict
(D) 8th Rock Edict

 

20. Who of the following were the first rulers to make land grants to the Brahmanas?

(A) Shungas
(8) Canvas
(C) Satabahanas
(D) Shakas and Kuthamas

 

21. The Indus Valley Civilization belongs to the

(A) Neolithic Period:
(B) Paleolithic period
(C) Mesolithic period
(D) Chalcolithic period

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2003

22. Divya’ was the leader of the

(A) Kaivarta Rebellion
(8) Kol Rebellion
(C) Munda Rebellion
(D) Santal Rebellion

 

23. Asokan Brahmi was first read by

(A) Cunningham
(B) Princep
(C) RL. Mara
(D) Burgess

 

24. Sandhyakara Nandi was the court poet of the

(A) Pratinaras
(B) Rashtrakutas
(C) Senas
(D) Pallas

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2004

25. Who was the first historical emperor of India?

(A) Bimbisara
(8) Mahapadmananda
(C) Chandragupta Maurya
(D) Vikramaditya

 

26. Fo-Kuo-King’ was authored by whom?
(Chandragupta II)

(A) It Tsing
(B) Fa-Hien.
(C) Hiuen Tsang
(D) Megasthenes

 

27. Who was popularly known as “Indian Machiavelli”?

(A) Chanakya
(B) Nana Famabis
(C) Abul Fazl
(D) Alivardi Khan

 

28. Who was the first independent King of Bengal?

(A) Sasanka
(B) King Ganesh
(C) Gopala
(D) Mahasengupta

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2005

29. Who is known as “Kunik in the history of India?

(a) Bimbisara
(b) Ajatasharu
(c) Bindusara
(d) Ashoka

 

30. Surya-Siddhanta was authored by

(a) Aryabhatta
(b) Varahanihire
(c) Bararuchi
(d) Sushruta

 

31. Who among the following kings performed ‘Asvamedh Yajna?

(a) Pulakesin I
(b) Kirtivarman
(c) Pulakesin II
(d) Mangalesh

 

32. Who was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty?

(a) Simuka
(b) Krishna
(c) Satakarni
(d) Gautamiputra Satakarni

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2006

33. Indus Valley civilization is called

(a) Urban
(b) Rural
(c) Stone Age
(d) Iron Age

 

34. According to Ceylonese tradition Buddha’s Pannirvana took place in.

(a) 483 B.C
(b) 486 BC
(c) 543 B.C
(d) 546 B.C

 

35. The Principal Sacred Book of the Buddhists is

(a) Tripitaka
(b) Astha
(c) Panchapatika
(d) Astanga Marga

 

36. Charvaka was the name of a

(a) Religions School of thoughts
(b) Doctor
(c) Science Scholar
(d) Wrestler

 

37. The ‘Ratha temples of Mahabalipuram were constructed in the reign of (630-80, Pallava, Tamilnadu)

(a) Pulokeshin Il
(b) Narasingha Varman I
(c) Raja Raja
(d) Rajendra Chola

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2007

38. In which year was “Sakabda” started?

(A) 78 A.D.
(B) SE B.C.
(C) 273 B.C.
(D) 420 AD

 

39. Which rulers Introduced gold coins in India for the first time?

(A) Sakas
(8) Mauryas
(C) The Guptas
(D) Kushanas

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2008

40. Chandra Gupta Maury defeated

(A) Paros
(B) Alexander
(C) Seleukas
(D) Ambhi

 

41. Who was the Court poet of Samudra Gupta?

(A) Asvaghosha
(B) Nagarjuna
(C) Aryabhatta
(D) Harishena

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2009

42. Who discovered the Indus Valley Civilization?
(1921-22)

(A) Sir Lennard Wonley
(B) V S. Agarwal
(C) Rakhaldas Banerjee
(D) AL. Beshem

 

43. Which metal was unknown to the Indus people 7

(A) Copper
(B) Iron
(C) Bronze
(D) Gold

 

44. During which period the Vedic Literature was composed?

(A) 1000 B.C
(B) 3000 B.C.- 2500 B.C
(C) 1500 B.C-1000 B.C
(D) 1200 B.C.-1000 B.C

 

45. The word Aryan denotes

(A) Cultivation
(B) A race
(C) Pastoral society
(D) Linguistic group

 

46. The Tripitaka was written

(A) Brahmi
(B) Knarosti
(C) Pali
(D) Sanskrit

 

47. How many Tirthankars were there in ancient India?

(A) 16
(1) 22
(C) 23
(D) 24

 

48. Name the last Tirthankara
(1st-Rishabhanatha)

(A) Parsvanath
(B) Mahavira
(C) Siddhartha
(D) Silbhadra

 

49. Who was the founder of the Nanda dynasty?

(A) Bimbinara
(B) Mahapadmananda
(C) Ajatasatru
(D) Dhananda

 

50. Who in ancient India assumed the title ‘amitraghata ?

(A) Ajatasatru
(B) Chandragupta Maurya
(C) Bindusara
(D) Asoka

 

51. Who introduced the Saka era?
(78 AD)

(A) Bhumaka
(B) Nohapona
(C) Ruciradaman
(D) Kanishka (78-110)

 

52. When did the Mathura School of Art flourish?

(A) Sunga period
(B) Satavahana period
(C) Saka period
(D) Kushana period

 

53. Who was the founder of the Gupta dynasty

(A) Chandragupta
(B) Srigupta
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Skanaugupta

 

54. Which emperor has been called ‘Napoleon of India’?

(A) Asoka
(B) Kanishka
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Chandragupta II Vikramaditya

 

55. Where was the capital of Sasanka?

(A) Samatata
(B) Tamralipta
(C) Karnasuvarna
(D) Laihnswati

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2010

56. To which period of Indian history did Aryabhatta and Varahamihira (Scientist and Mathematician.
respectively) belong (Chandragupta II)

(A) Maurya period
(B) Gupta period
(C) Pala period
(D) Delhi Sultanate

 

57. With the people of which country Harappan people canied trade?
(southern Mesopotamia)

(A) China
(B) Iran
(C) Russia
(D) Sumer

 

58. The oldest school of Indian Philosophy is

(A) Yoga
(B) Samkhya
(C) Valsesike
(D) Karma Mimansa

 

59. Who was Megasthenes?

(A) Ambassador of Seleucus
(B) Prime Minister of Chandragupta Maurya
(C) A Greek pilgrim
(D) A Chinese traveller

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2011

60. The first metal discovered by man was (northern Iraq, 8700 B.C)

(A) Iron
(B) Aluminium
(C) Zinc
(D) Copper

 

61. The main Buddhist religious texts are written in

(A) Prakrit
(B) Sansknt
(C) Pali
(D) Ardha Magadhi

 

62. Alexander stayed in India for

(A) 16 months
(B) 19 months
(C) 20 months
(D) 24 months

 

63. An important port in the time of Satavahanas was

(A) Sopara
(B) Tamralipta
(C) Calicut
(D) Cochin

 

64. Who was known as Amitraghata?

(A) Bimbisara
(B) Bindusara
(C) Ashoka
(D) Kalasoko

 

65. Who issued the Nasik Prasasti (Inscription)?

(A) Gautamiputra Satakami
(8) Samudragupta
(C) Harshavardhan
(D) Dharmapala

*The Lion capital of currency notes was discovered from (250BC)

(A)Bharut
(B)Sanchi
(C)Bodh Gaya
(D)Sarnath

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2012

66. Who composed the Allahabad Prasasti of Surnudragupta?
(Pillar Edict of Ashoka)

(A) Kalhana
(B) Dilhana
(C) Ranabhatta
(D) Harisena

67. In which ancient text you will find the earliest reference to the Varna System?
(Purusha Suktam)

(A) Mana Samhita
(B) Rigveda
(C) Atharva Veda
(D) Satapatha Brahmana

68. Which among the Gupta rulers was known as ‘Lichchavi-dauhitra?

(A) Samudragupta
(8) Chandragupta II
(C) Kumargupta
(D) Skandagupta

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2013

69. The Great Bath was found in

(A) Lothal
(B) Harappa
(C) Mohen-jo-daro
(D) Kalibangan

70. Whe composed A-hole prasasti? (Pulakeshin 1, Kannada script)

(A) Kautilya
(B) Rabikirti
(C) Harinera
(D) Nayanikar

71. Buddha was born in

(A) 523 BC
(B) 563 B.C.
(C) 623 B.C
(D) 602 B.C

72. The first permanent home of the Aryans in India was-
(1600-1500 BC)

(A) Punjab
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Sindh
(D) Gujarat

75. (ST)Who of the following put up a stiff resistance against Alexander? (Battle of Hydaspes-326 BC)

(A) Ambhi
(B) Mahapadma
(C) Porus
(D) All of the above

76. In his inscriptions, Ashoka calls himself (13th Major Rock Edict)

(A) Priyadarshi
(B) Dhammasoku
(C) Daivaputra
(D) Devanampriya Priyadarsin

77. Which of the following Gupta rulers was known as Vikramaditya?

(A) Chandragupta-
(B) Samudragupta
(C) Chandragupta-II
(D) Skandagupta

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2014

78. Which ruler was a contemporary of both Buddha and Mahavirs

(A) Bimbisara
(B) Chandragupta
(C) Pradyot
(D) Ajatasatru

79. Which was a major port of the Indus Valley?
(Ahmedabad district, Gujarat)

(A) Lothal
(B) Kalibangan
(C) Chanhudaro
(D) Mehargarh

80. Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by:

(A) Bindusara
(B) Ajatasatru
(C) Ashaks
(D) Harsha

81. What was the policy of Samudragupta in the south?

(A) Conquest
(B) Dharma Vijaya
(C) Digvijay
(D) None of the above

82. The oldest Veda in

(A) Atharvaveda
(B) Rigveda
(C) Yajurveda
(D) Samveda

83. Sasanka belonged to the
(590-625 AD)

(A) Pal dynasty
(B) Sen dynasty
(C) Gauda dynasty
(D) Kamrup dynasty

84. Alexander fought against Perus on the Banks of the river

(A) Indus
(B) Jhelum
(C) Ravi
(D) Iravati

85. Who is the author of Indica?

(A) Herodotus
(B) Megastenes
(C) Strabe
(D) Plutarch

86. Taxila was the famous site of
(Punjab, Pakistan)

(A) Early Vedic Age
(B) Gandhara Art
(C) Gupta Art
(D) Mauryan Art

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2015

87. The author of Kadambari was
(court poet of Harsha)

(A) Khemeridra
(B) Kalhana
(C) Bhabobhuti
(D) Banabhatta.

88. Which was the ancient port of the Indus Civilization?
(Gujarat)

(A) Harappa
(B) Lothal
(C) Dholavira
(D) Surkotada

89. Which of the following was not a Buddhist genealogical text
(history of Sri Lanka)

(A) Suttapitaka
(B) Vinayapitaka
(C) Abhidhammapitaka
(D) Dipavansa

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2016

90. Who is considered as the father of Indian Archaeology?
(1061, Archaeological Survey of India)

(A) Alexander Cunningham
(B) Gordon Child
(C) Mortimer Wheeler
(D) John Marshall

91. The decline of the Nandas at the hands of Kautilya and Chandragupta Maurya has been vividly portrayed in the Sanskrit Play
(Vishakhadatta)

(A) Michhakatika
(B) Devi Chandragupta
(C) Mattavilasa
(D) Mudrarakshasa

92. The most famous Indo-Greek ruler of India was:

(A) Demetrius
(B) Antiochus
(C) Menander
(D) None of the above

93. Rice cultivation is associated with the Harappan site of

(A) Kalibangan
(B) Lothal
(C) Kot Diji
(D) Ropar

94. The Upanishads were compiled around

(A) 600 BC
(B) 800 BC
(C) 1000 BC
(D) 1600-600 BC

95. According to Buddhism the cause of all sorrows in

(A) Maya
(B) Kama
(C) Trishna
(D) Kradh

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2017

96. Which of the following is a Harappan site located in Rajasthan?

(A) Mohenjo Daro
(B) Suktagen Dor
(C) Kalibangan
(D) Lothal

 

97. The Mauryan ruler who used the name “Piyades” in his official declaration was (12th rock edict)

(A) Bimbisara
(B) Ashoka
(C) Chandragupta Maurya
(D) Briheddrota

 

98. Which Magadha ruler was known as ‘Seniya”

(A) Bimbisara
(B) Ajatshatru
(C) Mahapadma Nanida:
(D) Chandragupta Maurya

99. The famous physician during Budhiha’s time was (Ayurveda Physician)

(A) Kautilya
(B) Nechiketa
(C) Charaka
(D) Jivaka

100. The author of ‘Kadambari was (Harshacharita)

(A) Kshemendra
(B) Kalhona
(C) Bhababhuti
(D) Banabhatta

101. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came to India during the reign of
(630-6-15 AD)

(A) Samudra Gupta
(B) Ashoka
(C) Harshavardhan
(D) Kulotusoumen

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2018

102. Who was the writer of Buddha Charita?

(a) Buddhaghosha
(b) Ashvaghosha
(c) Nagarjuna
(d) Panin

103. Which among the following Harappan sites is not located in Gumat?
(Haryana)

(a) Surkotada
(b) Lothal
(c) Dholavire
(d) Banwali

104. Which kingdom covered the modern Patna and Gaya districts of Bihar?

(a) Arigis
(b) Kosala
(c) Magadha
(d) Avanti

105. Who came to India during the time of Chandragupta Maurya?

(a) Faxian Fa Hien)
(b) Xuanzang (Hiven Tsang)
(c) Megasthenes
(d) Strabo

106. Where did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon?

(a) Bodh Gaya
(b) Shravasti
(c) Sarnath
(d) Vaishali

107. Who was referred to as ‘Sandrocottus’ in the writings of the Grooks?

(a) Asoka
(b) Bindusara
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Dhanananda

108. Which Gupta ruler repulsed the Huna invasion?

(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Skandagupta
(d) Kumaragupta

109. Who was the author of “Brihatsamhita”
(Chandragupta II)

(a) Aryabhatta
(b) Varahamihira
(c) Amarasimha
(d) Brahmagupta

110. Which historian is famous for his research on Ancient Indian History?
(Secular historian)

(a) Sathis Chandra
(b) Bipan Chandra
(c) Ram Sharan Sharma
(d) Amalesh Tripathi

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2019

111. Where did Gautama Buddha attain Nirvana (enlightenment)?

(A) Lumbini
(B) Samath
(C) Kusinagar
(D) Bodh Gaya

112. Who wrote Mrichhakatikam 7

(A) Vishakhasdatta
(B) Shudrak
(C) Banabhatta
(D) Bhas

113. Who among the following succeeded Samudragupta as the next ruler of the Gupta dynasty?

(A) Chandragupta II
(B) Vishnugupta
(C) Chandragupta
(D) Skandagupta

114. The inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi scripts were deciphered by
(1838)

(A) Alexander Cunningham
(B) James Princep
(C) Max Muller
(D) Mortimer Wheeler

115. Which among the following places have given the earliest evidence of agriculture in the Indian sub-continent?

(A) Pratapgarh
(B) Mehrgarh
(C) Quetta
(D) Kalat

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2020

116. Boghazkoi is important because

(A) it is known as significant trading centre between Central Asia and Tibet.
(B) the original text of the Vedas was composed there
(C) inscription found here mention the names of Vedic Gods and Goddesses.
(D) None of the above

117. Which among the following places has given the earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian Subcontinent?

(A) Pratapgam
(B) Mehergarh
(C) Quotta
(D) Kalot

118. Who among the following historians has written the book entitled The wonder that was Indis?

(A) A. L. Basham
(B) Alison Bashford
(C) RC Majumder
(D) Satish Chandra

119. What were the two assemblies during the early Vedic period

(A) Samiti
(B) Sabha
(C) Samiti and Sangam
(D) Both (A) and (B)

120. Which of the following is a correct statement about Indus Valley civilization?

(A) Both Harappa and Mohenjodaro are located on the banks of river Ravi (Irabati).
(B) Both Chanhudaro and Kalibangan were located within the boundaries of present day Rajasthan,
(C) Both Surkotada and Dholavira are located in the Kutchh region of Gujarat
(D) Lothal site was located on the bank of Narmada river.

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2021

121. When did Sakabda commeпсе?

(A) 78 A.D.
(B) 78 BCE
(C) 178 B.C.E.
(D) 178 AD

122. Who is the author of Allahabad Pillar Inscription?

(A) Rudradaman
(B) Harisena
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Banabhatta

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2022

123. Who is the composer of Allahabad Prasasti?

(A) Harishena
(B) Bishakhdutte
(C) Kalidasa
(D) Shudrak

124. Earliest Tossil remains of archaic Homo sapiens has been found in (1982, Arun Sonakis)

(A) Siwalik hills
(B) Narmada valley
(C) Nallamalai nilis
(D) Chatanagpur Plateau

125. Arrange the list of foreign travellers in chronological order

(a) Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang)
(b) Itsing
(c) Fa Tum
(d) Megasthenes

(A) (a), (b), (c), (d)
(B) (a), (d), (b), (c)
(C) (d), (c), (a), (b)
(D) (d), (c), (b), (a)

126. Match the following

(a) Kat Dip 1. Luigi Pia Tessitari
(b) Harappa 2. FA. Khan, G.S. Ghurye
(c) Kalibangan 3. Daya Ram Sahani
(d) Mohenjodaro 4. Rakhal Das Bandyopadhyay

(A) (a-2), (b-3), (c-1), (d-4)
(B) (1) (b3), (2), (d-4)
(C) (4), (b-1), (2), (3)
(D) (3) (b-2) (c-4). (0-1)

127. Who among the following stated that there was no slavery in India?

(A) Strabo
(B) Ptolemy
(C) Megasthenes
(D) Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang)

128. in which of the following inscriptions we find earliest reference to Sati?
(Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh)

(A) Asokan inscription of Ginar
(B) Aihole inscription
(C) Eran inscription
(D) Darriodarpur inscription

129. The Gupta King who destroyed Sakas was

(A) Samudra Gupta
(B) Chandra Gupta-
(C) Kumara Gupta
(D) Chandra Gupta-II.

130. Earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the subcontinent comes from
(5500-4800 BC, Neolithic)

(A) Ulmur
(B) Burzahom
(C) Mehrgarh
(D) Bagor

131. The first sermon of Gautama Buddha is called

(A) Mahabhinishktarman
(B) Dharmachakra Pravartana
(C) Dhammaghos
(D) Mahaparinirvana

132. Who among the following was the Greek king of Syria mentioned in Asokan edict?

(A) Antiochus II Theos
(B) Ptolemy 1
(C) Antigenus
(D) Alexander

133. Match List-i with List-I

List 1. List 2

(a) Mariyas 1. Pippalivana
(b) Videhas 2. Mithila
(c) Licchavis 3. Vaishali
(d) Mallas 4. Kapilavastu

Which of the above is/are not properly matched?

(A) (1) (b-2), (3)
(B) (d-4)
(C) (0-3), (-4)
(D) All of the above

 

WBCS Preliminary Previous Year Question Paper- 2023

134. Name the king whose achievements were described in Nanaghat inscription

(A) Satakarni I
(B) Gautamiputra Satakami
(C) Vashishta Putra Putamayi
(D) Vajnasri Satakarm

135. Who was the first historical emperor of India?

(A) Dhanananda
(B) Chandragupta Maurya
(C) Bimbisara
(D) Bindusara

136. Name The Chalukya king who defested Harshavardana

(A) Pulakeshin]
(B) Pulakeshin II
(C) Mangelesh
(D) Kirtivarmana

137. Which state among the Sixteen Mahajanapadas’ was successful ultimately in founding an empire?

(A) Koshala
(B) Kashi
(C) Magadha
(D) Panchala

138. Name the Chola king who adopted the title of ‘Gangoikonde

(A) Rajendra Chola I
(B) Rajraj I
(C) Rajadhiraj Chola
(D) Rajendra Chole II

140. Where did Chandragupta Il establish his second capital?

(A) Bidisha
(B) Malava
(C) Valabhi
(D) Ujjayini

141. Who was Mihirkula/Mihirgula?

(A) Saka king
(B) Kusharia king
(C) Huna king
(D) Pahtava king

142. Where was the first Buddhist Council heid?

(A) Vaisali
(B) Pataliputra
(C) Rajagriha
(D) Malava

143. Where was the capital of Kanishka?

(A) Punishpur
(B) Jalandhar
(C) Kashmir
(D) Pataliputra

144. Under the rule of which emperor Nalanda University was founded?
(5th century)

(A) Samudragupta
(B) Chandragupta II
(C) Skandagupta
(D) Kumaragupta 1