Indian Literature PYQs — 18 UPSC CSE Previous Year Questions

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

B. 2 only

Question 2

Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa ?

Accepted Answer

C. Madhyama-vyayoga

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

B. Only two

Question 4

Who among the following is associated with 'Songs from Prison', a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?

Accepted Answer

C. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Question 5

With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:

Panini is associated with Pushyamitra
Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana
Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

C. 3 only

Question 6

Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?

Accepted Answer

B. Malavikagnimitra

Question 7

With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?

Accepted Answer

D. Maagadha

Question 8

Consider the following languages: Gujarati Kannada Telugu Which of the above has/have been declared as 'Classical Language/Languages' by the Government?

Accepted Answer

C. 2 and 3 only

Question 9

The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from

Accepted Answer

D. Mundaka Upanishad

Question 10

Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells?

Accepted Answer

C. Atharvaveda

Question 11

Match List I (Books) with List II (Authors) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I List II I. My Music, My Life A) Laxman Gaikwad II. Adha Gaon B) Rahi Masoom Raza III. Radha C) Ramakanta Rath IV. The Pilferer D) Ravi Shankar

Accepted Answer

B. I­D, II­B, III­C, IV­A

Question 12

The first writer to use Urdu as the medium of poetic expression was:

Accepted Answer

A. Amir Khusrau

Question 13

Which one of the following pairs of composers in different languages and their works on the Mahabharata theme is correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

D. Pampa—Kannada

Question 14

Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

Play/Drama	Written by
1. Mrichchakatikam	Shudraka
2. Buddhacharita	Vasuvandhu
3. Mudrarakshasha	Vishakadatta
4. Harshacharita	Banabhatta

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

B. l, 3 and 4

Question 15

Nastaliq was:

Accepted Answer

A. a Persian script used in medieval India

Question 16

The term 'Apabhramsa' was used in medieval Sanskrit texts to denote:

Accepted Answer

C. early forms of some modern Indian languages

Question 17

According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas, the sequential order of the cycle of four acons (yugas) is:

Accepted Answer

C. Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali

Question 18

The term 'Apabhramsa' was used in medieval Sanskrit texts to denote:

Accepted Answer

C. early forms of some modern Indian languages

Literary work	Author
1. Devichandragupta	Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya	Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha	Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita	Somadeva Suri

List I	List II
I. My Music, My Life	A) Laxman Gaikwad
II. Adha Gaon	B) Rahi Masoom Raza
III. Radha	C) Ramakanta Rath
IV. The Pilferer	D) Ravi Shankar