Ancient History · Chapter 14 of 15

Ancient Literature: BPSC Prelims PYQs

22 previous-year questions on Ancient Literature, asked 1994–2023. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.

1. 1. 66th BPSC Prelims 2020

   Which of the following Indian Philosophies has given the theory of atom?

   1. AYoga
   2. BNyaya
   3. CSankhya
   4. DVaiseshika
   5. ENone of the above/ More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

2. 2. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005

   In Kalidasa's 'Kumarasambhavam', what mythological character's birth story is found?

   1. ASanatkumar
   2. BKartikeya
   3. CPradyumna
   4. DAbhimanyu
   Answer and explanation →

3. 3. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

   Who of the following was the writer of Mudrarakshasa?

   1. AAshvaghosha
   2. BVishakhadatta
   3. CKalidasa
   4. DBhasa
   Answer and explanation →

4. 4. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

   What is the name of Megasthenes’ book?

   1. AEconomics
   2. BRig Veda
   3. CPurana
   4. DIndica
   Answer and explanation →

5. 5. 56th–59th BPSC Prelims 2014 Asked again

   Who was the author of ‘Indica’?

   1. AVishnugupta
   2. BMegasthenes
   3. CDeimachus
   4. DPliny
   Answer and explanation →

6. 6. BPSC Auditor 2019

   Match List-I with List-II and choose the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

   List-I (Book)	List-II (Author)
   A. Brihatsamhita	1. Kalhana
   B. Mushika Vamsha	2. Bilhana
   C. Rajatarangini	3. Atula
   D. Vikramankadevacharita	4. Varahamihira

   1. AA-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
   2. BA-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
   3. CA-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
   4. DA-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
   Answer and explanation →

7. 7. BPSC Assistant 2019

   Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

   List-I (Author)	List-II (Book)
   A. Kautilya	1. Ashtadhyayi
   B. Panini	2. Arthashastra
   C. Kamandaka	3. Kumarasambhava
   D. Kalidasa	4. Nitisara

   1. AA-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
   2. BA-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
   3. CA-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
   4. DA-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
   Answer and explanation →

8. 8. 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011 · BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005

   What is the name of Kalhana’s book?

   1. AArthashastra
   2. BIndica
   3. CPurana
   4. DRajatarangini
   Answer and explanation →

9. 9. 63rd BPSC Prelims 2017

   Kautilya's Arthashastra is a book based on -

   1. AEconomic relations
   2. BPrinciples and practice of statecraft
   3. CForeign policy
   4. DWealth accumulation
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

10. 10. 45th BPSC Prelims 2001

    Kautilya’s Arthashastra deals with the aspects of –

    1. AEconomic life
    2. BPolitical policies
    3. CReligious life
    4. DSocial life
    Answer and explanation →

11. 11. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005 Asked again

    Who was the author of the book 'Arthashastra'?

    1. ABanabhatta
    2. BKautilya
    3. CCharvaka
    4. DVishakhadatta
    Answer and explanation →

12. 12. BPSC Assistant 2019

    Which pair correctly matches the kings of the ancient and medieval periods of history with the works written by them?

    1. AKrishnadeva Raya - Samarangana sutradhara
    2. BMahendravarman - Mattavilasa Prahasana
    3. CBhojadeva - Manasollasa
    4. DSomeshwar - Amukta Malyada
    Answer and explanation →

13. 13. 64th BPSC Prelims 2018

    Who wrote 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea'?

    1. ACtesias
    2. BPliny
    3. CPtolemy
    4. DStrabo
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

14. 14. 43rd BPSC Prelims 1999

    The author of ‘Prithviraj Raso’ is –

    1. AKalhana
    2. BBilhana
    3. CJayanaka
    4. DChand Bardai
    Answer and explanation →

15. 15. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005 Asked again

    Who wrote the book 'Prithviraj Raso'?

    1. AKalidas
    2. BChand Bardai
    3. CKalhana
    4. DVishakhadatta
    Answer and explanation →

16. 16. 43rd BPSC Prelims 1999

    The author of ‘Swapnavasavadatta’ is

    1. AKalidasa
    2. BBhasa
    3. CBhavabhuti
    4. DRajashekhara
    Answer and explanation →

17. 17. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    ‘Kumarasambhava,’ an epic poem was composed by –

    1. ABanabhatta
    2. BChand Bardai
    3. CHarishena
    4. DKalidasa
    Answer and explanation →

18. 18. 67th BPSC Prelims 2022

    Who wrote the book “Kiratarjuniya”?

    1. ABhatti
    2. BShudraka
    3. CKalidasa
    4. DBharavi
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

19. 19. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

    Name the source that is silent about the trade routes of ancient India:

    1. ASangam Literature
    2. BMilindpanho
    3. CJataka Tales
    4. DAll of the above
    Answer and explanation →

20. 20. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

    Who wrote the book 'Harshacharita'?

    1. AAryabhata
    2. BBanabhatta
    3. CVishnugupta
    4. DParimalagupta
    Answer and explanation →

21. 21. 69th BPSC Prelims 2023

    Match List-I with List-II:

    List-I	List-II
    A. Charaka	1. Mathematics
    B. Brahmagupta	2. Medicine
    C. Varahamihira	3. Playwright
    D. Vishakhadatta	4. Astrology

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below (in the order A B C D):

    1. A2 1 4 3
    2. B1 2 3 4
    3. C3 2 4 1
    4. D1 4 3 2
    Answer and explanation →

22. 22. 69th BPSC Prelims 2023

    Nitisara, an early book of politics, was written by

    1. AKautilya
    2. BKamandaka
    3. CCharaka
    4. DNone of them
    Answer and explanation →