UPSC (Prelims) 2020 History Hard Questions

With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as:
(a) ports handling foreign trade
(b) capitals of powerful kingdoms
(c) places of exquisite stone art and architecture
(d) important Buddhist pilgrimage centres

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Famous Place Present State

1. Bhilsa — Madhya Pradesh
2. Dwarasamudra — Maharashtra
3. Girinagar — Gujarat
4. Sthanesvara — Uttar Pradesh
   Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
   (a) 1 and 2 only
   (b) 1 and 3 only
   (c) 2 and 4 only
   (d) 3 and 4 only

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

1. Aurang — In-charge of treasury of the East India Company
2. Bantas — Indian agent of the East India Company
3. Mahaldaar — Designated revenue payer to the Company
   Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

1. Aurang — In-charge of treasury of the East India Company
2. Bantas — Indian textile industry
3. Mahaldaar — Person appointed by Aurangzeb to collect revenue
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   (The image shows pairs about Aurang, Bantas, Mahaldaar related to the East India Company context. Specific detail: Aurang = warehouse, Banta = Indian agent, Mahaldaar = designated revenue payer.)

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. Sthaviravádin belonged to Mahayana Buddhism.
2. Lokottaravadin was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.
3. The doctrine of Shunyata is associated with Mahayana Buddhism.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following events in the history of India:

1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman — I
3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka
4. Establishment of Rashtrakuta power by Dantidurga
   What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest?

With reference to the book 'Dinkar Katha' written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements:

1. It warned against the Colonial State's hypnotic suggestions of India's economic development.
2. It inspired the spirit of swadeshi movement and patriotic songs.
3. The use of 'desh' by Deuskar was specific to the context of the region of Bengal.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the cultural history of India, the terms 'Polychrome ware' and 'demarcanam' denote:
(a) class of monetary value
(b) zone of different monetary value
(c) classification of land revenue
(d) religious rituals

With reference to the history of India, the terms 'Polychrome' and 'demarcanam' are associated with which one of the following?
(The image shows a question referencing the history of India about terms associated with 'LARA Indulgences'. The question asks about 'dyoceraps' and 'demarcanam'. Based on visible text: 'With reference to the history of India, the terms "LARA Indulgences" and "demarcanam" denote')
(a) zone of different monetary value
(b) class of monetary value
(c) area of different monetary value
(d) religious rituals

With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
Famous Place Present State

1. Bhilsa — Madhya Pradesh
2. Dwarasamudra — Maharashtra
3. Girinagar — Gujarat
4. Sthanesvara — Uttar Pradesh
   Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
   (a) 1 and 2 only
   (b) 1 and 3 only
   (c) 2 and 4 only
   (d) 3 and 4 only