UPSC CSE PRE 1995 - Testpapers

Bronze icons of Nataraja cast during the Chola period invariably show the deity with:

(a) eight hands
(b) six hands
(c) four hands
(d) two hands

Ans: (c) four hands

Explanation:Four handed Bronze icon of Nataraja is the finestexample of Chola sculpture..

According to Mimamsa system of philosophy, liberation is possible by means by:

(a) jnana
(b) bhakti
(c) yoga
(d) karma

Ans: (d) karma

Explanation:According to the Mimamsa system of philosophy, liberation is possible by means of Karma. It was started by Jaimini.

The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by:

(a) Mahayana Buddhism
(b) Hinayana Buddhism
(c) Jainism
(d) The Lokayata school

Ans: (c) Jainism

Explanation:Anuvrata was the five main teachings of Jainism-Ahimsa, Asateya, Aparigraha, Satya and Brahmacharya

The term ‘Yavanapriya’ mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts denoted:

(a) a fine variety of Indian Muslim
(b) ivory
(c) damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance
(d) pepper

Ans: (d) pepper

Explanation:Yavanas were Indo-Greeks. They liked pepper,that is why pepper was known as Yavanapriya.

The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to his inscriptions is:

(a) Chakravarti
(b) Dharmadeva
(c) Dharmakirti
(d) Priyadarsi

Ans: (d) Priyadarsi

Explanation:n the year 1915 near a village called Maski inRaichur District of Karnataka, a rock inscription wasdiscovered on a hill. In this inscription for the firsttime the name of Ashoka was found with titles likeDevanampriya and Priyadarshi. It was then certainthat Devanampriya Priyadarshi was no other thanAshoka.

In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period women and Sudras speak:

(a) Sanskrit
(b) Prakrit
(c) Pali
(d) Sauraseni

Ans: (b) Prakrit

Explanation:In Sanskrit plays of Gupta period women andSudras speak prakrit and Elite class speak Sanskrit.

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

List-I (Eras)	List-II (Reckoned from)
A. Vikrama era	1. 3102 B.C.
B. Saka era	2. 320 A.D.
C. Gupta era	3. 78 A.D.
D. Kali era	4. 58 B.C.
	5. 248 A.D

Codes:
(a) A – 2; B – 4; C – 5; D – 1
(b) A – 1; B – 3; C – 2; D – 4
(c) A – 4; B – 5; C – 2; D – 3
(d) A – 4; B – 3; C – 2; D – 1

Ans: (d) A – 4; B – 3; C – 2; D – 1

Explanation:

List-I (Eras)	List-II (Reckoned from)
A. Vikrama era	4. 58 B.C.
B. Saka era	3. 78 A.D.
C. Gupta era	2. 320 A.D.
D. Kali era	1. 3102 B.C.

Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas?

(a) Lopamudra

(b) Gargi

(d) Savitri

Ans: (a) Lopamudra

Explanation: Other Brahmavadini are Vishwawara, Sikta,Nivavari, Ghosha and Maitreyi.

The word ‘Hindu’ as reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by

(a) the Greeks

(b) the Romans

(d) the Arabs

Explanation: The name of India is a corruption of the word Sindhu. Sindhu is the name of the Indus River,mentioned in the Rig-Veda. Neighboring Arabs,Iranians uttered ‘s’ as ‘h’ and called this land Hindu.Greeks pronounced this name as Indus.