UPSC CSE PRE 2001 - Testpapers

Which one of the following animals was not represented seals and terracotta art of the Harappan culture?

(a) Cow
(b) Elephant
(c) Rhinoceros
(d) Tiger

Ans: (a) Cow

Explanation: Cow, camel, horse and lion were not depicted on seals. Unicorn (bull) was the animal most commonly represented on the seals.

Who among the following presided over the Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir ?

(a) Parsva
(b) Nagarjuna
(c) Sudraka
(d) Vasumitra

Ans: (d) Vasumitra

Explanation:Vasumitra and Ashavaghosh together presidedover the fourth c ounc il. In this c ounc il Buddhists weredivided into Mahayanists and Hinayanists.

Which one of the Chola kings conquered Ceylon?

(a) Aditya-I
(b) Rajaraja-I
(c) Rajendra
(d) Vijayalaya

Ans: (c) Rajendra

Explanation:In 1017, Rajendra conquered Ceylon (Srilanka).Earlier Rajaraja I conquered only half of it.

Assertion (A) and Reason (R)

Assertion (A): Harshavardhana convened the Prayag Assembly.
Reason (R): He wanted to popularize only the Mahayana form of Buddhism.

(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

Ans: (b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A

Explanation:To popularize the Mahayana form of Buddhism.Harshavardhana convened an assembly at Kannauj.The Prayag assembly was convened to popularizehimself.

Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

(a) The Harappan civilization – Painted Greyware
(b) The Kushans – Gandhra School of Art
(c) The Mughals – Ajanta Paintings
(d) The Marathas – Pahari School of Painting

Ans: (b) The Kushans – Gandhra School of Art

Explanation:Painted Greyware belonged to later Vedic period(1000–600BC). Ajanta paintings belong to the Guptaperiod. Pahari School came into existence during theMughal period.

Hoysala monuments are found in:

(a) Hampi and Hosper
(b) Halebid and Belur
(c) Mysore and Bangalore
(d) Sringeri and Dharwar

Ans: (b) Halebid and Belur

Explanation:The capital of the Hoysalas was initially locatedat Belur but was later moved to Halebid.