MCQ
upsc-p1-history-art-literature-languages MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers
Solve 8 upsc-p1-history-art-literature-languages questions for RAS/RPSC preparation.
Practice questions
Q1Match List I with List II: List I (Text) A. Charaka Samhita B. Sushruta Samhita C. Aryabhatiya D. Brihat Samhita List II (Primary association) 1. Mathematics and astronomy 2. Surgery 3. Medicine 4. Astronomy, astrology, omens, architecture and natural observations Select the correct answer using the code below.
Charaka Samhita is associated with medicine and Sushruta Samhita with surgery. Aryabhatiya concerns mathematics and astronomy. Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita ranges across astronomy, astrology, omens, architecture and observations of nature. The resulting sequence is A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4.
Q2Match List I with List II: List I (Literary or devotional form) A. Tevaram B. Divya Prabandham C. Abhang D. Razmnama List II (Association) 1. Persian rendering of the Mahabharata 2. Vaishnava Alvars 3. Marathi bhakti 4. Shaiva Nayanars Select the correct answer using the code below.
Tevaram is linked with the Shaiva Nayanars, Divya Prabandham with the Vaishnava Alvars, and abhang with Marathi bhakti. Razmnama is the well-known Persian rendering of the Mahabharata associated with Mughal translation activity. Thus the sequence is A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1.
Q3Consider the following two statements about manuscript preservation: Statement I: A manuscript survey identifies and describes manuscripts, whereas conservation stabilises the original object. Statement II: Digitisation creates a usable copy but does not replace preservation of the original. Which one of the following is correct?
Both statements correctly distinguish separate stages of manuscript work. Surveying finds and documents manuscripts; conservation physically stabilises the original; digitisation produces a usable copy. The second statement adds a distinct preservation principle rather than explaining the difference between survey and conservation stated in the first.
Q4Consider the following statements about ancient textual traditions: 1. The Tripitaka is organised into the Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma baskets in the Pali tradition. 2. The Puranas are single-date historical chronicles. 3. The Bhagavad Gita is embedded in the Mahabharata. Select the correct answer using the code below.
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Pali Tripitaka comprises the Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma baskets, and the Bhagavad Gita forms part of the Mahabharata. The Puranas are layered textual traditions dealing with myth, genealogy, cosmology, pilgrimage and sectarian worship, not single-date historical chronicles.
Q5Consider the following statements about scripts and their historical use: 1. Kharoshthi was used in the north-west and was generally written from right to left. 2. Modi was used for Marathi administrative records. 3. Sharada is important for manuscripts from Kashmir. Select the correct answer using the code below.
All three statements are correct. Kharoshthi was a north-western script generally written right to left. Modi served Marathi administration, while Sharada is especially important in the manuscript tradition of Kashmir. These examples also show that scripts served different regional, administrative and cultural settings.
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6Consider the following two statements about classical and regional literary cultures: Statement I: Sanskrit functioned as a prestige language across courts, inscriptions, philosophy, poetics and science, while coexisting with Prakrits and regional languages. Statement II: Apabhramsha literature is important for the transition towards several North Indian literary languages and for Jain narrative traditions. Which one of the following is correct?
7With reference to the use of literary sources in history, consider the following statements: 1. Royal inscriptions and court poems are useful for titles, conquests, donations and ideology, although praise and silence form part of their genre. 2. Monastic rules and devotional poems should be read as government orders. 3. Travel accounts require caution because travellers saw limited regions, depended on interpreters and often wrote for audiences at home. Select the correct answer using the code below.
8Arrange the following milestones in the recognition of classical languages in chronological order, beginning with the earliest: 1. Malayalam received classical-language status 2. Tamil became the first language to receive classical-language status 3. Odia received classical-language status 4. Kannada and Telugu received classical-language status Select the correct answer using the code below.