Question 1

In ancient times, the area to the south of the Ganga was known as

Accepted Answer

In ancient times, the area to the south of the Ganga was known as

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Question 2

When did the use of iron begin in the Indian subcontinent?

Accepted Answer

The earliest reference to the use of iron in the Indian Subcontinent does not go back beyond 3000 years. Literary evidence from the Later Vedic period mentions 'Lohit Ayas' (copper) and 'Krishna Ayas' (iron). Atharvaveda mentions a 'ploughshare of iron', and Greek historian Herodotus wrote about iron-tipped arrows used by Indian soldiers. Based on these, the use of iron tools for agriculture began around 800-700 BC in India. [68TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2023]

Question 3

According to the rock inscription in Sanskrit, composed around the second century CE, Sudarshan Lake, an artificial reservoir was repaired by

Accepted Answer

Rudradaman, the famous Saka ruler in India (130-150 AD), repaired the Sudarshan Lake of the Mauryan period to irrigate dry regions of Saurashtra. He also issued the first long inscription in chaste Sanskrit. [68TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2023]

Question 4

The temple of Deogarh near Jhansi and the sculptures in the temple at Garhwa near Allahabad are the important remains of the

Accepted Answer

The temple of Deogarh near Jhansi and the sculptures in the temple at Garhwa near Allahabad are the important remains of the

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Question 5

In which of the following battles are the main opponents not correctly stated?

Accepted Answer

The Second Battle of Panipat (1556) was fought between Hemu, general of Muhammad Adil Shah, and Bairam Khan, regent of Akbar, not Tipu Sultan and Marathas. The First Battle of Panipat (1526) was Babur vs Ibrahim Lodi. The Battle of Haldighati (1576) was Maharana Pratap vs Mughal forces led by Man Singh I. [68TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2023]

Question 6

During the Delhi Sultanate, the designation 'Muqaddam or Chaudhari' was used for

Accepted Answer

Muqaddam or Chaudhari was the village headman and the highest revenue authority at the village level, not merely a revenue official or accountant. [68TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2023]

Question 7

Tabaqat-i-Akbari, sometimes considered more reliable than Abul Fazl’s Akbarnama, was written by

Accepted Answer

Tabaqat-i-Akbari, also known as 'Tarikh-i-Nizami', was written by Khawajah Nizamuddin Ahmad. It chronicles India’s history from early Muslim invasions to the 36th year of Akbar's reign. Nizamuddin Ahmad was the first Bakshshi under Akbar. Abdul Hamid Lahori wrote 'Badshah Nama' on Shah Jahan, and Gulbadan Begum authored 'Humayunama'. [68TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2023]

Question 8

Who among the following famous rulers founded a suburban township of Nagalapuram, near Vijayanagara after his mother’s name?

Accepted Answer

Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529 AD) founded Nagalapuram near Vijayanagara after his mother’s name. He was known as 'Andhra Bhoja' and 'Andhra Pitamaha', belonged to the Tuluva dynasty, built Vijaya Mahal, Hazara Rama Temple, and Vithal Swamy Temple. He wrote 'Amuktamalyada' and the Sanskrit drama 'Jambavati Kalyanam'. His court had eight celebrated poets known as Ashtadiggajas, and foreign travelers like Duarte Barbosa and Dominigo Paes visited Vijayanagara during his reign. [68TH BPSC PRELIMS EXAM, 2023]

68th Prelims 2023

In ancient times, the area to the south of the Ganga was known as

When did the use of iron begin in the Indian subcontinent?

According to the rock inscription in Sanskrit, composed around the second century CE, Sudarshan Lake, an artificial reservoir was repaired by

The temple of Deogarh near Jhansi and the sculptures in the temple at Garhwa near Allahabad are the important remains of the

In which of the following battles are the main opponents not correctly stated?

During the Delhi Sultanate, the designation 'Muqaddam or Chaudhari' was used for

Tabaqat-i-Akbari, sometimes considered more reliable than Abul Fazl’s Akbarnama, was written by

Who among the following famous rulers founded a suburban township of Nagalapuram, near Vijayanagara after his mother’s name?