[Answers with Explanation] UPSC prelims GS1 paper 2023

Q41. In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist center under the Mahasanghikas located?

(a) Andhra
(b)Gandhara
(c) Kalinga
(d) Magadha

Answers: (a)

Dharanikota is a town near Amaravati in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh in India.
It is the site of the ancient Dhanyakataka which was the capital of the Satavahana kingdom which ruled in the Deccan around the 1st to 3rd centuries A.D.

Q42. With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:

1. The concept of stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b)Only Two
(c) All Three
(d)None

 Answer: (c)

The stupa (“stupa” is Sanskrit for heap) is an important form of Buddhist architecture, though it predates Buddhism.
Stupas are repositories for relics associated with the Buddha, his disciples, and their lineages.
Votive stupa, constructed to commemorate visits or to gain spiritual benefits, usually at the site of prominent stupas which are regularly visited.

Q43. With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as

(a) capital cities
(b) ports
(c) centres of iron and steel making
(d) shrines of Jain tirthankaras

Answer: (b)

Korkai was the capital, principal center of trade and important port of the Early Pandyan Kingdom.
At the mouth of one of the oldest deltas of river Cauvery, Poompuhar or Keveripoompattinam was a port city established by the Chola dynasty around 2000 years ago.
Muchiri (in english known as Muziris) was an ancient harbour and an urban centre on the Malabar Coast.

Q44. Which one of the following explains the practice of ‘Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?

(a) Kings employing women bodyguards.
(b) Learned persons assembling in Royal Courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters.
(c) Young girls keep watch over agricultural fields and drive away birds and animals.
(d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death.

Answer (d)

‘Vattakirutal’ was a Tamil ritual of fasting till death.
It was especially widespread during the Sangam age.
The Tamil kings, in order to save their honour, and prestige, were prepared to meet their death facing North (‘Vatakkiruttal’) and never would they turn their back in battle. It was a Tamil martial vow.

Q45. Consider the following dynasties:

1. Hoysala
2. Gahadavala
3. Kakatiya
4. Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the early Eighth century AD?

(a) Only one
(b)Only Two
(c) All Three
(d)None

 Answer: (d)

• Hoysala – 1060 AD
• Gahadavalas – 1089 AD
• Kakatiya – 1163 AD
• Yadava – 1187 AD

Q46. With reference to ancient Indian history, consider of the following pairs:

Literary Work	Author
1.      Devichandragupta	Bilhana
2.      Hammira Mahakavya	Nayachandra Suri
3.      Milinda-Panha	Nagarjuna
4.      Nitivakyamrita	Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b)Only Two
(c) All Three
(d)All Four

Answer (b)

Devichandragupta	Vishakhadatta –	Centres on an incident set in the reign of the Gupta king Ramagupta.
Hammira-mahakavya	Nayacandra Suri	15th-century Indian Sanskrit epic
Milindapanha	Nagasena	which consists of a dialogue on various philosophical issues between king Milinda
Nitivakyamrita	Somadeva	the nectar of the Niti—lessons

Q47. “Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects”.

The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs: which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

(a) Buddhism
(b) Jainism
(c) Shaivism
(d) Vaishnavism

Answer: (b)

Jainism teaches the concept of “Jiva,” which refers to the eternal soul or consciousness that exists in all living beings.
However, Jainism goes beyond considering only animals and plants as possessing souls.
According to Jain philosophy, souls are believed to exist not only in animal and plant life but also in inanimate objects such as rocks, running water, and various other natural entities.

Q48. Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagar Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra river and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometers long from the river to the capital city?

(a) Devaraya I
(b) Mallikarjuna
(c) Vira Vijaya
(d) Virupaksha

Answer: (a)

Deva Raya I constructed a dam across the Tungabhadra so that he could bring the canals into the city to relieve the shortage of water.
It irrigated the neighbouring fields also, for we are told that the canals increased his revenues by 350,000 pardaos.
He also built a dam on the river Haridra for irrigation purposes.

Q49. Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to the Portuguese?

(a) Ahmad Shah
(b) Mahmud Begarha
(c) Bahadur Shah
(d) Muhammad Shah

Answer: (c)

Diu, a strategically located island and port, was under the control of the Gujarat Sultanate at that time.
In 1535, Sultan Bahadur Shah faced a military confrontation with the Portuguese, led by the Viceroy of Portuguese India, Nuno da Cunha.
After facing a series of defeats and being besieged in Diu by the Portuguese forces, Sultan Bahadur Shah ultimately surrendered in 1538.

Q50. By which one of the following acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

(a) The Regulating Act
(b) The Pitts India act
(c) The Charter Act of 1793
(d) The Charter Act of 1833

Answer: (d)

The Charter Act of 1833
The Act by which the Governor General of Bengal was designated as the Governor General of India.
Under the Government of India Act 1833, the Governor General of Bengal was given the new title of Governor General of India. This Act expanded the authority and jurisdiction of the Governor General beyond Bengal and established a central government for British India.