UPSC Prelims
History previous year questions
200 questions from 2012 to 2026, each with its answer.
UPSC Prelims 2026
- Consider the following statements : I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g.,…
- Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India : 1. The earliest…
- Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns : I. There is wide…
- Which one of the following statements about the Eka Movement and Bardoli Satyagraha is correct ?
- Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period : I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to…
- Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are **not**…
- Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939…
- Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in…
- Consider the following assertion : **The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very…
- In which one among the following texts does the term **kshetra-patni** ('mistress of the field') originate ?
UPSC Prelims 2025
- Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy: I. He possessed great love and respect for the…
- Consider the following subjects with regard to Non-Cooperation Programme: I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign…
- The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was
- Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles 'Mattavilasa', 'Vichitrachitta' and…
- Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
- Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful…
- With reference to ancient India (600–322 BC), consider the following pairs: Territorial Region — River flowing…
- Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the 'Pradeshika', 'Rajuka' and 'Yukta' were important officers at the:
- Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement: I. The Congress declared the…
- "Sedition has become my religion" was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of
- The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of
- Who provided legal defence to the people arrested in the aftermath of Chauri Chaura incident?
- Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and…
- Consider the following fruits: I. Papaya II. Pineapple III. Guava. How many of the above were introduced in…
- Who among the following was the founder of the 'Self-Respect Movement'?
UPSC Prelims 2024
- Consider the following pairs: Party - Its Leader: 1. Bhartiya Jana Sangh - Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee 2.…
- With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the…
- Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?
- Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the…
- With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets? 1.…
- Consider the following information: Archaeological Site - State - Description: 1. Chandraketugarh - Odisha -…
- Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?
- With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Ryotwari…
- Consider the following statements: 1. There are no parables in Upanishads. 2. Upanishads were composed earlier…
UPSC Prelims 2023
- In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under…
- With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements: 1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in…
- With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as
- Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?
- Consider the following dynasties: 1. Hoysala 2. Gahadavala 3. Kakatiya 4. Yadava. How many of the above…
- With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs: Literary work — Author: 1.…
- "Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other…
- Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a…
- Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?
- By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of…
UPSC Prelims 2022
- In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into "Reserved and…
- In medieval India, the term "Fanam" referred to:
- Consider the following freedom fighters: 1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh 2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee 3. Rash Behari…
- With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements: 1. The Constituent…
- With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts: 1. Nettipakarana 2. Parishishtaparvan 3.…
- With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: Historical person - Known as 1. Aryadeva -…
- With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. The first Mongol invasion of India…
- With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as "Kulah-Daran"?
- With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. The Dutch established their…
- According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct? 1. A person could be a slave as a…
- Consider the following pairs: Site of Ashoka's major rock edicts - Location in the State of 1. Dhauli - Odisha…
- Consider the following pairs: King - Dynasty 1. Nannuka - Chandela 2. Jayashakti - Paramara 3. Nagabhata II -…
- Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?
- "Yogavasistha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
- The World's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India…
UPSC Prelims 2021
- Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and…
- In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the…
- From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the…
- According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following…
- With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?
- Consider the following pairs: Historical place : Well-known for 1. Burzahom : Rock-cut shrines 2.…
- Consider the following statements: 1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus…
- Consider the following statements: 1. St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order.…
- With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1.…
- With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous
- Consider the following statements: 1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting…
- With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?
- Who among the following is associated with 'Songs from Prison', a translation of ancient Indian religious…
- With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in…
- Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as…
- In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered…
- With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Nizamat of Arcot…
- Consider the following statements: 1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by…
UPSC Prelims 2020
- With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the…
- In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around 1. women's right to gain…
- Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of
- Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because
- With reference to the history of India, "Ulgulan" or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the…
- With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: 1. Panini is…
- With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Aurang - In-charge of treasury of the…
- With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: 1. Sthaviravadins belong…
- Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the…
- Consider the following events in the history of India: 1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja 2. Establishment…
- Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the 'Hundi' generally referred to in the sources of the…
- With reference to the book "Desher Katha" written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle,…
- The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following? 1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round…
- The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience, was…
- With reference to the history of India, the terms "kulyavapa" and "dronavapa" denote
- Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? "Whosoever praises his religious…
- With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: Famous Place - Present State 1. Bhilsa -…
- With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were…
- With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Parivrajaka - Renunciant and…
UPSC Prelims 2019
- With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar? 1.…
- Consider the following statements about 'the Charter Act of 1813': 1. It ended the trade monopoly of the East…
- With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements: 1. It contributed to the revival of…
- Consider the following pairs: | Movement/Organization | Leader | |---|---| | 1. All India Anti-Untouchability…
- Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
- In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with…
- Consider the following statements: 1. Deification of the Buddha 2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas 3. Image…
- With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following…
- Consider the following statements: 1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of…
- Consider the following statements: 1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar. 2. Saint Kabir was greatly…
- With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements: 1. Mahatma Gandhi was…
- With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs: | Person | Position held | |---|---|…
UPSC Prelims 2018
- He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna; stayed in America for some time; and was…
- Regarding Wood's Dispatch, which of the following statements are true? 1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduced.…
- After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government? 1.…
- Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19th century was the
- The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th…
- Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?
- Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?
- With reference to the religious practices in India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to
- Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India?
- With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?
- Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord…
- Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India? 1. Charter Act of 1813 2.…
- In 1920, which of the following changed its name to "Swarajya Sabha"?
- Which among the following events happened earliest?
- With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs: |…
- Consider the following events: 1. The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a…
UPSC Prelims 2017
- Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?
- With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: 1. Sautrantika and…
- In the context of Indian history, the principle of 'Dyarchy (diarchy)' refers to
- With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: 1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy 2.…
- The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to
- Consider the following pairs: 1. Radhakanta Deb - First President of the British Indian Association 2. Gazulu…
- With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the…
- Who among the following was/were associated with the introduction of Ryotwari Settlement in India during the…
- The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for
- Consider the following statements: 1. The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of…
UPSC Prelims 2016
- In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: | Term | Description |…
- With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term 'Araghatta' refers to
- With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic…
- What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?
- The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War
- Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements: 1.…
- Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga…
- With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements: 1. Siddhas…
- Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
- Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
- The 'Swadeshi' and 'Boycott' were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the
- With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: 1. The concept of…
- Satya Shodhak Samaj organized
- The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to
- Consider the following: 1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee 2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation 3. Indian Reform…
UPSC Prelims 2015
- With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Rowlatt Act was…
- Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India? 1. Dadabhai Naoroji 2. G.…
- With reference to Congress Socialist Party, consider the following statements: 1. It advocated the boycott of…
- The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined
- Consider the following pairs: Medieval Indian State - Present Region 1. Champaka - Central India 2. Durgara -…
- Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala…
- Consider the following: The arrival of Babur into India led to the 1. introduction of gunpowder in the…
- Who of the following organized a march on the Tanjore coast to break the Salt Law in April 1930?
- Who of the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to…
- Consider the following statements: 1. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini…
- With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It recommended a…
- With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal…
- Which one of the following movements has contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in…
UPSC Prelims 2014
- In Medieval India, the designations 'Mahattara' and 'Pattakila' were used for
- Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? 1. Avanti 2. Gandhara 3. Kosala…
- The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until
- The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because…
- The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a
- Consider the following statements: 1. 'Bijak' is a composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal. 2. The…
- What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria's Proclamation (1858)? 1. To disclaim any intention to…
- Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
- The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to
- Which one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?
UPSC Prelims 2013
- Consider the following Bhakti Saints: 1. Dadu Dayal 2. Guru Nanak 3. Tyagaraja Who among the above was/were…
- With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding…
- Annie Besant was 1. Responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement 2. The founder of the Theosophical Society…
- The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the
- The Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture…
- With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were
- The demand for the Tebhaga Peasant Movement in Bengal was for
- Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
- The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because
- Quit India Movement was launched in response to
- Which of the following characterizes/characterize the people of Indus Civilization? 1. They possessed great…
- Which of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine? 1. The surest way of annihilating Karma…
UPSC Prelims 2012
- With reference to the scientific progress of ancient India, which of the statements given below are correct?…
- With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and…
- The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because:
- Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? 1. Introduction…
- During Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its…
- Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar? 1. The Peasants and Workers Party of…
- Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because
- With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements: 1. The rent was paid directly by the…
- Consider the following statements: The most effective contribution made by Dadabhai Naoroji to the cause of…
- With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the…
- The Rowlatt Act aimed at
- The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because 1. The…
- The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of
- Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj? 1. It opposed idolatry. 2. It denied…
- Consider the following: 1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of…
- With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country's…