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Understanding Society: India and Beyond

Class 9 · Foundation (Classes 6–9)

Ch 5 · State and Society up to 1000 CE

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

One of these is a related question: NCERT alone can't answer it, so UPSC's answer is shown with the fact you need.

Prelims 2020 · Q24

Consider the following events in the history of India:

  1. 1.Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja
  2. 2.Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I
  3. 3.Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I
  4. 4.Pala dynasty founded by Gopala

What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?

  1. (a)2 – 1 – 4 – 3
  2. (b)3 – 1 – 4 – 2
  3. (c)2 – 4 – 1 – 3
  4. (d)3 – 4 – 1 – 2
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 6 (Temple Architecture and Sculpture); Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 3 (Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries); Class 9 Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Ch 5 (State and Society up to 1000 CE).

NCERT places Mahendravarman I before about 640 CE, when his successor took the Pallava throne (Indian Art, Part I, ch 6). The Palas came to power in the 8th century (same chapter). Bhoja of the Pratiharas ruled in the 9th century (Exploring Society, Class 7 Part 2, ch 3), and Parantaka I in the 10th (Understanding Society, Class 9, ch 5). So 2-4-1-3: (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2020), question 24 ↗

Prelims 2022 · Q93

Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?

  1. (a)Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
  2. (b)The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
  3. (c)Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.
  4. (d)Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 9 Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Ch 5 (State and Society up to 1000 CE); Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 3 (Kinship, Caste and Class: Early Societies (c. 600 BCE–600 CE)).

Understanding Society, Class 9 (ch 5): Sangam literature such as the Tolkappiyam refers to a four-fold division of society. So (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2022), question 93 ↗

Prelims 2023 · Q43

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

  1. (a)capital cities
  2. (b)ports
  3. (c)centres of iron-and-steel making
  4. (d)shrines of Jain Tirthankaras
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 7 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 3 (Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries); Class 9 Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Ch 5 (State and Society up to 1000 CE).

Exploring Society, Class 7 Part 2 (ch 3) names Korkai as a port for trade with Southeast Asia, and Understanding Society, Class 9 (ch 5) names Poompuhar and Muziris (Muchiri) as ports. So (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2023), question 43 ↗

Prelims 2025 · Q19

Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the 'Pradeshika', 'Rajuka' and 'Yukta' were important officers at the

  1. (a)village-level administration
  2. (b)district-level administration
  3. (c)provincial administration
  4. (d)level of the central administration
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 9 Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Ch 5 (State and Society up to 1000 CE).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 9 Understanding Society, ch 5: pradeshikas were district governors. The question groups the three officers at one level, so they were district officers. Answer (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2025), question 19 ↗

Prelims 2026 · Q15

Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?

  1. 1.Senguttuvan : Chera
  2. 2.Udiyanjeral : Chola
  3. 3.Nedunjeliyan : Pandya

Select the answer using the code given below:

  1. (a)1 and 2
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)1 and 3
  4. (d)3 only
Show answer

UPSC's provisional answer: (b)

NCERT covers the topic; the answer comes from UPSC's key: Careful: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 2 titles a box 'The Pandya chief Senguttuvan', but UPSC's answer (b) treats Senguttuvan as a Chera, so pair 1 is correct. Pair 3 (Nedunjeliyan, Pandya) is correct too; only pair 2 is wrong, because Udiyanjeral was not a Chola. Answer (b).

NCERT covers the topic (not the answer): Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 2 (Kings, Farmers and Towns: Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE–600 CE)); Class 9 Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Ch 5 (State and Society up to 1000 CE).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2026), question 15 ↗

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