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Themes in Indian History, Part I

Class 12 · History

Theme 3 · Kinship, Caste and Class: Early Societies (c. 600 BCE–600 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.

Prelims 2022 · Q93

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

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

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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 ↗

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