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Themes in Indian History, Part I

Class 12 · History

Theme 4 · Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (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 2016 · Q50

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

  1. 1.The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
  2. 2.Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
  3. 3.Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE–600 CE)).

Themes in Indian History, Part I (Theme 4): Bodhisattas were compassionate beings who stayed back to help others instead of attaining nibbana. This new way of thinking was called Mahayana, not Hinayana. Statements 2 and 3 are true, 1 is false. So (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2016), question 50 ↗

Prelims 2019 · Q9

Consider the following:

  1. 1.Deification of the Buddha
  2. 2.Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
  3. 3.Image worship and rituals

Which of the above is/are the feature/features of Mahayana Buddhism?

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

UPSC's answer: (d)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE–600 CE)).

Themes in Indian History, Part I (Theme 4): in Mahayana the Buddha came to be seen as a saviour, the Bodhisatta ideal developed, and images of the Buddha and Bodhisattas were worshipped. All three are features of Mahayana. So (d).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2019), question 9 ↗

Prelims 2023 · Q42

With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:

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

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a)Only one
  2. (b)Only two
  3. (c)All three
  4. (d)None
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE–600 CE)); Class 11 An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I, Ch 4 (Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture).

Themes in Indian History, Part I (Theme 4): stupas were mounds where relics of the Buddha were buried, but the tradition may have been pre-Buddhist. An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (ch 4) describes votive stupas. So 2 and 3 are right, 1 is not: (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2023), question 42 ↗

Prelims 2023 · 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 of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

  1. (a)Buddhism
  2. (b)Jainism
  3. (c)Shaivism
  4. (d)Vaishnavism
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE–600 CE)).

Themes in Indian History, Part I (Theme 4): the most important idea in Jainism is that the whole world is alive — even stones, rocks and water have life. So (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2023), question 47 ↗

Prelims 2026 · Q12

What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?

  1. (a)The meditation of the Buddha
  2. (b)The Buddha's First Sermon
  3. (c)The Buddha's Mahaparinibbana
  4. (d)The Buddha's Mahabhinishkramana
Show answer

UPSC's provisional answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE–600 CE)).

Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part I, Theme 4: early sculptors showed the Buddha through symbols — the empty seat indicated his meditation, and the stupa his mahaparinibbana. Answer (a).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2026), question 12 ↗

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