Prelims Test Morning Batch 22 Oct 2026

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Rigvedic Aryans:

1. They were primarily pastoral people, and their wealth was estimated in terms of cattle.

2. There is no evidence of the use of iron by the Rigvedic Aryans.

3. Trade was conducted on a barter system.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q2. With reference to the political changes in the Later Vedic Age, consider the following statements:

1. Territorial identity replaced clan-based tribal identity.

2. Popular tribal assemblies like the Sabha and Samiti gained absolute authority over the king.

3. Brahmanical rituals and grand sacrifices were utilised to legitimise the concept of divine kingship.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Harappan script and seals:

1. The Harappan script is generally written from right to left.

2. Seals may have been used to identify private property.

3. The script has been deciphered and is known to be a form of early Dravidian language.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the social structure in the Later Vedic Age:

1. The Gotra system emerged during this period, strictly enforcing the rule of exogamy.

2. Women maintained political representation and continued to attend popular assemblies.

3. Polygamy became increasingly common among the ruling Kshatriya and royal elite.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q5. Consider the following statements

1.There was a complete shift from a pastoral to an urban-based trade economy, with the abandonment of agriculture.

2. Incipient metallic units like Krishnala, Satamana, and Nishka made their appearance during this period. 3. Nishka, which in the Rigvedic period meant a gold ornament, came to be used as a unit of value in large-scale transactions.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Q6.The term ‘Krishna-ayas’ or ‘Shyama-ayas’, frequently mentioned in Later Vedic texts, refers to:

Q7.Consider the following statements regarding the town planning of the Harappan Civilisation:

1. The citadel was typically located to the west of the lower town and was built on a raised platform.

2. The drainage system was so well-planned that drains were covered with bricks or stone slabs and equipped with manholes for cleaning.

3. Almost every house had a private bathroom connected to the main drain.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q8. With reference to the seals of the Harappan Civilisation, consider the following statements:

1. Most Harappan seals were made of steatite, a soft stone.

2. The standard Harappan seal was square in shape .

3. The seals were primarily used to signify royal authority and the power of the king.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q9. With reference to the Buddhist Councils, consider the following statements:

1. The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajgriha under the patronage of Ajatashatru, shortly after the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana.

2. The Second Buddhist Council at Vaishali resulted in the permanent split of the Sangha into Sthaviravada and Mahasanghika.

3. The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under Ashoka, where the Abhidhamma Pitaka was compiled.

Which of the statements given above are correct

Q10. Consider the following pairs of Buddhist texts and their contents:

Text                                                                        Content

1. Tripitaka                                                            Three baskets of canonical literature in Pali

2. Milindapanha                                                   Dialogue between King Milinda and monk Nagasena

3. Mahavamsa                                                     Chronicle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?