There were 10 Questions from History in 2024, out of which 

• 2 questions were from Ancient India 
• 1 question was from Medieval India
• 4 questions were asked from Modern India and 
• 3 questions were asked from Art & Culture

Overall, the level of the questions was Moderate to Tough.

Previous Year UPSC History Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2024

1. With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?  [Ancient India]

1. Nayaputta

2. Shakyamuni

3. Tathagata

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha

Answer: b

Explanation: 

Epithets of Lord Buddha

Buddha- the Awakened One, the Enlightened One, Sakyamuni (the Sakya sage), Sakyasimha (the Sakya Lion), Sugata (the Happy One), Satthar, Sattha/Shastar (the Teacher), Jina (the Conqueror), Bhagavat (the Blessed One), Lokanatha (the Lord of the World), Sarvajna (the Omniscient One), Dharma- raja (the King of Truth), Tathagata (one who has thus gone) 

Epithets of Lord Mahavira

Muni, Mahana, Nayaputta, Vira, Mahavira and Bhagavan were the main epithets for Lord Mahavira. 

Hence, option b is correct. 

2. Consider the following information:

In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched? [Ancient India]

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 4

(d) 1 and 4

Answer: b

Explanation:

Chandraketugarh: It is located in the Ganga Delta, in the 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, about 25 miles northeast of Kolkata.

In early historic times, Chandraketugarh was connected to the Ganga by the Vidyadhari river and must have been an important centre of trade, and possibly also a political centre. 

Chandraketugarh was a major centre of terracotta craft. 

Inamgaon:  (in Pune district, Maharashtra ) is located on a terrace of the Ghod, a tributary of the Bhima. It is one of the largest, most intensively and extensively excavated Chalcolithic sites in Maharashtra.

The excavations, undertaken by a team from Deccan College, Pune, under the direction of M.K. Dhavalikar, H. D. Sankalia, and Z.D. Ansari, lasted for 12 seasons between 1968 and 1983 and provided a lot of information about the lives of the farmers who lived in this place hundreds of years ago.

• Period I (c. 1600–1400 BCE) belonged to the Malwa culture, 
• Period II (c. 1400–1000 BCE) to the early Jorwe culture, and
• Period III (c. 1000–700 BCE) to the late Jorwe culture.

Mangadu: Megaliths are widely distributed in South India. 

Important sites in Kerala include Pulimattu, Tengakkal, Cenkotta, Muthukar, Peria Kanal, Machad, Pazhayannur, and Mangadu. The megaliths at Mangadu in the Kollam district of Kerala date from c. 1000–100 BCE. 

In Tamil Nadu, the sites include Adichanallur, Amritamangalam, Kunnattur, Sanur, Vasudevanallur, Tenkasi, Korkai, Kayal, Kalugumalai, Perumalmalai, Pudukkotai, Tirukkampuliyar, and Odugat-tur. 

Among the important megalithic sites in Karnataka are Brahmagiri, Maski, Hanamsagar, Terda l-Halingali,  T. Narsipur, and Hallur, Kumarnahalli.

Sites in Andhra include Kadambapur, Nagarjunakonda, Yelleswaram, Gallapalli, Tadapatri, Mirapuram, and Amaravati. 

Salihundam, and Ramathirtham in Andhra are reputed for Buddhist Stupas.

Only 2nd and 3rd rows are correctly matched. 

Hence, option b is correct. 

3. Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal? [Medieval India]

(a) Krishnadevaraya

(b) Narasimha Saluva

(c) Muhammad Shah III

(d) Yusuf Adil Shah

Answer: a 

Explanation: 

In 1509, Alfonso de Albuquerque became Governor of Portuguese in India.

Krishnadevaraya became king in 1509 and was virtually the master of the entire South India. There were several quasi-independent vassals under Krishnadevaraya – The Chiefs of Srirangapatnam, Barkapur, Garsopa, Calicut, Bhatkal and Barkur. 

In 1510, Albuquerque captured Goa under Adil Shah. On the success of Albuquerque at Goa, Krishnadevaraya granted permission for the Portuguese to build a Fort at Bhatkal for the protection of Portuguese Trade. 

Hence, option a is correct. 

4. With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements:     [Modern India]

1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities.

2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state, on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Thomas Munro introduced the Ryotwari system. This system was introduced in the early 19th century in the Madras and Bombay presidencies. The system was revised periodically usually after 20 to 30 years when the revenue demand was usually increased.

• Under this system, the cultivator was recognized as the owner of the land and was responsible for the collection of land revenue.   
• Peasants were tenants in the eyes of the government for which they paid rent and not tax. 
• The ryots had to pay in times even when their produce was destroyed by floods or when drought prevailed. 
• The land revenue was fixed at exorbitant rates and thus peasants were left with barely enough for their sustenance. 

The ultimate aim behind the ryotwari system was to consolidate the Company’s government in the south by expanding its revenue base. 

It has been argued that a significant social upheaval was brought about by the Ryotwari Settlement which greatly harmed the status held by village headmen and resulted in the outbreak of the Deccan riots.

Hence, statement 1 is incorrect. 

Cornwallis began the Permanent Settlement in Bengal and Bihar (1793). John Shore, the Record Keeper opined that Zamindars were the owners of the land with regard to revenue settlement and Cornwallis complied with this view. The Decennial settlement was declared permanent in the year 1793 with approval from the Court of Directors and Zamindars were given due recognition as landowners. 

Zamindars were given orders to pay 89 per cent of annual revenue and the rest was the zamindar’s share.

The Zamindars had to pay a fixed amount of revenue by the due date and before sunset (known as the sunset law). This provision of the settlement frightened the zamindars, and turned them into paupers because if they failed in being punctual, their zamindari were sold off.

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

5. Consider the following statements:   [Art & Culture ]

1. There are no parables in the Upanishads.

2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b   

Explanation:

The Vedas are generally considered to have two portions- the Karma-Kanda (portion dealing with action or rituals) and Jnana-Kanda (portion dealing with knowledge). 

The Samhita and the Brahmanas represent mainly the Karma-Kanda or the ritual portion, while the Upanishads chiefly represent the Jnana-Kanda or the knowledge portion. 

The Upanishads are often called ‘Vedanta’. Literally, Vedanta means the end of Veda, Vedasaya antah, the conclusion (Anta) as well as the goal (Anta) of the Vedas.

The word ‘Upanishad’ has been derived from the root Sad (to sit), to which are added two prefixes: Upa and Ni. The prefix Upa denotes nearness and Ni totality. Thus, this word means ‘sitting nearby devotedly.’

The Upanishads contain parables. Some of the important parables are Yama—Nachiketa, the story of Jabala-Satyakama, Satyakama and Upakoshala, the story of Rishi Yajnavalkya, Narada—-Sanatkumara, Indra-Virochana and Prajapati, Ushasti Chakrayana, etc. 

Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Period of Composition of some important Ancient Indian Texts.

• Vedic Text – 2000 – 500 BCE 
• Vedanga Text – 600 – 200 BCE 
• Mahabharata – 400 BCE – 400 CE
• Ramayana – 500 BCE – 300 CE 
• Puranas – 100 BCE – 600 CE
• Dharmasutras – 600 BCE – 300 BCE 
• Smritis – 200 BCE – 900 CE
• Tripitaka – 600 BCE – 300 BCE 
• Jaina Canon – 500 BCE – 500 CE 
• Sangam Texts – 300 BCE – 300 CE
• Trikkural – 500 CE – 600 CE 
• Tamil epics (Silppadikaram and Manimekalai) – 500 CE – 600 CE 

Hence, statement 2 is correct.

6. Who was the Provisional President of the Constituent Assembly before Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over?    [Modern India]

(a) C. Rajagopalachari

(b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

(c) T.T. Krishnamachari

(d) Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha

Answer:  d

Explanation: 

The Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly of India, established by the members of the provincial assemblies elected by the people of India. Dr. Sachidanand Sinha was the first president of the Constituent Assembly. Later, Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected its president.

Hence, option d is correct.

7. With reference to the Government of India Act of 1935, consider the following statements:    [Modern India]

1. It provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.

2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:  d

Explanation:

Government of India Act 1935 

PART II. THE FEDERATION OF INDIA

CHAPTER I. ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERATION AND ACCESSION OF INDIAN STATES. 

5.-(1) It shall be lawful for His Majesty if an address on that behalf has been presented to him by each House of Parliament and if the condition hereinafter mentioned is satisfied, to declare by Proclamation that as from the day therein appointed there – shall be united in a Federation under the Crown, by the name of the Federation of India –

(a) the Provinces hereinafter called Governors’ Provinces; and

(b) the Indian States which have acceded or may thereafter accede to the Federation 

The Government of India act 1935 provided for an All India federation According to the act of 1935 all the Provinces were to join the Indian federation automatically. Entry into the federation was to be purely voluntary action on the part of each state, however small and insignificant the state may be. At the time of joining the federation, the ruler of the state was to execute an Instrument of accession in favour of the crown.

Hence, statement 1 is incorrect. 

The Act of 1935 also provided for dyarchy at the centre. That dyarchy which was abolished in the provinces, was introduced at the centre, and certain federal subjects were reserved in the hands of the Governor-General to be administered by him with the assistance of not more than 3 councillors to be appointed by him. Those subjects were Defence, External Affairs, Ecclesiastical Affairs and the Administration of the Tribal Areas. 

In the Administration of other federal subjects, the Governor General was to be aided and advised by a council of Ministers whose number was not to exceed 10.

 The federal Ministry was to be to administer all the federal departments except the above-mentioned reserved Departments. 

Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

8. Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?  [Art & Culture ]

(a) Kavyalankara

(b) Natyashastra

(c) Madhyama-vyayoga

(d) Mahabhashya

Answer: c

Explanation:

Bhasa was a playwright who wrote works such as the Madhyama-vyayoga, Duta-Ghatotkacha, Dutavakya, Balacharita, Pratima-natak,  Charudatta. Pancharatra and Svapna-Vasavadatta,. 

Hence, option c is correct.

9. Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:  [Art & Culture ]

(a) Prajnaparamita Sutra

(b) Visuddhimagga

(c) Sarvastivada Vinaya

(d) Lalitavistara

Answer: c

Explanation:

Many Indian monks travelled to China. They included 

Sanghabhuti, author of a commentary on the Sarvastivada Vinaya, who was in China in 381–84 CE. 

Other Indian  Monks who travelled to China – Kumarajiva (5th century), Paramartha (6th century), and Bodhidharma (6th century). 

Monk Punyatrata travelled to central Asia along with his student Dharmayashas and translated several Sarvastivadin texts between 397 and 401 CE. 

Hence, option c is correct.

10. Consider the following pairs:  [Modern India] 

How many of the above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Socialist Party is an independent incarnation of the Congress Socialist Party (CSP) formed in 1934 within the Congress. The CSP was founded by Jaiprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Dev, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia. It merged itself into the Janata Party in 1977 immediately after the independence.

Only 1st and 3rd pairs are correctly matched.

Hence, option b is correct.