There were 16 questions from History in 2025, out of which
- 4 questions were from Ancient India
- 8 questions were asked from Modern India
- 2 questions were asked from Art & Culture
- 2 questions from Early Medieval India
Overall, the level of the questions was Moderate.
Solved UPSC Prelims History PYQs With Explanation 2025
1. Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy: [Modern India]
I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East.
II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
1. Ans-c
Explanation
Rammohun Roy, is rightly regarded as the first great leader of modern India. Rammohun Roy was moved by deep love for his people and country and worked hard all his life for their social, religious, intellectual, and political regeneration.
He was pained by the stagnation and corruption of contemporary Indian society which was at that time dominated by caste and convention.
Popular religion was full of superstitions and was exploited by ignorant and corrupt priests.
The upper classes weie selfish and often sacrificed social interest to their own narrow interests.
Rammohun Roy possessed great love and respect lor the traditional philosophic systems of the East; but, at the same time, he believed that Western culture alone would help regenerate Indian society.
Hence statement 1 is correct
In particular, he wanted his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women. He also wanted the introduction of modern capitalism and industry in the country.
Hence statement 2 is correct
2. Consider the following subjects with regard to Non-Cooperation Programme: [Modern India]
I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth
II. Observance of strict non-violence
III. Retention of titles and honours without using them in public
IV. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes
How many of the above were parts of Non-Cooperation Programme?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
2. Ans-c
Explanation
The program of non-cooperation included, within its ambit,
- The surrender of titles and honors,
- Boycott of government-affiliated schools and colleges, law courts, foreign clothes, and could be extended to include resignation from government service
- Mass civil disobedience during the non-payment of taxes.
- National schools and colleges were to be set up,
- Panchayats were to be established for settling disputes,
- Hand-spinning and waving was to be encouraged and
- People were asked to maintain Hindu-Muslim unity,
- Give up untouchability and
- Observe strict non-violence.
Gandhiji promised that if the program was fully implemented, Swaraj would be issued within a year.
The goal of the Congress was changed from attainment of self-government by constitutional and legal means to attainment of Swaraj by peaceful legitimate means.
3. The irrigation device called ‘Araghata’ was [Early Medieval India]
(a) A water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
(b) A large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
(c) A larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
(d) A large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand
3. Ans-b
Explanation
The Noria is a wheel which has pots or buckets attached to its rim without a chain for carrying the pots, or a gear mechanism to ensure a continuous flow of water. It could only be used to draw water from close to the surface or from a river.
The Persian wheel, on the other hand, had gears and a chain to carry the pots and was associated with a well.
The general consensus among many historians is that Araghatta does refer to something similar to the Persian wheel, if not exactly identical to it.
4. ‘Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara’? [Ancient India]
(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Simhavishnu
(c) Narasimhavarman I
(d) Simhavarman
4. Ans-a
Explanation
Pallava king Mahendravarman I ruled from 600 to 630 A.D he had a passion for titles; some of his titles were Chetthakari (Temple builder), Chitrakara Puli (Tiger among painters), Mattavilasa(addicted to enjoyment), Vichitrachitra (Myriad minded), Llitankura (charming offspring), Gunabhadra (Virtuous)
5. Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of [Ancient India]
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta
5. Ans-b
Explanation
During the reign of Chandragupta II (375 to 414 A.D), India was visited by Fa-Hien, the Chinese traveller. He came to India by land route and went back by the sea route. He spent six years in India.
His main object in coming to India was to get Buddhist books on the discipline.
Fa-Hien visited Gandhara, Takshila and Peshawar, which were full of Buddhist monuments.
In Punjab, Fa-Hien saw many Buddhist monasteries, and he estimates the number of monks there at more than 10,000.
At Mathura alone, Fa-Hien found 20 monasteries with 3,000 Buddhist monks.
He visited Shravasti, which was full of Buddhist monuments. He visited Buddhist places like Lumbini, Vaishali, Nalanda, Gaya, Bodhgaya and Rajgriha.
Fa-Hien was very much impressed by the city of Pataliputra and also the palace of Ashoka.
According to him, the palace was with various halls , constructed walls and gates, carved designs . Ashoka’s palace was still in existence at the time of Fa-Hien’s visit.
Fa-Hien ought to have seen that with the revival of Hinduism under the patronage of Gupta kings, Buddhism had gone into the background.
He also visited Ceylon and stayed there for two years. From there, he went to Java and from there back to China.
6. Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands? Early Medieval]
(a) Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
(b) Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
(c) Rajendra I (Chola)
(d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)
6. Ans-c
Explanation
Rajendra I(1012-1044 A.D) – He annexed whole of Ceylon, sent a large naval expedition against the Kingdom of Srivijaya. Srivijaya was a powerful maritime state which ruled the Malayan Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and other neighboring islands and controlled the sea routes from India and China.
The expedition was a complete success. The capital of Srivijaya was sacked, and King Sangrama Vijayothungavarman’s successor was taken captive. The campaign apparently ended with the restoration of the kingdom to its ruler, subject to his acknowledging Chola suzerainty
7. With reference to ancient India (600–322 BC), consider the following pairs: [Ancient India]
Territorial Region River flowing in the region
I. Asmaka : Godavari
II. Kamboja : Vipas
III. Avanti : Mahanadi
IV. Kosala : Sarayu
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
7. Ans-b
Explanation
Buddhist and Jaina texts list 16 powerful states (solasa-mahajanapada) that flourished in the early 6th century BCE. The Anguttara Nikaya’s list of the mahajanapadas is as follows: Kasi (Kashi), Kosala (Koshala), Anga, Magadha, Vajji (Vrijji), Malla, Chetiya (Chedi), Vamsa (Vatsa), Kuru, Panchala, Machchha (Matsya), Shurasena, Assaka (Ashmaka), Avanti, Gandhara, and Kamboja.
Asmaka : Assaka (Ashmaka) is located on the Godavari river. Its capital was Potana/Podana or
Potali, identified with modern Bodhan.
Hence 1st pair is correctly matched
Kamboja: Kamboja included the area around Rajaori, including the Hazara district of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, and probably extended up to Kafiristan
Vipas is a Rigvedic name of the Beas river, which flows through the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
Hence 2nd pair is incorrectly matched
Avanti: Avanti, in the Malwa region of central India, was divided into a northern and a southern part by the Vindhyas. The two important towns of this kingdom were Mahishmati (identified with modern Maheshwar) and Ujjayini (near modern Ujjain), both of which are mentioned in ancient texts as its capital. The Narmada River flows through Avanti.
Hence 3rd pair is incorrectly matched
Kosala : The powerful kingdom of Kosala was bounded by the Sadanira (Gandak) on the east, the Gomati on the west, the Sarpika or Syandika (Sai) on the south, and the Nepal hills to the north. The Sarayu River divided it into a northern and a southern part.
Hence 4th pair is correctly matched
8. The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in: [Art & Culture]
(a) Delhi
(b) Gwalior
(c) Ujjain
(d) Lahore
8. Ans-d
Explanation
Vishnu Digambar Paluskar was born on August 18, 1872 at Kurundwad, Maharashtra. He was trained under Balkrishna Bua, who was a doyen of musicians in Maharashtra. From there, he toured Gwalior, Mathura, Bharatpur, Delhi and reached Punjab.
In Punjab, he lived in Amritsar for some time and shifted to Okara in Montgomery district to be the tutor of Sir Khem Singh’s children. After a few months there, he came to Lahore and here, on May 5, 1901, he founded Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.
This is one of the most interesting turning points in the history of modern music as it was the first school run by a middle-class musician without the direct patronage of Rajas and Maharajas.
The Vidyalaya school was run by public support, donations from richer classes, and funds raised by the concerts of Vishnu Digambar. It was truly a school of the people for the people. In 1908, a branch of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya was opened in Bombay.
Towards the end of his life, his time was devoted almost entirely to religious music, and finally his end also came amidst the singing of Ram Dhun (Ram’s name).
Paluskar’s Ram Dhun, ‘Raghupati Raghava Rajaram’ was sung at the head of the famous Dandi March led by Gandhiji in 1930.
9. Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the ‘Pradeshika’, ‘Rajuka’ and ‘Yukta’ were important officers at the [Ancient India]
(a) village-level administration
(b) district-level administration
(c) provincial administration
(d) level of the central administration
9. Ans-b
Explanation
Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the pradeshika, rajuka, and yukta were important officers at the district level. Rock edict 3 refers to these officers going on tours every five years in order to instruct people in dhamma and for other purposes.
3rd Major Rock Edict (Translated)
Thus speaks the Beloved of the Gods, the king Piyadassi: When I had been consecrated twelve years I commanded as follows: Everywhere in my empire, the yuktas [subordinate officers] with the rajukas [rural administrators] and the pradesikas [heads of the districts], shall go on tour every five years, in order to instruct people in the Dhamma as well as for other purposes. It is good to be obedient to one’s mother and father, friends and relatives, to be generous to brahmans and Sramanas, it is good not to kill living beings, it is good not only to spend little, but to own the minimum of property. The council will instruct the officials to record the above, making it both manifest to the public and explaining why.
10. Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
I. The Congress declared the attainment of ‘Swaraj’ by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.
II. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if ‘Swaraj’ did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [Modern India]
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
10. Ans-a
Explanation
Gandhi and the National Congress decided in September 1920 to launch a non-violent non-cooperation movement and continue it till the Punjab and Khilafat wrongs were removed and Swaraj established. Gandhi gave the slogan “Swaraj in a year”.
Gandhiji proposed that the movement should unfold in stages.
It should begin with the surrender of titles that the government awarded, and a boycott of civil services, army, police, courts and legislative councils, schools, and foreign goods.
Then, in case the government used repression, a full civil disobedience campaign would be launched.
Gandhiji promised that if the program was fully implemented, Swaraj would be issued within a year.
Hence statement 2 is incorrect
The goal of the Congress was changed from attainment of self-government by constitutional and legal means to attainment of Swaraj by peaceful legitimate means.
Hence statement 1 is correct
11. “Sedition has become my religion” was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of [Modern India]
(a) The Champaran Satyagraha
(b) Publicly violating Salt Law at Dandi
(c) Attending the Second Round Table Conference in London
(d) The launch of the Quit India Movement
11. Ans-b
Explanation
Civil disobedience movement started by Gandhi on 12th March 1930 with his famous Dandi March. Together with 78 chosen followers, Gandhiji walked nearly 375 km from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, a village on the Gujarat sea coast.
On 6th April, Gandhiji reached Dandi, picked a handful of salt and broke the salt law as a symbol of India’s people’s refusal to live under British-made laws and therefore British rule. Gandhiji declared, British rule in India has brought about moral, material, cultural and spiritual ruination of this great country.
I regard this rule as a curse. I am out to destroy this system of government….. sedition has become my religion. Ours is a non-violent battle. We are not to kill anybody, but it is our dharma to see that the curse of this government is blotted out.
12. The famous female figurine known as ‘Dancing Girl’, found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of [Art & Culture]
(a) carnelian
(b) clay
(c) bronze
(d) gold
12.Ans-c
Explanation
Bronze female figurine found at Mohenjodaro become famous as the ‘dancing girl’.
John Marshall referred to her as the ‘dancing girl’ due to her resemblance to a semi-impudent ‘nautch girl.’ He noted her posture, with one hand on her hip and her feet keeping time to the music, which contributed to this characterization.
The figure was made by the lost-wax method.
13. Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decided to include the upliftment of ‘Harijans’ in his political and social programme? [Modern India]
(a) The Poona Pact
(b) The Gandhi-Irwin Agreement (Delhi Pact)
(c) Arrest of Congress leadership at the time of the Quit India Movement.
(d) Promulgation of the Government of India Act, 1935
13. Ans-a
Explanation
Poona Pact
- Against communal award, Gandhi began a fast unto death on untouchable separate electorate issue on September 20, 1932.
- Gandhi’s concern for untouchables was rooted in his deep humanitarianism. We do not want, as he said, on our register and on our census, untouchables classified as a separate class…. Would untouchables remain untouchables in perpetuity?
- The result was the Pune Pact of September 25th, by which the award was modified.
- The pact reserved a total of 148 seats for untouchables in the provincial legislatures, but provided that election to these seats was to be through joint electorates.
- After Poona Pact, Harijan upliftment became Gandhiji’s main concern. Harijan, God’s people was the name given by Gandhiji to untouchables.
- He started All India Untouchability League in September 1932 and Weekly Harijan in January 1933. January 8, 1933 was observed as a temple entry day.
- In Harijan work, Gandhi’s emphasis was on conversion and not compulsion.
- Gandhiji vigorously toured the country, appealing to the upper caste to change their attitude. Despite the reluctance of the Congress leaders, Gandhi’s tour was unsuccessful.
14. Consider the following fruits : [Modern India]
I. Papaya
II. Pineapple
III. Guava
How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
14. Ans-c
Explanation
The European ‘discovery’ of America was followed by the dissemination of American food crops to different parts of the world. The Portuguese, being the earliest European nation to arrive in India, became the agents for introducing several American crops like maize, sweet potato and capsicums in the country. The Portuguese also introduced many ‘New World’ fruits like the pineapple, Papaya, Sapodilla, and the Guava which found acceptance and became part of Indian food culture.
15. Who among the following was the founder of the ‘Self-Respect Movement’? [Modern India]
(a) ‘Periyar’ E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker
(b) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
(c) Bhaskarrao Jadhav
(d) Dinkarrao Javalkar
15. Ans-a
Explanation
E. V. Ramaswamy , Periyar from a merchant family of Erode. He had joined Congress in 1919, then gradually became disillusioned with what he saw as its Brahminic leadership.
In the early 1920s, he took part in the Vaikom Temple Satyagraha, reportedly clashing with Gandhi while taking a militant position. Nonetheless, Periyar returned to Tamil Nadu as the hero of Vaikom.
He subsequently clashed with Congress leaders over the proposed resolution for reservations in the legislatures for non-Brahmins and untouchables.
In 1925, Periyar left Congress.
Self-Respect League
Periyar formed the Self-Respect League in 1926 and its first conference was held in 1929. This movement spread across Tamil Nadu. Its focus was Opposing Brahmin priesthood, calling for abolition of caste and supporting the liberation of women, he attacked all religions taking an atheist stance
- There is no God,
- There is no God,
- There is no God at all.
- He who invented God is a fool.
- He who propagates God is a scoundrel.
- He who worships God is a barbarian.
In 1927, during a tour of South India, Gandhiji defended Varanashrama Dharma and Periyar contested this hotly in personal meetings and in articles in his journal Kudi Arasu, he now claimed that three conditions were necessary for the country to gain its freedom.
- Destruction of the Congress,
- Of the so-called Hindu religion and
- Of Brahmin domination.
16. Who provided legal defence to the people arrested in the aftermath of Chauri Chaura incident? [Modern India]
(a) C. R. Das
(b) Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant
(c) Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Khwaja Hasan Nizami
(d) M. A. Jinnah
16. Ans-b
Explanation
Madan Mohan Malaviya appeared in the High Court in 1923 to support the appeal of the 170 persons sentenced to death by the Session judge of Gorakhpur in the Chauri Chaura case. In this case 225 persons had been tried for setting fire to the police station of Chauri Chaura (in Deoria district) and causing the death of one Sub-Inspector and 21 constables trapped in it.
Due to the efforts of Barrister Krishna Kant and Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya, around 150 freedom fighters were saved from hanging.