Ancient History UPSC Prelims Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on Ancient History Previous Year Questions from UPSC Prelims transcripts, covering dynasties, religious sects, literature, art, and terminology.

Dhanyakataka

A prominent Buddhist centre that flourished under the Mahasanghikas, located in the Andhra region.

Stupa

Generally a repository of relics and a votive and commemorative structure in the Buddhist tradition.

Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri

Well-known ports in ancient South India.

Vattakirutal

A practice mentioned in Sangam poems where a king defeated in a battle commits ritual suicide by starving himself to death.

Hammira-Mahakavya

A literary work written by Nayachandra Suri.

Milinda-panha

A literary work associated with Nagarjuna.

Nitivakyamrita

A literary work written by Somadeva Suri.

Jainism (Core Belief)

The belief that souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water, and other natural objects.

Devaraya I

The ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire who constructed a large dam across the Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct to the capital city.

Besnagar

A site known for its Shaivite cave shrine.

Bhaja

A site known for its Buddhist cave shrine.

Sittanawasal

A site known for its Jain cave shrine.

Dhauli

The location of one of Ashoka’s major rock edicts in the State of Odisha.

Erragudi

The location of one of Ashoka’s major rock edicts in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

Yogavasistha

A text translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of Akbar.

Ramanuja (Teachings)

The teaching that the best means of salvation was devotion.

Somnath Temple

One of the Jyotirlinga shrines, described by Al-Biruni, with the present-day temple installation (Pran Pratishtha) done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

Jaina texts

Historical texts including Parishishtaparvan and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana.

Dignaga

A historical person known as a Buddhist scholar.

Nathamuni

A historical person known as a Vaishnava scholar.

Kautilya's Arthashastra (Slavery)

States that a person could be a slave due to judicial punishment and if a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.

Dholavira

An ancient town well-known for an elaborate system of water harvesting and management using dams and reservoirs.

Mitakshara

A civil law system where sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of the father.

Dayabhaga

A civil law system where sons can claim right to the property only after the death of the father.

Halbi, Ho and Kui

Terms that pertain to tribal languages in India.

Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara

Famous playwrights of ancient India.

Ajanta Caves

Caves located in the gorge of the Waghora River.

Chausath Yogini Temple

A circular temple near Morena built during the Kachchhapaghata Dynasty; believed to be the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.

Chandraketugarh

A historical place well-known for terracotta art.

Ganeshwar

A historical place well-known for copper artefacts.

Amarasimha

A scholar associated with Harshavardhana.

Kalidasa

A scholar associated with Chandra Gupta-II.

Banian

The Indian agent of the East India Company.

Mirasidar

A designated revenue payer to the State.

Lokottaravadin

A Buddhist sect that was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect.

Hundi

A term from the post-Harsha period defining a bill of exchange.

Kulyavapa and Dronavapa

Terms denoting the measurement of land.

Paramitas

Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path in the cultural history of India.

Parivrajaka

A renunciant and wanderer.

Upasaka

A lay follower of Buddhism.

Ranyo Ashoka

An inscription meaning 'King Ashoka' found alongside a stone portrait of Ashoka at Kanganahalli.

Vishti

Forced labour during the Gupta period, considered a source of income for the State and a sort of tax paid by the people.

Kalyaana Mandapas

A notable feature in the temple construction of the Vijayanagara kingdom.

Maitreya

A future Buddha yet to come to save the world.

Bani Thani

A well-known painting belonging to the Kishangarh school.

Sthanakvasi

A religious sect belonging to Jainism.

Motupalli

A very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom.

Manipuri Sankirtana

A song and dance performance performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.

Eripatti

Land from which revenue was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank.

Ghatikas

Colleges generally attached to the temples in Indian history.

James Prinsep

The individual who first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka.

Malavikagnimitra

An ancient Indian book featuring the love story of the son of the Sunga dynasty's founder.

Kalamkari painting

A hand-painted cotton textile found in South India.

Sattriya

A centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam that combines music, dance, and drama.

Kalaripayattu

An ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India.

Manganiyars

A community well-known for their musical tradition in North-West India.

Panchayatan

A style of temple construction in Indian cultural history.

Chaitya

A Buddhist rock-cut cave used as a place of worship.

Vihara

A Buddhist rock-cut cave used as a dwelling place for monks.

Nirvana

In Buddhism, the concept of the extinction of the flame of desire.

Tribhanga

A dance pose where one leg is bent and the body is oppositely curved at the waist and neck.

Nagara, Dravida and Vesara

The three main styles of Indian temple architecture.