1
,By
Terms Asked in Previous Year’s UPSC Prelims
ANCIENT HISTORY: PYQs Terms
Year Terms
2022 Fanam: a small gold or silver coin formerly in widespread use in southern India
2021 Mitakshara: School of inheritance/ System of family laws
(Similarly, Dayabhaga: System of family laws )
In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of
the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the
sons can claim right to the property.
2020 Paramitas: Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path.
2020 Upasaka: Lay follower of Buddhism
2020 Shramana: Shramanas were Buddhist ascetics who lived a severe and self-denying
lifestyle in order to achieve spiritual emancipation.
2020 Parivrajaka: Renunciant and Wanderer
2020 Kulyavapa and Dronavapa: Units for measurement of land.
2018 Maitreya: Future Buddha, yet to come to save the world.
2018 Sthanakvasi: Associated with Jainism, those who do not have their religious activities
in temples but carry on their religious duties in places known as Sthanakas
2016 Maagadha: Profession of the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and
Epictales.
2015 Tolkappiyam: The book on Tamil Grammar
2013 Nirvana: The extinction of the flame of desire
2013 Viharas: Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
2013 Chaityas: Chaitya is a place of worship
2012 Guilds (Shreni): Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and
the king was the chief administrative authority on them. The wages, rules of work,
standards and prices were fixed by the guild. The guild had judicial powers over its
own members.
2012 Bhumisparsha Mudra: Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and
chastity despite the temptations of Mara.
2
, 2011 Rita: Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe
and all it contained.
2011 Dharma: Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one’s duties
to oneself and to others.
MEDIEVAL HISTORY: PYQs Terms
Year Terms
2022 Qalandars: wandering ascetic Sufi dervishes
2022 Kulah Daran: Sayyids were known as ‘Kulah Daran’ during Delhi sultanate as they put on a
pointed cap (kulah)
2020 Hundi: Referred to “A bill of exchange” in the sources of the post-Harsha period
2019 Kalyaana Mandapas: Notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom
of Vijayanagar
2017 Taniyurs: Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins.
2017 Ghatikas: Colleges generally attached to the temples
2017 Eripatti: Land revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of
the village tank
2016 Siddhas (Sittars): Monotheistic from Tamil region and condemned idolatry.
2016 Araghatta: Waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
2016 Banjaras: Were traders during the medieval period of Indian history
2014 Pushtimarg: The path of devotion, which is mentioned in the Bhagavadgita
as the direct and the simplest approach to achieve liberation
2014 Bijak: Composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
2014 Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila: Designations were used for village headmen
MODERN HISTORY: PYQs Terms
Year Terms
2020 Ulgulan: The Great Tumult or Ulgulan was a movement started by Birsa
Munda against the exploitation and discrimination against
tribals by the local authorities.
2017 Dyarchy: Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two
Categories
2011 Home Charges: Funds used to support the India Office in London. Funds used
to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in
India.
3
,By
Terms Asked in Previous Year’s UPSC Prelims
ANCIENT HISTORY: PYQs Terms
Year Terms
2022 Fanam: a small gold or silver coin formerly in widespread use in southern India
2021 Mitakshara: School of inheritance/ System of family laws
(Similarly, Dayabhaga: System of family laws )
In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim right to the property during the lifetime of
the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the
sons can claim right to the property.
2020 Paramitas: Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path.
2020 Upasaka: Lay follower of Buddhism
2020 Shramana: Shramanas were Buddhist ascetics who lived a severe and self-denying
lifestyle in order to achieve spiritual emancipation.
2020 Parivrajaka: Renunciant and Wanderer
2020 Kulyavapa and Dronavapa: Units for measurement of land.
2018 Maitreya: Future Buddha, yet to come to save the world.
2018 Sthanakvasi: Associated with Jainism, those who do not have their religious activities
in temples but carry on their religious duties in places known as Sthanakas
2016 Maagadha: Profession of the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and
Epictales.
2015 Tolkappiyam: The book on Tamil Grammar
2013 Nirvana: The extinction of the flame of desire
2013 Viharas: Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
2013 Chaityas: Chaitya is a place of worship
2012 Guilds (Shreni): Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and
the king was the chief administrative authority on them. The wages, rules of work,
standards and prices were fixed by the guild. The guild had judicial powers over its
own members.
2012 Bhumisparsha Mudra: Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and
chastity despite the temptations of Mara.
2
, 2011 Rita: Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe
and all it contained.
2011 Dharma: Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one’s duties
to oneself and to others.
MEDIEVAL HISTORY: PYQs Terms
Year Terms
2022 Qalandars: wandering ascetic Sufi dervishes
2022 Kulah Daran: Sayyids were known as ‘Kulah Daran’ during Delhi sultanate as they put on a
pointed cap (kulah)
2020 Hundi: Referred to “A bill of exchange” in the sources of the post-Harsha period
2019 Kalyaana Mandapas: Notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom
of Vijayanagar
2017 Taniyurs: Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins.
2017 Ghatikas: Colleges generally attached to the temples
2017 Eripatti: Land revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of
the village tank
2016 Siddhas (Sittars): Monotheistic from Tamil region and condemned idolatry.
2016 Araghatta: Waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
2016 Banjaras: Were traders during the medieval period of Indian history
2014 Pushtimarg: The path of devotion, which is mentioned in the Bhagavadgita
as the direct and the simplest approach to achieve liberation
2014 Bijak: Composition of the teachings of Saint Dadu Dayal.
2014 Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila: Designations were used for village headmen
MODERN HISTORY: PYQs Terms
Year Terms
2020 Ulgulan: The Great Tumult or Ulgulan was a movement started by Birsa
Munda against the exploitation and discrimination against
tribals by the local authorities.
2017 Dyarchy: Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two
Categories
2011 Home Charges: Funds used to support the India Office in London. Funds used
to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in
India.
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