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GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2023
Literature & Languages
Question No. 51Interactive Test Mode
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+2-0.66

Q51. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs: | Literary work | Author | | :--- | :--- | | 1. Devichandragupta | Bilhana | | 2. Hammira-Mahakavya | Nayachandra Suri | | 3. Milinda-panha | Nagarjuna | | 4. Nitivakyamrita | Somadeva Suri | How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:

Literary workAuthor
1. DevichandraguptaBilhana
2. Hammira-MahakavyaNayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panhaNagarjuna
4. NitivakyamritaSomadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
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Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

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Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2023 • Art and Culture

Correct Answer: Option (B) — Only two

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Devichandraguptam is a lost Sanskrit drama by Vishakhadatta (author of Mudrarakshasa). Bilhana wrote Vikramankadevacharita.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Hammira-Mahakavya was composed by the Jain scholar Nayachandra Suri, celebrating the life and heroism of Rana Hammira of Ranthambore.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Milinda-panha records the philosophical dialogue between Indo-Greek king Menander I and Buddhist sage Nagasena (not Nagarjuna).

Pair 4 is correctly matched: Nitivakyamrita is an important treatise on statecraft and ethics written by the 10th-century Jain thinker Somadeva Suri.

Hence, exactly two pairs (2 and 4) are correctly matched.

Elimination Heuristic & Exam Approach

Milinda-panha features 'Nagasena' (not the Madhyamaka philosopher Nagarjuna). Devichandragupta is by Vishakhadatta. Identifying these two errors easily resolves the question.

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Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023 (Q51)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicArt and Culture → Literature & Languages
Official Answer KeyOption (B) — Only two

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2023 Q51

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper I Question 51 (Art and Culture)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2023 Art and Culture (Literature & Languages) question is Option (B): "Only two". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2023 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Art and Culture" and micro-topic "Literature & Languages". You can explore all repeated questions from Literature & Languages in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Literature & Languages UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

Milindapanha features 'Nagasena' (not the Madhyamaka philosopher Nagarjuna). Devichandragupta is by Vishakhadatta. Identifying these two errors easily resolves the question.

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