Person Kalhana
Asked 5 times across 4 UPSC exams over 9 years (2014–2023), peaking in 2014.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 2 of 5 PYQs
- Most asked in 2014
- Recurs across 3 years (2014–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CDS 2014 → GEO 2021 → CISF 2023
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (3 of 5) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CISF2023
Who among the following is the author of the book 'Rajtarangini' ?
- A Bilhana
- B Kalhana ✓
- C Banabhatta
- D Bhavabhuti
✓ Correct answer: (B)
History › Medieval India
GEO2021
Which one of the following pairs of author and literary work is correctly matched?
- A Banabhatta : Ramacharita
- B Kalhana : Rajatarangini
- C Chand Bardai : Prithvirajavijaya
- D Padmagupta : Harshacharita
Answer key not yet available (pending official release)
Art & Culture › Literature & Languages
CDS2014
Consider the following statements from Kalhana's Rajatarangini
- The common people ate rice and Utpala-saka (a wild vegetable of bitter taste)
- Harsha introduced into Kashmir a general dress befitting a king which included a long coat
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
✓ Correct answer: (C)
History › Ancient India
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