UGC NET History Important Questions with Answers, Key Topics
UGC NET History Important Questions for December 2025 cover key topics from Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India, including ports, trade, dynasties, philosophy, inscriptions, revenue systems, revolts, and movements. Practice these questions with answers, review important topics, and solve past papers to prepare effectively for the UGC NET History Exam.
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UGC NET History Important Questions: Preparing for the UGC NET History Exam requires focus on key topics that are often repeated in past exams. Candidates can benefit from practicing UGC NET History Important Questions with Answers to understand the type of questions asked and the expected answers. These questions cover Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history, as well as historiography and historical sources.
UGC NET History Important Questions with Answers
Below are the UGC NET History Important Questions that frequently appear in the UGC NET History Exam. Practicing them can help candidates understand the pattern of questions and prepare effectively for the UGC NET December 2025 exam.
1. Which of the following ports was a major center of trade during the Gupta period?
A) Kalyan
B) Pataliputra
C) Vaishali
D) Mathura
Answer: A) Kalyan
2. The Ajivikas believed in which philosophical principle?
A) Karma determines life outcomes
B) Destiny or fate governs life regardless of effort
C) Liberation is possible through meditation only
D) Ethical conduct ensures prosperity
Answer: B) Destiny or fate governs life regardless of effort
3. Who among the following were female warriors mentioned in the Rigveda?
A) Gargi, Maitreyi
B) Vishpala, Mudgalini, Badrimitri
C) Dandi Mahadevi, Vijay Mahadevi
D) Prarthana Samaj leaders
Answer: B) Vishpala, Mudgalini, Badrimitri
4. Which Buddhist council led to the division between Mahasanghikas and Theravadins?
A) First Council at Vaishali
B) Second Council at Rajgir
C) Third Council at Pataliputra
D) Fourth Council at Kashmir
Answer: B) Second Council at Rajgir
5. Which land measurement unit during the Gupta period was the smallest?
A) Pataka
B) Kulba
C) Angul
D) Dronebaba
Answer: C) Angul
6. The Tolkappiyam is associated with which type of literature?
A) Vedic hymns
B) Sangam grammar and literature
C) Mauryan inscriptions
D) Dharmashastra texts
Answer: B) Sangam grammar and literature
7. What was the main feature of the Ryotwari revenue system in colonial India?
A) Revenue fixed permanently with landlords
B) Direct collection from peasants with variable rates
C) Revenue collected via intermediaries
D) Uniform revenue for all villages
Answer: B) Direct collection from peasants with variable rates
8. Which of the following archaeological sites is associated with the Harappan Civilization?
A) Brahmagiri
B) Mohenjodaro
C) Bagor
D) Takalkota
Answer: B) Mohenjodaro
9. Who described India in the text "Indica"?
A) Ashoka
B) Megasthenes
C) Kalhana
D) Al-Biruni
Answer: B) Megasthenes
10. What was the slogan of the Quit India Movement in 1942?
A) Swaraj is my birthright
B) Do or Die
C) Vande Mataram
D) Non-Cooperation
Answer: B) Do or Die
11. Which land type in ancient agriculture was left uncultivated for over five years?
A) Chāchar land
B) Polāj land
C) Banjār land
D) Partī land
Answer: C) Banjār land
12. Which factor is primarily cited by scholars DP Agrawal and Suad for the decline of the Harappan Civilization?
A) External invasions
B) Tectonic disturbances and river course changes
C) Lack of trade
D) Population decline
Answer: B) Tectonic disturbances and river course changes
13. The Tabakat-i Nasiri is significant for providing information on:
A) Gupta land revenue systems
B) Delhi Sultanate cultural and artistic practices
C) Mauryan military campaigns
D) Harappan trade networks
Answer: B) Delhi Sultanate cultural and artistic practices
14. Which period in Mehrgarh civilization shows evidence of water buffalo domestication and handmade pottery?
A) Period One (7000–5500 BCE)
B) Period Two (5500–5000 BCE)
C) Period Three (5000–4500 BCE)
D) Period Four (4500–4000 BCE)
Answer: A) Period One (7000–5500 BCE)
15. In Jain philosophy, what does Anekantavada emphasize?
A) Reality is one and absolute
B) Reality has multiple viewpoints; no single perspective is absolute
C) Only spiritual knowledge matters
D) Karma controls all events
Answer: B) Reality has multiple viewpoints; no single perspective is absolute
16. Which text is the correct source for the rise of Vaishnavism in South India?
A) Bhagavat Purana
B) Silappadikaram
C) Tolkappiyam
D) Arthashastra
Answer: B) Silappadikaram
17. In Kautilya’s Arthashastra, the first five sections mainly deal with:
A) Foreign relations and diplomacy
B) Military strategy and law
C) Internal administration
D) King’s personal life
Answer: C) Internal administration
18. Pravrajya in Buddhist monastic tradition refers to:
A) Full ordination of a monk
B) Renunciation of worldly life to begin Buddhist learning
C) Performing daily rituals
D) Teaching Buddhism to laypeople
Answer: B) Renunciation of worldly life to begin Buddhist learning
19. Who was the leader of the Pahadia tribal revolt?
A) Chakra Bisoi
B) Raja Jagannath
C) Ajatashatru
D) Bimbisara
Answer: B) Raja Jagannath
20. In the Mughal Empire, the term ‘Bant’ referred to:
A) Cultivable land in Deccan
B) Land claims in Gujarat
C) Tax exemption granted to peasants
D) Type of irrigation system
Answer: B) Land claims in Gujarat
21. The term ‘Kali’ in Mughal agrarian terminology refers to:
A) Uncultivable land
B) Cultivable land in Deccan
C) Land left fallow
D) Fertile riverine land
Answer: B) Cultivable land in Deccan
22. According to Ain-i-Akbari, approximately how many troops did the Mughal empire maintain?
A) 1 million
B) 2.5 million
C) 4.4 million
D) 6 million
Answer: C) 4.4 million
23. Which crop was a major cash crop during the Mughal period in Bengal?
A) Wheat
B) Sugarcane
C) Millet
D) Maize
Answer: B) Sugarcane
24. Which product was NOT exported from Bengal during the Mughal period according to Ain-i-Akbari?
A) Rice
B) Muslin
C) Silk
D) Tea
Answer: D) Tea
25. Rajput clans like Pratihara, Parmar, Chalukya, and Chauhan are said to have originated from:
A) Varna system regulations
B) Agnikund fire ritual mentioned in Prithviraj Raso
C) Buddhist texts
D) Mughal administrative reforms
Answer: B) Agnikund fire ritual mentioned in Prithviraj Raso
26. The Chahamanas dynasty is correctly associated with which region?
A) Malwa
B) Bundelkhand
C) Kannauj
D) Gujarat
Answer: C) Kannauj
27. The Eleven-headed Bodhisattva is primarily associated with:
A) Sanchi
B) Kanheri caves
C) Mathura
D) Utnur
Answer: B) Kanheri caves
28. Muhammad bin Qasim’s invasion of Sindh occurred in:
A) 750 CE
B) 712 CE
C) 1024 CE
D) 1206 CE
Answer: B) 712 CE
29. Firoz Shah Tughlaq is associated with which important administrative term or department?
A) Military reforms
B) Translation Department
C) Foreign policy administration
D) Trade regulation
Answer: B) Translation Department
30. Churni in early medieval Indian economy refers to:
A) A high-yield rice variety
B) A medium of exchange similar to gold/silver dust
C) Cotton export
D) Sugarcane cultivation method
Answer: B) A medium of exchange similar to gold/silver dust
31. Among the Mahajanapadas, Magadha’s dominance was supported by:
A) Limited military strength
B) Control over iron deposits, strategic geography, agrarian surplus, and diverse occupations
C) Strong orthodox character restricting occupations
D) Reliance on imported weaponry
Answer: B) Control over iron deposits, strategic geography, agrarian surplus, and diverse occupations
32. Sericulture (silk farming) was prominent in:
A) Bengal and Assam
B) Gujarat and Maharashtra
C) Rajasthan and Punjab
D) Karnataka and Kerala
Answer: A) Bengal and Assam
33. In Mughal administration, the Diwan-i-Ariz was responsible for:
A) Finance
B) Army
C) Communication
D) Foreign affairs
Answer: B) Army
34. Diwan-i-Wizarat handled:
A) Army management
B) Finance
C) Communication
D) Religious affairs
Answer: B) Finance
35. Diwan-i-Risalat in Mughal administration dealt with:
A) Communication
B) Army
C) Foreign affairs
D) Land revenue
Answer: C) Foreign affairs
36. Cash crops exported from Bengal included:
A) Rice and pulses
B) Sugar, muslin, silk
C) Wheat and barley
D) Tea and coffee
Answer: B) Sugar, muslin, silk
UGC NET History Important Topics
UGC NET History Important Questions cover key areas that are frequently asked in the exam. Understanding these topics helps candidates focus on significant events, concepts, and sources across Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history. Reviewing these topics alongside the important questions can make your preparation more organized and effective.
| UGC NET History Important Topics | |
| Category | Important Topics |
| Ancient India | Gupta period ports and trade (Kalyan, Chol, Solapatan), maritime routes with Persia, Arabia, Sri Lanka, China, Southeast Asia |
| Ajivikas philosophy and texts (fatalism, Ashoka & Dasharatha donations, rivalry with Buddhists and Jains) | |
| Women’s occupations (bamboo splitters, dyers, embroiderers, weavers, female warriors like Vishpala, Mudgalini, Badrimitri, philosophical debates) | |
| Buddhist councils and sect divisions (Vaishali, Rajgir, Pataliputra, Kashmir; Mahasanghikas, Theravadins, Hinayana, Mahayana) | |
| Land measurement units in Gupta period (Angul, Pataka, Kulba, Dronebaba) | |
| Political scenario before Satavahanas, numismatic evidence of local rulers | |
| Harappan trade and archaeological sites (copper, tin, lapis lazuli, Mesolithic sites like Damdama, Sarai Nahar Rai) | |
| Sangam literature and grammar texts (Thirumal Padai, Mulai Pattu, Narinai, Tolkappiyam) | |
| Scientific techniques in archaeology (archaeometry, soil nitrogen analysis) | |
| Vedic texts and schools (Shukla & Krishna Yajurveda, Upanishads, Sutras, Brahmanas) | |
| Dharmashastra texts (Apad Dharma, varna dharma, desh dharma, caste dharma) | |
| Early phases of Mehrgarh civilization (stone tools, handmade pottery, early trade, collective graves) | |
| Food items in Later Vedic period (Dana, Apupa, Karambha) | |
| Harappan economy and craft production (copper furnaces, bead-making factories, silver seals) | |
| Medieval India | Battles of Tarain (1st and 2nd), role of Rajput unity, Prithviraj Chauhan, Muhammad Ghori |
| Licchavis political and military life (Vaishali, local rulers, military commanders) | |
| Mauryan archaeological sites and discoveries (Bulandibagh, Tasila, Bhitta, Kumrahar, Mathura) | |
| Rulers and dynasties (Mahendra Varman, Narsi Varman, Kadambas) | |
| Social reform movements (Prarthana Samaj, Ved Samaj, Young Bengal, Singh Sabha) | |
| Early medieval queens and dynasties (Vijay Mahadevi, Dandi Mahadevi, land grants, political roles) | |
| Pottery types (Black and Red Ware, Painted Grey Ware, Northern Black Polished Ware) | |
| Post-Kushan political entities (Yodhehas, Malwas, Arjunyas, Shaka Satraps) | |
| Social customs and marriage practices (Anuloma, Pratiloma, Apad Dharma) | |
| Chola administration (mandalams, valanadu, valai, katagams, relations with Sri Vijaya) | |
| Ajivikas in medieval context (Purana Kashyapa, Pakuda Kacchana) | |
| Inscriptions and monuments (Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s relocation of Ashokan pillars, Kanheri, Mathura, Sanchi) | |
| Delhi Sultanate rulers and administration (Jalaluddin Khilji, Alauddin Khilji, Muhammad bin Tughlaq; Diwan-i-Wizarat, Diwan-i-Ariz, Diwan-i-Risalat, Diwan-i-Insha) | |
| Mughal economy and cash crops (sugarcane, cotton, indigo, opium; trade and export patterns; sericulture in Bengal and Assam) | |
| Medieval trade patterns (Silk cloth, salt, sea shells, wine, betel leaves, grain transport) | |
| Modern India & Colonial | Revenue systems (Ryotwari, Mahalwari, Permanent Settlement; land ownership and revenue collection differences) |
| Quit India Movement (1942, Cripps Mission, “Do or Die”, Japanese advance impact) | |
| Important labor and political strikes (Golmuri Tin Plate, GIP Railway, Ahmedabad Textile) | |
| Santhal Uprising (1855, tribal leaders, support from lohar blacksmiths and milkmen) | |
| Historiography & Philosophy | Postmodernist perspectives (multiple interpretations, questioning texts) |
| Ganasa (republic governance, collective leadership vs monarchy) | |
| Jaina doctrine of reality (Anekantavada, Syadvada, Dravya, Guna, Paryay) | |
| Amresh historiography (verifiable knowledge, impartial recording, British philosophical influence) | |
| Other Historical Sources | Tabakat-i Nasiri, Silappadikaram, Ain-i-Akbari, Katha Sarit Sagar, Prabandha Chintamani, Megasthenes’ Indica, inscriptions at Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rustam |
| Chronology & Battles | Ghori’s campaigns, 1st & 2nd Battle of Tarain, Battle of Chandwar, invasion of Sindh, foundation of Pala and Chola empires, plunder of Somnath |
| Administrative & Economic Terms | Churni, Kuvalamala, Mantholas, Bant, Kali, Mantholas (coins: bhagaka, rupaya, dinar, dam) |