Vajiram & Ravi PowerUp Prelims Test Series 2026 – Test 5 (Ancient & Medieval History + Art & Culture I) PDF | Full Syllabus & Booklist
The Vajiram & Ravi PowerUp Prelims Test Series 2026 continues with Test 5, scheduled for 24th August 2025, focusing on Ancient & Medieval Indian History and Art & Culture (Part I).
This test builds conceptual clarity of India’s civilizational evolution — from the Indus Valley Civilization to the Delhi Sultanate, along with key cultural developments that shaped Indian art, architecture, and music. It’s a crucial paper for mastering UPSC GS Paper I History & Culture segments.
🧾 Test 5 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Test Code | V7705 |
| Test Date | 24 August 2025 |
| Subject | Ancient & Medieval Indian History + Art & Culture I |
| Type | Sectional Test |
| Mode | Online & Offline |
| Coverage | Ancient India, Medieval India, and Cultural Heritage |
| No. of Questions | 100 MCQs |
📚 Syllabus Coverage
Part A – Ancient Indian History
- Prehistoric Period: Stone Age, Paleolithic to Neolithic transition
- Indus Valley Civilization: Town planning, art, economy, religion, decline theories
- Vedic & Post-Vedic Age: Political, social, and economic life; religious evolution
- Mahajanapadas: Sixteen kingdoms, rise of Magadha
- Mauryan & Post-Mauryan Period: Administration, economy, Ashokan edicts, Indo-Greeks, Kushanas, and Satavahanas
- Religious and Cultural Developments: Jainism, Buddhism, Ajivikas, temple and cave architecture
Part B – Medieval Indian History
- Early Medieval Period: Harsha, Chalukyas, Pallavas, Rashtrakutas
- Regional Kingdoms: Rajput states, Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas
- Foreign Invasions: Arabs, Turks, and the Ghaznavids
- Delhi Sultanate: Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties – administration, architecture, and reforms
- Socio-religious life: Bhakti and Sufi movements – spread and influence
Part C – Indian Art & Culture
- Architecture and Sculpture: Rock-cut, Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu architecture; Stupas, temples, and forts
- Pottery: Painted Grey Ware, Northern Black Polished Ware, and other styles
- Indian Paintings: Wall and mural art, Ajanta–Ellora, miniature painting schools
- Indian Music: Evolution of classical music, instruments, and Natya Shastra
- Indian Dances: Classical and folk dance forms, their regional diversity and historical roots
📖 Reference Sources
Primary References
- Old NCERT: Ancient India, Medieval India
- NCERT Class XI: Introduction to Indian Art
- New NCERT Class XII: Themes in Indian History – Part 1 & Part 2
- TN Board History (Class XI) – concise factual reference
- NIOS: Art & Culture Modules
- Art and Culture Notes by LotusArise
- Vajiram Yellow Book: Art & Culture
Additional References
- A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh
- CCRT website: http://ccrtindia.gov.in/index.php
- Current Affairs: Art and heritage updates from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, Yojana, Kurukshetra
- Recitals by Vajiram – Monthly updates on heritage, UNESCO sites, and cultural festivals
🎯 Objectives of Test 5
- Strengthen understanding of India’s civilizational and cultural foundations
- Link historical developments with art, literature, and religion
- Prepare for UPSC’s Art & Culture and Ancient History factual + analytical questions
- Enable topic-wise revision for UPSC Prelims and Mains overlap
🗓️ Key Topics to Revise Before the Test
- Indus Valley town planning and trade
- Vedic society and polity
- Mauryan Empire and Ashoka’s administration
- Gandhara and Mathura schools of art
- Rise of regional powers post-Guptas
- Turkish invasions and establishment of Delhi Sultanate
- Bhakti and Sufi cultural synthesis
- Temple architecture – Nagara, Dravida, Vesara styles
- Buddhist cave architecture and paintings
- Folk and classical dances of India
💡 Vajiram & Ravi Mentorship Support
- Pre-Test Revision Class: Ancient & Medieval chronology simplification
- Art & Culture Workshop: Image-based and factual mapping sessions
- Performance Analytics: Sectional breakdown and historical accuracy feedback
- Recital Integration: Updates on newly discovered heritage sites
📥 Download Section
🧩 Expert Preparation Tips
- Make short notes from Upinder Singh and Vajiram Yellow Book.
- Practice image-based Art & Culture questions regularly.
- Revise timeline-based history charts to connect dynasties and cultural phases.
- Use CCRT and NIOS modules for cultural theory enrichment.
- Revisit previous UPSC questions (2011–2024) from Ancient & Medieval sections.
Conclusion
The Vajiram & Ravi Prelims Test 5 – Ancient & Medieval Indian History + Art & Culture I (24 August 2025) is an essential milestone for understanding India’s deep-rooted civilizational continuity.
It helps aspirants build a holistic grasp of historical evolution, from the Harappans to the Sultanate era, while strengthening cultural appreciation through architecture, music, and art.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
Get instant updates – Free and Premium Study Materials.
Join Our Telegram Channel
Exclusive PDFs, MCQs, Current Affairs and Study Materials.