Ancient Indian History MCQs
Multiple Choice Quiz Questions (MCQs) on Ancient Indian History for General Studies and GK preparation of SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
1. Who among the following was the first Satavahana King to introduce the Ruler’s head on the coins ?
[A] Satkarni I
[B] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[C] Vasishthiputra Pulumavi
[D] Yajna Satakarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Satkarni I ]
Notes:
Satavahana dynasty ruled from Pune in Maharastra to Coastal Andhra Pradesh in the 2nd century BC onwards.The coins issued by Satavahanas had Bilingual legends. The name of the Kings was mentioned in Prakrit as well as some south Indian Language. Satavahana Kings promoted Buddhism. Satkarni I was the first Satavahana King to introduce the Ruler’s head on the coins.
2. The inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script were deciphered by ___?
[A] Alexander Cunningham
[B] James Princep
[C] Max Muller
[D] Mortimer Wheeler
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ James Princep ]
Notes:
James Princep (1799-1840) was an English scholar, orientalist and antiquary. He was the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and is best remembered for deciphering the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India. He was the first to decipher the inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script.
3. During whose reign the Third Buddhist Council was organized?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kalasoka
[C] Ajatsatru
[D] Kanishka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Ashoka ]
Notes:
The Third Buddhist Council was held at Patliputra during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. It was held under the Presidentship of Moggliputra Tissa to revise scriptures.
4. Which among the following Mudra is the gesture of Buddha as depicted in his first sermon?
[A] Abhaya Mudra
[B] Dhyana Mudra
[C] Dharmachakra Mudra
[D] Bhumisparsa Mudra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Dharmachakra Mudra ]
Notes:
The sermon Buddha gave to the five monks was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. The Seated Buddha from Gandhara is an early statue of the Buddha made in Gandhara, in modern Pakistan, in the 2nd or 3rd century The pose, which was to become one of a number of standard ones, shows Buddha as a teacher setting the wheel of Dharma in motion (Dharmachakra Mudra). Buddha did this following his enlightenment and after delivering his first sermon at the deer park at Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
5. Who among the following is known as father of Indian Pre-History?
[A] Robert Bruce foote
[B] Sir William Jones
[C] E.J.H Mackey
[D] Sir John Marshall
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Robert Bruce foote]
Notes:
Robert Bruce Foote (1834-1912) was a British geologist and archaeologist, known as father of India’s prehistory. While being employed by Geological Survey of India, he conducted surveys of prehistoric locations in India, including parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. In 1863, he discovered Paleolithic tools at Pallavaram, Chennai. The tools are now preserved at the Chennai Museum. He served in Baroda for two years after retiring in 1892 and was also invited to Mysuru by the Maharaja.
6. What was the name of the Licchavi princess who was married to Gupta King Chandragupta-I?
[A] Kumara Devi
[B] Kubernaga
[C] Dhruva Devi
[D] Vasu Devi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kumara Devi ]
Notes:
The Gupta emperor Chandragupta I married a Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, who was the heiress to the throne of the Lichchavis and by her marriage with Chandragupta the two states got united. Lichchhavi Princess Kumari Devi was the first Indian Queen featured on a coin.
7. Rajatarangini, a book that generally recorded the heritage of Kashmir in the 12th Century, was written by__:
[A] Pravaragupta
[B] Kalhana
[C] Lalitapida
[D] Kashyapa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kalhana ]
Notes:
Kalhana penned the book named Rajatarangini in 12th century CE. It is a metrical historical chronicle of north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly the kings of Kashmir, written in Sanskrit. Rajatarangini describe the misrule prevailing in Kashmir during the reign of King Kalash, son of King Ananta Deva of Kashmir.
8. Who among the following defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of river Narmada?
[A] Pulkesin I
[B] Kirtivarman I
[C] Pulkesin II
[D] Vikramaditya I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pulkesin II]
Notes:
Harshavardhana was defeated by Chalukya king Pulakesin-II in circa. 615 AD on the bank of river Narmada. This was the most notable military achievement of Pulakeshin and it ended influence of Harsha from south of Narmada river and established this river as boundary between Uttarpatha and Dakshnipatha.
9. Who has written “Kalpsutra”?
[A] Haribhadra
[B] Bhadrabahu
[C] Sudharma Swami
[D] Nemichandra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bhadrabahu]
Notes:
The Kalpasutra is a Jain text containing the biographies of the Jain Tirthankaras, most notably Parshvanath and Mahavira, including the latter’s Nirvana. The author of this text is Bhadrabahu.
10. Who among the following was last Satavahana ruler ?
[A] Simukha
[B] Krishna
[C] Yajna Sri Satakarni
[D] Pulamavi IV
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pulamavi IV]
Notes:
Yajna Sri Satakarni was the 27th Satavahana ruler and appears to be last great ruler exercising control over vast territory. The last Satavahana ruler however, seems to be Pulumayi IV (ca. 215–225). (Andhra Pradesh district gazetteers)
