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. The famous book ‘Brihat Katha’ was written by__?
[A] Gunadhya
[B] Sarva Varman
[C] Panini
[D] Radhagupt
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Gunadhya ]
Notes:
The famous book ‘Brihat Katha’ was written by Gunadhya, who was the great scholar in the court of Satvahana King Hala.
2. As per the officials mentioned in the Arthashastra, the duties related to Crown lands was performed by whom ?
[A] Kosadhyaksha
[B] Hastyadhyaksha
[C] Lohadhyaksha
[D] Sitadhyaksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Sitadhyaksha ]
Notes:
Sitadhyaksha was responsible for the maintenance of Crown lands.
3. Who wrote the book Pancha Siddhantika?
[A] Varahamihira
[B] Aryabhatta
[C] Brahmagupta
[D] Kalidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Varahamihira ]
Notes:
Varahamihira was one of the only renowned Indian Astronomer, Mathematician and Astrologer. Varahamihira was born in 499 A.D. into a family of Brahmins settled at Kapittha, a village near Ujjain. He wrote the book Pancha Siddhantika.
4. The first Indian Mathematician who treated Mathematics as a different discipline?
[A] Varahmihira
[B] Aryabhatta
[C] Ramanujan
[D] Baudhayan
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Correct Answer: B [Aryabhatta]
Notes:
Aryabhatta was the first of the major mathematician-astronomers from the classical age of Indian mathematics and Indian astronomy. He treated mathematics as a different discipline.
5. Which among the following Mahajanpada was located on the junction of two famous ancient Indian Trade routes – Uttarpatha and Dakshinpatha?
[A] Matsya
[B] Surasena
[C] Avanti
[D] Anga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Surasena]
Notes:
Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha were two trade routes of ancient India. Mathura was located at the junction of these two famous trade routes. Shurasena was an ancient Yadava ruler of Mathura after whom the Surasena Kingdom or mahajanpada and the Yadava sept of Surasenas were named.
6. Fa-Hien who came to visit India during Gupta Period had the main motive of ___________?
[A] Establish trade relations between India and China
[B] Write a book on the life of Indian People
[C] Study the teachings of Gautam Buddha
[D] To spread Buddhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Study the teachings of Gautam Buddha]
Notes:
Fa-Hien was a Chinese Buddhist, was one of the pilgrims who visited India during the reign of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II. His main motive is to study the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
7. The following were the immediate successors of imperial Mauryas?
[A] Pandyas
[B] Kushans
[C] Nandas
[D] Sungas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sungas]
Notes:
The Shunga Empire was an ancient Indian dynasty from Magadha that controlled areas of the central and eastern Indian subcontinent from around 185 to 75 BCE. They are the immediate successors of imperial Mauryas.
8. At which of the following harappan sites, an Inkpot has been discovered?
[A] Harappa
[B] Lothal
[C] Kalibangan
[D] Chanhudaro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chanhudaro]
Notes:
Chanhudaro is the only city from indus valley civilization found that didn’t have a citadel. A small pot was discovered on site and is assumed to be an ink pot.
9. During end of which of the following period the urban centers of Gangetic planes declined ?
[A] Maurya Period
[B] Gupta Period
[C] Mahjnapadas
[D] Magadh Empire
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gupta Period]
Notes:
The urban centers of Gangetic plain declined with the gupta empire. The areas surrounding Prayag, Saketa and Magadha areas have declined.
10. In “Kumarasambhava” , the famous work of Kalidasa, who among the following has been referred as Kumara, whose birth has been depicted in this epic poem?
[A] Chadragupta II
[B] Bimbisara
[C] Kumaragupta
[D] Kartikeya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Kartikeya ]
Notes:
Kalidasa, in his epic “Kumarasambhava”, portrays the birth of “Kumara”, referring to Kartikeya. The story aligns with the narrative in the Kalikapurana. Kartikeya, also known as Subramanya or Murugan, is a Hindu god, the son of Shiva and Parvati, and is popularly worshipped in South India and by Tamil communities across the world.
