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. Which among the following village was the site of the Vikramshila Mahavihara, the renowned educational centre of Pala period?
[A] Antichak
[B] Aphasad
[C] Basarh
[D] Chandimau
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Antichak ]
Notes:
Antichak – Excavated site Vikramshila Vikramashila was founded by Pala King Dharmapala in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nalanda. [It was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji ]
2. At which Indus Valley Site, the beared man in steatite image has been found?
[A] Harappa
[B] Mohenjodaro
[C] Lothal
[D] Kalibanga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Mohenjodaro ]
Notes:
In the Indus Valley Civilization, a beared man in steatite image has been found Mohenjodaro
3. Which of the following Upanishads gives clear reference of four Ashrams of individual’s life?
[A] Jabala Upanishad
[B] Katha Upanishad
[C] Virhadranyaka Upanishad
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Jabala Upanishad ]
Notes:
In Jabala Upanishad, there is a clear reference of four Ashrams i.e. Brahmachari, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasi.
4. At which of the following Harappan sites, terracotta female figures were discovered?
[A] Mohenjo-daro
[B] Kot Bala
[C] Kot Diji
[D] Khirasara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mohenjo-daro]
Notes:
Mohenjo-daro is an archaeological site in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Built around 2500 BCE, it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley civilization. Various discoveries at Mohenjo-daro include- Great Bath (the biggest bath ghat), Great granary, Bronze dancing girl, Bearded man, terracotta toys, Bull seal, Pashupati seal, three cylindrical seals of the Mesopotamian type, a piece of woven cloth.
5. Every five years, Harshavardhana used to donate all his possessions at an assembly at which among the following places?
[A] Ujjain
[B] Banaras
[C] Prayag
[D] Kannauj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Prayag]
Notes:
Harsha organised religious assemblies every fifth year of his reign at Prayag (Allahabad). The thing which was left in the state treasury after five years, Harsha used to give it all in charity at that time. He has held six such assemblies during his reign.
6. “All Indians are Free and not even one of them is a slave”. Who among the following has observed the above about the Mauryan Empire?
[A] Megasthenes
[B] Hiuen Tsang
[C] Ashoka
[D] Strabo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Megasthenes]
Notes:
Megasthenes in his book Indica wrote all Indians are free and not even one of them is a slave.
7. What is the correct Chronological Order of Nandas, Sungas, Mauryas & Hayankas dynasties of Ancient India?
[A] Nandas, Sungas, Mauryas, Hayankas
[B] Mauryas, Hayankas, Sungas, Nandas
[C] Hayankas, Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas
[D] Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas, Haranyakas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hayankas, Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas]
Notes:
- Hayankas – The Haryanka dynasty is believed to have been the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, an empire of ancient India.
- Nandas – The Nanda dynasty ruled in northern part of the Indian subcontinent during the 4th century BCE, and possibly during the 5th century BCE.
- Mauryas – The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power based in Magadha and founded by Chandragupta Maurya which dominated the Indian subcontinent between 322 and 185 BCE.
- Sungas – 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.
8. Which among the following sites gives an evidence of maritime trade in harappan era?
[A] Mohen-jo dero
[B] Lothal
[C] Kalibangan
[D] Harappa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lothal]
Notes:
Lothal is a small mature Harappan settlement near Gulf of Khambat in Dhalka taluk of Ahmadabad in Gujrat. It was first excavated in 1957 by S R Rao. The notable structures at Lothal include a dockyard, warehouse, workshop for manufacturing of stone beads, evidence of shell working, rice husk and a cemetery.
9. What was used normally in the construction of Royal Houses during Mauryan period?
[A] Wood
[B] Mud & Lime
[C] Burnt Bricks
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Wood]
Notes:
Wood was used normally in the construction of Royal Houses during Mauryan period.
10. Who was Queen Trishala?
[A] Mother of Mahavira
[B] Mother of Gautam Buddha
[C] Mother of Kanishka
[D] Mother of Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mother of Mahavira]
Notes:
Queen Trishala, also known as Trishala Devi, was the mother of Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara in Jainism. As per Jain texts, Trishala carried Mahavira in her womb for over a year and had a number of auspicious dreams indicating the divine nature of the unborn child. Trishala’s husband was King Siddhartha of Kundalpur in the Kingdom of the Videhas.
