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 Greek ruler sent Dionysuis as an ambassador in the court of Patliputra?
[A] Selecus Nicator
[B] Antiochus I
[C] Potlemy Phildelphos
[D] Antigonas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Potlemy Phildelphos ]
Notes:
The Egyptian ruler, Ptolemy II Philadelphus had sent Dionysuis as an ambassador in the court of either Bindusara or Asoka.
2. Who was the founder of Yoga philosophy?
[A] Jaimini
[B] Kapila
[C] Akshapada Gautam
[D] Patanjali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Patanjali ]
Notes:
Patanjali Yoga philosophy is one of the six major orthodox schools of Hinduism. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a key text of the Yoga school of Hinduism. Patanjali was the founder of Yoga philosophy.
3. Which among the following age marks a very distinct growth in population of Human beings compared to other ages?
[A] Lower paleolithic age
[B] Upper Paleolithic Age
[C] Mesolithic age
[D] Neolithic Age
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mesolithic age ]
Notes:
There are several reasons why the population may have grown during the Mesolithic age. One reason is that the development of new technologies, such as the creation of new tools and weapons, made it easier for people to hunt and gather food. This would have helped them to sustain larger populations. Additionally, the use of fire to cook food would have made it more nutritious and easier to digest, which would also have allowed people to support larger populations. Finally, the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled one may have allowed people to establish larger, more stable communities that could support more people.
4. Who among the following introduced Shaka era?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kanishka
[C] Rudraraman
[D] Bimbisara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kanishka]
Notes:
The Kushana emperor Kanishka is often recognized for the initiation of the Saka era. This significant event took place when he acceded to the throne in 78 A.D. The Saka era, also known as the Indian national calendar, is used alongside the Gregorian calendar by the Government of India.
5. Maya or Mahamaya, the mother of Gautama Buddha belonged to which among the following dynasties?
[A] Shakya
[B] Koliya
[C] Lichchavi
[D] Maurya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Koliya]
Notes:
Maya, the mother of Gautama Buddha, belonged to the Koliya dynasty. She was also known as Queen Mahamaya or Queen Maya. The Koliya dynasty was a clan or family that ruled over a region in ancient India, which is believed to be in the modern-day Nepal. Queen Maya’s husband was King Suddhodana, who was the ruler of the Shakya clan, and they were both from the same Koliya dynasty. Maya passed away shortly after giving birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
6. Vedic mythology refers to an ancient settlement called Pushkalavati after Pushkal, who was the son of King Bharata in the epic Ramayan. What is the modern location of Pushkalavati?
[A] Panipat
[B] Pushkar
[C] Peshawar (in Pakistan)
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Peshawar (in Pakistan)]
Notes:
Pushkalavati was capital of ancient Kingdom of Gandhara. Its ruins are currently located in Charsadda, Pakistan, located in Peshawar valley in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (formerly NWFP). Pushkalavati was home of the Sanskrit grammarian Panini.
7. Manyakheta (modern Malkhed) on the banks of Kagina River in Gulbarga district, Karnataka state was the capital of ______?
[A] Satvahanas
[B] Rastrakutas
[C] Hoysalas
[D] Kakatiyas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rastrakutas]
Notes:
Manyakheta, also known as Malkhed, was the capital of the Rashtrakutas from 818 to 982. The city is located on the banks of the Kagina River in the Gulbarga district of Karnataka, India. It’s about 40 miles (25 km) from Gulbarga city.
The Rashtrakutas were a royal dynasty that ruled large parts of the Indian subcontinent between the 6th and 10th centuries. The city became well-known during the Rashtrakuta dynasty because it was a place where Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu scholars studied.
The city was destroyed by Rajendra Chola in 1007 CE. It remained the capital of the Rashtrakutas’ successors, the Kalyani Chalukyas, until about 1050 CE.
Today, Malkhed is a place of historical importance. It has the ruins of an ancient fort with four entrances and 52 bastions. The fort is currently under renovation.
8. Which of the following places is known for painted rock shelters belonging to Paleolithic and Mesolithic ages ?
[A] Utnur
[B] Uyyur
[C] Bhimbetka
[D] Bairath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bhimbetka]
Notes:
The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in central India that spans the prehistoric paleolithic and mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period. It exhibits the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent and evidence of Stone Age starting at the site in Acheulian.
9. What was the name of the judges and judicial officers in Satvahana Dynasty?
[A] Amatya
[B] Rajukas
[C] Bhoja
[D] Gamika
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajukas]
Notes:
In the Satvahana Dynasty, the judges and judicial officers were known as “Rajukas”. The Satvahana Empire, also known as the Andhra Empire, was an Indian dynasty based in the Deccan region. During its rule, law and order were maintained by appointing officers known as Rajukas, who performed various judicial functions including that of a judge.
10. Which among the following Buddhist Text is considered to have been recorded by Buddha himself?
[A] Dhammaghosa
[B] Buddhaghosa
[C] Dhammapada
[D] Abhidhamma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dhammapada]
Notes:
The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form and one of the most widely read and best known Buddhist scriptures. It is recorded by Buddha himself.