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 Satavahana ruler composed Gathasaptashati?
[A] Simuka
[B] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[C] Pulumayi
[D] Hala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Hala ]
Notes:
Gathasaptashati was written by the Satavahana king Hala. Hala was the 17th ruler of the Satavahana dynasty and ruled from 20–24 CE. The text is a collection of 700 Prakrit verses written by various poets and poetesses. Most of the poems are about love. The text is considered the most important literary work in Prakrit. It is believed that the text took its formal shape in the early centuries of the Common Era.
2. What was the name of Gautam Buddha’s only son ?
[A] Rahul
[B] Channa
[C] Kanthala
[D] Chunda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Rahul ]
Notes:
Rahul was the name of only son of Gautama Buddha.
3. Who among the following wrote ‘Nagananda’?
[A] Banabhatta
[B] Simhanada
[C] Pulakesin II
[D] Harshavardhana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Harshavardhana ]
Notes:
The emperor of Vardhana dynasty, Harshavardhana wrote a play ‘Nagananda’. It describes the story of the Jimutavahana’s self-sacrifice to save the Nagas. It has an enlightening Buddhist legend for its subject and is one of the best works of the Indian Drama.
4. Who among the following built the Gomateshwara statue at Sravanabelagola ?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Kharvela
[C] Amoghavarsha
[D] Chamundaraya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Chamundaraya ]
Notes:
Bahubali also called Gomateshwara was an Arihant. According to Jainism, he was the second of the hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha and king of Podanpur. A monolithic statue of Bahubali referred to as “Gommateshvara” built by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander Chamundaraya is a 60 feet (18 m) monolith and is situated above a hill in Shravanabelagola, in the Hassan district of Karnataka. It was built in the 10th century AD.
5. Vidhushaka, a common character in Sanskrit drama is ___?
[A] Brahmana
[B] Kshatriya
[C] Vaishya
[D] Shudra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Brahmana ]
Notes:
In classical Sanskrit drama, Vidushaka (Bufoon) is essentially a Brahmin and is a confident / attendent of the Hero. Despite being educated in Sanskrit, he speaks in Prakrit, the vernacular language of the time. Bharata mentions him along with the principal characters in his Natyasastra.
6. In the Indus Valley Civilization, Great Bath was found at which place?
[A] Mohenjodaro
[B] Harappa
[C] Rakhi Garhi
[D] Ropar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mohenjodaro ]
Notes:
The Great Bath was discovered at Mohenjodaro in Sindh, Pakistan. It measures 11.88 meters x 7.01 meters and has a maximum depth of 2.43 meters.
7. Third Buddhist Council was held at which of the following places?
[A] Pataliputra
[B] Rajgir
[C] Vaishali
[D] Lumbini
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Pataliputra ]
Notes:
The Third Buddhist council was convened in about 250 BCE at Asokarama in Pataliputra, supposedly under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka. The council is recognized and known to both the Theravada and Mahayana schools, though its importance is central only to the Theravada.
8. Who among the following is the author of Dharmasastra?
[A] Manu
[B] Gautama
[C] Kasyapa
[D] Several authors
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Several authors]
Notes:
Dharmaśāstra is a genre of Sanskrit theological texts, and refers to the treatises of Hinduism on dharma. There are many Dharmashastras, variously estimated to be 18 to about 100. There are many authors for Dharmasastras.
9. Pushyamitra Shunga, who was originally a Senapati of the Mauryan Empire and assassinated the last Mauryan Emperor Brihadrath in 185 BC was a ____?
[A] Brahamin
[B] Kshatriya
[C] Vaishya
[D] Shudra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brahamin]
Notes:
Pushyamitra Shunga was the founder and first ruler of the Shunga Empire. He was a Brahmin and follower of Hinduism. Pushyamitra was originally a Senapati “General” of the Maurya Empire. In 185 BCE he assassinated the last Mauryan Emperor, Brihadratha Maurya, during an army review, and proclaimed himself emperor.
10. Which of the following era / communities represent Jorwe culture?
[A] Vedic Era
[B] Chalcolithic Era
[C] Palaeolithic Era
[D] Later vedic Era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chalcolithic Era]
Notes:
Jorwe culture was a Chalcolithic archaeological culture mostly spread in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
