Ancient Indian History MCQs

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The Indo-Greeks were the first rulers in India to issue coins which can definitely be attributed to the kings. They were the first to issue gold coins in India.

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Kalibangan – is an archaeological site where Ploughed Field, Bones of Camel, Circular and Rectangular Graves, distinctive fire (Vedic ) altars with provision of ritual bathing have been found.

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In Pali Buddhist texts, most notably the Sutta Pitaka, Lord Mahavira is referred and addressed as ‘Nigantha Nataputta’. Nigantha means one without any bonds or ties. Nataputta means son of Jnatri clan to which Mahavira belonged. This name referred to Mahavira’s state as an ascetic who had renounced worldly pleasures and ties. The term contrasts Buddhism’s middle path to Jainism’s ascetic path to moksha or liberation.

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The Mauryan emperor, Ashoka invaded Kalinga in 261 BC and after a fierce battle Kalinga was conquered. The 13th rock edict of Ashoka elaborates the Kalinga war.

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Rig Veda Purusha sukta is the Xth mandal of the Rig Veda that explains the origin of four varnas viz. Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.

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The Junagarh Rock inscription of Rudradaman is considered as an early example of chaste Sanskrit, written in mid second century AD. It mentions that one of Chandragupta Maurya’s governors, Pushyagupta, was responsible for building a dam on Sudarshana Lake near Girnar in Kathiawar. From another inscription of Skandgupta we came to know that this very dam was repaired during his reign, almost 800 years after it was built

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The Indus Valley site at Surkotada is located in the Rapar Taluka of the Kutch district of Gujarat, about 160 km northeast of Bhuj. The ancient mound is surrounded by a rising ground with small sandstone hills.

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Jivaka was a physician in ancient India and a contemporary of the Buddha. He was also known as Jivaka Komarabhacca. Jivaka was the personal physician to the Buddha. He was a disciple of Atreya and lived in Rajagriha, which is now known as Rajgir. Jivaka was known as the “Medicine King” because he was one of the best physicians at the time. His practice of medicine included notable contributions to surgery. Jivaka’s close association with the founder of Buddhism and early patronage of the faith have made him a model for emulation and reverence.

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Kumarasambhava, is an epic poem by Kalidasa written in the 5th century CE. The work describes the courting of the ascetic Shiva, who is meditating in the mountains, by Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas; the conflagration of Kama (the god of desire)—after his arrow struck Shiva—by the fire from Shiva’s third eye; the wedding and lovemaking of Shiva and Parvati; and the subsequent birth of Kumara (Skanda), the war god. Kumara is son of shiva Kartikeya.

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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.