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. The rulers of which among the following dynasties adopted the title Devaputra ?
[A] Maurya
[B] Sunga
[C] Kushana
[D] Saka-Kshatrapa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Kushana ]
Notes:
Kushanas Empire: Kanishka (100 – 126 AD), a prominent ruler of the Kushan Dynasty who achieved remarkable milestones in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. His descendants called him as Devaputra which means son of gods.
3. Which sect of Buddhism does not believe in idol-worship?
[A] Hinayana
[B] Mahayana
[C] Vajrayana
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Hinayana ]
Notes:
Those who followed strictly the doctrine of Buddha and denied the existence of God were known as the followers of Lesser vehicle or Hinayana. The Hinayana sect does not believe in idol worship, nor do its followers believe that Buddha was God.
4. Which among the following plays was / were written by Harsha?
[A] Nagananda
[B] Ratnavali
[C] Priyadarshika
[D] All of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of these ]
Notes:
Harsha wrote three sanskrit plays- Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika.
5. The Gufkral prehistoric site is in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Karnataka
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jammu & Kashmir]
Notes:
Gufkral, in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir, is a Neolithic-Chalcolithic site known for pit dwellings and early human settlements dating back to around 3000 BCE.
6. 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.
7. The greatest Chera King remembered for building a temple of ‘Kannagi’ the Goddess of Chastity?
[A] Elara
[B] Karikala
[C] Senguttuvan
[D] Mudukudumi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Senguttuvan ]
Notes:
Senguttuvan (also knoown as Red Chera) was the greatest Chera king who is remembered for building a temple of ‘Kannagi’ the Goddess of Chastity and founded the famous Pattini cult.
8. Which the following rulers is known as the ‘Napoleon of India’?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Ashoka
[C] Chandragupta I
[D] Skandgupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Samudragupta ]
Notes:
Samudragupta believed in the policy of war and conquest and because of his bravery and generalship he is known as the “Napoleon of India” by historian Vincent. A. Smith.
9. The Nalanda University was founded by which Gupta ruler mentioned as Shakraditya?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Kumargupta I
[C] Skandgupta
[D] Chandragupta I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kumargupta I ]
Notes:
Some archaeological sources identify a monarch called Shakraditya as founder of Nalanda university. The scholars identify Shakraditya as 5th-century CE Gupta emperor, Kumaragupta-I, whose coin has been discovered at Nalanda.
10. Sudarshan lake repaired second time under the reign of _?
[A] Skandgupta
[B] Kumargupta
[C] Rudradaman
[D] Parnadatta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Skandgupta ]
Notes:
The Junagarh inscription gives the information about the Sudarshan lake that the lake was an artificial reservoir, was built by the Mauryan emperors for checking floods. Around 150 AD, the lake was repaired by the Shaka ruler Rudradaman-I. And, it was again repaired under the Skandgupta’s reign (415 AD- 455 AD) by his governor Parnadatta.