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. Who among the following was the first Satavahana King to introduce the Ruler’s head on the coins ?
[A] Satkarni I
[B] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[C] Vasishthiputra Pulumavi
[D] Yajna Satakarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Satkarni I ]
Notes:
Satavahana dynasty ruled from Pune in Maharastra to Coastal Andhra Pradesh in the 2nd century BC onwards.The coins issued by Satavahanas had Bilingual legends. The name of the Kings was mentioned in Prakrit as well as some south Indian Language. Satavahana Kings promoted Buddhism. Satkarni I was the first Satavahana King to introduce the Ruler’s head on the coins.
2. The inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script were deciphered by ___?
[A] Alexander Cunningham
[B] James Princep
[C] Max Muller
[D] Mortimer Wheeler
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ James Princep ]
Notes:
James Princep (1799-1840) was an English scholar, orientalist and antiquary. He was the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and is best remembered for deciphering the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India. He was the first to decipher the inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script.
3. Which among the following major rock edicts of Ashoka are in Kharosthi script?
[A] Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi
[B] Sanchi
[C] Sarnath
[D] Bairut
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi ]
Notes:
The two major rock edicts of Ashoka viz. Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi are in Kharosthi script. These both the rock edicts are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
4. In Sangam age, the book ‘Bharatam’ was written by__?
[A] Perudevanar
[B] Manimekalai
[C] Seethalai Saathanaar
[D] Tiruttakrdeva
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Perudevanar ]
Notes:
The book, ‘ Bharatam’ was written by Perudevanar. The author had also composed the invocatory versus for the Sangam classics Ahnanuru, Puranamuru, Kuruntogai, Narrinai and Aingurunuru.
5. The Pattini cult was established by which Sangam ruler?
[A] Nedunjeral Adan, the Chera ruler
[B] Senguttuvan, the Chera ruler
[C] Karikala, the Chola ruler
[D] Nedujeliyan, the Pandyan ruler
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Senguttuvan, the Chera ruler ]
Notes:
Pattini cult was established by Cheran Senguttuvan, a famous ruler during the 2nd century AD. The Pattini cult involved the worship of Kannagi as the ideal wife. Kannagi was the wife of Kovalan, and their story was the subject of the Tamil epic Silappadigalam. The Chera dynasty was one of the four principal Tamil dynasties of Tamilakam, which is present-day Southern India. The Chera dynasty is credited with creating the land of Kerala.
6. World’s first oil paintings have been found in which of the following countries?
[A] India
[B] Pakistan
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Afghanistan ]
Notes:
In 2008, oil paintings were discovered in caves near the village of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan. The paintings have been radiocarbon dated to more than the 5th century CE, making them the oldest known oil paintings in the world.
7. Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador of which of the following Indo-Greek kings?
[A] Antialcidas Nikephoros
[B] Selecus Nicator
[C] Alexander
[D] Constantine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Antialcidas Nikephoros ]
Notes:
Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador of Indo-Greek king Antialcidas Nikephoros of Taxila in the court of Sunga King Bhagbhadra. He erected famous votive Heliodorus pillar around 110 BC near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
8. Who among the following Gupta emperor made Ujjain as his second capital?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Kumargupta I
[D] Kumargupta I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Chandragupta II ]
Notes:
Chandragupta II Vikramaditya made Ujjain as second capital of his empire.
9. Who wrote the book Pancha Siddhantika?
[A] Varahamihira
[B] Aryabhatta
[C] Brahmagupta
[D] Kalidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Varahamihira ]
Notes:
Varahamihira was one of the only renowned Indian Astronomer, Mathematician and Astrologer. Varahamihira was born in 499 A.D. into a family of Brahmins settled at Kapittha, a village near Ujjain. He wrote the book Pancha Siddhantika.
10. 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.
