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. In the Rigvedic Dasrajan Yudha (Battle of Ten Kings) the Bharatas emerged winner at the bank of __?
[A] The Indus River
[B] The Saraswati River
[C] The Sutlej River
[D] The Parushni River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ The Parushni River ]
Notes:
According to Rigveda,the famous battle of ten kings ( or Dasrajan Yudha) was between Sudas, a Bharata king of the Tritsu family and the confederacy of ten well-known tribes- Puru, Yadu, Turvasa, Anu, Druhyu, Alina, Paktha ,Bhalanas,Shiva and Vishanin.In the bloody and decisive battle on the banks of River Parushni the Bharatas emerged victorious.
2. Which King took the title of Vatapikonda?
[A] Narasimhavarman I
[B] Simhavishnu
[C] Mahendravarman I
[D] Nandivarman II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Narasimhavarman I ]
Notes:
The Pallava King Narasimhavarman I assumed the title of ‘Vatapikonda’ (Conqueror of Vatapi), when he defeated and killed Pulakesin II (Chalukya King) and captured the Chalukyan capital, Badami in 642 AD.
3. Which Indus Valley Site was discovered by Rakhal Das Bannerjee?
[A] Kali Banga
[B] Harappa
[C] Lothal
[D] Mohenjodaro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Mohenjodaro ]
Notes:
Rakhal Das Bannerjee, an Indian archaeologist, discovered the Indus Valley civilization site of Mohenjodaro in 1922. Mohenjodaro is located in Sindh, Pakistan. The name Mohenjodaro means “Mound of the dead”. It was the largest city of the Indus Valley civilization. Bannerjee was an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India. In 1920, he was surveying the lower part of the Indus River valley when he heard reports of a buried site. While exploring, he found pottery and stone blades. He studied the unusual shape and size of several mounds. He submitted a report to his boss on what he had found in 1922.
4. Who was Paura during the Maurya empire?
[A] Governor of the city
[B] Chief Judge
[C] Mantri
[D] Dandapal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Governor of the city ]
Notes:
As per the Arthashastra of Chanakya, Paura was the Governor of the city.
5. 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.
6. Who among the following Kushan Emperors was the first to introduce the gold coinage in India?
[A] Vima Kadphises
[B] Vima Taktu
[C] Vasishka
[D] Kujula Kadphises
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Vima Kadphises ]
Notes:
Vima Kadphises was a Kushan emperor from around 90–100 AD. Vima Kadphises added to the Kushan territory by his conquests in Afghanistan and north-west Pakistan. He issued an extensive series of coins and inscriptions. He was the first to introduce gold coinage in India, in addition to the existing copper and silver coinage.
7. The silver coins of which among the following kings carried portraits and bilingual legends, which were inspired by the Kshatrapa types?
[A] Satavahanas
[B] Kushanas
[C] Guptas
[D] Mauryas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Satavahanas ]
Notes:
Satavahana kings are noted for issuing bilingual coins featuring Middle Indo-Aryan language on one side, and Tamil language on the other side.
8. Who erected the Garuda pillar inscription of Besnagar in modern Madhya Pradesh?
[A] Heliodorus
[B] Vijayamitra
[C] Kanishka
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Heliodorus]
Notes:
The Bhagavata cult is also known as Heliodorus pillar. It is a stone column that was erected around 113 BCE in central India in Besnagar (near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh). The temple and the inscriptions are among the earliest known evidence of these pillar capitals, found near the Heliodorus pillar, suggests the Bhagavata cult.
9. Nalanda University was founded by which of the following ?
[A] Kumaragupta
[B] Skandagupta
[C] Samudragupta
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kumaragupta]
Notes:
The Nalanda University was founded by Gupta emperor Kumargupta I. He adopted the title of Mahendraditya. It was established in 5th century.
10. Which among the following work was originally called as Jaya Kavya?
[A] Ramayan
[B] Mahabharata
[C] Aitreya Brahaman
[D] Manu Smriti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahabharata]
Notes:
The work originally called “Jaya Kavya” is the Mahabharata. This epic, attributed to the sage Vyasa, was initially a shorter poem celebrating the victory of the Kuru dynasty in battle. The term “Mahabharata” means “the great tale of the Bharata dynasty,” and it has evolved into one of the longest epic poems in the world, consisting of over 100,000 shlokas (verses). The Mahabharata also includes the Bhagavad Gita, a key philosophical text in Hinduism.