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 one of the following places was a mint centre of the Yaudheyas ?
[A] Bayana
[B] Rohtak
[C] Bareilly
[D] Mathura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Rohtak ]
Notes:
Rohtak was a mint center of the Yaudheyas. The sacred town of Rohtak was also called the mint of the Yaudheyas. The Yaudheyas’ principal deity was Karttikeya.
Other mint centers of the Yaudheyas include: Agaroha, Bayana.
Rohtak was the capital of one of the Yaudheyas. The other Yaudheya’s center of power was northern Panchala, also known as Bahudhanyaka.
2. Who among the following is the author of ‘Harshacharita’ ?
[A] Banabhatta
[B] Hiuen Tsang
[C] Harshavardhan
[D] Bhaskarvarman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Banabhatta ]
Notes:
Banabhatta was the court poet of Harshavardhana, who wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari. Harshacharita is an important historical work narratted the incidents of the earlier part of Harsha’s reign.
3. Who was the author of Aihole Inscription ?
[A] Ravikirti
[B] Hiuen Tsang
[C] Bharavi
[D] Dandin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Ravikirti ]
Notes:
Aihole Inscription is a eulogy written by Ravikirti who was the court poet of Chalukya King Pulakesin II.
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. Which among the following rulers is often described as ‘the first empire builder of Indian History’?
[A] Dhanananda
[B] Mahapadmananda
[C] Bimbisara
[D] Chandragupta Maurya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Mahapadmananda ]
Notes:
The founder of Nanda dynasty, Mahapadmananda is often described as ‘the first empire builder of Indian History’.
6. In context of Mauryan administration, who was the chief supervisor of the collection of revenue from the whole kingdom?
[A] Samaharta
[B] Sannidhata
[C] Karmantika
[D] Antapal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Samaharta ]
Notes:
As per the Arthashastra of Chankya, Samaharta was the Chief Collector general of revenue that supervises the collection of revenue from the whole kingdom.Pradeshtri was known as the Divisional Commissioner. They were the modern district magistrates and in charge of district. They were to make tours once in every 5 years to inspect the entire administration of the areas under control. Antapal was known as the Governor of the frontier.
7. Tolkāppiyam belongs to which tamil Sangam?
[A] first
[B] second
[C] third
[D] fourth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ second ]
Notes:
Tolkāppiyam is a work on the grammar of the Tamil language. It deals with orthography, phonology, morphology, semantics, prosody and the subject matter of literature. It belongs to second tamil Sangam.
8. Who composed the hymns of the Rigveda?
[A] Udgatri
[B] Adhvaryas
[C] Hotri
[D] Nakshotri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hotri]
Notes:
Hotri is the Vedic priest responsible for chanting the hymns of the Rigveda. Adhvaryu chants the Yajurveda hymns, Udgatri chants Sama Veda hymns, and Nakshotri is unrelated to Vedic chant roles.
9. What was the name of the Licchavi princess who was married to Gupta King Chandragupta-I?
[A] Kumara Devi
[B] Kubernaga
[C] Dhruva Devi
[D] Vasu Devi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kumara Devi ]
Notes:
The Gupta emperor Chandragupta I married a Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, who was the heiress to the throne of the Lichchavis and by her marriage with Chandragupta the two states got united. Lichchhavi Princess Kumari Devi was the first Indian Queen featured on a coin.
10. In Pali texts, who among the following is referred to as Nigantha Nataputta?
[A] Gautam Buddha
[B] Mahavira
[C] Parshvanatha
[D] Rishabha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahavira]
Notes:
Nigantha Nataputta refers to Mahavira. A Nirgrantha refers to Jains. A person who has attained kevalya can be a nirgrantha.
