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. One of the writers of the Dharmashashtra disapproved the practice of Sati declaring it as an act of suicide. Identify him from the given options:
[A] Angiras
[B] Medhatithi
[C] Usana
[D] Visnu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Medhatithi ]
Notes:
Medhatithi is one of the oldest and most famous commentators on the Manusmriti. He considered sati system identical to suicide, which was forbidden by the Vedas. One shall not die before the span of one’s life is run out.
2. What was the fifth tenet added by Tirthankara Mahavira to the four basic tenets of Jainism?
[A] Non injury
[B] Non lying
[C] Observe continence
[D] Non stealing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Observe continence ]
Notes:
The five main teachings of Jainism are do not commit violence, do not speak a lie, do not steal, do not acquire property and observe continence (brahmacharya). The brahmacharya was added by Lord Mahavira.
3. During reign of Harsha, the Kannauj assembly was held to publicise the doctrines of which of the following sects?
[A] Mahayana
[B] Hinayana
[C] Theravada
[D] Svetambara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mahayana ]
Notes:
The Kannauj assembly (643 AD) was held in the honour of Hieun Tsang (Chinese pilgrim) and to popularise Mahayana sect of Buddhism.Harshavardhana was a Mahayana Buddhist. He organised Kannauj assembly (643 AD) to popularise Mahayana sect of Buddhism. Though, he was a tolerant ruler and supported all Indic faiths viz. Buddhism, Vedism and Jainism. The scholars regarded him as the last great Hindu emperor of India, who ruled over Northern India.
4. Which among the following kings was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler)?
[A] Pulakesi II
[B] Mahendravarman I
[C] Narasimhavarman I
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Narasimhavarman I ]
Notes:
Narasimhavarman I was a Tamil king of the Pallava dynasty who ruled South India from 630–668 AD. He was also known as Mamallan, which means “great wrestler”. Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was named after him. Narasimhavarman wanted to avenge his father’s defeat at the hands of Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin II. He defeated Pulakesin II in the Battle of Manimangalam near Kanchi.
5. 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.
6. The Brihadishwara Temple (Rajarajeswaram) is situated at?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Thanjavur
[C] Lucknow
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thanjavur]
Notes:
Brihadeeswarar Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Rajrajeshwaram temple at Thanjavur is the world’s first complete “granite” temple. It was built by Rajraja Chola-I and is a part of UNESCO’s world Heritage sites. The Vimana or the temple tower (known as Raja Gopuram) is 216 Feet in height and is one of the tallest buildings of its kind. The Nandi is carved out of a single rock. This temple has completed 1 millennium in 2010. It was dictated by lord Shiva to Rajraja Chola I, when he triumphed Ilam (Sri Lanka) Island.
7. Who among the following was the first ruler of sen dynasty?
[A] Ballal Sen
[B] Samanta Sen
[C] Vijay sen
[D] Lakshaman Sen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Samanta Sen]
Notes:
Around the time of Mahipala’s death in around 1043 AD, a vassal of the Palas named Hemanta Sen founded the Sena Dynasty. This Dynasty appeared in 11th century and disappeared in 12th century
8. Vikrampura and Vijaypuri were two capitals of which among the following Sen kings?
[A] Ballal Sen
[B] Vijay Sen
[C] Samnta Sen
[D] Hemanta Sen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vijay Sen]
Notes:
Vijaya Sena is also known as Vijay Sen in vernacular literature, was the son of Hemanta Sena, and succeeded him as a Sena dynasty ruler of Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. Vikrampura and Vijaypuri were two capitals of Vijay sen.
9. Who among the following has been described by Banabhatta as “a lion to the Huna deer’?
[A] Harshavardhana
[B] Prabhakarvardhana
[C] Grahavarmana
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prabhakarvardhana]
Notes:
An important ruling family to gain prominence after the fall of the Gupta was that of the Pushyabhutis who had their capital at Thanesar (Thanesvara in Kurukshetra). The dynasty became influential with the accession of Prabhakarvardhana, who was able to defeat the Hunas and strengthen his position in the regions of Punjab and Haryana. After his death, his elder son Rajyavardhana came to the throne but he was treacherously killed by Shashanka, the king of Bengal and Bihar. Harshavardhana then ascended the throne in AD 606. He was only sixteen years of age at that time. Still he proved himself to be a great warrior and an able administrator
10. In which of the following age human shifted from food gathering stage to food producing stage ?
[A] Paleolithic age
[B] Neolithic age
[C] Mesolithic age
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Neolithic age]
Notes:
The Neolithic Age in India spanned from around 7,000 B.C. to 1,000 B.C. was the last and third part of the Stone Age. The Neolithic Age is mainly characterized by the development of settled agriculture and the use of tools and weapons made of polished stones. It shows the shifting from food gathering stage to food producing stage.
