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 among the following is the most unique feature of Dholavira site of the Indus Valley Civilization?
[A] Its city was horizontally divided in multiple parts
[B] Its city was unevenly divided
[C] Its city was divided into 3 parts
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Its city was divided into 3 parts]
Notes:
Dholavira is distinctive among major Indus Valley sites because its urban plan was organized into three principal divisions: the citadel, the middle town, and the lower town. This three-tier layout is one of the site’s most noted planning features and sets it apart from many other Harappan settlements, which are typically described in two broad zones. Hence, the statement that its city was divided into 3 parts is correct.
2. Which among the following Vakataka ruler performed the following sacrifices viz. Agnishtoma, Aptoryama, Ukthya, Shodasin, Atiratra, Vajapeya, Brihaspatisava, Sadyaskra and four Asvamedhas?
[A] Rudrasena-I
[B] Pravarsena-I
[C] Prithvisena-I
[D] Narendrasena-I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pravarsena-I ]
Notes:
Vakataka records credit Pravarasena I with several Vedic sacrifices, including four Ashvamedhas. He bore the title Samrat.
3. Which of the following pairs is / are correctly matched?
- Nagananda – Harsha
- Mudrarakshasa – Visakhadatta
- Mrichchhakatika – Sudraka
- Ratnavali – Rajasekhara
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 2 & 3 ]
Notes:
- Mricchakatika, is a ten-act Sanskrit drama written by Sudraka.
- Nagananda is one of the best Sanskrit dramas in five acts dealing with the popular story of Jimutavahana’s self-sacrifice to save the Nagas, written by king Harsha(Vardhana Dynasty).
- The Mudrarakshasa (“The Signet of the Minister”) is a historical play in Sanskrit by Vishakhadatta that narrates the ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in Northern India.
- Ratnavali is a Sanskrit drama about a beautiful princess named Ratnavali, and a great king named Udayana,written by Indian emperor Harsha(Vardhana dynasty).
4. In which among the following sacrifices, the sacrificial materials used was sura in Vedic Era?
[A] Agnistoma
[B] Rajasuya
[C] Sautramani
[D] Vajapeya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sautramani]
Notes:
Sautramani was the sacrifice of the asuras and was adopted by the devas. The sacrificial materials used was sura, wine. In the Sautramani sacrifice the oblations of sura are prescribed.
5. Which among the following sites near Pondicherry gives best support to the view on an ancient trade between Rome and the ancient Tamil country of India?
[A] Villianur
[B] Suttukeni
[C] Arikamedu
[D] Andiarpalayam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arikamedu]
Notes:
Arikamedu, near Puducherry, provides archaeological evidence of trade with the Roman Mediterranean. Imported pottery and amphorae, together with evidence of bead production, show its role in early historic maritime commerce.
6. Who among the following are not mentioned in Asokan Inscriptions?
[A] Cholas
[B] Satyaputras
[C] Cheras
[D] Pallavas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pallavas]
Notes:
Ashoka was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from c. 268 to 232 BCE. Pallavas ruled from 275CE to 897 CE. They are not contemporaries.
7. Dashkumarcharitam was composed by whom?
[A] Bharavi
[B] Dandin
[C] Varahmihira
[D] Kalidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dandin]
Notes:
Dashkumarcharitam was composed by Dandin, who was a Sanskrit author of prose romances and expounder on poetics in the
6th-7th century. The book, Dashkumarcharitam is a prose romance in Sanskrit that describes the adventures of ten young men, the Kumaras, all of whom are either princes or sons of royal ministers, as narrated by the men themselves.
8. The famous Gayatri Mantra which is addressed to solar deity, is a highly revered mantra from the _?
[A] Rig Veda
[B] Chandogya Upanishad
[C] Shatapatha Brahmana
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Rig Veda]
Notes:
The famous Gayatri Mantra addressed to solar deity, is a highly revered mantra from the Rig-Veda.
9. Which of the following religious text describes Brahmavarta as the region between the rivers Saraswati and Drishadwati in India?
[A] Manusmriti
[B] Bhagavata Purana
[C] Atharvaveda
[D] Matsya Purana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Manusmriti]
Notes:
The Hindu religious text Manusmriti describes Brahmavarta as the region between the rivers Sarasawti and Drishadwati in India. The earliest of the Hindu sacred text, Rig-Veda refers to the Saprasindhava, Panchanada, Madhyadesha and Praki. These were perhaps the first references to the emergence of regions. The geographical location of these regions suggests that the Indo- Aryans preferred to settle down along the banks of the rivers-Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta, Jhelum), Asikni also known Chandrabhaga (Chenab). There is a general agreement that the region known as Panchanada included the plains of the five great eastern tributaries of the Sindhu River. Further east, the land between the Sarasawti and Drishadwati was known to the Indo-Aryan as Brahmavarta.
10. The ancient monuments at Mahabalipuram, a centre also known for its GI-protected stone-sculpture craft, were created mainly under which dynasty?
[A] Pallava dynasty
[B] Cheras dynasty
[C] Chalukya dynasty
[D] Rashtrakuta dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pallava dynasty]
Notes:
Mahabalipuram’s rock-cut caves, monolithic rathas and structural temples were created mainly under the Pallavas in the seventh and eighth centuries. The GI designation concerns the region’s stone-sculpture craft, rather than a single ancient monument.
