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 which rock edict Ashoka mentioned “Every Human is my child…”?
[A] Separate Kalinga Edict I
[B] Major Rock Edict IV
[C] Major Rock Edict VI
[D] Major Rock Edict VII
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Separate Kalinga Edict I]
Notes:
In Separate Kalinga Edict I, Ashoka describes all people as his children and expresses his wish for their welfare in this world and the next.
2. Which among the following Indus Valley site is located in Montogomery (Punjab) in Pakistan?
[A] Harappa
[B] Mohenjodaro
[C] Kalibanga
[D] Chanhudaro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Harappa ]
Notes:
Indus Valley site of Harappa is located in the Montgomery district of Punjab, Pakistan. The site was discovered in 1921 by Rai Bahadur Dayaram Sahni. It is located on the banks of the Ravi River, about 24 km west of Sahiwal.
3. Purusha sukta is a part of which among the following vedas?
[A] Sam Veda
[B] Rig Veda
[C] Atharva Veda
[D] Yajur Veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Rig Veda ]
Notes:
Rig Veda Purusha sukta is the Xth mandal of the Rig Veda that explains the origin of four varnas viz. Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
4. Which Saka king defeated by Gautamiputra Satakarni?
[A] Moga
[B] Rudradaman -I
[C] Menander
[D] Nahapana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Nahapana ]
Notes:
The famous Satvahana ruler Gautamiputra Satkarni defeated the Saka King Nahapana and restored the prestige of his dynasty by reconquering a large part of the former dominions of the Satavahanas.
5. Who defeated the Shaka ruler Nahapana?
[A] Gautami putra Satakarni
[B] Kanishka
[C] Rudraraman
[D] Demetrius
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Gautami putra Satakarni ]
Notes:
Gautamiputra Satakarni defeated Nahapana and recovered territories from the Kshaharatas. His overstrikes on Nahapana’s coins support this victory. Shaka rule elsewhere continued after it.
6. Who was the elder brother and rightful heir to the throne prior to Ashoka?
[A] Kunala
[B] Susima
[C] tivara
[D] Odruka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Susima]
Notes:
Susima was the eldest son of Bindusara, making him the rightful heir to the throne. However, after a potential power struggle, Ashoka secured the throne. There are claims in Buddhist texts that Ashoka had 100 brothers, an assertion likely exaggerated as the term “brothers” could include half-brothers and cousins.
7. Which among the rulers of Magadh founded the city of Patliputra (Patna) on the bank of river Ganges?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Ajatshatru
[C] Bimbisara
[D] Bindusara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ajatshatru]
Notes:
The ancient city of Pataliputra was founded in the 5th century BC by Ajatashatru, king of Magadha. Patna is a riverside city that extends along the south bank of the Ganges (Ganga) River for about 12 miles.
8. What is the correct Chronological Order of Nandas, Sungas, Mauryas & Hayankas dynasties of Ancient India?
[A] Nandas, Sungas, Mauryas, Hayankas
[B] Mauryas, Hayankas, Sungas, Nandas
[C] Hayankas, Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas
[D] Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas, Haranyakas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hayankas, Nandas, Mauryas, Sungas]
Notes:
- Hayankas – The Haryanka dynasty is believed to have been the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, an empire of ancient India.
- Nandas – The Nanda dynasty ruled in northern part of the Indian subcontinent during the 4th century BCE, and possibly during the 5th century BCE.
- Mauryas – The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power based in Magadha and founded by Chandragupta Maurya which dominated the Indian subcontinent between 322 and 185 BCE.
- Sungas – The Shunga Empire was an ancient Indian dynasty from Magadha that controlled areas of the central and eastern Indian subcontinent from around 185 to 75 BCE.
9. Which among the following Mahajanpada was located on the junction of two famous ancient Indian Trade routes – Uttarpatha and Dakshinpatha?
[A] Matsya
[B] Surasena
[C] Avanti
[D] Anga
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Correct Answer: B [Surasena]
Notes:
Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha were two trade routes of ancient India. Mathura was located at the junction of these two famous trade routes. Shurasena was an ancient Yadava ruler of Mathura after whom the Surasena Kingdom or mahajanpada and the Yadava sept of Surasenas were named.
10. Sankara is primarily associated with which of the following philosophies?
[A] Advaita Philosophy
[B] Samkhya Philosophy
[C] Nyaya Philosophy
[D] Dharma Philosophy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Advaita Philosophy]
Notes:
Adi Shankaracharya, also known as Sankara, is most renowned for Advaita Vedanta philosophy which interprets scriptures to assert the fundamental truth of unity of all existence. This philosophy rejects the concepts of dualism and states that individual soul (atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are ultimately identical, hence negating the word “dvaita” which means “dual”.
