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. The Satapatha Brahmana and Taitriya Brahmana are the Brahmana texts of ___:
[A] Rigveda
[B] Yajurveda
[C] Samaveda
[D] Atharavaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Yajurveda ]
Notes:
Satapatha Brahmana and Taitriya Brahmana are the Brahmana texts of Yajurveda.
2. Which among the following two dynasties of the Northern India confronted with the Rashtrakutas?
[A] The Pratiharas and the Paramaras
[B] The Palas and the Chandelas
[C] The Pratiharas and the Palas
[D] The Chalukyas and the Chahamanas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ The Pratiharas and the Palas ]
Notes:
North Indian Dynasties : Towards the close of the 8th century AD, there were three great powers in India – the Palas in the east, the Gurjar- Pratiharas in the north and the Rashtrakutas in the deccan. The tripartite struggle for the supremacy among the Palas, Partiharas and the Rashtrakutas was the desire to possess the city of Kannauj ,which was then a symbol of sovereignty.
3. During whose reign Mahayana sect of Buddhism came into existence?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kanishka
[C] Ajatsatru
[D] Nagarjuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kanishka ]
Notes:
Mahayana sect of Buddhism emerged during the reign of Kanishka. Asanga was the founder of Mahayan sect of Buddhism.
4. Which among the following is the bilingual inscription?
[A] Girnar Inscription
[B] Kandhar Inscription
[C] Maski Inscription
[D] Bairut Inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kandhar Inscription ]
Notes:
The Kandhar Inscription of Ashoka is bilingual (Greek and Aramaic) inscription.
5. In which period, “Arthshastra” was written?
[A] Gupta
[B] Maurya
[C] Shaka
[D] Kushan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maurya]
Notes:
Arthshastra was written by Kautilya or Vishnugupta or Chanakya, who was a professor at Taxila University and later the prime minister of the Maurya Empire. The manuscript was discovered by Arya Sharma Shashtri in 1904. Arthshastra has been divided in 15 Adhikarans and 180 Prakarans. It is related to money and politics and contains 6000 shlokas
6. Sarnath is associated with which aspect of Buddha’s life?
[A] Birth
[B] Residence
[C] First sermon
[D] Death
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [First sermon]
Notes:
Buddha gave his first sermon at the Sarnath which is known as “Dhammachakra Parivartan”.
7. Which of the below-mentioned ancient Indian jurists established a priority of inheritance where the wife is followed by daughters after the sons?
[A] Brihaspati
[B] Yajnavalkya
[C] Narada
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yajnavalkya]
Notes:
Yajnavalkya laid down doctrines that included a priority of inheritance where the wife is followed by daughters immediately after the sons. His works promoted justice and fairness in family matters, creating a direct impact on the stability of society. Yajnavalkya is known for his teachings on the concepts of Dharma and Moksha.
8. Which among the following is not correctly matched? (Maurya Kings and contemporary Travelers/ Ambassadors )
[A] Chandra Gupta Maurya – Megasthenes
[B] Bindusara – Deimakos
[C] Harshavardhana – Hiuen Tsang
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All are correct]
Notes:
The correct answer is “All are correct.” – Chandra Gupta Maurya was indeed associated with Megasthenes, who was a Greek ambassador to his court. – Bindusara, Chandra Gupta’s son, was linked to Deimakos, another Greek ambassador. – Harshavardhana, a later ruler, was visited by Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang), a Chinese monk and traveler. Thus, all pairs are accurately matched with their respective historical figures.
9. Which among the following Vedic Texts gives a systematic exposition of the ‘theory of rebirth’ for the first time?
[A] Chhandogya Upanishad
[B] Mundaka Upanishad
[C] Satapatha Brahmana
[D] Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chhandogya Upanishad]
Notes:
The correct answer is the Chhandogya Upanishad. This text, dating back to around 800-600 BCE, is one of the oldest Upanishads and is important for its philosophical discussions, including the concept of rebirth (punarjanma). It introduces the idea of the eternal soul (Atman) and its journey through cycles of birth and death, laying foundational thoughts for later Hindu philosophies. The Chhandogya Upanishad is also known for its exploration of the relationship between the individual soul and the universal spirit (Brahman).
10. What is the vedic name of river Chenab?
[A] Bipasa
[B] Askini
[C] Satudri
[D] Chandni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Askini ]
Notes:
Chenab River was called Asikni in the Rigveda. The name Asikni means “dark colored waters”. The Chenab River is formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi. It runs through the Jammu area of J&K and into Pakistan’s Punjab plains.
