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. Ancient Indraprastha was capital of which of the following Mahajanapada?
[A] Kuru
[B] Matsya
[C] Panchal
[D] Vajji
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Kuru ]
Notes:
Kuru Indraprastha, capital of Kuru Mahajanpada located in Meerut Delhi region.
2. In which year, Alexander invaded India?
[A] 326 BC
[B] 316 BC
[C] 346 BC
[D] 256 BC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ 326 BC ]
Notes:
Alexander invaded India in 326 BC. In 326 BC, the Battle of Hydaspes was fought between Alexender the great and Porus along the banks of Haydaspes river( Jhelum river) in Punjab. Porus, the King of Paurava, ruled the area between the rivers Hydaspes (modern Jhelum) and Acesines (Chenab). Though, Porus was defeated, Alexendar was impressed by Porus’s might so asked Porus to rule his dynasty under his name.
3. To which of the following ethnic hordes, Toramana belonged to ?
[A] Scythians
[B] Hunas
[C] Yue-chis
[D] Sakas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Hunas ]
Notes:
King of the Huns Toramana was a ruler of the Hephthalite Empire who ruled its Indian region in the late 5th and the early 6th century. Toramana consolidated the Hephthalite power in Punjab and conquered northern and central India including Eran in Madhya Pradesh. His territory also included Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kashmir
4. The Pattini cult was established by which Sangam ruler?
[A] Nedunjeral Adan, the Chera ruler
[B] Senguttuvan, the Chera ruler
[C] Karikala, the Chola ruler
[D] Nedujeliyan, the Pandyan ruler
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Senguttuvan, the Chera ruler ]
Notes:
Pattini cult was established by Cheran Senguttuvan, a famous ruler during the 2nd century AD. The Pattini cult involved the worship of Kannagi as the ideal wife. Kannagi was the wife of Kovalan, and their story was the subject of the Tamil epic Silappadigalam. The Chera dynasty was one of the four principal Tamil dynasties of Tamilakam, which is present-day Southern India. The Chera dynasty is credited with creating the land of Kerala.
5. The Nalanda University was founded by which Gupta ruler mentioned as Shakraditya?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Kumargupta I
[C] Skandgupta
[D] Chandragupta I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kumargupta I ]
Notes:
Some archaeological sources identify a monarch called Shakraditya as founder of Nalanda university. The scholars identify Shakraditya as 5th-century CE Gupta emperor, Kumaragupta-I, whose coin has been discovered at Nalanda.
6. With which among the following Vedas, the Shatapatha Brahmana is related to___?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Yajurveda
[C] Samaveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Yajurveda ]
Notes:
Yajurveda is the book of sacrificial prayers.The world’s oldest prose literature of the Indo-Europeans is contained in Yajurveda.. There are two primary versions or Samhitas of the Yajurveda : Shukla(white) and Krishna(black) This implies that the Krishna Yajurveda includes the Brahmana prose discussions within the Samhita (no Brahman) while the Shukla Yajurveda has separately a Brahmana text, Shatapatha.
7. The “Rajtarangini”, described the history of which region in India as per Kalhana?
[A] Kashmir
[B] Malwa
[C] Magadha
[D] Gandhar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kashmir]
Notes:
The “Rajtarangini”, written by the Kashmiri poet-historian Kalhana in the 12th century, provides a detailed historical account of Kashmir. It is recognized for its comprehensiveness and adherence to historical facts. Regarded as the first attempt at historiography in the Indian subcontinent, the Rajtarangini presents Kashmir’s history, starting from mythical antiquity to the 12th century. It was written in Sanskrit language, and it consists of over 7,800 verses.
8. Which among the following sites in Haryana, is the place as per legends where Lord Krishna delivered the sermon of Bhagavad Gita?
[A] Jyotisar
[B] Pehowa
[C] Shahabad
[D] Ladwa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jyotisar]
Notes:
Jyotisar is situated at 5 kms from the town of Kurukshetra in Haryana. It was in this very spot that Krishna preached the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, and it is aptly called “Gitopadesha.”
9. Which among the following mahajanpada was situated on the bank of river Godavari?
[A] Kamboja
[B] Asaka
[C] Avanti
[D] Malla
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Asaka]
Notes:
Mahajanpada Asaka Located on the banks of the Godavari River. Its capital was Potali, Potana or Podana, which now lies in the Nandura Tehsil, Buldana district in the Indian state of Maharashtra and it was the only Mahajanapada situated to the south of the Vindhya Range, and was in Dakshinapatha.
10. Who among the following is the author of Dharmasastra?
[A] Manu
[B] Gautama
[C] Kasyapa
[D] Several authors
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Several authors]
Notes:
Dharmaśāstra is a genre of Sanskrit theological texts, and refers to the treatises of Hinduism on dharma. There are many Dharmashastras, variously estimated to be 18 to about 100. There are many authors for Dharmasastras.