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 Kalinga war was fought in which year of Ashoka reign?
[A] 6
[B] 7
[C] 8
[D] 9
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ 8 ]
Notes:
The Magadha Emperor, Ashoka invaded Kalinga in the eight year of his reign in 261 B.C. Nearly one lakh soldiers lost their lives in that war and one and half lakh soldiers were captured. The 13th rock edict of Ashoka throws light on this war.
2. Who was Paura during the Maurya empire?
[A] Governor of the city
[B] Chief Judge
[C] Mantri
[D] Dandapal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Governor of the city ]
Notes:
As per the Arthashastra of Chanakya, Paura was the Governor of the city.
3. In the Sangam age, ‘Karai’ the revenue term is related with__?
[A] Collecting Tax
[B] Land Tax
[C] Custom Duties
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Land Tax ]
Notes:
The Term Karai was used for Land Tax in the Sangam Period.
4. Which of the following is / are the 9 gems of Chandragupta Vikramaditya?
[A] Amarsimha
[B] Harisena
[C] Kahapanaka
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ All of the above ]
Notes:
The nine gems or Navratnas adorned in the court of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya are Amarsimha, Dhanvantri, Harisena, Kalidasa, Kahapanaka, Sanku, Varahamihira, Vararuchi and .Vetalbhatta
5. Buddhacharita, the epic biography of Gautama Buddha in Sanskrit was written by__:
[A] Asvaghosa
[B] Indrabhuti
[C] Asanga
[D] Bodhisena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Asvaghosa ]
Notes:
The Buddha Charita was the biography of Buddha which was penned by Ashvaghosa probably in the first century C.E. He was a renowned Sanskrit poet. The Buddha Charita is made up of 28 songs recounting events in Shakyamuni Buddha’s life up to the time of his great awakening.
6. Which site has given the earliest evidence of pottery in the Indian subcontinent?
[A] Brahmagiri
[B] Chirand
[C] Mehrgarh
[D] Burzahom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mehrgarh]
Notes:
Mehrgarh, located in the Kacchi Plain of Balochistan, Pakistan, is one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming and herding in South Asia. Dated back to around 7000 – 5500 BCE, it is also known for its significant contribution in unearthing one of the earliest instances of pottery making.
7. The Nitisara of Kamandaka, also known as the Kamandakiya-Nitisara, was composed during the period of:
[A] Satavahana dynasty
[B] Gupta dynasty
[C] Kalachuri dynasty
[D] Nanda dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gupta dynasty]
Notes:
The Nitisara of Kamandaka, also known as the Kamandakiya-Nitisara, was composed during the period of Gupta Dynasty. It was based on Kautilya’s Arthashastra
8. Agnimitra, who is the hero of Kalidasa’s ‘Malvikagnimitram’ was a king of which of the following dynasties?
[A] Sunga
[B] Kanva
[C] Satavahana
[D] Maurya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sunga]
Notes:
Malavikagnimitram is the Sanskrit play, which depicts Agnimitra as its hero. Malvika is a maid servant whom Agnimitra falls in love. This was known to his chief queen, who imprisions her. Later it was known that Malvika was of a royal birth and she was accepted as queen of Agnimitra. Malavikagnimitram gives account of Rajsuya Yajna of Pushyamitra Shunga, father of Agnimitra.
9. Battle of the Hydaspes was fought between Alexander and King Porus in 326 BC. Hydapses means which river________?
[A] Jelum
[B] Indus
[C] Beas
[D] Ravi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jelum]
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.
10. Who is Kumara in the epic poem Kumarasambhava written by Kalidasa?
[A] Kartikeya
[B] Abhimanyu
[C] Sanatahkumara
[D] Arjuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kartikeya]
Notes:
Kumarasambhava, is an epic poem by Kalidasa written in the 5th century CE. The work describes the courting of the ascetic Shiva, who is meditating in the mountains, by Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas; the conflagration of Kama (the god of desire)—after his arrow struck Shiva—by the fire from Shiva’s third eye; the wedding and lovemaking of Shiva and Parvati; and the subsequent birth of Kumara (Skanda), the war god. Kumara is son of shiva Kartikeya.
