Ancient Indian History MCQs

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The Rashtrakutas adopted Garuda as their dynastic emblem after the imperial Guptas. The Gupta period used Garuda as their royal emblem.

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Megasthenes was sent by the Greek ruler Seleucus I Nicator as an ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra.

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Samudragupta believed in the policy of war and conquest and because of his bravery and generalship he is known as the “Napoleon of India” by historian Vincent. A. Smith.

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Mehrgarh is associated with the earliest evidence of pottery among these sites. The site’s sequence includes an aceramic Neolithic phase, followed by a ceramic Neolithic phase in which pottery appears. This makes Mehrgarh an important early prehistoric settlement in the Indian subcontinent, especially for the transition from pre-pottery to pottery-bearing communities. 

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Chanhudaro is an archaeological site belonging to the post-urban Jhukar phase of Indus valley civilization. The site is located 130 kilometers (81 mi) south of Mohenjo-daro, in Sindh, Pakistan.

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The Kushana Dynasty, established by Kujula Kadphises in the 1st century AD, has been primarily identified through numismatic (coin) evidence. Historians and archaeologists deciphered the inscriptions and images on coins, enabling the understanding of their reign, relationship with other regions, and the extent of their empire. The numismatic study also helped to discern the religious influences and the transition of power within the dynasty.

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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.

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• 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.

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The correct answer is inscriptions. Inscriptions, often found on stone or metal, provide direct evidence of historical events, rulers, and societal norms in ancient India. They date back to the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE) and include important examples like the Edicts of Ashoka, which offer insights into governance, religion, and culture. Unlike religious literature, which can be biased, inscriptions are primary sources that reflect contemporary realities. Coins also provide valuable information but are less comprehensive than inscriptions.

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Shatapatha Brahmana is a commentary on the Sukla Yajurveda.It is described as the most complete, systematic, and important of the Brahmanas. It contains detailed explanations of Vedic sacrificial rituals, symbolism, and mythology.