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. Who presided Fourth Buddhist Council?
[A] Mahakassapa
[B] Vasumitra
[C] Moggliputra Tissa
[D] Sabakami
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Vasumitra ]
Notes:
The Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kundalvana, Kashmir in 72 AD during the reign of Kushan king Kanishka. It was held under the Presidentship of Vasumitra to compose commentaries on the Tripitika.
2. In which among the following sacrifices, the sacrificial materials used was sura in Vedic Era?
[A] Agnistoma
[B] Rajasuya
[C] Sautramani
[D] Vajapeya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sautramani ]
Notes:
Sautramani refers to a “sacrifice performed in order to please god Indra” and represented one of the various rituals mentioned in Taittiriya school of the Krishna Yajurveda. This sacrifice involved use of Sura.
3. Which of the following inscriptions mentions the name of Kalidasa?
[A] Allahabad pillar inscription
[B] Aihole inscription
[C] Alapadu grant
[D] Hanumakonda inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Aihole inscription ]
Notes:
Aihole inscription mentions the name of the poet Kalidasa. The inscription was written in 634 by Ravikirti, the court poet and minister of the Chalukya king Pulakesin II. The inscription is located in Aihole, Karnataka.
The Aihole inscription also provides information about the early history of the Chalukyas of Badami until 634 AD. It also provides a terminus ante quem of 634 CE for both Kalidasa and Bharavi.
4. The earliest evidence of domestication of animals has been provided by Adamagarh. In which of the following states is located Adamgarh ?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharastra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Madhya Pradesh ]
Notes:
The earliest evidence of domestication of animals has been found in Adamagarh in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh and Bagor in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan.
5. Which among the following major rock edicts of Ashoka are in Kharosthi script?
[A] Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi
[B] Sanchi
[C] Sarnath
[D] Bairut
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi ]
Notes:
The two major rock edicts of Ashoka viz. Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi are in Kharosthi script. These both the rock edicts are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
6. Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador of which of the following Indo-Greek kings?
[A] Antialcidas Nikephoros
[B] Selecus Nicator
[C] Alexander
[D] Constantine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Antialcidas Nikephoros ]
Notes:
Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador of Indo-Greek king Antialcidas Nikephoros of Taxila in the court of Sunga King Bhagbhadra. He erected famous votive Heliodorus pillar around 110 BC near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
7. The term “Vitasta” in Rig Veda refers to which among the following rivers?
[A] Indus
[B] Beas
[C] Jhelum
[D] Chenab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jhelum]
Notes:Rigvedic Name and Modern Names of Indian Rivers:
| Ancient Name |
Modern Name |
| Sindhu |
Indus |
| Vitasta |
Jhelum |
| Askini |
Chenab |
| Vipasa |
Beas |
| Purushini |
Ravi |
| Satudri |
Sutlej |
| Gomal |
Gomati |
| Drishvadati |
Ghaggar |
8. Which among the following is Not Correctly matched?
[A] Maurya Empire – Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Shunga Dynasty – Pushyamitra Shunga
[C] Satvahana Dynasty – Gautamiputra satkarni
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Satvahana Dynasty – Gautamiputra satkarni]
Notes:
The founder of Satvahana Dynasty was Simuk and not Gautamaiputra Satakarni
9. Partha was the name of which of the following character in Mahabharta?
[A] Arjuna
[B] Bhima
[C] Krishna
[D] Yudhisthara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Arjuna]
Notes:
Partha is the name of Arjuna in Mahabharata. He was called Partha by his dear friend Sri Krishna.
10. Who among the following granted permission to Buddhist King of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a Monastery at Bodh Gaya?
[A] Chandra gupta Virkramaditya
[B] Samudra Gupta
[C] Skand Gupta
[D] Kumara Gupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Samudra Gupta]
Notes:
Samudragupta granted permission to Buddhist king of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a monastery at Bodh Gaya. Samudragupta was a ruler of the Gupta Empire of Ancient India. As a son of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta I and the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, he greatly expanded his dynasty’s political power.
