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 does ‘Kanthaka’ refer to, in the context of Gautam Buddha?
[A] His disciple
[B] His chief advisor
[C] His royal horse
[D] His spiritual teacher
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [His royal horse]
Notes:
In the context of Gautam Buddha, ‘Kanthaka’ was his royal horse. Kanthaka played a significant role in several instances of the Buddha’s life, most notably when it carried him to the river where he would relinquish his worldly possessions and begin his quest for enlightenment.
2. Which among the following Bodhisattva holds thunderbolt?
[A] Vajrapani
[B] Manjushri
[C] Maitreya
[D] Amitabha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Vajrapani ]
Notes:
The Bodhisattva, Vajrapani, holds a thunderbolt like the deity Indra of Hinduism and fights against evil and sin. Avlokitesvara or Padmapani is the lotus bearer; Majushri holds a book describing 10 paramitas ( spiritual perfections); Maitreya is the future Buddha; Ksitigarbha is the bodhisattva of hell-beings and guardian of purgatories; while Amitabha is Buddha of heaven and the Buddha of Immeasurable Life and Light.
3. In the Rigvedic Dasrajan Yudha (Battle of Ten Kings) the Bharatas emerged winner at the bank of __?
[A] The Indus River
[B] The Saraswati River
[C] The Sutlej River
[D] The Parushni River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ The Parushni River ]
Notes:
According to Rigveda,the famous battle of ten kings ( or Dasrajan Yudha) was between Sudas, a Bharata king of the Tritsu family and the confederacy of ten well-known tribes- Puru, Yadu, Turvasa, Anu, Druhyu, Alina, Paktha ,Bhalanas,Shiva and Vishanin.In the bloody and decisive battle on the banks of River Parushni the Bharatas emerged victorious.
4. At which among the following sites of Indus Valley Civilization, the rows of distinctive fire altars with provision of ritual bathing have been found ?
[A] Mohen-jo-daro
[B] Harappa
[C] Kalibangan
[D] Lothal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Kalibangan ]
Notes:
Kalibangan – is an archaeological site where Ploughed Field, Bones of Camel, Circular and Rectangular Graves, distinctive fire (Vedic ) altars with provision of ritual bathing have been found.
5. Which Indus Valley Site was discovered by Rakhal Das Bannerjee?
[A] Kali Banga
[B] Harappa
[C] Lothal
[D] Mohenjodaro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Mohenjodaro ]
Notes:
Rakhal Das Bannerjee, an Indian archaeologist, discovered the Indus Valley civilization site of Mohenjodaro in 1922. Mohenjodaro is located in Sindh, Pakistan. The name Mohenjodaro means “Mound of the dead”. It was the largest city of the Indus Valley civilization. Bannerjee was an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India. In 1920, he was surveying the lower part of the Indus River valley when he heard reports of a buried site. While exploring, he found pottery and stone blades. He studied the unusual shape and size of several mounds. He submitted a report to his boss on what he had found in 1922.
6. Which of the following was the capital of early Cholas?
[A] Madurai
[B] Karur
[C] Uraiyaur
[D] Kaveripattnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uraiyaur]
Notes:
Uraiyaur, now a locality in Tiruchirappalli, was the capital of the early Cholas. It was famous for its cotton trade.
7. Who wrote Mahabhashya?
[A] Panini
[B] Patanjali
[C] Kalidas
[D] Tulsidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Patanjali ]
Notes:
Mahabhashya was written by Patanjali. It is a commentary on selected rules of Sanskrit grammar from Paini’s treatise, the Ashtadhyayi and Katyayana’s Varttika.
8. Who was the first Indo-Greek king, who became Buddhist?
[A] Antiochus II
[B] Apollodotus I
[C] Apollodotus II
[D] Menander II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Menander II ]
Notes:
Menander II was the Indo-Greek king who established a large empire in the South Asia and became a patron of Buddhism.
9. What was the function of Samharta in Mauryan Administration?
[A] To Collect Revenue
[B] To Work as a Judge
[C] Leadership of Army
[D] Delivering Justice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To Collect Revenue]
Notes:
The important officials in revenue department are Sannidhata: Chief treasury, Samaharta: collector general of revenue.
10. In which of the following works is mentioned the conspiracy hatched by Pushyamitra Shunga to eliminate the last Mauryan King Brihadratha?
[A] Mahabhasya of patanjali
[B] Rajtarangini of Kalhan
[C] Harshacharita of Baanbhatta
[D] Malvikagnimitra of Kalidasa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Harshacharita of Baanbhatta]
Notes:
The Harshacharita, is the biography of Indian emperor Harsha by Banabhatta, a Sanskrit writer of seventh-century CE India. He was the Court Poet, of Harsha. He mentioned the conspiracy hatched by Pushyamitra Shunga to eliminate the last Mauryan King Brihadratha.
