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 beneficiaries of Asoka’s donations in the region of Barabar Hill were__?
[A] Buddhists
[B] Ajivikas
[C] Svetambar Jains
[D] Digambar Jains
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Ajivikas ]
Notes:
The Edicts of Asoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Asoka. The one of the Edict of Asoka is “Barbara cave Inscription : giving away the Barbara cave to Ajivika sect. Dasharataha is known to have gifted the Nagarjuni hills to Ajivikas.
2. Which one of the following places was a mint centre of the Yaudheyas ?
[A] Bayana
[B] Rohtak
[C] Bareilly
[D] Mathura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Rohtak ]
Notes:
Rohtak was a mint center of the Yaudheyas. The sacred town of Rohtak was also called the mint of the Yaudheyas. The Yaudheyas’ principal deity was Karttikeya.
Other mint centers of the Yaudheyas include: Agaroha, Bayana.
Rohtak was the capital of one of the Yaudheyas. The other Yaudheya’s center of power was northern Panchala, also known as Bahudhanyaka.
3. Which among the following village was the site of the Vikramshila Mahavihara, the renowned educational centre of Pala period?
[A] Antichak
[B] Aphasad
[C] Basarh
[D] Chandimau
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Antichak ]
Notes:
Antichak – Excavated site Vikramshila Vikramashila was founded by Pala King Dharmapala in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nalanda. [It was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji ]
4. During whose reign was the Fourth Buddhist Council held?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kalasoka
[C] Ajatsatru
[D] Kanishka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Kanishka ]
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.
5. Which among the following is not among Ashtamahasthanas?
[A] Lumbini
[B] Rajgriha
[C] Vajrayana
[D] Taxila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Taxila ]
Notes:
The holy places where the four principal events of the Buddha’s life took place are Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (Enlightenment), Sarnath (First Sermon), Kusinagar (Death took place). Apart from these four places, there are another four holy places viz. Sravasti, Rajgriha, Vaishali and Vajrayana, these eight holy places are known as Ashtamahasthanas.
6. Who was the Syrian ambassador in the court of Bindusara?
[A] Megasthenes
[B] Dimachos
[C] Dionysius
[D] Amitrochates
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Dimachos ]
Notes:
The Syrian ruler, Antiochus I sent Dimachos as an ambassador in the court of Bindusara.
7. Which among the following is known as the earliest example of Panchayatana style of temple?
[A] Dashavatara temple at Deogarh
[B] Temple at Pathari
[C] Shatrughneshwara temple at Bhubaneshwar
[D] Lakshmana temple at Sirpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Dashavatara temple at Deogarh ]
Notes:
The Dashavatara Temple or Vishnu Temple also called Gupta temple at Deogarh. It was built in the Gupta Period (320 to c. 600 AD ). Archaeologists have inferred that it is the earliest known Panchayatana temple in North India. A hindu temple is a Panchayatana one when the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
8. The Ashoka’s Bairut inscription was brought to Allahabad by__?
[A] Cunningham
[B] James Princep
[C] Feroj Shah Tughlaq
[D] Jahangir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Cunningham ]
Notes:
The Ashoka’s Bairut inscription was brought to Allahabad by Cunningham. On the other hand, Pillars from Topra and Meerut were brought to Delhi by the Firoz Shah Tughlaq. The Kaushambi Pillar was brought to Allahabad by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir.
9. Which city is historically believed to be the main site of Hastinapur, the capital of the Kauravas and Pandavas?
[A] Delhi
[B] Ghaziabad
[C] Meerut
[D] Faridabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Meerut]
Notes:
Meerut, an ancient city in Uttar Pradesh, India, is believed to be the main location of Hastinapur – the capital of both the Kauravas and Pandavas during the Vedic period (1500-500 BCE). This city, steeped in mythology and historical significance, was the centre of the Kuru Kingdom. The Imperial Gazetteer of India attests to this fact making it a site of immense archaeological and cultural importance.
10. Sudarshan lake repaired second time under the reign of _?
[A] Skandgupta
[B] Kumargupta
[C] Rudradaman
[D] Parnadatta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Skandgupta ]
Notes:
The Junagarh inscription gives the information about the Sudarshan lake that the lake was an artificial reservoir, was built by the Mauryan emperors for checking floods. Around 150 AD, the lake was repaired by the Shaka ruler Rudradaman-I. And, it was again repaired under the Skandgupta’s reign (415 AD- 455 AD) by his governor Parnadatta.
