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. According to Buddhist traditions, who was Charioteer of Buddha?
[A] Channa
[B] Kanthaka
[C] Devdatta
[D] Chunda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Channa ]
Notes:
According to Buddhist traditions, Channa was the royal charioteer of Prince Siddhartha. When Siddhartha decided to leave his royal life and comforts to understand the cause of human suffering, it was Channa who escorted him outside the palace. It is believed that Channa later joined the Sangha, the Buddhist monastic community, and became an arahant, an enlightened disciple.
2. The inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script were deciphered by ___?
[A] Alexander Cunningham
[B] James Prinsep
[C] Max Muller
[D] Mortimer Wheeler
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ James Prinsep ]
Notes:
James Prinsep (1799-1840) was an English scholar, orientalist and antiquary. He was the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and is best remembered for deciphering the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India. He was the first to decipher the inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script.
3. Ujjaini located in the Malwa region, came under which Mahajanapada?
[A] Anga
[B] Kasi
[C] Kosal
[D] Avanti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Avanti ]
Notes:
Ujjaini was located in the Malwa region came under Avanti Mahajanapada.
4. At which among the following sites, first evidence of cotton fibres has been found?
[A] Piklihal
[B] Hathonora
[C] Mehrgarh
[D] Ghaligai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mehrgarh]
Notes:
Mehrgarh is associated with the earliest known archaeological evidence of cotton fibres in the Old World. Mineralised cotton fibres were recovered from a copper bead found at the Neolithic site, showing that cotton was already being used there in very early times. This discovery is important for the history of textiles and agriculture in South Asia, and it remains one of the key references for the early use of cotton in prehistoric times.
5. Which among the following era is identical with Gupta era?
[A] Vikram era
[B] Vallabhi era
[C] Saka era
[D] Harsha era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Vallabhi era ]
Notes:
The Valabhi era is a continuation of the Gupta era, whose epoch is conventionally placed in 319–320 CE. It was used by the Maitraka rulers of Valabhi.
6. Which of the following was denoted by the term “Kahapana” or “Karshapan” during ancient India?
[A] A cloth
[B] A trader
[C] A monk
[D] A coin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ A coin ]
Notes:
“Kahapana” or “Karshapan” was a common coin during Pre-Gupta period. It was made of copper and also of silver.
7. The silver coins of which among the following kings carried portraits and bilingual legends, which were inspired by the Kshatrapa types?
[A] Satavahanas
[B] Kushanas
[C] Guptas
[D] Mauryas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Satavahanas ]
Notes:
Satavahana kings are noted for issuing bilingual coins featuring Middle Indo-Aryan language on one side, and Tamil language on the other side.
8. Ashvaghosha, who has written the marvelous work “Buddhacharita” was a court poet of which among the following kings?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kanishka
[C] Samudra gupta
[D] Ajatshatru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kanishka]
Notes:
Asvaghosa wrote “Buddhacharitra” and lived in the court of King Kanishka. He was a Buddhist philosopher, poet, orator and dramatist from India. He is considered to be the greatest Indian poet before Kalidasa.
9. In which of the following modern State, most of the 24 Tirthankar of Jainism attained nirvana?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bihar]
Notes:
Bihar is the state where most of Tirthankara attained nirvana. Lord Buddha attained nirvana at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
10. Which among the following sources records Ashoka’s own proclamations on Dhamma?
[A] Religious literature
[B] inscriptions
[C] coins
[D] monumnets
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [inscriptions]
Notes:
Ashoka’s rock and pillar inscriptions preserve his proclamations on Dhamma, administration and public welfare. They provide direct evidence of the policies he wished to communicate.
