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 Satapatha Brahmana and Taitriya Brahmana are the Brahmana texts of ___:
[A] Rigveda
[B] Yajurveda
[C] Samaveda
[D] Atharavaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Yajurveda ]
Notes:
Satapatha Brahmana and Taitriya Brahmana are the Brahmana texts of Yajurveda.
2. Who among the following Kushan Emperors was the first to introduce the gold coinage in India?
[A] Vima Kadphises
[B] Vima Taktu
[C] Vasishka
[D] Kujula Kadphises
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Vima Kadphises ]
Notes:
Vima Kadphises was a Kushan emperor from around 90–100 AD. Vima Kadphises added to the Kushan territory by his conquests in Afghanistan and north-west Pakistan. He issued an extensive series of coins and inscriptions. He was the first to introduce gold coinage in India, in addition to the existing copper and silver coinage.
3. Which pillar edict of Asoka is longest of all pillars?
[A] 2nd
[B] 5th
[C] 6th
[D] 7th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [7th]
Notes:
Seventh Pillar Edict mentions about Dhamma mahamattas
4. During end of which of the following period the urban centers of Gangetic planes declined ?
[A] Maurya Period
[B] Gupta Period
[C] Mahjnapadas
[D] Magadh Empire
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gupta Period]
Notes:
The urban centers of Gangetic plain declined with the gupta empire. The areas surrounding Prayag, Saketa and Magadha areas have declined.
5. Who among the following rulers conquered the Anga Mahajanpada and merged it with Magadha?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Asoka
[C] Bimbisara
[D] Ajatshatru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bimbisara]
Notes:
Bimbisara conquered the Anga Mahajanpada and merged it with Magadha. He is the earliest king of Magadha. Under Bimbisara of the Haryanka line, the kingdom of Anga was added to Magadha.
6. The famous Gayatri Mantra which is addressed to solar deity, is a highly revered mantra from the _?
[A] Rig Veda
[B] Chandogya Upanishad
[C] Shatapatha Brahmana
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Rig Veda]
Notes:
The famous Gayatri Mantra addressed to solar deity, is a highly revered mantra from the Rig-Veda.
7. In which of the following places, Buddha attained enlightment?
[A] Sarnath
[B] Bodhgaya
[C] Kapilvastu
[D] Rajgriha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bodhgaya]
Notes:
The Bodhi Tree was a large and ancient sacred fig tree located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, under which Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher who became known as the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment or Bodhi.
8. Which of the following Satvahan King’s name is inscribed on one of the gateways of Sanchi Stupa?
[A] Simukha
[B] Kanha
[C] Satakarni
[D] Krishna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Satakarni]
Notes:
Gautamiputra Satakarni, also Gautamiputra Yajna Satakarni, was a ruler of the Satavahana Empire in present-day Deccan region of India. His name is inscribed on one of the gateways of Sanchi Stupa.
9. Which of the following gave the better knowledge of early Vedic period? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1980)
[A] Archaeological excavations
[B] Contemporary cultures
[C] Rigveda
[D] Jatak Katha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Contemporary cultures]
Notes:
Basically the culture and tradition of a country depends on its historical background. We are aware of the Vedic culture by two great scriptures. These are Vedas and Upanishads and had a thoughtful effect on the development of cultures, traditions and religious conviction of India. From Rig Veda, which is the earliest specimen of Indo -European language we know about the Aryans. The Rig Veda consists of ten mandalas or books. We can know about the early Vedic period from Rig Veda.
10. Who among the following is wrote ‘Mattavilasa’? (UPSC Prelims 1989)
[A] Harsha
[B] Rajashekhara
[C] Somadeva
[D] Mahendravarman I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mahendravarman I]
Notes:
Mattavilasa Prahasana is a short one-act Sanskrit play. It is one of the two great one act plays written by Pallava King Mahendravarman I in the beginning of the seventh century in Tamil Nadu.
