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. Which of the following later Satavahana rulers of the second century CE recovered parts of the western Deccan from the Shakas?
[A] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[B] Satkarni I
[C] Hala
[D] Yajna Sri Satakarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Yajna Sri Satakarni]
Notes:
Yajna Sri Satakarni was a later Satavahana ruler associated with the recovery of territory from the Shakas in parts of the western Deccan. His coins and inscriptions indicate a renewed Satavahana presence in western regions, including the Konkan. This distinguishes him from Gautamiputra Satakarni, who fought the Shakas earlier, and from Hala and Satakarni I, who are not associated with this later recovery.
2. The rulers of which among the following dynasties called themselves “Brahma-Kshatriya”?
[A] Palas
[B] Senas
[C] Pratiharas
[D] Chahamanas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Senas ]
Notes:
The Senas used the designation Brahma-Kshatriya, indicating Brahmanical ancestry combined with a warrior-ruler role. The Deopara inscription applies this description to Samantasena.
3. Who founded the Maitraka dynasty with its capital at Valabhi, which later became a major centre of learning?
[A] Kumargupta I
[B] Bhattarka
[C] Dharmapala
[D] Gopala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Bhattarka ]
Notes:
Bhattarka founded Maitraka power at Valabhi in the late fifth century. Valabhi developed into a major centre of Buddhist and secular learning under Maitraka patronage.
4. “The king was the ruler of all except Brahamanas”. This was the view of __?
[A] Manu
[B] Yajnavalkya
[C] Apasthamba
[D] Gautama
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Gautama ]
Notes:
Gautama-dharmasutra The Dharmasutras: The Law Codes of Apastamba, Gautama, Baudhayana, and Vasistha The Dharmasutras are the four surviving written works of the ancient Indian tradition on the subject of dharma, or the rules of behavior a community recognizes as binding on its members. Gautama- dharmasutra is believed to be the oldest of the four Hindu Dharmasastras, It survives as an independent treatise. According to Gautama the ruler is the owner of everything in his realm except the brahmanas.
5. Variyar, the Revenue term was used for which action?
[A] Tax Collector
[B] Extra Demand
[C] Land Tax
[D] Custom Duty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Tax Collector ]
Notes:
Term ‘Variyar’ was used for Tax Collector.
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. Who composed Nasik Inscription in which achievements of Gautamiputra Satkarni were recorded?
[A] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[B] Sarkarni- I
[C] Kanha
[D] Gautami
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Gautami ]
Notes:
The achievements of Gutamiputra Satkarni were mentioned in Nasik Inscription that were composed by his mother Gautami Balasri. The Nasik Prasasti describes Gautamiputra as the ruler of the Aparanta, Anupa, Saurashtra, Kukura, Akara and Avanti and defeated the Saka King Nahapana and restored the prestige of his dynasty by reconquering a large part of the former dominions of the Satavahanas.
8. Which the following rulers is known as the ‘Napoleon of India’?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Ashoka
[C] Chandragupta I
[D] Skandgupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Samudragupta ]
Notes:
Samudragupta believed in the policy of war and conquest and because of his bravery and generalship he is known as the “Napoleon of India” by historian Vincent. A. Smith.
9. Third Buddhist Council was held at which of the following places?
[A] Pataliputra
[B] Rajgir
[C] Vaishali
[D] Lumbini
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Pataliputra ]
Notes:
According to Theravada tradition, the Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under Ashoka’s patronage, around 250 BCE. Moggaliputta Tissa presided over it.
10. Which among the following text of Buddhism speaks about the sixteen Mahajanapadas?
[A] Digh Nikaya
[B] Anguttar Nikaya
[C] Maha Parinibbana Sutta
[D] Majjhima Nikaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Anguttar Nikaya]
Notes:
16 Mahajanapadas have been listed by several Buddhist and Jainsm texts. For example Anguttara Nikaya gives a list of sixteen great nations, which is slightly diffrent from Digha Nikaya which mentions only twelve Mahajanapadas. Similarly, Jain text Vyākhyāprajñapti (or Bhagavati Sutra) gives a different list of sixteen Mahajanapadas.
