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 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.
2. 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.
3. Which among the following are important functionaries of Early Vedic period?
[A] Purohita
[B] Senani
[C] Gramini
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ All of the above ]
Notes:
The important functionaries of Early Vedic period are Purohita, Senani and Gramini.
4. The Nitisara of Kamandaka, also known as the Kamandakiya-Nitisara, was composed during the period of:
[A] Satavahana dynasty
[B] Gupta dynasty
[C] Kalachuri dynasty
[D] Nanda dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gupta dynasty]
Notes:
The Nitisara of Kamandaka, also known as the Kamandakiya-Nitisara, was composed during the period of Gupta Dynasty. It was based on Kautilya’s Arthashastra
5. 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.
6. Kena Upanishad is of which of the following Vedas?
[A] Rig Veda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharva veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Samaveda]
Notes:
“Ken” literally means ‘by whom’. It belongs to the Talavakara Brahmana of Sama Veda and is therefore also referred to as Talavakara Upanishad.
7. Under whose reign were some Greeks or “Yavans” converted to the Vaishnava Cult?
[A] Shungas
[B] Nandas
[C] Shakas
[D] Satavahans
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Shungas]
Notes:
The Shungas succeeded the Maurya Empire and their rule witnessed the conversion of some Greeks or “Yavans” to the Vaishnava Cult. This period marked a blending of cultures and religions as the borders expanded, and it led to the propagation and transformation of religious practices that had impact on both Indian and Greek civilizations. Not much is known about the Yavans, but it is indicative of cross-cultural exchanges that occurred.
8. Which among the following is not correct ?
[A] The capital of pandyas was Madurai
[B] The capital of Cheras was Vanchi
[C] Capital of the Videha Kingdom – Mithila
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All are correct]
Notes:
The Pandyas ruled the south India and capital was Madurai. The cheras also ruled the south India with their capital Vanchi. The capital of Videha Kingdom is Mithila.
9. Who among the following Buddhist Philosophers persuaded the Indo Greek King Meander to Accept Buddhism?
[A] Asanga
[B] Nagasena
[C] Dharmakirti
[D] Jambuka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nagasena]
Notes:
Nagasena was a Sarvastivadan Buddhist sage born in Kashmir and lived around 150 BCE. His answers to questions about Buddhism posed by Menander I, the Indo-Greek king of northwestern India, are recorded in the Milinda Panha and the Sanskrit Nagasenabhiksusutra.
10. Nakulin or Lakulin is considered to be a founder of which of the following sects?
[A] Pashupat
[B] Saiva
[C] Kapalika
[D] Kalamukhas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pashupat]
Notes:
Pashupata sect to worships the god Shiva as the supreme deity. Acording to Mahabharat, Shiva indicated that he would enter a dead body and incarnate himself as Lakulin or Nakulin or Lakulisha. Inscriptions from the 10th and 13th centuries refer to a teacher named Lakulin, whose followers believed him to be an incarnation of Shiva.
