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.
21. The caves and rock-cut temples at Ellora belongs to which of the following religions?
[A] Buddhist
[B] Buddhist and Jain
[C] Hindu and Jain
[D] Hindu, Buddhist and Jain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Hindu, Buddhist and Jain]
Notes:
Ellora, built by Rashtrakutas is located 29 km North-West of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It is one of the World Heritage Sites. It is well known for its monumental caves viz. 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu Caves (caves 13–29) and 5 Jain Caves (caves 30–34).
22. Which of the following name by Ashoka is generally referred in his inscriptions?
[A] Chakravarti
[B] Dharmadeva
[C] Dharmakirti
[D] Priyadarsi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Priyadarsi]
Notes:
Priyadasi was an honorific epithets used by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in his inscriptions. Priyadasi means “He who regards others with kindness”, “Humane”. It is generally used in conjunction with the title “Devanampriya” (“Beloved of the Gods”).
23. In which of the following sites, earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the Indian subcontinent is found?
[A] Dholavira
[B] Lothal
[C] Mohenjadaro
[D] Mehrgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Mehrgarh ]
Notes:
Mehrgarh is a Neolithic site, which lies on the Kacchi Plain of Balochistan. The earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the subcontinent is found in Mehrgarh
24. Which of the following is the Northernmost site of Indus Valley civilization?
[A] Ropar
[B] Bhagatrav
[C] Alamgirpur
[D] Sutkagendor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sutkagendor]
Notes:
Sutkagendor in Baluchistan province of western Pakistan is the northernmost known site of the Indus Valley Civilization, located about 300 km west of Mohenjodaro. It was occupied between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. The site shows cultural continuity from early to mature Harappan phases with typical artifacts. Its strategic location shows the northwestward extent of Indus cultural influence.
25. From which of the following places People of Indus valley civilization obtained Tin?
[A] Persia
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Bihar
[D] Central Asia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bihar]
Notes:
Tin was obtained by the Indus Valley people from present-day Bihar and Odisha through trading networks. Though not locally available, tin ores from these eastern regions supplemented copper in the production of bronze. The first known use of tin-bronze in the subcontinent comes from 4th millennium BCE sites like Mehrgarh showing the metal’s early significance for Indus craftspeople.
26. Which of the following was regarded as the god of the Shudras?
[A] Vishnu
[B] Rudra
[C] Indra
[D] Pushan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pushan]
Notes:
During the Later Vedic period the Pushan who was supposed to look after cattle came to be regarded as the god of the
Shudras. Other gods of the Later Vedic period included Vishnu (conceived as the preserver and protector of people) and Rudra (the god of animals).
27. Which of the following is the only female trithankar?
[A] Kunthunath
[B] Mallinath
[C] Shantinath
[D] Suvidhinath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mallinath]
Notes:
The Shvetambara sect of Jainism acknowledged the possibility of women attaining Jina-hood. The 19th Tirthankara is a female named Malli, who is the only female Tirthankara belonging to Shwetambara sect.
28. What was the capital of Chedi mahajanapada?
[A] Kaushambi
[B] Indraprastha
[C] Viratanagara
[D] Shuktimati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Shuktimati]
Notes:
Cheti or Chedi mahajanapada is situated in the eastern part of Bundelkhand in Central India. Its capital is Shuktimati which also known as Sotthivatinagara. Shishupala was the king of Chedi mahajanapada.
29. Bimbisara belonged to which of the following dynasties?
[A] Mughal dynasty
[B] Haryanka dynasty
[C] Slave dynaty
[D] Shishunaga dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haryanka dynasty]
Notes:
Magadha came out to be the most powerful state and the centre of a vast empire. Bimbisara belonged to the Haryanka dynasty and ruled for 52 years starting from 544 to 492 BCE.
30. Which of the following temporarily shifted the capital of Magadh to Vaishali?
[A] Udayin
[B] Shishunaga
[C] Kalasoka
[D] Mahapadma Nanda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shishunaga]
Notes:
Shishunaga temporarily shifted capital of Magadh to Vaishali. Shishunaga defeated Avanti (Pradyota Dynasty) and made it a part of Magadha. This ended the 100-year-old rivalry between Magadha and Avanti.
