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.
11. What is the meaning of kalibangan in Rajasthan which shows the prehistoric and pre-Mauryan character of Indus Valley Civilization ?
[A] Black River
[B] Black Bangles
[C] Black forest
[D] Black land
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Black Bangles]
Notes:
- Kali = Black
- Bangan = Bangles
12. Which of the following state is the home to Bharat Dynasty?
[A] Punjab
[B] Haryana
[C] Gujarath
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haryana]
Notes:
Haryana has history which dates back to the Vedic Age. The State was the home of the legendary Bharata dynasty, which has given the name Bharat to India.
13. What is the number of Richas in Rigveda?
[A] 1810
[B] 731
[C] 10580
[D] 5839
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [10580]
Notes:
Rigveda has 10 Mandalas, 1,028 Suktas and 10,580 Richas.
14. Who among the following erected Gangaikonda Cholapuram ?
[A] Rajraja Chola
[B] Rajendra Chola I
[C] Mahendravarman I
[D] Gonka I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajendra Chola I]
Notes:
Gangaikonda Cholapuram became the capital of the Chola dynasty in c. 1025 during the reign of Rajendra Chola I, and served as the Chola capital for around 250 years. It is a Village located near to Jayankondam, Tamil Nadu.
15. Which among the following is/ are considered to be the first tangible evidence of expansion of Buddhism?
[A] Statues of Buddha
[B] Edicts of Ashoka
[C] Mahavibhasa
[D] Jataka Tales
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Edicts of Ashoka]
Notes:
Edicts of Ashoka are considered to be the first tangible evidence of expansion of Buddhism. The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of more than thirty inscriptions on the pillars, as well as boulders and cave walls.
16. “Gangaikonda Cholapuram” became the capital of the Chola empire from the time of which emperor ?
[A] Rajendra I
[B] Rajaraja II
[C] Parantaka I
[D] Rajaraja I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajendra I]
Notes:
The Chola King Rajendra I defeated Mahipala (the Pala king of Bengal and Bihar) and to commemorate his victory he built a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram (the city of the Chola conqueror of the Ganga).
17. The Srauta Sutra, Grihya Sutra, Dharma Sutra and Sulba Sutra are the parts of which among the following Vedangas?
[A] Vyakarana
[B] Kalpa
[C] Nirkuta
[D] Shiksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kalpa
]
Notes:
There are six Angas or explanatory limbs, to the Vedas: the Siksha and Vyakarana of Panini, the Chhandas of Pingalacharya, the Nirukta of Yaska, the Jyotisha of Garga, and the Kalpas (Srauta, Grihya, Dharma and Sulba) belonging to the authorship of various Rishis. Siksha is a knowledge of phonetics. Siksha deals with pronunciation and accent. The text of the Vedas is arranged in various forms or Pathas. The Pada-patha gives each word its separate form. The Krama-patha connects the word in pairs. Vyakarana is Sanskrit grammar. Panini’s books are most famous. Without knowledge of Vyakarana, you cannot understand the Vedas. Chhandas is metre dealing with prosody. Nirukta is philology or etymology. Jyotisha is astronomy and astrology. It deals with the movements of the heavenly bodies, planets, etc., and their influence in human affairs. Kalpa is the method of ritual. The Srauta Sutras which explain the ritual of sacrifices belong to Kalpa. The sulba Sutras, which treat of the measurements which are necessary for laying out the sacrificial areas, also belong to Kalpa. The Grihya Sutras which concern domestic life, and the Dharma Sutras which deal with ethics, customs and laws, also belong to Kalpa
18. Which of the following remains of the Gupta empire in the western Indian city of Ajanta most notable for?
[A] Cave Painting
[B] Buddhist Monastery
[C] Stone Carvings
[D] Large Temple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cave Painting]
Notes:
In the caverns of Ajanta, India, one can see the many cave paintings that were left on the walls of cave temples. The Buddhists who had their temples their painting mural of Buddhist stories and legends and also of scenes of Gupta India.
19. Which astronomer’s treatise was named ‘Panchasiddhantika’?
[A] Varahamihira
[B] Aryabhatta
[C] Gargi
[D] Brahma Gupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Varahamihira]
Notes:
Varahamihira wrote Panchasiddhantika(Five schools of Astronomy) in which he focused on three different branches of astronomy as studied during the period and they were; astronomy and mathematics, astrology.
20. Of the following, who is the oldest Sanskrit poet, whose composition still remains in original classical style? (UPSC Prelims 1987)
[A] Asvaghosa
[B] Dandin
[C] Kalidasa
[D] Bhavabhuti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Asvaghosa]
Notes:
Ashvaghosha was a Buddhist philosopher, dramatist, poet and orator from India. He was born in Saketa in northern India. He is believed to have been the first Sanskrit dramatist, and is considered the greatest Indian poet prior to Kalidasa.
