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. Where was Second Buddhist Council held ?
[A] Satparni
[B] Vaishali
[C] Patliputra
[D] Kundal Vana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vaishali]
Notes:
Second Buddhist Council was held in 383 BC to settle a dispute on Vinaya Pitaka, the code of discipline. The Buddhism sects Sthaviravada, Mahasanghika and Sarvastivada appeared for the first time after this meeting. It was held at Vaishali under the patronage of King Kalasoka and the presidency of Sabakami.
12. Who among the following built the Parthasarathy Temple ?
[A] Narasimhavarman I
[B] Mahendravarman II
[C] Mahendravarman I
[D] Simhavishnu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Narasimhavarman I ]
Notes:
Narasimhavarman I Parthasarathy Temple was build by Pallava King Narasimhavarman I in 8th century. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
13. In stone age, the composite tools started appearing in which of the following ages?
[A] Paleolithic
[B] Mesolithic
[C] Neolithic
[D] Chalcolithic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Mesolithic ]
Notes:
One of the key aspects of the Mesolithic Age was the reduction in size of well-established tool types. The characteristic tools of this age were microliths (miniature stone tools usually made of crypto-crystalline silica, chalcedony, or chert, both of geometrical and non-geometrical shapes). They were not only used as tools in themselves but also to make composite tools, spearheads, arrowheads, and sickles after hafting them on wooden or bone handles.
14. 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.
15. Who among the following was called Lichchavi Dauhitra?
[A] Chandragupta
[B] Kumargupta
[C] Samudragupta
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Samudragupta ]
Notes:
Samudragupta calls himself Lichchavi- dauhitra the son of the daughter of the Lichchavis. The Licchavis were a clan amongst the Vajji Mahajanapada of ancient India.
16. Which of these important inventions was created by the Gupta civilization?
[A] Leather Belts
[B] Farm Tractor
[C] Newspaper
[D] ‘Arabic’ Numeral System
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [‘Arabic’ Numeral System]
Notes:
The Gupta civilization took pride in its education system and its mathematics in the ancient world. The number system that they created – which is now known as the ‘Arabic’ numeral system, was based on the number zero. The Gupta civilization was also very advanced in herbal medicine.
17. Megasthenes was an ambassador for which of the following empires?
[A] Greek
[B] Egyptian
[C] Roman
[D] Ottoman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Greek]
Notes:
Megasthenes described what he called “the great capital of Pataliputra” as the most largest and prosperous city in the world. He wrote about its palaces, school, temples, parks, and said that the wall around the city “was crowned with 570 towers and had 64 gates”.
18. During whose reign did the apostle St.Thomas go to India to preach Christianity?
[A] Kujala Kadphises
[B] Antialkidas
[C] Gondophernes
[D] Wema Kadphises
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gondophernes]
Notes:
Apostle St.Thomas go to India to preach Christianity in the reign of Gondophernes. Gondophernes was a Parthian ruler who invaded India.
19. Which Chinese traveller’s description about the Indian society are recorded in the book ‘Fo-Kero-Ki’?
[A] Fa-hien
[B] Hiuen Tsang
[C] I-tsing
[D] Pan-Ku
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fa-hien]
Notes:
Fa-hien wrote this book when he came to India during the reign of Gupta dynasty most probably between A.D 399-414. He was a Chinese Buddhist monk and translator who traveled by foot from Ancient China to Ancient India, visiting many sacred Buddhist sites in Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia between 399-412 to acquire Buddhist texts.
20. Who among the following advocated the concept of Anuvrata? (UPSC Prelims 1995)
[A] Mahayana Buddhism
[B] Hinayana Buddhism
[C] Jainism
[D] the Lokayata school
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jainism]
Notes:
The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by Jainism
Anuvrata was the five main teachings of Jainism- Ahimsa, Asateya, Aparigraha, Satya and Brahmacharya.
