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. That the homeland of the Aryans was Arctic Region, was propounded by ___?
[A] Max Muller
[B] Edward Meyer
[C] Bal Gangadhar Tilak
[D] Herzefeld
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Bal Gangadhar Tilak ]
Notes:
The Arctic Home in the Vedas is a book on the origin of Aryans by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak The book was written at the end of 1898, but was first published in March 1903 in Pune .It propounded the theory that the North Pole was the original home of Aryans during pre-glacial period which they had to leave due to the ice deluge around 8000 B.C. And had to migrate to the Northern parts of Europe and Asia in search of lands for new settlements. In support to his theory , Tilak has presented certain Vedic hymns, East Iranian passages, Vedic chronology and Vedic calendars with interpretations of the contents in detail.
12. From the times of which among the following Chola rulers, the Gangaikondacholapuram became the capital of the Chola empire?
[A] Parantaka Chola I
[B] Rajendra Chola I
[C] Kulottunga Chola I
[D] Vikrama Chola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajendra Chola I]
Notes:
Gangaikondacholapuram was constructed by Rajendra Chola I to commemorate his conquest over the chalukyas and other feudatories Kalonga, Gangas, Palas etc .These victories led him to assume the title Gangaikonda.
13. Who among the following was the first Tirthankar of Jainism?
[A] Rishabh dev
[B] Parshwanath
[C] Neminath
[D] Sambhavanath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rishabh dev]
Notes:
Lord Rishabhdev was the first Tirthankara of Jainism. He was born at Ayodhya in the Ikshwaku Kula or clan. In Hinduism he is known to be an avatara or incarnation of Vishnu. The name of Rishabh’s parents has been mentioned in the Bhagvata Purana.
14. Who was Queen Trishala?
[A] Mother of Mahavira
[B] Mother of Gautam Buddha
[C] Mother of Kanishka
[D] Mother of Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mother of Mahavira]
Notes:
Queen Trishala, also known as Trishala Devi, was the mother of Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara in Jainism. As per Jain texts, Trishala carried Mahavira in her womb for over a year and had a number of auspicious dreams indicating the divine nature of the unborn child. Trishala’s husband was King Siddhartha of Kundalpur in the Kingdom of the Videhas.
15. Who among the following belonged to Sakya clan of Kshatriyas?
[A] Gautam Buddha
[B] Mahavir jain
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Rishabhnath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gautam Buddha]
Notes:
Gautama Buddha belongs to Sakya clan of Kshatriyas. They lived in the area near Magadha. His mother is Maya devi and father is Suddhodana.
16. Which among the following statements is incorrect regarding Ajanta Caves?
[A] Paintings of Padmapani and Vajrapani have been found in Ajanta
[B] These caves are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983
[C] These paintings are Buddhist , Jain and Hinduism religious art
[D] They were rediscovered in 1819
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [These paintings are Buddhist , Jain and Hinduism religious art]
Notes:
The paintings and rock sculptures in the Ajanta caves which is a Buddhist monastic complex in the Maharashtra . It is testimony to the golden age of Buddhism in India and a unique artistic achievement. The had only Buddhist paintings.
17. 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.
18. In Rigveda the rivers Ganga & Yamuna are mentioned as below
[A] Yamuna Once, Ganga Thrice
[B] Yamuna Thrice, Ganga Once
[C] Ganga Twice , Yamuna Once
[D] Yamuna Thrice, Ganga Twice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yamuna Thrice, Ganga Once]
Notes:
The rivers ganga ,Yamuna and saraswati had great prominence in Vedas. Ganga and Yamuna are mentioned together for the first time in Rig Veda. Yamuna is mentioned three times and Ganga is mentioned once in Rig veda.
19. Which among the following was the most famous learning centre during maurya Period?
[A] Ujjain
[B] Taxila
[C] Nalanda
[D] Vikramsila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ujjain]
Notes:
Taxila was the most famous leaning centre during the Mauryas. Taxila was absorbed into the Mauryan empire founded by Chandragupta, under whom it became a provincial capital.
20. Who is the author of the ancient Sanskrit text Kavirahasya?
[A] Halayudha
[B] Trivikrama
[C] Mufija
[D] Nalachampu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Halayudha]
Notes:
Halayudha is known to compose the Sanskrit text ‘Kavirahasya’ during the reign of Emperor Krishna III of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. This valuable work provides an exhaustive list of Sanskrit verbs and their meanings, thus making significant contributions to the field of Sanskrit grammar. Halayudha’s efforts remain recognized for their complicacy and accuracy in understanding the life and language of ancient India.
