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. In Vedic age which among the following grains was referred as vrihi?
[A] Barley
[B] Wheat
[C] Rice
[D] Maize
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rice]
Notes:
The term Vrihi was used for Rice in Vedic Era. For Wheat, the term Godhuma was used.
12. 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.
13. Which among the following is a ritualistic Veda?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Yajurveda
[C] Samaveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yajurveda]
Notes:
The Yajurveda (Sanskrit: यजुर्वेद, yajurveda, from yaj meaning “worship”, and veda meaning “knowledge”) is the Veda primarily of prose mantras for worship rituals.
14. The word coromandal cost has been derived from the kingdom of which of the following?
[A] Cheras
[B] Cholas
[C] Chalukyas
[D] Pandyas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cholas]
Notes:
The name coromandal occurs in the forms Cholamandalam or Solamandalam on the great temple inscription of Tanjore. So Coromandel takes its name from the ancient dynasty of Tamil rulers known as the Cholas.
15. Which of the following ancient ruler is credited with shifting the capital from Rajgir to Pataliputra?
[A] Dhana Nanda
[B] Ajatashatru
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Kakavarin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Kakavarin ]
Notes:
Kakavarin of Sisunaga dynasty moved the capital from Rajgir (Girivraja) to Pataliputra.
16. The Ajanta Caves were rebuilt during the period of which of the following rulers?
[A] Guptas
[B] Kushans
[C] Mauryas
[D] Chalukyas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Guptas]
Notes:
Ajanta caves were built from the 2nd century BCE to 7th century CE. They contain some of the earliest and finest examples of Indian wall-painting. The subject matter is largely scenes from the life of Buddha.
Not satisfied with caves the Guptas were the first dynasty to build permanent free-standing Hindu temples and so they began a long tradition of Indian temple architecture. It is perhaps important to note here that Hindu temples were not designed for congregations but rather as the dwelling place of a deity. Finally we can say that Guptas rebuilt Ajanta Caves.
17. Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Ashoka?
[A] Kalsi
[B] Rummindei
[C] Special Kalinga Edict
[D] Maski
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maski]
Notes:
Maski inscription at Raichur doab in Karnataka mentions his personal name, Devanam Priyadasi. Maski derives its name from Mahasangha. The site came into prominence with the discovery of a minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka by C. Beadon in 1915. It was the first edict of Emperor Ashoka that contained the name Ashoka in it instead of the earlier edicts that referred him as Devanampiye piyadasi.
18. Hoysala monuments are found in which of the following places?
[A] Hampi and Hospet
[B] Halebid and Belur
[C] Mysore and Bangalore
[D] Sringeri and Dharwar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Halebid and Belur]
Notes:
It is the largest monument in Halebidu. The temple was built on the banks of a large man-made lake, and sponsored by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire. Its construction started around 1121 CE and was complete in 1160 CE.
Hoysala temples have features of both open (outer mantapa) and closed mantapa (innner mantapa). The ceilings of the mantapa are highly ornate bearing mythological figures and floral design.
19. Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells?
[A] Rig-veda
[B] Yajur-veda
[C] Atharva-veda
[D] Sama-veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Atharva-veda]
Notes:
Atharvaveda is a book of magical formula. It contains charms and spells to ward-off evil and disease.
20. The Harappan bricks were mainly:
[A] hand-made
[B] made in an open mould
[C] cut with the help of a chisel
[D] sawn with the help of a saw-like instrument
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [hand-made]
Notes:
The Harappan bricks, which were integral construction materials in their cities, were mainly handmade. Standardized brick sizes in ratio of 1:2:4 have been documented, indicating organized town planning policies were implemented. Brick making involved preparing the clay, molding into shape, drying in the sun and finally baking into strength in kilns.
