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. Who among the following of Gupta dynasty adopted the title ‘Kaviraja’?
[A] Chandragupta I
[B] Kumargupta
[C] Samudragupta
[D] Skandgupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Samudragupta ]
Notes:
Samudragupta adopted the title of Kaviraj (King of poets), he was an expert ‘ Veena’ player.
12. Which of the following plays of Kalidasa tells the story of mortal King Pururavas and celestial nymph Urvashi who fall in love?
[A] Malavikagnimitram
[B] Abhijñānaśākuntalam
[C] Vikramōrvaśīyam
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Vikramōrvaśīyam ]
Notes:
Vikramōrvaśīyam, a play by Kalidasa, tells the story of mortal King Pururavas and celestial nymph Urvashi who fall in love. As an immortal, she has to return to the heavens, where an unfortunate accident causes her to be sent back to the earth as a mortal with the curse that she will die (and thus return to heaven) the moment her lover lays his eyes on the child which she will bear him. After a series of mishaps, including Urvashi’s temporary transformation into a vine, the curse is lifted, and the lovers are allowed to remain together on the earth.
13. Every five years, Harshavardhana used to donate all his possessions at an assembly at which among the following places?
[A] Ujjain
[B] Banaras
[C] Prayag
[D] Kannauj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Prayag]
Notes:
Harsha organised religious assemblies every fifth year of his reign at Prayag (Allahabad). The thing which was left in the state treasury after five years, Harsha used to give it all in charity at that time. He has held six such assemblies during his reign.
14. Which among the following was capital of Mitrakas?
[A] Kosambi
[B] Vallabhi
[C] Odantapuri
[D] Vikramsila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vallabhi]
Notes:
After the decline of the Gupta Empire, Maitraka dynasty was founded by Senapati (general) Bhatarka, who was a military governor of Saurashtra under Gupta Empire, established himself as the independent empire around 475 CE. The Maitraka dynasty ruled western India (now Gujarat) from approximately 475 to approximately 776 CE from their capital at Vallabhi.
15. Which among the following is true about Buddha?
[A] He accepted existence of God
[B] He didn’t accept existence of God
[C] He neither accepted nor rejected the existence of god
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [He neither accepted nor rejected the existence of god]
Notes:
Buddha, or Siddhartha Gautama, did not explicitly affirm or deny the existence of God. His teachings focused on personal enlightenment and the Four Noble Truths, emphasizing individual experience over theological speculation. This approach led to interpretations that he neither accepted nor rejected the concept of God, aligning with the agnostic stance. Buddhism generally does not center around a creator deity, distinguishing it from many other religions.
16. In which of the following marriages in Vedic era, a girl was given by her father to a sage?
[A] Brahma marriage
[B] Daiva Marriage
[C] Gandharva Marriage
[D] Arsha Marriage
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Arsha Marriage]
Notes:
In Arsha marriage, the girl is given in marriage to a sage. One example of Arsh Marriage is that of Agastya with Lopamudra.
17. Bagh caves near Gwalior represent the paintings of which of the following era?
[A] Maurya Era
[B] Gupta Era
[C] Kushana Era
[D] Rajput Era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gupta Era]
Notes:
Bagh caves near Gwalior represent the paintings of Gupta era. The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments.
18. Which among the following sites has given the evidence of an earliest recorded “Earthquake”?
[A] Kalibangan
[B] Lothal
[C] Surkotda
[D] Harappa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kalibangan]
Notes:
According to B. B. Lal, former DG of ASI, Kalibangan site shows that an earthquake occured around 2600 BC, which brought to an end the Early Indus settlement at the site. It is perhaps the earliest archaeologically recorded earthquake.
19. The famous Trimurty Sadasiva is the part of which among the following caves in India?
[A] Ajanta
[B] Ellora
[C] Elephanta
[D] Bagh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Elephanta
]
Notes:
Trimurti, Gangadhara and Ardhanarishvara belong to the Elephanta caves and are considered to be the “masterpiece of Gupta-Chalukyan art”, the most important sculpture in the caves is the Trimurti, carved in relief at the back of the cave facing the entrance, on the north-south axis. It is also known as Trimurti Sadashiva and Maheshmurti. The image, 20 feet (6.1 m) in height, depicts a three-headed Shiva, representing Panchamukha Shiva.
20. Which king adopted titles such as Param Bhagaveta and Maharajadhiraja Sri Bhattaraka?
[A] Chandragupta II
[B] Asoka
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Samudragupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chandragupta II]
Notes:
Chandragupta II also adopted an important title, Vikramaditya. Maharajadhiraja meant king of kings.All these titles are symbol of his strength and courage.
