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. The silver coins of which among the following kings carried portraits and bilingual legends, which were inspired by the Kshatrapa types?
[A] Satavahanas
[B] Kushanas
[C] Guptas
[D] Mauryas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Satavahanas ]
Notes:
Satavahana kings are noted for issuing bilingual coins featuring Middle Indo-Aryan language on one side, and Tamil language on the other side.
12. In ancient India, the term Nishka was related to which among the following?
[A] Crop
[B] Tax
[C] Currency
[D] Tool
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Currency]
Notes:
Nishka meant currency or coin as well as a Necklace (that would also be made of coins during those times).
13. Shatapatha Brahmana belongs to which of the following Vedas?
[A] Krishna Yajurveda
[B] Shukla Yajurveda
[C] Rigveda
[D] Samaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shukla Yajurveda]
Notes:
Shatapatha Brahmana is a commentary on the Sukla Yajurveda.It is described as the most complete, systematic, and important of the Brahmanas. It contains detailed explanations of Vedic sacrificial rituals, symbolism, and mythology.
14. During the reign of Guptas in North India , who were their contemporaries in South India ?
[A] Cholas
[B] Rasthrakutas
[C] Satvahanas
[D] Kakatiyas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rasthrakutas]
Notes:
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire existing from the mid-to-late 3rd century CE to 543 CE. Rashtrakutas was a royal dynasty ruling large parts of the Indian subcontinent . They are the contemporaries.
15. 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.
16. Who was the first to propose that all objects in the physical universe can be reduced to a finite number of atoms?
[A] Maharishi Kapil
[B] Maharishi Kanaad
[C] Maharishi Vyas
[D] Maharishi Patanjali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharishi Kanaad]
Notes:
Maharishi Kanaad was the first to postulate that everything in the physical universe could be reduced to a finite number of atoms. He was an ancient Indian philosopher who founded the Vaisheshika school of Indian philosophy that also postulated the concept of an atom.
17. Which among the following was the earliest drama of Kalidasa?
[A] Vikramorvishiyam
[B] Malvikagnimitram
[C] Abhijnanshakuntalam
[D] Kumarasambhava
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Malvikagnimitram]
Notes:
The Mālavikāgnimitram is a Sanskrit play written by Kālidāsa. It is his first play. The play tells the story of the love of Agnimitra, the Shunga Emperor at Vidisha, for the beautiful handmaiden of his chief queen. He falls in love with the picture of an exiled servant girl named Malavika.
18. “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).
19. Which ancient Indian philosopher did not make a significant contribution to the Yogācāra philosophical tradition?
[A] Vasubandhu
[B] Dinnaga
[C] Dharmakirti
[D] Nagarjuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Nagarjuna]
Notes:
The Yogācāra is a Buddhist school’s philosophical tradition that stressed on metaphysical idealism. Nagarjuna, unlike the other philosophers Vasubandhu, Dinnaga, and Dharmakirti, was not a significant contributor to this tradition. Nagarjuna is renowned for his doctrine of “śūnyatā” (emptiness), a cornerstone of the Mahāyāna Buddhist tradition, rather than the Yogācāra tradition.
20. Which among the following schools of Hindu Philosophy is anti-ascetic and anti-mysticist ?
[A] Nyaya
[B] Vaisheshika
[C] Mimansa
[D] Samkhya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mimansa]
Notes:
Mimānsā is a Sanskrit word that means “reflection” or “critical investigation” and thus refers to a tradition of contemplation which reflected on the meanings of certain Vedic texts. It is anti-ascetic and anti-mysticist.
