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. Bhagwati sutra is related to which of the following religions?
[A] Buddhism
[B] Jainism
[C] Hinduism
[D] Sikhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jainism]
Notes:
Bhagwati sutra is the fifth of the 12 Jain Agamas said to be promulgated by Mahavira. The Bhagwati sutra is said to have been composed by Sudharmaswami by the Śvētāmbara school of Jainism.
12. 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.
13. Bhavbhuti was the royal poet of whom’s court?
[A] Yashovarma
[B] Samudragupta
[C] Laxmana sena
[D] Mahipala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Yashovarma]
Notes:
Bhavbhuti was the court poet of famous Maukhari king Yashovarma ( of Kannauj) who ruled around 730 AD. The works attributed to poet Bhavbhuti viz Mahaviracharita(depicting the early life of Rama), Malatimadhava a play based on the romance of Malati and Madhava and Uttararamacharita (depicts Rama’s coronation, the abandonment of Sita and their reunion).
14. During the times of which among the following, the first cave temples were constructed in the chaitya and vihara architectural styles?
[A] Shaka
[B] Satavahana
[C] Kushana
[D] Maurya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Satavahana]
Notes:
It was in the Satavahana domains that the first cave temples were constructed in the chaitya and vihara architectural styles, which paved theway for later architectural forms.
15. Sitabena and Jogimara, which are known to be among world’s oldest surviving theatres, are located in which state?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Bihar
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Sitabena and Jogimara are located in the Surguja district of Chhattisgarh. The caves are located on Ramgarh hill, near the village of Ramgarh. The hills have many caves, but the Sitabenga and Jogimara caves are the most important and frequently visited.
The caves are ancient monuments with non-religious inscriptions in the Magadhi language and Brahmi script. They also have eight panels of murals, but they have become faded.
The excavated ruins at the caves are said to represent the world’s oldest amphitheatres.
16. Who was the first royal convert to Buddhism?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Asoka
[C] Ajatashatru
[D] Bimbisara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ajatashatru]
Notes:
Ajatashatru was the first royal convert to Buddhism. Ajatashatru was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha in East India. He was the son of King Bimbisara and was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha.
17. Who among the following wrote ‘Nyaya Sutra’?
[A] Vyasa
[B] Kapila
[C] Gautama
[D] Charaka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gautama]
Notes:
The Nyaya Sutras is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text composed by Aksapada Gautam and the foundational text of the Nyaya school of Hindu philosophy.. The Nyaya-sutras is attributed to Gautama, who was the principal author.
18. Chanakya, was also known by which of the following names?
[A] Bhattasvamin
[B] Rajasekhara
[C] Vishnugupta
[D] Visakhadatta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vishnugupta]
Notes:
Chanakya was also known as Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta. He was an Indian teacher, philosopher, and royal adviser. He was initially a professor of economics and political science at the ancient Takshashila University in Takshashila.
19. Which Harappan pottery is said to be the earliest example of its kind in the world?
[A] Glazed
[B] Knobbed
[C] Perforated
[D] Polychrome
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Glazed]
Notes:
The glazed steatite pottery found from Harappan sites is considered the earliest example of glazed pottery in the world. It is thinner than most other pottery and also lacks conventional surface treatment of red slip and buff surface. Instead, a thin layer of silica was fused to the body during the firing process in the kiln, which gave the pottery a smooth, glassy and shiny surface. Their technique of firing pottery reached high levels of sophistication.
20. Which Harappan work is known for most beautiful brick-work of the Harappans?
[A] temple-like structure
[B] fire altars
[C] great bath
[D] dockyard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [great bath]
Notes:
Great Bath located in the citadel area of Mohenjo-daro is known for its finely crafted brickwork showcasing the architectural skills of the Harappans. It measures 12 meters long, 7 meters wide and was sunk more than 2 meters deep below the ground, lined with bitumen for waterproofing. The bathing pool itself was made water tight by finely fitted bricks and drainage system. The site itself has buildings made from millions of bricks which point to highly standardized production and quality control.