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 has been described by Banabhatta as “a lion to the Huna deer’?
[A] Harshavardhana
[B] Prabhakarvardhana
[C] Grahavarmana
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prabhakarvardhana]
Notes:
An important ruling family to gain prominence after the fall of the Gupta was that of the Pushyabhutis who had their capital at Thanesar (Thanesvara in Kurukshetra). The dynasty became influential with the accession of Prabhakarvardhana, who was able to defeat the Hunas and strengthen his position in the regions of Punjab and Haryana. After his death, his elder son Rajyavardhana came to the throne but he was treacherously killed by Shashanka, the king of Bengal and Bihar. Harshavardhana then ascended the throne in AD 606. He was only sixteen years of age at that time. Still he proved himself to be a great warrior and an able administrator
12. The following were the immediate successors of imperial Mauryas?
[A] Pandyas
[B] Kushans
[C] Nandas
[D] Sungas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sungas]
Notes:
The Shunga Empire was an ancient Indian dynasty from Magadha that controlled areas of the central and eastern Indian subcontinent from around 185 to 75 BCE. They are the immediate successors of imperial Mauryas.
13. We have read that the writing in the Indus valley Civilization was Boustrophedon. This means that ______?
[A] It was written left to right
[B] It was written right to left
[C] It was written left to right and right to left in alternate lines
[D] It was written up to down
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [It was written left to right and right to left in alternate lines]
Notes:
Boustrophedon is a type of bi-directional text, mostly seen in ancient manuscripts and other inscriptions. Every other line of writing is flipped or reversed, with reversed letters.
14. In which among the following , the first description about the Bhils , a tribe of Rajasthan was found?
[A] Vedas
[B] Brahmanas
[C] Mahabharata
[D] Puranas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brahmanas]
Notes:
In Aitareya Brahman
15. Who was the founder of Parmaras dynasty?
[A] Vakpati Munj
[B] Padmagupta
[C] Bhoja
[D] Sindhuraj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vakpati Munj]
Notes:
Vakpati Munj was the founder of Parmaras dynasty. He is said to have ruled from 993 to 995 A.D.
16. Who among the following Chola ruler assumed the title of Gangaikondachola?
[A] Kulottunga I
[B] Rajaraja I
[C] Arinjaya
[D] Rajendra I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rajendra I ]
Notes:
The Chola ruler Rajendra I assumed the title of Gangaikondachola (the Chola who took the Ganges) when he 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).
17. Who among the following was not a writer of legal texts?
[A] Yajnavalkya
[B] Manu
[C] Narada
[D] Bharavi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Narada]
Notes:
Narada is a Vedic sage, famous in Hindu traditions as a traveling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He appears in a number of Hindu texts, notably the Mahabharata as Vidur and the Ramayana as Vibhishan, as well as in the Puranas.
18. The famous dialogue between, Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in which of the following writings?
[A] Chhandogyopanishad
[B] Mundakopanishad
[C] Kathopanishad
[D] Kenopanishad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kathopanishad]
Notes:
Kathopanishad is the conversation between Nachiketa and Yamraj (God of death). Nachiketa was a seeker, and Yamraj was a Guru (knower of secrets). The Katha Upanishad is one of the mukhya Upanishads, embedded in the last short eight sections of the Kaṭha school of the Krishna Yajurveda. It is also known as Kāṭhaka Upanishad, and is listed as number 3 in the Muktika canon of 108 Upanishads.
19. 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.
20. What is the reason for the spread of Harappan culture and settlement of new colonies in far off places?
[A] the population expansion
[B] to meet their religious obligations
[C] to safeguard their security concerns
[D] their desire to colonise
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [the population expansion]
Notes:
The primary reason attributed by scholars for the spread of Harappan culture across the Northwestern subcontinent establishing new settlements in Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan apart from the Indus core was population expansion and migration from original urban centers like Harappa triggered by accumulating surplus manpower and resources. The secondary colonies expanded trade networks, tapped resources from new regions while decentralization eased supply burdens on the chief cities as the civilization peaked.
