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 succeeded Samudragupta as the next ruler of Gupta Dynasty ?
[A] Chandragupta II
[B] Chandragupta I
[C] Vishnugupta
[D] Mahendra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Chandragupta II ]
Notes:
Chandragupta ll (380-412 A.D.) succeeded Samundragupta as the next ruler of Gupta dynasty. He was also known as Devgupta, Devraj and Devshree. Some titled he adopted were : Vikramank, Vikramaditya and Parambhagawat.
12. The last ruler of the Mauryan Dynasty, who was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga, his commander-in-chief was __ ?
[A] Bindusara
[B] Chandragupta
[C] Brihadrata
[D] Ashokavardhan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Brihadrata ]
Notes:
Brihadrata was assassinated in 185 BCE during a military parade, by the commander-in-chief of his guard, the Brahmin general Pusyamitra Sunga, who then took over the throne and established the Sunga dynasty. Brihadrata, the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty, held territories that had shrunk considerably from the time of emperor Ashoka, although he still upheld the Buddhist faith.
13. Who was the first Indo-Greek king, who became Buddhist?
[A] Antiochus II
[B] Apollodotus I
[C] Apollodotus II
[D] Menander II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Menander II ]
Notes:
Menander II was the Indo-Greek king who established a large empire in the South Asia and became a patron of Buddhism.
14. Which among the following site has yielded the cultural remains from Neolithic to Harappan era?
[A] Dholavira
[B] Mohenjo-Daro
[C] Harappa
[D] Mehrgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mehrgarh]
Notes:
Mehrgarh is the oldest agricultural settlement in the Indian subcontinent Agriculture-based Neolithic settlements. Despite being the agriculture settlement, it used only stone tools, so is why placed in Neolithic Era. It flourished in the seventh millennium B.C. Mehrgarh is located on the Bolan River, a tributary of the Indus, at the eastern edge of the Balochistan plateau overlooking the Indus plain.
15. 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).
16. What was the correct rank of “Baladhikarana” in the Gupta Age?
[A] Head of Army
[B] Head of State Police Department
[C] Head of cavalry
[D] Head of intelligence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Head of Army]
Notes:
“Baladhikarana” in the Gupta Age is the Head of the army. The Gupta Empire is referred to as the Golden Age of India because of the extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy that illuminated the elements of Hindu Culture.
17. Who are the mother, wife, and daughter of Emperor Asoka respectively?
[A] Mahadevi, Subhadrangi, Sanghmitra
[B] Subhadrangi, Mahadevi, Sanghmitra
[C] Mahadevi, Sanghamitra, Subhadrangi
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Subhadrangi, Mahadevi, Sanghmitra]
Notes:
Emperor Asoka, who ruled most of India after the Maurya Dynasty, was born to his mother, Subhadrangi. He was married to Mahadevi and they had a daughter named Sanghmitra. Asoka is known for his significant contributions to Buddhism.
18. Which of the following religious text is written in the form of questions and answers?
[A] Vinaya Pitaka
[B] Sutta Pitaka
[C] Abhidhamma Pitaka
[D] Prakirnas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Abhidhamma Pitaka]
Notes:
The Abhidhamma Pitaka is a detailed scholastic analysis and summary of the Buddha’s teachings in the Suttas. Everything written in this is in the form of question and answer.
19. Which among the following is also called encyclopedia of Buddhism?
[A] Buddhacharita
[B] Mahavibhasa
[C] Milinda Panho
[D] Vinayapitaka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahavibhasa]
Notes:
Abhidharma-mahavibhasa known as Mahavibhaṣa, is a Vaibhashika written treatise on Sarvastivada abhidharma. It translated into Chinese by the scholar–pilgrim Xuanzang and his translation team between 656 and 659 C.E.
20. Bhagwati Sutra gives the valuable information about the life of which of the following?
[A] Buddha
[B] Mahavira
[C] Ajatshatru
[D] Meander
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahavira]
Notes:
Bhagavati Sutra, is the fifth of the 12 Jain Agamas. It said to be promulgated by Mahavira. The Bhagavati Sutra is said to have been composed by Sudharmaswami by the Svetambara school of Jainism.
