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. Which among the following is considered to be the official law book of the Guptas?
[A] Manusmriti
[B] Parashara Smriti
[C] Yajnavalkya Smriti
[D] Vyasa Smriti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yajnavalkya Smriti]
Notes:
The Yajnavalkya Smriti is one of the Dharma-related texts of Hinduism composed in Sanskrit. It is dated to between the 3rd to 5th-century CE, and belongs to the Dharmasastras tradition. It was the official law book of the Guptas.
12. The Hindu and Jain mythology refer to which among the following as the centre of the universe?
[A] Mount Kailas
[B] Ujjain
[C] Mount Meru
[D] Pushkar Lake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mount Meru]
Notes:
Mount Meru or Sumeru is a sacred five-peaked mountain in the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist cosmology. It is considered to be the centre of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes.
13. In which among the following Mahajanapada, Lord Buddha attained parinirvana?
[A] Anga
[B] Magadha
[C] Malla
[D] Vatsa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Malla]
Notes:
Buddha attained Niravana at Kushinagara, a village some 180 Kilometers from Varanasi and it was in the state of Mallas.
14. What is denoted by the term nishka, which meant an ornament in the Vedic period? (UPSC Prelims 1993)
[A] Weapon
[B] agricultural implement
[C] script
[D] coin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [coin]
Notes:
Nishka is the word used to refer an ornament in Vedic period. But in later times it is referred to represent a coin majorly gold coin.
15. Who among the following anticipated Newton by declaring that all things gravitate to the earth? (UPSC Prelims 1995)
[A] Aryabhata
[B] Varahamihira
[C] Buddhagupta
[D] Brahmagupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Brahmagupta]
Notes:
Brahmagupta was an Indian mathematician and astronomer who had written numerous important books on mathematics and astronomy. He anticipated Newton by declaring that all things gravitate to the earth.
16. In which of the following places Ochre Coloured Pottery culture (OCP) is mainly found?
[A] Western UP
[B] Bengal
[C] Bihar
[D] Eastern UP
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Western UP ]
Notes:
The Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) culture, a Bronze Age culture in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, existed between 2000–1500 BCE. It extended from eastern Punjab to northeastern Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh. The OCP artifacts show similarities with both the Late Harappan and Vedic cultures. Archaeologist Akinori Uesugi considers it a continuation of the earlier Harappan Bara style, while Parpola suggests that the presence of carts in this culture may indicate an Indo-Iranian migration into the Indian subcontinent, interacting with Late Harappans. The OCP represents the final stage of the North Indian Bronze Age, followed by the Painted Grey Ware culture and Northern Black Polished Ware.
17. Which of the following is a Neolithic site from North-East India?
[A] Taradih
[B] Chirand
[C] Senuar
[D] Sarutaru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Sarutaru ]
Notes:
Sarutaru is a Neolithic site located in Kamrup district of Assam.In the given options Taradih, Chirand and Senuar are pre historic sites located in Bihar.
18. Which is the only Indus city whose citadel and lower town are together surrounded by its city brick walls?
[A] Kalibangan
[B] Lothal
[C] Dholavira
[D] Shortughai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lothal]
Notes:
Lothal in modern day Gujarat is the only Indus city whose ruins clearly show an outer wall of baked bricks surrounding both its citadel mound and lower town. This indicates organized town planning with a defensive brick perimeter wall to protect the residents. Lothal was likely an important trade center and bead making industry location. The uniform organization of houses, streets, drainage system also tell about their efficient civic administration and governance practiced four thousand years ago.
19. In which of the following Harappan people achieved maximum amount of standardisation ?
[A] Seals
[B] Scripts
[C] Bricks
[D] pottery
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bricks]
Notes:
Bricks were the building component that showed the highest extent of standardization among Harappans. With dimensions of 7 x 14 x 28 cm, ratio of 1:2:4, they reveal the use of uniform moulds and prevalent building codes. Facilitating organized mass production, such bricks helped in the creation of remarkably alike houses, drains, walls within cities.
20. The chief of Rig Vedic tribal society was known as?
[A] Mahisi
[B] Gopati
[C] Kulapa
[D] None of the
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gopati]
Notes:
The chief of Aryan society (rajan) was known as the Gopati or Gopa which means the protector of cows whereas the chief queen was called the Mahisi. The society was somewhat monarchical in form.