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. In which state of India is located the ancient trading depot of Bharukaccha?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Maharastra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
Bharuch derives its name from the great sage Bhrigu and the original name of Bharuch was ‘Bhrigukachchha’
12. Rigveda was written during which among the following ages?
[A] Stone age
[B] Copper age
[C] Iron age
[D] All the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Iron age]
Notes:
Rig-Veda is known as the oldest religious text in the world. It is also known as “First testament” of mankind. It was composed around 1700 BC. Last hymns were composed between 1500-1200 BC. It’s a collection of hymns by a number of priest families. It is organized in 10 books which are called Mandalas
13. Kena Upanishad is of which of the following Vedas?
[A] Rig Veda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharva veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Samaveda]
Notes:
“Ken” literally means ‘by whom’. It belongs to the Talavakara Brahmana of Sama Veda and is therefore also referred to as Talavakara Upanishad.
14. 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.
15. Who erected the Garuda pillar inscription of Besnagar in modern Madhya Pradesh?
[A] Heliodorus
[B] Vijayamitra
[C] Kanishka
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Heliodorus]
Notes:
The Bhagavata cult is also known as Heliodorus pillar. It is a stone column that was erected around 113 BCE in central India in Besnagar (near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh). The temple and the inscriptions are among the earliest known evidence of these pillar capitals, found near the Heliodorus pillar, suggests the Bhagavata cult.
16. Which of the following Chinese pilgrim gives account of the First Gupta Ruler?
[A] Fa Hien
[B] Huen Tsang
[C] Itsing
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Itsing]
Notes:
Yijing or I-tsing, was a Tang-era Chinese Buddhist monk famed as a traveler and translator. His account of his travels is an important source for the history of the medieval kingdoms along the sea route between China and India. He gave account of the first gupta ruler Srigupta.
17. Which of the following facts about Chandragupta is true?
[A] He called his people children.
[B] He trained women to protect his palace.
[C] He converted to Buddhism and rejected war.
[D] He had stone pillars set up through India with Buddhist inscriptions on them.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [He trained women to protect his palace.]
Notes:
Chandragupta was perhaps one of the most anxious emperors, and he particularly feared being killed. As well as training woman to be guards and putting them to protect the palace, he also had servants taste his food to protect him from poisoning and made secret palaces in the palace to protect him from being harmed if ever his palace was invaded.
18. The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has which of the following subjects?
[A] a conflict between Gods and Demons of ancient Hindu lore
[B] a romantic story of an Aryan prince and a tribal woman
[C] the story of the power struggle between two Aryan tribes
[D] the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya]
Notes:
The Mudrarakshasa (“The Signet of the Minister”), a historical play in Sanskrit by Vishakhadatta (4th century CE) narrates the ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in Northern India.
19. At which of the following Harappan sites Bone tools, which are not indigenous to India, were found?
[A] Chirand
[B] Gufkral
[C] Burzahom
[D] All the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All the above]
Notes:
Bone tools have been unearthed at the Harappan sites of Chirand, Gufkral and Burzahom, which were likely imported from outside. Evidence shows links between Harappans and Neolithic people farther west in Afghanistan and Central Asia where bone tool technology was common, but not prevalent in early farming cultures of North India. The presence of non-local raw materials like lapis lazuli also indicate the Harappans were well connected to other cultures and established extensive trade networks.
20. Which Indus city shows the evidence of burying a male and a female together in a single grave?
[A] Chanhudaro
[B] Amri
[C] Munda
[D] Lothal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lothal]
Notes:
In Lothal, a twin burial shows a young male and female buried together with ornaments like beads, bangles, etc. This is the only unambiguous evidence of the practice of sati in Harappan culture – though scholars debate whether it suggests coercion or honour.
