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 Pala rulers is known to have founded the Vikramshila Vihara?
[A] Gopala
[B] Devpala
[C] Dharampala
[D] Mahendrapala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dharampala]
Notes:
Dharamapala, the second ruler of Pala dynasty was a pious Buddhist King and is best known for establishing the Vikramshila University.
Dharampala had also built a Vihara at Somapuri, another at Paharpur and yet another Vihara at Odantapuri. The five places viz. Nalanda, Vikramshila, Somapuri, Paharpur and Odantapuri are called Five Mahaviharas. Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed the Vikramshila University in 1200 AD. Somapura Mahavihara is now located in Bangladesh. It is one of the best known Mahaviharas of Buddhism in Indian subcontinent and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
12. The Taxila or Takshashila was located between following two rivers ?
[A] Indus & Jhelum
[B] Jhelum & Chenab
[C] Chenab & Ravi
[D] Chenab & Beas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indus & Jhelum]
Notes:
Taxila is located in between River Indus and Hydaspes, river Hydaspes is now known as river Jhelum it is a tributary of river Indus. It is located in Rawalpindi,Punjab.
13. Which of the following group represents right combination of Triratnas of Jainism?
[A] Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Thought
[B] Right Thought, Right Action, Right Conduct
[C] Right Faith, Right Knowledge , Right Conduct
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Right Faith, Right Knowledge , Right Conduct]
Notes:
The triratnas are the three jewels (also referred to as ratnatraya) are understood as samyagdarshana (“right faith”), samyagjnana (“right knowledge”), and samyakcharitra (“right conduct”). One of the three cannot exist exclusive of the others, and all are required for spiritual liberation.
14. What was the meaning of Visthi in the Gupta Era?
[A] Religious Functionaries
[B] Forced Labor
[C] Prostitutes
[D] Police
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Forced Labor]
Notes:
In the Gupta Era, the term Vishti referred to Forced labor. The empire obtained their percentage of the material surplus through the power of arms in the kind of taxes like Shulka, Bali and Kar etc., forced labor like Balutam and Vishti, and other perquisites.
15. 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.
16. Preservation of the genealogies of the gods, Risis and famous kings, is the duty of the Sutas or bards. Which among the following says this ?
[A] Vishnu Puran
[B] Vayu Puran
[C] Skand Puran
[D] Skand Puran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vayu Puran]
Notes:
The Vayu Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas of Hinduism.The Vayu Purana discusses its theories of cosmology, genealogy of gods and kings of solar and lunar dynasties, mythology, geography, manvantaras, the solar system and the movements of the celestial bodies. It talks about Preservation of the genealogies of the gods, Risis and famous kings, is the duty of the Sutas or bards.
17. Which of the following works credits ‘Pushyabhuti’ as the founder of the Vardhana dynasty ?
[A] Harshacharita
[B] Banskhera Inscription of Harsha
[C] Yuan-Chwang
[D] Kadambari
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Harshacharita]
Notes:
The Harshacharita, is the biography of Indian emperor Harsha by Banabhatta,.The Pushyabhuti dynasty, also known as the Pushpabhuti dynasty or Vardhana dynasty, ruled parts of northern India during 6th and 7th centuries. Harshacharita credits ‘Pushyabhuti’ as the founder of the Vardhana dynasty.
18. The Bodhisattva Doctrine is associated with _?
[A] Mahayana Buddhism
[B] Hinayana Buddhism
[C] Vajrayana Buddhism
[D] Theravada Buddhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mahayana Buddhism]
Notes:
Bodhisattva is the Sanskrit term associated to Mahayana Buddhism. A bodhisattva is who follows the ideal of the Mahayana, aims at the highest Good for himself and also for others and is motivated by great compassion and has generated bodhicitta and wish to attain buddhahood.
19. In which of the following places, Buddha attained enlightment?
[A] Sarnath
[B] Bodhgaya
[C] Kapilvastu
[D] Rajgriha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bodhgaya]
Notes:
The Bodhi Tree was a large and ancient sacred fig tree located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, under which Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher who became known as the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment or Bodhi.
20. Which king adopted titles such as Param Bhagaveta and Maharajadhiraja Sri Bhattaraka?
[A] Chandragupta II
[B] Asoka
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Samudragupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chandragupta II]
Notes:
Chandragupta II also adopted an important title, Vikramaditya. Maharajadhiraja meant king of kings.All these titles are symbol of his strength and courage.
