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. Kavi Vatsal was a title assumed by a king from which of the following dynasties?
[A] Pushyabhuti
[B] Pallava
[C] Maurya
[D] Satavahana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Satavahana]
Notes:
Kavi Vatsal was a title taken up by King Hala who belonged to the Satavahana Dynasty. Hala is renowned for his poetical work known as Gaha Sattasai, a prominent piece in Prakrit literature. The Satavahana Dynasty, also known as the Andhras in Deccan, lasted from the 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE and made a significant contribution to Indian architecture, religion, culture, and society.
12. The Elephanta caves have been mostly ascribed to which among the following dynasty?
[A] Chalukyas
[B] Cholas
[C] Rasthrakutas
[D] Pallavas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rasthrakutas]
Notes:
Rashtrakuta dynasty is credited with building the Elephanta caves. The caves were constructed by cutting the walls of high basalt rock walls. The caves are located on an island in the Sea of Oman, close to Bombay. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contain a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva.
The caves were completed in the second quarter of the 6th century. Contemporary scholars attribute the caves to king Krishnaraja of the Kalachuri dynasty. The caves were commissioned by the warrior king Pulakeshin II of the Chalukyas of the Badami dynasty.
The island was known as Gharapuri, or “place of caves”, in ancient times. The name Elephanta was given by 16th-century Portuguese explorers after seeing a monolithic basalt sculpture of an elephant near the entrance.
13. Who is the author of the ancient Sanskrit text Kavirahasya?
[A] Halayudha
[B] Trivikrama
[C] Mufija
[D] Nalachampu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Halayudha]
Notes:
Halayudha is known to compose the Sanskrit text ‘Kavirahasya’ during the reign of Emperor Krishna III of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. This valuable work provides an exhaustive list of Sanskrit verbs and their meanings, thus making significant contributions to the field of Sanskrit grammar. Halayudha’s efforts remain recognized for their complicacy and accuracy in understanding the life and language of ancient India.
14. Who among the following ruler of Utpal dynasty founded a new city Avantipur?
[A] Lalitaditya Muktapida
[B] Sangam Raj
[C] Avantivarman
[D] Durlabahaka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Avantivarman]
Notes:
The ruler of Utpal dynasty, Avantivarman ruled Kashmir during 855 AD to 883 AD. He founded a new city Avantipur (Bantipur) and built a town Suryapura. His court was adorned by two famous poets, Ratnakar and Anandavardhana.
15. In “Kumarasambhava” , the famous work of Kalidasa, who among the following has been referred as Kumara, whose birth has been depicted in this epic poem?
[A] Chadragupta II
[B] Bimbisara
[C] Kumaragupta
[D] Kartikeya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Kartikeya ]
Notes:
Kalidasa, in his epic “Kumarasambhava”, portrays the birth of “Kumara”, referring to Kartikeya. The story aligns with the narrative in the Kalikapurana. Kartikeya, also known as Subramanya or Murugan, is a Hindu god, the son of Shiva and Parvati, and is popularly worshipped in South India and by Tamil communities across the world.
16. With reference to the computation of the time, the audayika system and ardharaatrika system were devised by ___:
[A] Aryabhatta
[B] Varahmihira
[C] Brahamgupta
[D] Nagarjuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Aryabhatta]
Notes:
Aryabahata was the first Indian astronomer to state that the Earth is spherical and rotates on its axis. He went on to explain that the apparent daily east- west motion of the sun, moon, planets, and stars is due to the rotation of the Earth from west to east. He introduced two systems for reckoning time: (1) the audayika system, from sunrise to next sunrise, and (2) the ardharaatrika system, that is, midnight to midnight (sidereal time). The time for one sidereal rotation of the Earth is given as 23h 56m 4.1s (modern value: 23h 56m 4.091s). Responsible for the Indian mathematical renaissance, Aryabhata set the pattern and tone of modern mathematical investigations.
17. In which year, Kalinga War was fought?
[A] 263 B.C
[B] 260 B.C
[C] 261 B.C
[D] 262 B.C
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [261 B.C]
Notes:
The Kalinga War was fought in 261 BC. The war was fought between Ashoka, the Mauryan Emperor, and the ruler of the State of Kalinga. The war was completed in the eighth year of Ashoka’s reign.
The Kalinga War was one of the most famous and bloodiest battles in world history. The war resulted in the deaths of 1,000,000 people, 150,000 captured, and an additional 1,000,000 died as a result of the conflict. The war was a turning point in Ashoka’s life. He vowed never to make war again and decided to devote the rest of his life to the spread of Dharma.
18. Who was the prime minister of Nandas?
[A] Chanakya
[B] Nanda
[C] Raksas
[D] Asoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Raksas]
Notes:
Raksas was the prime minister of the Nandas, whom Chandragupta defeated with the help of Chanakya. Chandragupta ruled from 322-298 BC. He was succeded by his son Bindusara.
19. Where was India’s first civilization settled?
[A] Deccan
[B] Indus Valley
[C] Ganges Plain
[D] Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indus Valley]
Notes:
The Indus Civilization flourished between circa 2600 and 1800 B.C. along the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra rivers and adjacent regions,laying the foundation for the civilization of the peoples of South Asia.
20. At which of the following places the First Buddhist Council took place? (UPSC Prelims 1990)
[A] Rajagriha
[B] Pataliputra
[C] Jalandhara
[D] Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajagriha]
Notes:
According to the scriptures of all Buddhist schools, the first Buddhist Council was held soon after the death of the Buddha.It was dated by the majority of recent scholars around 400 BCE. It took place under the patronage of the king Ajatashatru with the monk Mahakasyapa presiding, at Sattapanni caves, Rajgriha.
