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. Vikrampura and Vijaypuri were two capitals of which among the following Sen kings?
[A] Ballal Sen
[B] Vijay Sen
[C] Samnta Sen
[D] Hemanta Sen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vijay Sen]
Notes:
Vijaya Sena is also known as Vijay Sen in vernacular literature, was the son of Hemanta Sena, and succeeded him as a Sena dynasty ruler of Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. Vikrampura and Vijaypuri were two capitals of Vijay sen.
12. Vedic mythology refers to an ancient settlement called Pushkalavati after Pushkal, who was the son of King Bharata in the epic Ramayan. What is the modern location of Pushkalavati?
[A] Panipat
[B] Pushkar
[C] Peshawar (in Pakistan)
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Peshawar (in Pakistan)]
Notes:
Pushkalavati was capital of ancient Kingdom of Gandhara. Its ruins are currently located in Charsadda, Pakistan, located in Peshawar valley in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (formerly NWFP). Pushkalavati was home of the Sanskrit grammarian Panini.
13. Which among the following best suits to Vajrasana?
[A] The place where Buddha got enlightment
[B] The Place where First Buddhist Council was held
[C] The capital of one of the clans of Athakula
[D] The site where a Mauryan Palace has been excavated
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The place where Buddha got enlightment]
Notes:
The Vajrasana is an ancient stone slab located under the Bodhi tree, directly beside the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya. It was placed at Bodhgayā by emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Empire between 250-233 BCE, at the spot where the Buddha gained enlightenment about 200 years before.
14. Which among the following Vedic Texts gives a systematic exposition of the ‘theory of rebirth’ for the first time?
[A] Chhandogya Upanishad
[B] Mundaka Upanishad
[C] Satapatha Brahmana
[D] Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chhandogya Upanishad]
Notes:
The correct answer is the Chhandogya Upanishad. This text, dating back to around 800-600 BCE, is one of the oldest Upanishads and is important for its philosophical discussions, including the concept of rebirth (punarjanma). It introduces the idea of the eternal soul (Atman) and its journey through cycles of birth and death, laying foundational thoughts for later Hindu philosophies. The Chhandogya Upanishad is also known for its exploration of the relationship between the individual soul and the universal spirit (Brahman).
15. In context of Chola administration what did “Kurram” denote?
[A] Mandalam
[B] District
[C] Mandap
[D] Group of villages
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Group of villages]
Notes:
Kurram (a group of villages) was the lowest unit of Chola administration.
16. The earliest evidence of existence of human in India was found in the _?
[A] Maikal Hills
[B] Indus Valley
[C] Narmada Valley
[D] Nallamala Hills
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Narmada Valley]
Notes:
The earliest evidence of existence of human in India had been found the banks of the Narmada at Madhya Pradesh’s Hathnora village. Narmada Human also known as Narmada Man belongs to the category of Homo erectus, preceding Homo sapiens, the modern human species. Geologist Arun Sonakia was the main person involved in this most tantalising fossil discovery of a human ancestor.
17. Which famous philosopher was also the tutor of Alexander the Great?
[A] Alfred Shred
[B] Aristotle
[C] Socrates
[D] Rousseau
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Aristotle]
Notes:
Aristotle, Greek Aristoteles was an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, one of the greatest intellectual figures of Western history. He was the the tutor of Alexander the Great.
18. 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.
19. Which of the following remains of the Gupta empire in the western Indian city of Ajanta most notable for?
[A] Cave Painting
[B] Buddhist Monastery
[C] Stone Carvings
[D] Large Temple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cave Painting]
Notes:
In the caverns of Ajanta, India, one can see the many cave paintings that were left on the walls of cave temples. The Buddhists who had their temples their painting mural of Buddhist stories and legends and also of scenes of Gupta India.
20. Toramana belongs to which of the following ethnic horde? (UPSC Prelims 1994)
[A] Scythians
[B] Hunas
[C] Yue-chis
[D] Sakas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hunas]
Notes:
King of the Huns Toramana was a ruler of the Hephthalite Empire who ruled its Indian region in the late 5th and the early 6th century. Toramana consolidated the Hephthalite power in Punjab and conquered northern and central India including Eran in Madhya Pradesh. His territory also included Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kashmir.
