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. The famous Konark Sun temple was built by whom?
[A] Narshimhadeva I
[B] Angabhima deva I
[C] Konkanivarman
[D] Narsimhavarman II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Narshimhadeva I]
Notes:
The 13th-century famous Konark Sun temple was built by King Narshimhadeva I (of the Eastern Ganga dynasty) at Konark, Odisha around AD1250.
12. 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.
13. Who was the first royal convert to Buddhism?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Asoka
[C] Ajatashatru
[D] Bimbisara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ajatashatru]
Notes:
Ajatashatru was the first royal convert to Buddhism. Ajatashatru was a king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha in East India. He was the son of King Bimbisara and was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Gautama Buddha.
14. Gupta architecture is represented by many brick temples and the temple of Bhitargaon is most notable for its well preserved and moulded bricks of excellent design, this temple has?
[A] A tall Gopuram
[B] A Pyramidal roof
[C] An Apsidal plan
[D] Double basement
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A Pyramidal roof]
Notes:
The Bhitargaon Temple is a terraced brick building fronted with a terracotta panel. Built in the 5th century during the Gupta period, it is the oldest remaining brick/terracotta Hindu shrine with a pyramidal roof and a high shikhara, though its upper chamber did sustain some damage in the 18th century.
15. Vidhushaka, a common character in Sanskrit drama, belongs to which of the following categories?
[A] Brahmana
[B] Kshatriya
[C] Vaisya
[D] Shudra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brahmana]
Notes:
In classical Sanskrit drama, Vidushaka is essentially a Brahmin and is a confident / attendent of the Hero. Despite being educated in Sanskrit, he speaks in Prakrit, the vernacular language of the time. Bharata mentions him along with the principal characters in his Natyasastra.
16. Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Ashoka?
[A] Kalsi
[B] Rummindei
[C] Special Kalinga Edict
[D] Maski
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maski]
Notes:
Maski inscription at Raichur doab in Karnataka mentions his personal name, Devanam Priyadasi. Maski derives its name from Mahasangha. The site came into prominence with the discovery of a minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka by C. Beadon in 1915. It was the first edict of Emperor Ashoka that contained the name Ashoka in it instead of the earlier edicts that referred him as Devanampiye piyadasi.
17. Giak and Kiari are Neolithic sites of:
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Ladakh
[D] Maharastra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ladakh]
Notes:
Giak and Kiari are Neolithic sites located in Union Territory of Ladakh.
18. Which of the following is found at Eran which is an example of Malwa Culture site?
[A] Horse burials
[B] Rampart along with a ditch
[C] Megaliths
[D] Microlith tools
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Rampart along with a ditch ]
Notes:
Major sites of Malwa Culture include Daimabad, Inamgaon, Kayatha, Nagda, Vidisha, Eran, Mandsaur, and Navdatoli (near Maheshwar). A massive fortification wall and a moat have been discovered at Eran
19. Which one of the following metals made its earliest appearance in India before any other place in the world?
[A] Copper
[B] Gold
[C] Tin
[D] Silver
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Silver]
Notes:
Silver made its earliest known appearance in the region historically known as India before any other part of the ancient world according to current evidence. Ornaments, beads, vessels, and figurines of nearly pure silver have been discovered from Harappan Phase sites. Silver mines located in northwest India supplied the material that skilled metal smiths fashioned into prestigious goods signaling wealth. The technology spread beyond South Asia later.
20. Which of the following Harappan sites has shown the evidence of pit-dwellings?
[A] Burzahom
[B] Sarai Khola
[C] Gufkral
[D] All the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All the above]
Notes:
Several Harappan phase small rural settlements have revealed remains of pit-dwellings, including Burzahom near Srinagar, Nageen in Baluchistan, several sites in Haryana like Farmana, and Gufkral in Kashmir among others spanning the civilization’s territory. These were structures built partially underground for insulation and represented a more basic accommodation for semi-nomadic pastoral communities on the periphery, contrasting the brick houses and planned drainage system of metropolitan Harappan cities.
