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. Savatthi was capital of which among the 16 Mahajanpadas?
[A] Kasi
[B] Kosala
[C] Matsya
[D] Anga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kosala]
Notes:
Sravasti was the capital of Kosala . There are 16 Mahajanapadas. The Mahajanapadas represent the state system of 600BC. The processes of emergence of Mahajanpadas were initiated by certain important economic changes.
12. Which among the following veda has been described as “Braham Veda”?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharavaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Atharavaveda]
Notes:
Atharava Veda is known as Brahma Veda because it is recited by the Brahma priest in the Yajna and also because there are deliberations about Brahman, which is the ultimate reality according to Vedanta.
13. Where was Second Buddhist Council held ?
[A] Satparni
[B] Vaishali
[C] Patliputra
[D] Kundal Vana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vaishali]
Notes:
Second Buddhist Council was held in 383 BC to settle a dispute on Vinaya Pitaka, the code of discipline. The Buddhism sects Sthaviravada, Mahasanghika and Sarvastivada appeared for the first time after this meeting. It was held at Vaishali under the patronage of King Kalasoka and the presidency of Sabakami.
14. Rigveda Samhita denotes one-fourth of its hymns to:
[A] Rudra
[B] Marut
[C] Agni
[D] Indra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Indra]
Notes:
The Goddess or the Mother , The Sun ( Surya), the rain God (Varuna), the King of Gods with his thunderbolt ( Indra), Fire God ( Agni) were the main Gods for Indus Valley Civilization.
15. Which ancient Indian philosopher did not make a significant contribution to the Yogācāra philosophical tradition?
[A] Vasubandhu
[B] Dinnaga
[C] Dharmakirti
[D] Nagarjuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Nagarjuna]
Notes:
The Yogācāra is a Buddhist school’s philosophical tradition that stressed on metaphysical idealism. Nagarjuna, unlike the other philosophers Vasubandhu, Dinnaga, and Dharmakirti, was not a significant contributor to this tradition. Nagarjuna is renowned for his doctrine of “śūnyatā” (emptiness), a cornerstone of the Mahāyāna Buddhist tradition, rather than the Yogācāra tradition.
16. 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.
17. Which of the following is not the characteristic of Neolithic period? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1980)
[A] Agriculture
[B] Use of copper
[C] Domestication of animals
[D] Fishing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Use of copper]
Notes:
The term Neolithic Period refers to the last stage of the Stone Age when cereal cultivation and animal domestication was introduced. Towards the end of the Neolithic era, copper metallurgy is introduced, which marks a transition period to the Bronze Age, sometimes referred to as the Chalcolithic or Eneolithic Era.
18. In which of the following Harappan sites archaeologists discovered a middle town, as distinct from the citadel and the lower town?
[A] Harappa
[B] Mohenjadaro
[C] Kalibangan
[D] Dholavira
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Dholavira]
Notes:
At the Harappan site of Dholavira located in modern day Gujarat, archaeologists discovered a middle town between the citadel and lower town. This demonstrates a unique three-part hierarchical model of urban planning not seen at other major Harappan cities. Dholavira was also notable for its complex water management system including channels and reservoirs to conserve rainwater. Recent excavations have uncovered a signboard with ten large letters of the Harappan script that may provide clues to help decipher this unsolved script.
19. From which of the following country Harappans imported semiprecious stone Turquoise?
[A] Badakshan
[B] Persia
[C] Central Asia
[D] Arabia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Persia]
Notes:
Turquoise, a popular semi-precious blue-green colored gemstone, was imported by the Harappans from ancient Persia (modern Iran). Along with lapis lazuli from Badakhshan province, these stones were highly valued for ornamental purposes and seal carving. Evidence of long distance trade in precious items is indicated by finds at Bampur in Persia where carnelian beads, jars and goblets typical of the Indus Valley were found in exchange. Commercial transactions were facilitated by a standardized system of weights.
20. Events which occurred before the invention of writing come under which of the following?
[A] Prehistory
[B] Proto-history
[C] History
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Prehistory]
Notes:
Event that occurred before the invention of writing are considered the domain of prehistory. It is generally represented by the three stone ages. History is usually divided into pre-history, proto-history, and history.
