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. “Gayatri Mantra” has been mentioned in which of the Vedas?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rigveda]
Notes:
Gayatri Mantra comes from the third Mandala of the Rigveda. This Mandala has 62 hymns, mainly to Agni and Indra. It is one of the “family books” (mandalas 2-7), the oldest core of the Rigveda. This Mandala also mentions Kikats, a non-Aryan tribe, which most scholars agree that was resident of somewhere in near Magadha in modern Bihar.
12. Milinda-Panho is a pali text which record discussion between Milinda and Nagsena. Milinda was a ________?
[A] Satvahan King
[B] Shunga King
[C] Indo Greek Ruler
[D] Nanda king
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indo Greek Ruler]
Notes:
The Milinda Panho is a Buddhist text which dates from sometime between 100 BC and 200 CE. It records a dialogue between the Buddhist sage Nāgasena, and the Indo-Greek king Menander.
13. Which among the following sites of Indus Valley Civilization marks the “Absence of Mother goddess figurines” ?
[A] Lothal
[B] Kalibangan
[C] Rangpur
[D] Harappa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rangpur]
Notes:
No seal or image of mother goddess has been found at Rangpur.
14. Which among the following is considered to be the official law book of the Guptas?
[A] Manusmriti
[B] Parashara Smriti
[C] Yajnavalkya Smriti
[D] Vyasa Smriti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yajnavalkya Smriti]
Notes:
Yajnavalkyasmriti, which is almost regarded as the official law book of Guptas, was composed also in Gupta era.
15. Which of the following serve as first evidence that Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini?
[A] Records of Fa Hien
[B] Records of Huen Tsang
[C] Pillar of Asoka
[D] Writings of Ashwaghoasha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pillar of Asoka]
Notes:
Nigrodharama, a Buddhist Monastery close to Kapilavastu, where Buddha used to live when visiting Kapilavastu. The main evidence that Buddha was born in Lumbini,Nepal is the Ashoka Pillar which is still at Lumbini. Every year number of tourist visit the birth place of Gautam Buddha i.e. Kapilvastu District, Nepal.
16. During the early Vedic period, which of the following priests served as presiding priest during ritual sacrifices?
[A] Hotr
[B] adhvaryu
[C] Udgatr
[D] Brahmin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Hotr]
Notes:
hotr was the presiding priest, with perhaps only the adhvaryu as his assistant in the earliest time.
17. Which of the following was not one of the things Asoka did for his people during his rule?
[A] Make stone pillars across India
[B] Send missionaries to Sri Lanka
[C] Set up food banks in poor towns
[D] Plant banyan trees by the roads
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Set up food banks in poor towns]
Notes:
After making a public speech calling everyone in his kingdom his children, he set out to help them. He began by building roads, rest hourses, hospitals and by making stone pillars with virtues on them, planting mango groves, and making shelters. He also became a vegetarian and limited Hindu animal sacrifices, but encouraged a tolerance in religion.
18. Which of the following rulers welcomed Magasthenes? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1981)
[A] Ashoka
[B] Harsha
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Vikramaditya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chandragupta Maurya]
Notes:
Chandragupta Maurya welcomed Magasthenes. A clear picture of his Maurya administration is derived from two most important sources of history, namely, Kautilya’s Arthasastra and the Indika of Megasthenes.
19. In which one of the following inscriptions is Ashoka mentioned by name? (UPSC Prelims 1990)
[A] Major Rock edict at Girnar
[B] Minor Rock inscription at Maski
[C] Bairat inscription
[D] Lamghan inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Minor Rock inscription at Maski]
Notes:
The Maski inscriptions were found in Maski village in the Raichur district of Karnataka. These inscriptions are etched on a boulder and cave walls in Brahmi script. The significance of the Maski inscriptions is that they provided definitive evidence linking Ashoka to the title “Devanampriya” (Beloved of the Gods). The text includes the name “Devanampriya Ashoka”, clearly establishing the connection. Other inscriptions like the Gujarra Rock Edict from Madhya Pradesh do mention titles like “Devanampiya Piyadasi Asokaraja”.
20. Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India? (UPSC Prelims 1997)
[A] Chaturvedimangalam
[B] Parishad
[C] Ashtadikgaja
[D] Manigrama
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Manigrama]
Notes:
A manigramam was a large, influential guild of South Indian merchants during the period of Western Chalukyan rulers in 10th – 12th Century CE.
