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 Mahajanpada was located on the junction of two famous ancient Indian Trade routes – Uttarpatha and Dakshinpatha?
[A] Matsya
[B] Surasena
[C] Avanti
[D] Anga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Surasena]
Notes:
Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha were two trade routes of ancient India. Mathura was located at the junction of these two famous trade routes. Shurasena was an ancient Yadava ruler of Mathura after whom the Surasena Kingdom or mahajanpada and the Yadava sept of Surasenas were named.
13. Which Buddhist council was held during the reign of Kanishka?
[A] 1st
[B] 2nd
[C] 3rd
[D] 4th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [4th]
Notes:
The Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kundalvana, Kashmir in 72 AD under the patronage of Kushan king Kanishka and the president of this council was Vasumitra, with Aśvaghosa as his deputy. This council distinctly divided the Buddhism into 2 sects Mahayan & Hinayan.
14. Who among the following is considered to organize a confederacy of 10 tribes or Kings against Sudas?
[A] Vashishta
[B] Vishawamitra
[C] Puru
[D] Agatsya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vishawamitra]
Notes:
The battle of ten kings was fought between Sudas, a Bharata king of the Tritsu family and the confederacy of ten well-known tribes- Puru, Yadu, Turvasa, Anu, Druhyu, Alina, Paktha ,Bhalanas,Shiva and Vishanin. In the bloody and decisive battle on the banks of River Purushni, the Bharatas emerged victorious. The reason behind the war is the rivalry between Vishwamitra and Vasishtha.
15. Which among the following is Not Correctly matched? (Vedas & Brahman)
[A] kaushitaki – Rigveda
[B] Jaiminia – Samveda
[C] Gopatha – Yajurveda
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gopatha – Yajurveda]
Notes:
Gopatha Brahmana is the only Brahmana of Atharvaveda.
16. During end of which of the following period the urban centers of Gangetic planes declined ?
[A] Maurya Period
[B] Gupta Period
[C] Mahjnapadas
[D] Magadh Empire
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gupta Period]
Notes:
The urban centers of Gangetic plain declined with the gupta empire. The areas surrounding Prayag, Saketa and Magadha areas have declined.
17. Who among the following succeeded Pushyamitra Shunga?
[A] Agnimitra
[B] Sujyestha
[C] Vajramitra
[D] Devbhuti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Agnimitra]
Notes:
Agnimitra succeeded his father, Pushyamitra Shunga, in 149 BC. He was the second king of the Shunga dynasty of northern India. The Vayu Purana and the Brahmanda Purana have described 8 years as the length of his reign.
18. 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.
19. Who was the founder of Pallava dynasty ?
[A] Vishnuvardhan
[B] Simhavishnu
[C] Mahendravarman I
[D] Narsimhavarman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Simhavishnu]
Notes:
Pallava Dynasty was founded by Simhavishnu in 560 A.D.Their capital was at Kanchipuram.
20. Mahanataka Sushanidhi was composed by which Sangam dynasty ruler?
[A] Harihara I
[B] Bukka
[C] Krishna Deva Raya
[D] Devaraya II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Devaraya II]
Notes:
Mahanataka Sushanidhi and a commentary on the Brahma Sutras of Badarayana was composed by Sangam dynasty emperor Devaraya II. His both the works are in Sanskrit language.
