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 Gayatri mantra is addressed to which of the following vedic goddess?
[A] Aditi
[B] Saraswati
[C] Savitri
[D] Laxmi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Savitri]
Notes:
The Gāyatrī Mantra is also known as the Sāvitri Mantra. It is an important mantra from the Rig Veda dedicated to Savitri, the deity of five elements. Gāyatrī is the name of the Goddess of the Vedic Mantra in which the verse is composed.
12. We find the coins of a very less known prince called Kacha. Kacha is considered to have been from which of the following dynasties?
[A] Vakataka
[B] Satavahna
[C] Gupta
[D] Kushans
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gupta]
Notes:
Kacha is a prince from the gupta dynasty. He is known for issuance of gold coins of very high quality similar to that of gupta king samudragupta.
13. In Buddhism, Patimonkha deals with which among the following?
[A] Education
[B] Propaganda
[C] Discipline
[D] All the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Discipline]
Notes:
In Theravada Buddhism, the Patimokkha is the basic code of monastic discipline,. It consists of 227 rules for fully ordained monks (bhikkhus) and 311 for nuns (bhikkhunis). It is contained in the Suttavibhanga, a division of the Vinaya Pitaka.
14. Select the statement which is NOT correct regarding Kalidasa:
[A] Kalidasa was a renowned Sanskrit poet and dramatist of Gupta period.
[B] He was one of the nine gems in the court of Chandragupta I.
[C] Kumarasambhavam and Ritusamhara are his two epic works.
[D] His plays and poetry are primarily based on Hindu Puranas and philosophy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [He was one of the nine gems in the court of Chandragupta I.]
Notes:
He was one of the nine gems in the court of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya.
15. Bhaddasala, mentioned several times in Puranas and other ancient Indian texts was_?
[A] a poet in the court of Chandragupta Maurya
[B] general of the Nanda Army
[C] ambassador of Ceylon King sent to Asoka’s court
[D] playwright in the Gupta Era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [general of the Nanda Army ]
Notes:
Bhaddasala was a general of King Nanda and a strong opponent of Chandragupta. He is mentioned in the Puranas and other ancient Indian texts. Bhaddasala is also named as a Nanda general in the Buddhist scripture Milinda Panha, which dates from 100 BCE. The scripture describes a fight between Bhaddasala and Chandragupta. Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the Nanda dynasty with the help of his guru, Chanakya.
16. Who introduced Buddhism in Nepal?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Ashoka
[C] Chandragupta
[D] Harshavardhana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ashoka]
Notes:
Buddhism in Nepal started spreading since the reign of Ashoka through Indian and Tibetan missionaries. The Kiratas were the first people in Nepal who embraced Gautama Buddha’s teachings, followed by the Licchavis and Newars. Lumbini is considered to lie in present-day Rupandehi district, Lumbini zone of Nepal.
17. The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli was built during the ruling period of which dynasty?
[A] Kushan Dynasty
[B] Maurya Dynasty
[C] Satvahanas Dynasty
[D] Gupta Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gupta Dynasty]
Notes:
This Iron pillar at Mehrauli was an evidence of developed knowledge of the people in the field of Chemistry, especially metallurgy.It did not rust even after fifteen centuries. It was built during the ruling period of Gupta Dynasty.
18. During whose reign did the apostle St.Thomas go to India to preach Christianity?
[A] Kujala Kadphises
[B] Antialkidas
[C] Gondophernes
[D] Wema Kadphises
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gondophernes]
Notes:
Apostle St.Thomas go to India to preach Christianity in the reign of Gondophernes. Gondophernes was a Parthian ruler who invaded India.
19. Earliest Indian coins belonged to which period? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1981)
[A] 5th century B.C.
[B] Ashoka’s reign
[C] 1st century A.D.
[D] 3rd century A.D.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [5th century B.C.]
Notes:
The earliest Indian coins, known as punch-marked coins, belonged to the period between the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. Emerging during the late Mahajanapada era, these were primarily silver and copper pieces struck with symbols (sun, animals, trees), often called karshapana.
20. Who among the following advocated the concept of Anuvrata? (UPSC Prelims 1995)
[A] Mahayana Buddhism
[B] Hinayana Buddhism
[C] Jainism
[D] the Lokayata school
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jainism]
Notes:
The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by Jainism
Anuvrata was the five main teachings of Jainism- Ahimsa, Asateya, Aparigraha, Satya and Brahmacharya.
