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. Who among the following kings was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Buddha ?
[A] Ajatshatru
[B] Nandivardhana
[C] Bimbisara
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bimbisara]
Notes:
Bimbisara was contemporary of both Mahavira and Buddha. The Jain texts mention that he was a disciple of Lord Mahavira. The Buddhist texts mention that he met Buddha before enlightment. Buddha promised him to visit his capital after he gets enlightment. He was a patron of Buddha and as a mark of goodwill; he presented the Bamboo Grove (karanda venu vana) to the Sangha.
12. In which of the following modern State, most of the 24 Tirthankar of Jainism attained nirvana?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bihar]
Notes:
Bihar is the state where most of Tirthankara attained nirvana. Lord Buddha attained nirvana at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
13. Nigashtha, Natputra, Nirgranth & Saatputra are various names of which of the following?
[A] Mahavira
[B] Gautam Buddha
[C] Chandra gupta Vikramaditya
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mahavira]
Notes:
Nigashtha, Natputra, Nirgranth & Saatputra are various names of Mahavira. Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana was the 24th tirthankara of Jainism. Vīr, Ativīr, Vardhamāna, Sanmati, Nāyāputta, Kasyapa are the other names.
14. Which among the following is correct about Bhaddasala?
[A] He was a poet in the court of Chandragupta Maurya
[B] He was the general of the Nanda Army
[C] He was an ambassador of Ceylon King sent to Asoka’s court
[D] He was a playwright in the Gupta Era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [He was the general of the Nanda Army]
Notes:
Bhaddasala was a general of the Nanda Army. The Nanda dynasty, preceding the Maurya Empire, was known for its wealth and military strength. Chandragupta Maurya later overthrew the Nandas to establish the Maurya Empire, which became one of the largest empires in ancient India. The Nandas were important for their administrative innovations and for laying the groundwork for Mauryan rule.
15. What was “Halivakara” in the Gupta Era?
[A] A kind of Tax
[B] A kind of Play
[C] A kind of Instrument
[D] A kind of Tribe
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [A kind of Tax]
Notes:
Halivakara is a kind of tax in the Gupta era. Halivakara was a plow tax, paid by every cultivator owning a plow.Some of its taxes include Bali, Bhoga, etc.
16. “Gangaikonda Cholapuram” became the capital of the Chola empire from the time of which emperor ?
[A] Rajendra I
[B] Rajaraja II
[C] Parantaka I
[D] Rajaraja I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajendra I]
Notes:
The Chola King Rajendra I defeated Mahipala (the Pala king of Bengal and Bihar) and to commemorate his victory he built a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram (the city of the Chola conqueror of the Ganga).
17. Each term of which of the following sets denotes a kind of tax / cess during Gupta Era?
[A] Bhaga, Bhoga, Vasti
[B] Bali, Udranga, Hiranya
[C] Khila, Udranga, Vasti
[D] Bali, Bhaga, Khila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Bali, Udranga, Hiranya ]
Notes:Various forms of taxes / cess in Gupta era are as follows:
- Bhaga 1 /6th share of produce ‘
- Bhoga Flowers, fruits, milk etc; given to king
- Kara Additional cess
- Bali Religious Tax
- Uparikara Additional cess
- Udranga Tax from permanent peasants
- Hiranya Tax in cash
- Vata Bhuta Tax for wind and water gods
The meaning of some other terms are as follows:
- Khetra Cultivable land
- Khila Barren land
- Aprahata Jungle
- Vasti Basti- Habitable land
- Gapatha Saraha Pastures
18. The first documented evidence of untouchability in ancient India comes from which among the following periods?
[A] Maurya Period
[B] Shunga Period
[C] Gupta Era
[D] Times after reign of Harsha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gupta Era]
Notes:
The term asprsya or untouchable was first mentioned in Katyayana dharmasastra which belonged to the Gupta period.
19. Which of the following was the capital of the Mauryan Empire?
[A] Pataliputra
[B] Delhi
[C] Hyderabad
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pataliputra]
Notes:
Comprising the majority of South Asia, the Maurya Empire was centralized by conquering the Indo-Gangetic Plain in the eastern extent of the empire and had its capital city at Pataliputra (modern Patna).
20. Which of the following was the extent of Indus Valley Civilization? (UPSC Prelims 1984)
[A] Baluchistan, Sind, Punjab and Rajasthan
[B] Sind, Punjab and Kashmir
[C] Afghanistan, Sind, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Kashmir
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Baluchistan, Sind, Punjab and Rajasthan]
Notes:
The Indus Valley Civilization was not confined to these few sites. The influence of this culture extended to the Punjab, Sindh, North West Frontier Province (now in Pakistan), Baluchistan, Rajasthan, U.P., Gujarat and even some parts of south India.
