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. Which among the following place is related to coronation of Chola Kings?
[A] Tanjaur
[B] Vellur
[C] Chidambaram
[D] Madras
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chidambaram]
Notes:
Chidambaram is the place for coronations of the kings.Patron of Chidambaram Kulothunga was a great devotee of the Chidambaram Temple to Lord Shiva in that city, and he celebrated his coronation there.
12. Which among the following correctly explains Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha of Buddhism?
[A] Buddhist monks under whose supervision Buddhist nuns were to live
[B] Special places which were used by Buddhist nuns for worship
[C] Special code of conduct for female Buddhist monks or Buddhist nuns
[D] Special book which narrates Jataka story of Buddha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Special code of conduct for female Buddhist monks or Buddhist nuns]
Notes:
The Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha is a specific code of conduct for female Buddhist monks, or nuns, outlining rules and ethical guidelines they must follow. It is part of the larger Pātimokkha, which governs both monks and nuns in the Theravada tradition. This code emphasizes discipline, moral conduct, and community harmony. The Bhikkhunī order was established during the Buddha’s lifetime, allowing women to attain enlightenment and participate fully in the monastic community.
13. Which among the following deals with the love story of a man called Charudatta and a nagarvadhu called “Vasanthasena”?
[A] Daskumarcharita
[B] Mrichhakatika
[C] Satakatraya
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mrichhakatika]
Notes:
Mrichchhakatika is a ten-act Sanskrit drama attributed to Śūdraka, an ancient playwright whose is possibly from the 5th century CE, and who is identified by the prologue as a Kshatriya king as well as a devotee of Siva who lived for 100 years. It deals with the love story of a man called Charudatta and a nagarvadhu called “Vasanthasena”
14. Aihole Inscription is ascribed to which of the following rulers ?
[A] Pulkeshin II
[B] Rudradaman
[C] Kharvela
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pulkeshin II]
Notes:
Aihole Inscription of Pulakesin II was written by the Ravikirti, royal poet at the court of Chalukya King. Pulakeshi II ruled from 610 to 642 CE.
15. Which among the following scripts of modern India have descended from the Sarda Script?
- Gurmukhi
- Dogri
- Sindhi
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Sarada is a script of the Brahmic family of scripts, developed around the 8th century. It was used for writing Sanskrit and Kashmiri. The Gurmukhi script was developed from Sarada by Guru Angad. Originally more widespread, its use became later restricted to Kashmir, and it is now rarely used except by the Kashmiri Pandit community for ceremonial purposes. There are several variants of Sarada Scripts such as Takkari or Tankari which is the parent of the Dogri script, Kului script (Kullu in Himachal Pradesh), Chameali Script (in Chamba Himachal Pradesh), Sindhi, Bania of Punjab etc.
16. What was the official language of the Cholas administration ?
[A] Tamil
[B] Telugu
[C] Malayalam
[D] Kannada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil]
Notes:
Tamil was the official language of the Cholas administration.
17. Fire akin to water, has played a major role in Indus Valley Culture. From which among the following sites fire altars were uncovered as ritual installations involving probable religious activity related to fire?
[A] Surkotda
[B] Kalibangan
[C] Harappa
[D] Rakhigarhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kalibangan ]
Notes:
Fire, an element of almost equal importance to water, has also played a major role in Indian religion, as an agent of ritual purification and as a means of transmitting offerings to the gods. While water seems to have had a religious significance throughout the Harappan realms, ritual installations involving fire are at present known only from the southern parts, along the Saraswati and in Gujarat. These fire altars were first uncovered at Kalibangan, where one of the platforms in the southern part of the citadel had a row of seven oblong clay-lined pits containing charcoal, ash, and terra-cotta cakes; such cakes were used in kilns to retain heat and perhaps had a similar function in these fire pits. In each pit there was also a cylindrical or faceted clay stele, perhaps representing the lingam (sacred phallus)
18. Who among the following is considered to be the earliest divine power for Aryans?
[A] Brahma
[B] Prajapati
[C] Dyaus
[D] Shiva
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dyaus]
Notes:
Dyu or Dyaus is the name of the sky that shines, and is the most ancient name for the divine power among the Aryans. It is the same word as the Zeus of the Greeks and the Jupiter of the Latins, the Tiu of the Saxons and the Zio of the Germans, and the name of the Deity among modern nations. Dyaus was referred as Dyaus Pitr, which later became Ju-piter. It was coupled with prithvi and the two Dyaus- Prithvi are the universal parents.
19. The archeological remains of which institution is found in the vicinity of a village called ‘Bara Gaon’ in the eastern part of India?
[A] Taxila University
[B] Nalanda University
[C] Ujjain Sun Temple
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nalanda University]
Notes:
The Nalanda Mahavihara site is in the State of Bihar, in north-eastern India. Its archeological remains is found in the vicinity of a village called ‘Bara Gaon’. The remains comprises of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE. It includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important art works in stucco, stone and metal.
20. In which of the following stages, humans passed from the food gathering stage to the food producing stage? (UPSC Prelims 1988)
[A] Neolithic Age
[B] Mesolithic Age
[C] Chalcolithic Age
[D] Paleolithic Age
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Neolithic Age]
Notes:
Man passed from food gathering stage to the food producing stage during the Neolithic Age. Neolithic age began 12,000 years ago.