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. Vasucharita is a work of which of the following ?
[A] Ram raja
[B] Krishndev rai
[C] Vitthalantha
[D] Kalidasa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ram raja]
Notes:
Ramraja or Ramarajabhushanudu who was a Telugu poet and a notable musician was one of the Astadiggajas (a collective title for Telugu poets in the court of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Empire).
12. Qila Rai Pithora, built by Tomar Rajputs is located in which among the following cities?
[A] Agra
[B] New Delhi
[C] Jaipur
[D] Ajmer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
Lal Kot or Qila Rai Pithora is the original red fort in Delhi comprising the Qutub Minar Compex and other structures in areas around it. It was built during reign of Tomar King Anangpal Tomar in 11th century.
13. The rock cut Barabar and Nagarjuna caves were mainly used by the ascetics associated to _?
[A] Buddhism
[B] Jainism
[C] Charvaka
[D] Ajivika
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ajivika]
Notes:
Makkhali Gosala is said to be the founder of Ajivika School of philosophy. He was contemporary of Siddhartha Gautama and of Mahavira. The rock cut Barabar and Nagarjuna caves were built during the Mauryan period for the Ajivika sect.
14. In “Kumarasambhava” , the famous work of Kalidasa, who among the following has been referred as Kumara, whose birth has been depicted in this epic poem?
[A] Chadragupta II
[B] Bimbisara
[C] Kumaragupta
[D] Kartikeya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Kartikeya ]
Notes:
Kalidasa, in his epic “Kumarasambhava”, portrays the birth of “Kumara”, referring to Kartikeya. The story aligns with the narrative in the Kalikapurana. Kartikeya, also known as Subramanya or Murugan, is a Hindu god, the son of Shiva and Parvati, and is popularly worshipped in South India and by Tamil communities across the world.
15. Which of the following Rock Edicts of Asoka talks about taxation?
[A] Bhabru Inscription
[B] Nigalisagar Pillar Inscription
[C] Rummindei Pillar Inscription
[D] Barabar Cave Inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rummindei Pillar Inscription]
Notes:
Rummindei Pillar Inscription says that The Beloved of the Gods, the king Piyadassi, when he had been consecrated twenty years, came in person find referenced the place where Buddha Sakyamuni was born. He caused a stone enclosure to be made and a stone pillar to be erected. As the Lord was born here in the village of Lumbini, he has exempted it from tax, and fixed its contribution [i.e. Of grain] at one-eigth.
16. Which of the following clearly defines Lothal?
[A] A closed water system
[B] A poisonous gas
[C] A place in Gujarat where excavations have established a link with the Indus Valley civilization
[D] Legal action taken against defectors
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [A place in Gujarat where excavations have established a link with the Indus Valley civilization]
Notes:
Lothal was one of the southernmost cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization located in the modern state of Gujarat. It was first excavated in 1957 by S R Rao. The notable structures at Lothal include a dockyard and warehouse.
17. Which of the following refers to ‘perfect knowledge’ in Jainism?
[A] Jina
[B] ratna
[C] kaivalya
[D] nirvana
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Correct Answer: C [kaivalya]
Notes:
Kaivalya also known as Kevala Jnana means omniscience in Jainism and is roughly translated as absolute knowledge or supreme knowledge. Jain scriptures speak of twelve stages through which the soul achieves this goal.
18. The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following?
[A] Mahapadma Nanda
[B] Chandragupta Maurya
[C] Ashoka
[D] Samudragupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Samudragupta]
Notes:
While it is one of the few extant pillars that carry his edicts, it is particularly notable for containing later inscriptions attributed to the Gupta emperor Samudragupta (4th century CE). Also engraved on the stone are inscriptions by the Mughal emperor Jahangir, from the 17th century.
19. Which of the following Indus city has the distinction of having its lower town also being surrounded by a separate massive brick wall?
[A] Kalibangan
[B] Lothal
[C] Dholavira
[D] Banwali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Banwali]
Notes:
The site of Banawali in Haryana has the rare distinction of having its lower town also protected by a separate massive brick wall around it, in addition to the citadel at the center. This further highlights the public resources available for organized defenses and communal infrastructure projects in mature Harappan cities. Significantly, Banawali’s defenses were constructed in the later Harappan phase after 2000 BCE when many cities were in decline, indicating continued governance and policies to provide security to maintain occupation.
20. Who among the following has been attempted to read the contents of the inscriptions in terms of analogies between Harappan and Sumerian signs?
[A] Mahadevan
[B] SR Rao
[C] Kinnier-Wilson
[D] Parpola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kinnier-Wilson]
Notes:
Kinnier Wilson, an expert on Mesopotamian scripts, attempted to decipher the unsolved Indus script by drawing comparisons with contemporaneous Sumerian cuneiform signs used in Mesopotamia. He proposed sound values for Indus signs based on any resemblances noting similarities between some pictographs. Though unsuccessful in full translation, his effort highlighted the need to leverage potential Near Eastern parallel scripts given the trade links evidenced between these Bronze Age civilizations.
