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 granted permission to Buddhist King of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a Monastery at Bodh Gaya?
[A] Chandra gupta Virkramaditya
[B] Samudra Gupta
[C] Skand Gupta
[D] Kumara Gupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Samudra Gupta]
Notes:
Samudragupta granted permission to Buddhist king of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a monastery at Bodh Gaya. Samudragupta was a ruler of the Gupta Empire of Ancient India. As a son of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta I and the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, he greatly expanded his dynasty’s political power.
12. In Vedic Era, Akhyani is the goddess of which of the following?
[A] Peace
[B] Sacrifice
[C] Forests
[D] Rivers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Forests]
Notes:
In Vedic era Akhyani is the goddess of Forests. Some other major deities of the Vedic tradition include Indra, Surya, Agni, Ushas, Vayu, Varuna, Vishnu, Mitra, Aditi, Yama, Soma, Sarasvati, Prithvi, and Rudra.
13. Which among the following was used to create sculptures in the Mathura school of art that flourished around 1st century AD?
[A] Marble
[B] State stone
[C] Granite
[D] Red sandstone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Red sandstone]
Notes:
The Mathura school of art is developed under the Kushanas. The material used for the construction is Spotted Red Sandstone.
14. Establishment of Svetambara as a separate sect within Jainism was resulted at ____?
[A] Rajgriha
[B] Vallabhi
[C] Ujjaini
[D] Sanchi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vallabhi]
Notes:
It was the outcome of Jain monks council meeting held in the year of 453 or 466 CE
15. As per the ancient Indian Texts, the land between which among the following two rivers has been called “Brahamavarta”?
[A] Saraswati river and Drsadvati River
[B] Saraswati river and Saryu River
[C] Sutudri (Satluj) River and Vipas (Beas) River
[D] Ganga River and Yamuna River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Saraswati river and Drsadvati River]
Notes:
The earliest of the Hindu sacred text, Rig-veda refers to the Saprasindhava, Panchanada, Madhydesa and Praki. These were perhaps the first references to the emergence of regions. The geographical location of these regions suggests that the Indo- Aryans preferred to settle down along the banks of the rivers-Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta, Jhelum), Asikni also known Chandrabhaga (Chenab). References are also found to Airavati (Ravn. Parushuni or Vipasa (Dcas), Saradru (Saduj) and the Saraswati. There is a general agreement that the region known as Panchanada included the plains of the five great eastern tributaries of the Sindhu river. Further east, the land between the Saraswati and Drishadvati was known to the IndoAryans as Brahmavarta. On the periphery of these plains lie the alluvial basins of the Gomti (Gomal), Krumu (Kurrum) and Kubha (Kabul). It is believed that these were the earliest Indo-Aryan settlements. Literary evidence suggests eastward march of the Indo-Aryans led to their settlements to the Madhyadesa regions. (Source: Geography of the South Asian subcontinent: a critical approach By Aijazuddin Ahmad)
16. Which two Harappan sites have evidence of proto-Harappan and Harappan cultural phases?
[A] Kalibangan and Banawali
[B] Rakhigarhi and Mohenjo-daro
[C] Chanhudaro and Kalibangan
[D] Lothal and Rangpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Kalibangan and Banawali]
Notes:
Kalibangan and Banawali have the evidence of proto-Harappan and Harappan cultural phases.
17. Who among the following was called Lichchavi Dauhitra?
[A] Chandragupta
[B] Kumargupta
[C] Samudragupta
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Samudragupta ]
Notes:
Samudragupta calls himself Lichchavi- dauhitra the son of the daughter of the Lichchavis. The Licchavis were a clan amongst the Vajji Mahajanapada of ancient India.
18. Which of the following events happened in AD Era?
[A] Coronation of Bidusara
[B] First Buddhist Council
[C] Beginning of Saka Era
[D] Second Buddhist Council
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Beginning of Saka Era]
Notes:
The Saka Era was founded by Kanishka, the emperor of Kushana empire from the year 78 A.D. The Shaka era is a historical calendar era, corresponding to Julian year 78. It is commonly known in Indian languages as Shalivahana Śaka.
19. Lothal is the excavation site of which of the following civilizations? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1980)
[A] Indus Valley Civilisation
[B] Sumerians
[C] Mesopotamians
[D] Vedic Aryan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indus Valley Civilisation]
Notes:
Lothal is famous for the discovery of several ruins of Indus Valley Civilization. Lothal is located between the Sabarmati River and its tributary Bhogavo, in the Saurasthra region. The people of Lothal made significant and often unique contributions to human civilisation in the Indus era, in the fields of city planning, art, architecture, science, engineering, pottery and religion. Their work in metallurgy, seals, beads and jewellery was the basis of their prosperity.
20. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called chaityas while the others viharas. What is the difference between the two? (UPSC Prelims 1992)
[A] Chaitya is a place of worship while vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
[B] Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave while vihara is the hall axial to it
[C] There is no material difference between the two
[D] Vihara is a place of worship while chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chaitya is a place of worship while vihara is the dwelling place of the monks]
Notes:
The Buddhist architecture is mainly consisting of Chaityas, Viahras, Stupa and Stambhas. There are mainly two types of distinct architecture related to the caves, i.e. Chaitya and Viharas. Chaityas were the place of worship in Buddhism, whereas Viharas were dwelling place of monks
