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. At which of the following harappan sites, an Inkpot has been discovered?
[A] Harappa
[B] Lothal
[C] Kalibangan
[D] Chanhudaro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chanhudaro]
Notes:
Chanhudaro is the only city from indus valley civilization found that didn’t have a citadel. A small pot was discovered on site and is assumed to be an ink pot.
12. Which of the following is a famous play written by Gupta poet Kalidasa?
[A] Mohenjo-Daro
[B] Shakuntala
[C] Kshatriya
[D] Ramayana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shakuntala]
Notes:
Shakuntala is the story of how a highly king married a poor orphan, whose name was Shakuntala. However, the king was put under a spell and forgot about his bride. Eventually, he recovers his memory and the two of them become one again.
13. Who among the following wrote ‘Nyaya Sutra’?
[A] Vyasa
[B] Kapila
[C] Gautama
[D] Charaka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gautama]
Notes:
The Nyaya Sutras is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text composed by Aksapada Gautam and the foundational text of the Nyaya school of Hindu philosophy.. The Nyaya-sutras is attributed to Gautama, who was the principal author.
14. At which of the following places Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1980)
[A] Sarnath
[B] Lumbini
[C] Bodh Gaya
[D] Vaishali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sarnath]
Notes:
The sermon, Buddha gave to the five monks, was his first sermon, called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. It was given on the full-moon day of Asalha Puja. It was given at a place called Sarnath, near Varanasi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The real name of the place is Saranganath.
15. Which of the following age is also known as copper age?
[A] Paleolithic age
[B] Neolithic age
[C] Mesolithic age
[D] Chalcolithic age
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Chalcolithic age ]
Notes:
Neolithic age is followed by the Chalcolithic or stone – copper age, which generally occurred from 1800 – 1000 BC
16. The Harappan bricks were mainly:
[A] hand-made
[B] made in an open mould
[C] cut with the help of a chisel
[D] sawn with the help of a saw-like instrument
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [hand-made]
Notes:
The Harappan bricks, which were integral construction materials in their cities, were mainly handmade. Standardized brick sizes in ratio of 1:2:4 have been documented, indicating organized town planning policies were implemented. Brick making involved preparing the clay, molding into shape, drying in the sun and finally baking into strength in kilns.
17. ‘The Indus civilisation perished as a result of internal decay accelerated by the shock of barbarian raids’, the statement was given by:
[A] Gordon Childe
[B] M E M Wheeler
[C] Daya Ram Sahni
[D] R S Bist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gordon Childe]
Notes:
The theory that internal decay coupled with external shocks caused the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization was proposed by archaeologist Gordon Childe in 1942. He suggested interruption of trade and loss of faith in the ruling elite led to disintegration, later compounded by attacks from bellicose tribes like the Aryans. However, climate change and natural disasters are now seen as more likely factors.
18. Which Indus site shows the evidence of further strengthening of the defences at a later phase?
[A] Mohenjodaro
[B] Harappa
[C] Harappa
[D] Chanhudaro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Harappa]
Notes:
Extensive fortification walls were erected around the city at Harappa during the later Mature Harappan phase from 2600 BCE onwards. Earlier simple mud brick protections were replaced with stronger 6 meter high walls reinforced with baked bricks on the outside. This indicates growing threats necessitating heavier defences to protect the residents.
19. The institution of gotra appeared in which of the following periods?
[A] Rig Vedic Age
[B] Later Vedic Age
[C] Mauryan Age
[D] Satavahan period
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Later Vedic Age]
Notes:
The institution of gotra appeared in the Later Vedic period. It’s literal meaning is ‘cow pen’ or the place where cattle belonging to whole clan are kept. However in course of time its meaning changed to ‘descent from a common ancestor’.
20. Which of the following was the first disciple of Mahavira?
[A] Jamali
[B] Trishala
[C] Yasodha
[D] Prabhash
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jamali]
Notes:
Jamali who was also the son-in-law of Mahavira was the first disciple of Mahavira. Jamali met Mahavira in the Kundagrama village where Mahavira was born. Jamali took vow along with five hundred of the warrior caste.
