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 rulers built the statue of Gomateswara at Sravanabelagola? (UPSC Prelims 1994)
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Kharavela
[C] Amoghavarsha
[D] Chamundaraya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chamundaraya]
Notes:
A monolithic statue of Bahubali referred to as “Gommateshvara” built by the Ganga dynasty minister and commander Chamundaraya is a 60 feet monolith and is situated above a hill in Shravanabelagola, in the Hassan district of Karnataka. It was built in the 10th century AD.
12. According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas which of the following is the sequential order of the cycle of four aeons (Yugas)? (UPSC Prelims 1996)
[A] Dvapara, Krita, Treta and Kali
[B] Krita, Dvapara, Treta and Kali
[C] Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali
[D] Treta, Dvapara, Kali and Krita
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali]
Notes:
A complete Yuga starts with the Satya Yuga, via Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga into a Kali Yuga.
13. Megaliths found South India belong to which period?
[A] Paleolithic age
[B] Mesolithic age
[C] Neolithic age
[D] Iron Age
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Iron Age ]
Notes:
In south India some people were buried along with their tools, weapons, pottery and other belongings under big and heavy stones. These graves are known as megaliths. These Megalith burials have yielded the first iron objects from south India. Besides these the use of Black and Red ware pottery was also a distinctive feature of the Megalithic people.
14. Which of the following culture is known for Brownish red pottery?
[A] Malwa culture
[B] Eastern Neolithic culture
[C] Burzahom culture
[D] Jorwe culture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Eastern Neolithic culture ]
Notes:Eastern Neolithic culture is known for Brownish-red pottery.
- Malwa culture: Black-on-Red pottery
- Burzahom culture: Grey pottery
- Jorwe culture: Red pottery
- Southern Neolithic culture: Burnished-grey pottery
15. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the Indus Valley Civilization? (UPSC Prelims 2003)
[A] Their chief deities were Mother Goddess and Shiva
[B] They worshipped bulls
[C] They had all amenities of a developed city life
[D] They did not know of iron
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [They had all amenities of a developed city life]
Notes:
The significant features of Indus Valley civilization are personal cleanliness, town planning, construction of burnt-brick houses, ceramics, casting, forging of metals, manufacturing of cotton and woolen textiles. Mohenjo-Daro people had finest bath facilities, drainage system, and knowledge of personal hygiene.
16. In Harppan civilization English Bond method refers to:
[A] Bonding system for bricks
[B] Manufacturing of seals
[C] Burial construction
[D] All the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bonding system for bricks]
Notes:
In the context of Harappan civilization, the term ‘English Bond’ refers to the brickwork bonding pattern where bricks are laid in alternating header (short side) and stretcher (long side) arrangement in successive courses. This interlocking arrangement created structural stability, detectible in granaries and walls at sites like Mohenjo-daro and Rakhigarhi. English bond provided earthquake resistant buildings reflecting the town planning Sophistication of these ancient cities.
17. Which site shows Jhangar culture, in its late Harappan phase?
[A] Amri
[B] Mohenjodaro
[C] Kalibangan
[D] Chanhudaro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Amri]
Notes:
The site of Amri, located in the northern Sindh province of modern Pakistan, displays archaeological evidence of what is termed Jhangar culture appearing in the later Harappan phase around 1900 BCE, similar to late Kot Dijian traits. Diagnostic Jhangar elements consist of distinctive grave pottery types, certain house plans, and artifact styles showing deurbanization and the breakdown of widespread homogeneity seen in the preceding centuries of the mature Indus Valley tradition.
18. Which of the following material is used in Great Bath apart from burnt bricks and mortar?
[A] Stone
[B] Terracotta
[C] Steatite
[D] Gypsum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gypsum]
Notes:
Great Bath complex in Mohenjo-daro integrates burnt bricks and clay mortar along with gypsum plaster for waterproofing the tank, bitumen in the brick flooring and lining of water outlets with steatite. The advanced hydraulic engineering techniques used for water drainage and sealing by Harappans is evident in the finely constructed Bath.
19. From which of the following places People of Indus valley civilization obtained Copper?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Bihar
[C] Central Asia
[D] Persia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
The Indus Valley people obtained copper from the Khetri mines located in the northeastern part of Rajasthan. Archaeological evidence suggests the mines were in operation during the Mature Harappan phase between 2600 BCE and 1900 BCE. Ore was brought to the valley civilization sites and melted in furnaces to produce both tools and decorative items. Copper was a prized metal used extensively in urban Harappan centers.
20. Vishvamitra, Atri, Gritsamada, Vasishtha, and Bharadvaja are associated with which of the following ages?
[A] Paleolithic age
[B] Neolithic age
[C] Rig Vedic age
[D] Mauryan age
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rig Vedic age]
Notes:
Vishvamitra, Atri, Gritsamada, Vasishtha, and Bharadvaja are associated with Rig Vedic Age. The Rig Vedic texts like Rig Vedic Samhita were composed by families of certain seer poets such as ones mentioned above.
