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 defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of river Narmada?
[A] Pulkesin I
[B] Kirtivarman I
[C] Pulkesin II
[D] Vikramaditya I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pulkesin II]
Notes:
Harshavardhana was defeated by Chalukya king Pulakesin-II in circa. 615 AD on the bank of river Narmada. This was the most notable military achievement of Pulakeshin and it ended influence of Harsha from south of Narmada river and established this river as boundary between Uttarpatha and Dakshnipatha.
12. Sarnath, is related to which among the following events in the life of Buddha?
[A] First Sermon
[B] Last Sermon
[C] Mahaparinibbana
[D] Dhammachakkapavattana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [First Sermon]
Notes:
The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. It was also the site of the Buddha’s Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which was his first teaching after attaining enlightenment, in which he taught the four noble truths and the teachings associated with it.
So either A or D can be marked as the correct answer.
13. Who erected the Garuda pillar inscription of Besnagar in modern Madhya Pradesh?
[A] Heliodorus
[B] Vijayamitra
[C] Kanishka
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Heliodorus]
Notes:
The Bhagavata cult is also known as Heliodorus pillar. It is a stone column that was erected around 113 BCE in central India in Besnagar (near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh). The temple and the inscriptions are among the earliest known evidence of these pillar capitals, found near the Heliodorus pillar, suggests the Bhagavata cult.
14. Which of the following was a common way of Chola kings Raj Raja-1 and Rajendra 1 to commemorate their victories?
[A] Erecting Pillars
[B] Erecting Temples
[C] Erecting inscriptions
[D] issuing coins
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Erecting Temples]
Notes:
Rajaraja I, born Arulmoli Varman, often described as Rajaraja the Great, was a Chola emperor chiefly remembered for reinstating the Chola power. Rajendra Chola I or Rajendra I was a Tamil Chola emperor of South India who succeeded his father Rajaraja Chola I to the throne in 1014 CE. They build temples to commemorate their victories.
15. Which among the following sites of Indus Valley Civilization marks the “Absence of Mother goddess figurines” ?
[A] Lothal
[B] Kalibangan
[C] Rangpur
[D] Harappa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rangpur]
Notes:
No seal or image of mother goddess has been found at Rangpur.
16. Who among the following erected Gangaikonda Cholapuram ?
[A] Rajraja Chola
[B] Rajendra Chola I
[C] Mahendravarman I
[D] Gonka I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajendra Chola I]
Notes:
Gangaikonda Cholapuram became the capital of the Chola dynasty in c. 1025 during the reign of Rajendra Chola I, and served as the Chola capital for around 250 years. It is a Village located near to Jayankondam, Tamil Nadu.
17. Which among the following is not considered to be a Noble Truth as per the Buddhist Traditions?
[A] Dukha
[B] Dukha Samudaya
[C] Dukha Bhanjana
[D] Dukha Nirodha gaminipatha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dukha Bhanjana]
Notes:
The Four Noble Truths of Buddha are – The truth of misery (dukkha; literally “suffering” but connoting “uneasiness” or “dissatisfaction”), The truth that misery originates within the craving for pleasure and for being or nonbeing (samudaya), Tthe truth that this craving can be eliminated (nirodhu), and The truth that this elimination is the result of following a methodical way or path (magga).
18. Rigveda Samhita denotes one-fourth of its hymns to:
[A] Rudra
[B] Marut
[C] Agni
[D] Indra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Indra]
Notes:
The Goddess or the Mother , The Sun ( Surya), the rain God (Varuna), the King of Gods with his thunderbolt ( Indra), Fire God ( Agni) were the main Gods for Indus Valley Civilization.
19. Which of the following was most probably the first metal to be used in India?
[A] Iron
[B] Copper
[C] Gold
[D] Silver
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Copper ]
Notes:
The earliest historic evidences of use of metal are of Chalcolithic Age or Stone-Copper Age, which covered the period from 1800 to 800 BC. This period was marked by the use of copper (the first metal to be used in India) as well as stone.
20. 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.
