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. Which among the following is not correct ?
[A] The capital of pandyas was Madurai
[B] The capital of Cheras was Vanchi
[C] Capital of the Videha Kingdom – Mithila
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All are correct]
Notes:
The Pandyas ruled the south India and capital was Madurai. The cheras also ruled the south India with their capital Vanchi. The capital of Videha Kingdom is Mithila.
12. Who among the following was not among the 9 gems (Navratna) of the Vikramaditya’s court?
[A] Vetalbhatt
[B] Amar Simha
[C] Kaalidasa
[D] Aryabhatta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Aryabhatta]
Notes:
Nine gems of Vikramaditya are Dhanwantari, Kshapanaka, Amarasimha, Shankhu, Khatakarpara, Kalidasa, Vetal Bhatt, Vararuchi, and Varahamihira.
13. “Niska ” was used as a medium of exchange, in which of the following periods?
[A] Vedic period
[B] Maurya Period
[C] Gupta Period
[D] Sangam Period
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vedic period]
Notes:
During the Vedic age, 2 types of medium of exchange are Niska and hiranyapinda. Rigvedic niskas and hiranyapindas, in this period, stood as a link between the money and currency stages of the development of the economy.
14. 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.
15. What is the vedic name of river Chenab?
[A] Bipasa
[B] Askini
[C] Satudri
[D] Chandni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Askini ]
Notes:
Chenab River was called Asikni in the Rigveda. The name Asikni means “dark colored waters”. The Chenab River is formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi. It runs through the Jammu area of J&K and into Pakistan’s Punjab plains.
16. Which language was used by Rashtrakutas as their mother tongue ?
[A] Kannada
[B] Tamil
[C] Oddisi
[D] Telgu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kannada]
Notes:
The Rashtrakutas were of Kannada origin and Kannada language was their mother tongue.
17. The Srauta Sutra, Grihya Sutra, Dharma Sutra and Sulba Sutra are the parts of which among the following Vedangas?
[A] Vyakarana
[B] Kalpa
[C] Nirkuta
[D] Shiksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kalpa
]
Notes:
There are six Angas or explanatory limbs, to the Vedas: the Siksha and Vyakarana of Panini, the Chhandas of Pingalacharya, the Nirukta of Yaska, the Jyotisha of Garga, and the Kalpas (Srauta, Grihya, Dharma and Sulba) belonging to the authorship of various Rishis. Siksha is a knowledge of phonetics. Siksha deals with pronunciation and accent. The text of the Vedas is arranged in various forms or Pathas. The Pada-patha gives each word its separate form. The Krama-patha connects the word in pairs. Vyakarana is Sanskrit grammar. Panini’s books are most famous. Without knowledge of Vyakarana, you cannot understand the Vedas. Chhandas is metre dealing with prosody. Nirukta is philology or etymology. Jyotisha is astronomy and astrology. It deals with the movements of the heavenly bodies, planets, etc., and their influence in human affairs. Kalpa is the method of ritual. The Srauta Sutras which explain the ritual of sacrifices belong to Kalpa. The sulba Sutras, which treat of the measurements which are necessary for laying out the sacrificial areas, also belong to Kalpa. The Grihya Sutras which concern domestic life, and the Dharma Sutras which deal with ethics, customs and laws, also belong to Kalpa
18. Which caves dating back to 600 A.D. are located on Gharapuri Island in Mumbai harbour?
[A] Ajanta Caves
[B] Kanheri Caves
[C] Ellora Caves
[D] Elephanta Caves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Elephanta Caves]
Notes:
The Elephanta Caves are hewn out of solid rock and filled with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Gharapuri Island can be reached by boat from the Gateway of India. The stone elephant after which these caves have been named has been shifted to the Bhau Dali Ladd Museum located next to Jijamata Udyan.
19. Who founded the Mauryan Empire in India?
[A] Chandragupta
[B] Kanishka
[C] Ashoka
[D] Chanakya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chandragupta]
Notes:
By the end of the third century BC, most of North India was knit together in the first great Indian empire by Chandragupta Maurya. His son Bindusara extended the Mauryan empire over virtually the entire subcontinent, giving rise to an imperial vision that was to dominate successive centuries of political aspirations. The greatest Mauryan emperor was Ashoka (286-231 BC) whose successful campaigns culminated in the annexation of Kalinga.
20. Which of the following statements about Hiuen-Tsang is not true? (UPSC Prelims 1986)
[A] He visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana
[B] He spent some time at Nalanda University
[C] He advocated for strong Indo-China relations
[D] He influenced Buddhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [He advocated for strong Indo-China relations]
Notes:
Hiuen Tsang was the celebrated Chinese traveler who visited India in Ancient Times. He has been described therefore as the “Prince of Pilgrims.” His visit to India was an important event of the reign of Harshavardhana.
