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. In Rigveda the rivers Ganga & Yamuna are mentioned as below
[A] Yamuna Once, Ganga Thrice
[B] Yamuna Thrice, Ganga Once
[C] Ganga Twice , Yamuna Once
[D] Yamuna Thrice, Ganga Twice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yamuna Thrice, Ganga Once]
Notes:
The rivers ganga ,Yamuna and saraswati had great prominence in Vedas. Ganga and Yamuna are mentioned together for the first time in Rig Veda. Yamuna is mentioned three times and Ganga is mentioned once in Rig veda.
12. 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.
13. Who among the following annexed Anga to Magadha?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Bimbisara
[C] Ashoka
[D] Samudragupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bimbisara]
Notes:
Bimbisara, the founder of the Haryanka Dynasty, annexed Anga to Magadha. Bimbisara was one of the first kings of the Indian kingdom of Magadha. His expansion of the kingdom, especially the annexation of Anga, is considered to have laid the foundations for the later expansion of the Mauryan empire.
Bimbisara killed Brahmadatta, the last free ruler of Anga, in the middle of the 6th century. The annexation of Anga added the river Champa to the Magadha Empire. Champa was important for trade with South-East Asia and Sri Lanka.
Bimbisara was succeeded on the throne by his son Ajatashatru.
14. The earliest evidence of existence of human in India was found in the _?
[A] Maikal Hills
[B] Indus Valley
[C] Narmada Valley
[D] Nallamala Hills
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Narmada Valley]
Notes:
The earliest evidence of existence of human in India had been found the banks of the Narmada at Madhya Pradesh’s Hathnora village. Narmada Human also known as Narmada Man belongs to the category of Homo erectus, preceding Homo sapiens, the modern human species. Geologist Arun Sonakia was the main person involved in this most tantalising fossil discovery of a human ancestor.
15. The Gandhara School of Art flourished during which of the following periods?
[A] Satavahanas
[B] Guptas
[C] Mauryas
[D] Kushans
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kushans]
Notes:
The Kushan period is considered the Golden Period of Gandhara. Peshawar Valley and Taxila are littered with ruins of stupas and monasteries of this period. Gandharan art flourished and produced some of the best pieces of sculpture from the Indian subcontinent.
16. The archeological remains of which institution is found in the vicinity of a village called ‘Bara Gaon’ in the eastern part of India?
[A] Taxila University
[B] Nalanda University
[C] Ujjain Sun Temple
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nalanda University]
Notes:
The Nalanda Mahavihara site is in the State of Bihar, in north-eastern India. Its archeological remains is found in the vicinity of a village called ‘Bara Gaon’. The remains comprises of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE. It includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important art works in stucco, stone and metal.
17. Earliest Indian coins belonged to which period? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1981)
[A] 5th century B.C.
[B] Ashoka’s reign
[C] 1st century A.D.
[D] 3rd century A.D.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [5th century B.C.]
Notes:
The earliest Indian coins, known as punch-marked coins, belonged to the period between the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. Emerging during the late Mahajanapada era, these were primarily silver and copper pieces struck with symbols (sun, animals, trees), often called karshapana.
18. In which of the following sites, earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the Indian subcontinent is found?
[A] Dholavira
[B] Lothal
[C] Mohenjadaro
[D] Mehrgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Mehrgarh ]
Notes:
Mehrgarh is a Neolithic site, which lies on the Kacchi Plain of Balochistan. The earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the subcontinent is found in Mehrgarh
19. Which is the only Indus city whose citadel and lower town are together surrounded by its city brick walls?
[A] Kalibangan
[B] Lothal
[C] Dholavira
[D] Shortughai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lothal]
Notes:
Lothal in modern day Gujarat is the only Indus city whose ruins clearly show an outer wall of baked bricks surrounding both its citadel mound and lower town. This indicates organized town planning with a defensive brick perimeter wall to protect the residents. Lothal was likely an important trade center and bead making industry location. The uniform organization of houses, streets, drainage system also tell about their efficient civic administration and governance practiced four thousand years ago.
20. Which of the following crop was cultivated by the people of Indus as Rabi crop?
[A] Wheat
[B] Rice
[C] Cotton
[D] Seasum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Wheat]
Notes:
Wheat and Barley formed the main Rabi crop cultivated in winter season by Harappan people as evident from grains retrieved from granaries. Rice, sesame seeds, peas are Kharif crop examples grown in wet season. Higher proportion of barley signifies colder climate. Variety of crops attests advanced horticultural skills.
