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 Sangam age, the term “Pillai” was used for which among the following?
[A] lenders
[B] farmers
[C] labours
[D] students
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [students]
Notes:
The Sangam Age was the period of history of ancient Tamil Nadu and Kerala and parts of Sri lanka. “Pillai” was used to describe students in this age.
12. Who was Queen Trishala?
[A] Mother of Mahavira
[B] Mother of Gautam Buddha
[C] Mother of Kanishka
[D] Mother of Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mother of Mahavira]
Notes:
Queen Trishala, also known as Trishala Devi, was the mother of Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara in Jainism. As per Jain texts, Trishala carried Mahavira in her womb for over a year and had a number of auspicious dreams indicating the divine nature of the unborn child. Trishala’s husband was King Siddhartha of Kundalpur in the Kingdom of the Videhas.
13. What was the meaning of Visthi in the Gupta Era?
[A] Religious Functionaries
[B] Forced Labor
[C] Prostitutes
[D] Police
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Forced Labor]
Notes:
In the Gupta Era, the term Vishti referred to Forced labor. The empire obtained their percentage of the material surplus through the power of arms in the kind of taxes like Shulka, Bali and Kar etc., forced labor like Balutam and Vishti, and other perquisites.
14. 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.
15. The port of Tamralipti in the Gupta Era was located in which of the following parts of India?
[A] North India
[B] South India
[C] Western India
[D] Eastern India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Eastern India]
Notes:
Tamralipti was an ancient port city in Midnapur district, West Bengal.It was one of Buddhist Kingdoms visited by Xuanzang in 639 AD.It was a port of Gupta era for the eastern India.
16. The temple of Konark was built by Narasimha of the:
[A] Maratha Dynasty
[B] Chola Dynasty
[C] Ganga Dynasty
[D] Vijaynagar Empire
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Ganga Dynasty ]
Notes:
The Sun Temple at Konark, on the eastern shores of the Indian subcontinent, is one of the outstanding examples of temple architecture. Built in 13th century by King Narasimhadeva, it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984. Narsimhadeva was a powerful monarch and warrior of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty of medieval Odisha who reigned from 1238 to 1264.
17. Who among the following rulers of Karkota dynasty built the Martand Surya temple?
[A] Lalitaditya Muktapida
[B] Durlabh Vardhan
[C] Durlabahaka
[D] Avanativarmana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Lalitaditya Muktapida]
Notes:
The Martand Sun Temple was built by an emperor of the Kashmiri Karkoṭa dynasty, Lalitaditya Muktapida in the 8th century. The temple was destroyed by Islamic ruler Sikandar Butshikan in the early 15th century.
18. Which of the following Vedas is sometimes referred as the “Veda of magical formulas”?
[A] Rig-Veda
[B] Samveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Atharvaveda ]
Notes:
Atharvaveda is sometimes referred as the “Veda of magical formulas”
19. Who among the following is known as father of Indian archaeology?
[A] Colonel Mackenzie
[B] Alexander Cunningham
[C] Robert Seawell
[D] John Marshal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Alexander Cunningham ]
Notes:
Alexander Cunningham is the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He is often called as the father of Indian archaeology.
20. With reference to ancient Jainism, which one of the following statements is correct? (UPSC Prelims 2004)
[A] Jainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Sthalabahu.
[B] The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called Shvetambaras after the Council held at Pataliputra.
[C] Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharavela in the first century BC.
[D] In the initial stage of Jainism, the Jainas worshipped images unlike Buddhists.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharavela in the first century BC.]
Notes:
Jainism spread in South India under the leadership of Bhadrabahu (not Sthalabahu). The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called Digambaras (not Shvetambaras) after the first council held at Pataliputra (modern Patna) by Sthulbahu.
