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. The Elephanta caves have been mostly ascribed to which among the following dynasty?
[A] Chalukyas
[B] Cholas
[C] Rasthrakutas
[D] Pallavas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rasthrakutas]
Notes:
Rashtrakuta dynasty is credited with building the Elephanta caves. The caves were constructed by cutting the walls of high basalt rock walls. The caves are located on an island in the Sea of Oman, close to Bombay. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contain a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva.
The caves were completed in the second quarter of the 6th century. Contemporary scholars attribute the caves to king Krishnaraja of the Kalachuri dynasty. The caves were commissioned by the warrior king Pulakeshin II of the Chalukyas of the Badami dynasty.
The island was known as Gharapuri, or “place of caves”, in ancient times. The name Elephanta was given by 16th-century Portuguese explorers after seeing a monolithic basalt sculpture of an elephant near the entrance.
12. Who among the following built the Parthasarathy Temple ?
[A] Narasimhavarman I
[B] Mahendravarman II
[C] Mahendravarman I
[D] Simhavishnu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Narasimhavarman I ]
Notes:
Narasimhavarman I Parthasarathy Temple was build by Pallava King Narasimhavarman I in 8th century. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna.
13. Which of the following serve as first evidence that Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini?
[A] Records of Fa Hien
[B] Records of Huen Tsang
[C] Pillar of Asoka
[D] Writings of Ashwaghoasha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pillar of Asoka]
Notes:
Nigrodharama, a Buddhist Monastery close to Kapilavastu, where Buddha used to live when visiting Kapilavastu. The main evidence that Buddha was born in Lumbini,Nepal is the Ashoka Pillar which is still at Lumbini. Every year number of tourist visit the birth place of Gautam Buddha i.e. Kapilvastu District, Nepal.
14. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien visited Kannauj between 399 and 414 A.D. during the reign of which of the following?
[A] Kanishka
[B] Ashoka
[C] Aurangzeb
[D] Chandragupta II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chandragupta II]
Notes:
Fa-Hien is the famous Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the rule of Chandra Gupta II. Fa-Hien started from China in 399 A.D. and covering all the way through the deserts came up to Peshawar.
15. Which of the following facts about Chandragupta is true?
[A] He called his people children.
[B] He trained women to protect his palace.
[C] He converted to Buddhism and rejected war.
[D] He had stone pillars set up through India with Buddhist inscriptions on them.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [He trained women to protect his palace.]
Notes:
Chandragupta was perhaps one of the most anxious emperors, and he particularly feared being killed. As well as training woman to be guards and putting them to protect the palace, he also had servants taste his food to protect him from poisoning and made secret palaces in the palace to protect him from being harmed if ever his palace was invaded.
16. 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.
17. 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, located in modern day Gujarat, India, is the only major Harappan city whose ruins clearly show an outer wall of baked bricks surrounding both its citadel mound and lower town. This indicates organized urban planning with a defensive perimeter wall to protect residents. Given Lothal’s coastal location, the wall provided security and control of river trade access. Uniform organization of housing also indicates governance policies and administration were practiced in Harappan cities over 4000 years ago.
18. Which of the following material was mainly used by the Indus people in the manufacture of seals?
[A] Limestone
[B] Terracotta
[C] Silver
[D] Steatite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Steatite]
Notes:
Steatite, a smooth fine-grained composite rock made of minerals like talc and rich in magnesium, was the most predominant material used in carving small Indus seals. Easy availability in areas surrounding Harappan sites made it an ideal choice. The soft nature of steatite also enabled easy carving of intricate designs and writing symbols by artisans.
19. The beginnings of the Harappan script can be traced back to the potter’s marks found at:
[A] Kalibangan and Gumla
[B] Mundigak and Damb Sadat
[C] Kot Diji and Kalibangan
[D] Amri and Gumla
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mundigak and Damb Sadat]
Notes:
Early prototypes of the undeciphered Indus script have been traced to potters’ marks discovered at Mundigak in Afghanistan and Damb Sadaat in Pakistan, dating between 3500 BCE and 3000 BCE. These sites had trading ties with Harappans. Signs on pottery later developed into a pictographic script using 400 glyphs by mature Harappan phase around 2500 BCE.
20. Which of the following is a collection of magic spells and charms to ward off the evil spirits and diseases?
[A] Rig Veda
[B] Sama Veda
[C] Yajur Veda
[D] Atharva Veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Atharva Veda]
Notes:
The Atharva Veda, which is the fourth Veda, is known as a collection of magic spells, charms, and incantations. It is distinct from the other three Vedas (Rig Veda, Sama Veda, and Yajur Veda) which are more focused on liturgy, ritual, and philosophical speculation. The Atharva Veda contains a mix of hymns, incantations, and magical charms. These include spells for healing, protection, curses, and blessings, among others. It also includes discussions on a wide range of topics such as medicine, alchemy, and black magic.
