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 comprises Code of Laws?
[A] Sutras
[B] Manusmriti
[C] Vedas
[D] Up Vedas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manusmriti]
Notes:
The Manusmriti, is an ancient legal text among the many Dharmasastras of Hinduism. It was one of the first Sanskrit texts to have been translated into English in 1794, by Sir William Jones.
12. Which river was called Vipasa in Vedic India?
[A] Ganga
[B] Jhelum
[C] Beas
[D] Indus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Beas]
Notes:
Some important names of rivers in Vedic Era include Kubha (Kabul River), Krumu (Kurrum River), Srivastu/Suvastu (Swat River), Gauri (Panjkora River), Sindhu (Indus River), Sushoma (Sohan River), Arjikiya (Haro River), Vitasta (Jhelum River), Asikni (Chenab River), Parusni (Ravi River), Vipas (Beas River), Sutudri (Sutlej River) etc.
13. Vajasneya belongs to the following Veda?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Sama Veda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yajurveda]
Notes:
Vajasneya samhita belongs to Shukla YajurVeda. The name Vajasaneyi is derived from Vajasaneya, the patronymic of Yajnavalkya, and the founder of the Vajasaneyi branch.
14. Which among the following emperors introduced the two laws of Vyavahar Samta and Danda Samata?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Asoka
[C] Chandragupta Vikramaditya
[D] Samudragupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Asoka]
Notes:
By his Vyavahara-Samata, Asoka wanted to regard all his subjects equal in Law. And, by his Danda-Samata he wanted ‘equality of punishment’ irrespective of caste and creed.
15. Who among the following is / are considered as three Gems of Tamil poetry?
[A] Kambana
[B] Kuttana
[C] Pugalendi
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
Kambana, Kuttana and Pugalendi are considered as three Gems of Tamil poetry.
16. What is the primary concern of The Atharvaveda according to ancient Hindu texts?
[A] The creation of the Universe
[B] The peace and prosperity of human society and daily life of man
[C] The afterlife and rebirth
[D] The gods and their deeds
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [The peace and prosperity of human society and daily life of man]
Notes:
The Atharvaveda primarily deals with matters related to the peace and prosperity of human society. It discusses an extensive array of issues connected to the everyday life of individuals. Unlike other Vedas that might be more focused on religious rituals or philosophical concepts, the Atharvaveda is more about the practical issues that might affect the well-being and harmony of the society.
17. Which of the following statements about Hiuen-Tsang is not true?
[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.
18. Who among the following was the last in the succession of Jaina Tirthankaras?
[A] Parsvanatha
[B] Rishabha
[C] Mahavira
[D] Manisubrata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mahavira]
Notes:
The 24th and last tirthankara of present half-cycle was Mahavira. History records the existence of Mahavira and his predecessor, Parshvanath, the twenty-third tirthankara.
19. “Live well, as long as you live. Live well even by borrowings, for, once cremated, there is no ‘return.” This rejection of after-life is an aphorism of which of the following sects?
[A] Kapalika sect
[B] Sunyavada of Nagarjuna
[C] Ajivikas
[D] Charvakas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Charvakas]
Notes:
The rejection of after-life is an aphorism of the Charvakas. Charvaka also known as Lokayata, is an ancient school of Indian materialism.
Charvaka holds direct perception, empiricism, and conditional inference as proper sources of knowledge, embraces philosophical skepticism and rejects ritualism, and supernaturalism.
20. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta Period women and sudras speak which of the following languages?
[A] Sanskrit
[B] Prakrit
[C] Pali
[D] Sauraseni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prakrit]
Notes:
In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period women and sudras speak Prakrit. It is a group of languages based between Between Sanskrit and its modern derivatives.
