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 ‘Saptanga Theory of State’ (Theory of Seven Limbs of the State) was propounded by :
[A] Kautilya in Arthashastra
[B] Manu in Manusmriti
[C] Kalhana in Rajatarangini
[D] Banabhatta in Harshacharita
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kautilya in Arthashastra]
Notes:
Saptanga theory of state was given by Kautilya in Arthashastra. According to it, the seven limbs of a state are King, Amatya (Bureaucrats) , Janapada (territory), Durga (Fort), Kosa (Treasure), Danda (coercive authority) and Mitra (ally).
12. Who was the first chinese traveller visited Nalanda University and also study for some time ?
[A] Xuanzang
[B] Xi ping
[C] Hensen
[D] Xiaung zang
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Xuanzang]
Notes:
Xuanzang also known as Hieun Tsang visited Nalanda first in 637B.C. and then again in 642 B.C. and studied under the guidance of Shilabhadra.
13. Who among the following ruler of Utpal dynasty founded a new city Avantipur?
[A] Lalitaditya Muktapida
[B] Sangam Raj
[C] Avantivarman
[D] Durlabahaka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Avantivarman]
Notes:
The ruler of Utpal dynasty, Avantivarman ruled Kashmir during 855 AD to 883 AD. He founded a new city Avantipur (Bantipur) and built a town Suryapura. His court was adorned by two famous poets, Ratnakar and Anandavardhana.
14. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the Indus Valley Civilization?
[A] Their chief deities were Mother Goddess and Shiva
[B] They worshipped bulls
[C] They had all amenities of a developed city life
[D] They did not know of iron
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [They had all amenities of a developed city life]
Notes:
The significant features of Indus Valley civilization are personal cleanliness, town planning, construction of burnt-brick houses, ceramics, casting, forging of metals, manufacturing of cotton and woolen textiles. Mohenjo-Daro people had finest bath facilities, drainage system, and knowledge of personal hygiene.
15. Who among the following decipher Ashokan inscriptions?
[A] Buhler
[B] Robert Sewell
[C] James Prinsep
[D] Codplngton
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [James Prinsep]
Notes:
The inscriptions found in the central and eastern part of India were written in Magadhi Prakrit using the Brahmi script, while Prakrit using the Kharoshthi script, Greek and Aramaic were used in the northwest. These edicts were deciphered by British archaeologist and historian James Prinsep.
16. Who among the following use the word ‘Hindu’ as reference to the people of Hind?
[A] The Greeks
[B] The Romans
[C] The Chinese
[D] The Arabs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The Greeks]
Notes:
The word Hindu or Indu was used by Greeks to denote the country and people living beyond the Indus river. Megasthenes’ ‘Indica’ epitomizes the name for India and Indians around the 4th Century B.C.E. This word was misunderstood to be coined by Arabs, by medieval and some modern Indian Historians.
17. Which language and script were utilized for the edicts of Asoka found in central and eastern India, as deciphered by James Prinsep?
[A] Magadhi Prakrit and Brahmi
[B] Prakrit and Kharoshthi
[C] Greek and Aramaic
[D] Sanskrit and Devanagari
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Magadhi Prakrit and Brahmi]
Notes:
British archaeologist and historian James Prinsep deciphered the edicts found in central and eastern India. The language used was Magadhi Prakrit and was written using the Brahmi script. James Prinsep was a scholar, philologist, and the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.
18. Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India?
[A] Chaturvedimangalam
[B] Parishad
[C] Ashtadikgaja
[D] Manigrama
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Manigrama]
Notes:
A manigramam was a large, influential guild of South Indian merchants during the period of Western Chalukyan rulers in 10th – 12th Century CE.
19. Most of the Indus beads were made up of:
[A] Carnelian
[B] Steatite
[C] Terracotta
[D] Jade
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Carnelian]
Notes:
Beads unearthed from multiple Harappan sites indicate the majority were made from carnelian, a reddish-orange variant of mineral quartz. Small drill holes allowed stringing into necklaces and ornaments worn by people as decorative jewellery or status symbols. Rich variety of materials used – like faience, steatite, agate, coral – also showcase specialized craft skills.
20. At which of the following Indus sites historians discovered human skeletons huddled together, indicating their violent death?
[A] Sutkagendor
[B] Surkotada
[C] Mohenjadaro
[D] Harappa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mohenjadaro ]
Notes:
A group of skeletons were uncovered from Mohenjo-daro in areas like in lane of house No. VII and below the stairs facing house No. XI which pointed to a sudden catastrophe where people took shelter till their last breath. At Dholavira, large-scale destruction of the island fortress including buffer area has also been observed.
