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 context of Chola administration what did “Kurram” denote?
[A] Mandalam
[B] District
[C] Mandap
[D] Group of villages
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Group of villages]
Notes:
Kurram (a group of villages) was the lowest unit of Chola administration.
12. During the times of which among the following, the first cave temples were constructed in the chaitya and vihara architectural styles?
[A] Shaka
[B] Satavahana
[C] Kushana
[D] Maurya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Satavahana]
Notes:
It was in the Satavahana domains that the first cave temples were constructed in the chaitya and vihara architectural styles, which paved theway for later architectural forms.
13. Each term of which of the following sets denotes a kind of tax / cess during Gupta Era?
[A] Bhaga, Bhoga, Vasti
[B] Bali, Udranga, Hiranya
[C] Khila, Udranga, Vasti
[D] Bali, Bhaga, Khila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Bali, Udranga, Hiranya ]
Notes:Various forms of taxes / cess in Gupta era are as follows:
- Bhaga 1 /6th share of produce ‘
- Bhoga Flowers, fruits, milk etc; given to king
- Kara Additional cess
- Bali Religious Tax
- Uparikara Additional cess
- Udranga Tax from permanent peasants
- Hiranya Tax in cash
- Vata Bhuta Tax for wind and water gods
The meaning of some other terms are as follows:
- Khetra Cultivable land
- Khila Barren land
- Aprahata Jungle
- Vasti Basti- Habitable land
- Gapatha Saraha Pastures
14. Who introduced Buddhism in Nepal?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Ashoka
[C] Chandragupta
[D] Harshavardhana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ashoka]
Notes:
Buddhism in Nepal started spreading since the reign of Ashoka through Indian and Tibetan missionaries. The Kiratas were the first people in Nepal who embraced Gautama Buddha’s teachings, followed by the Licchavis and Newars. Lumbini is considered to lie in present-day Rupandehi district, Lumbini zone of Nepal.
15. Which caves dating back to 600 A.D. are located on Gharapuri Island in Mumbai harbour?
[A] Ajanta Caves
[B] Kanheri Caves
[C] Ellora Caves
[D] Elephanta Caves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Elephanta Caves]
Notes:
The Elephanta Caves are hewn out of solid rock and filled with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Gharapuri Island can be reached by boat from the Gateway of India. The stone elephant after which these caves have been named has been shifted to the Bhau Dali Ladd Museum located next to Jijamata Udyan.
16. Which of these important inventions was created by the Gupta civilization?
[A] Leather Belts
[B] Farm Tractor
[C] Newspaper
[D] ‘Arabic’ Numeral System
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [‘Arabic’ Numeral System]
Notes:
The Gupta civilization took pride in its education system and its mathematics in the ancient world. The number system that they created – which is now known as the ‘Arabic’ numeral system, was based on the number zero. The Gupta civilization was also very advanced in herbal medicine.
17. Which of the following rulers welcomed Magasthenes? (UPSC Prelims General Studies 1981)
[A] Ashoka
[B] Harsha
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Vikramaditya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chandragupta Maurya]
Notes:
Chandragupta Maurya welcomed Magasthenes. A clear picture of his Maurya administration is derived from two most important sources of history, namely, Kautilya’s Arthasastra and the Indika of Megasthenes.
18. Which of the following was the extent of Indus Valley Civilization? (UPSC Prelims 1984)
[A] Baluchistan, Sind, Punjab and Rajasthan
[B] Sind, Punjab and Kashmir
[C] Afghanistan, Sind, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Kashmir
[D] None of these
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Baluchistan, Sind, Punjab and Rajasthan]
Notes:
The Indus Valley Civilization was not confined to these few sites. The influence of this culture extended to the Punjab, Sindh, North West Frontier Province (now in Pakistan), Baluchistan, Rajasthan, U.P., Gujarat and even some parts of south India.
19. 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.
20. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta Period women and sudras speak which of the following languages? (UPSC Prelims 1995)
[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.
