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 river is most described in Rig-Veda?
[A] Sindhu
[B] Chenab
[C] Saraswati
[D] Ganga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sindhu]
Notes:
The most mentioned river in Rigveda is Indus river, followed by Saraswati.
12. Which of the following Chinese pilgrim gives account of the First Gupta Ruler?
[A] Fa Hien
[B] Huen Tsang
[C] Itsing
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Itsing]
Notes:
Yijing or I-tsing, was a Tang-era Chinese Buddhist monk famed as a traveler and translator. His account of his travels is an important source for the history of the medieval kingdoms along the sea route between China and India. He gave account of the first gupta ruler Srigupta.
13. Which among the following is NOT a correct statement in context with the Gupta Era?
[A] Gupta era is known for extensive achievements in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy
[B] Gupta era crystallized the common elements of Hindu Culture
[C] Maximum number of Gold Coins were issued in Gupta Era
[D] The Gold Content of Gupta Era coins was maximum in comparison to previous major dynasties
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [The Gold Content of Gupta Era coins was maximum in comparison to previous major dynasties]
Notes:
Although the Gupta rulers issued the largest number of gold coins, their gold content, particularly after Skandagupta was very low. This justifies the deteriorating economy in later gupta era.
14. 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.
15. Who among the following advocated the philosophy of Vishista Advaita ?
[A] Sankaradeva
[B] Madhvacharya
[C] Nimbarka
[D] Ramanuja
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ramanuja]
Notes:
The philosophy of Vishista Advaita is known as Qualified Non-dualism (or qualified monism or attributive monism.). This philosophy was advocated by Ramanuja, who belongs to the village of Perumbudur, Tamilnadu. According to him, the relationship between individual and the divine is that of a part and the whole. Both have distinct quality. They are not identical, but everytjing conscious and un-conscious exits in the Divine.
16. 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
17. Copper Rhinoceros Sculpture was found at which of the following Indus Valley sites?
[A] Daimabad
[B] Kalibangan
[C] Lothal
[D] Mohenjo-daro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Daimabad]
Notes:
Sculptures found at Daimabad were: Copper Rhinoceros, Copper Elephant & Copper Chariot.
18. Who among the following was not a writer of legal texts? (UPSC Prelims 1990)
[A] Yajnavalkya
[B] Manu
[C] Narada
[D] Bharavi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Narada]
Notes:
Narada is a Vedic sage, famous in Hindu traditions as a traveling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He appears in a number of Hindu texts, notably the Mahabharata as Vidur and the Ramayana as Vibhishan, as well as in the Puranas.
19. Who among the following anticipated Newton by declaring that all things gravitate to the earth? (UPSC Prelims 1995)
[A] Aryabhata
[B] Varahamihira
[C] Buddhagupta
[D] Brahmagupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Brahmagupta]
Notes:
Brahmagupta was an Indian mathematician and astronomer who had written numerous important books on mathematics and astronomy. He anticipated Newton by declaring that all things gravitate to the earth.
20. Megaliths found South India belong to which period?
[A] Paleolithic age
[B] Mesolithic age
[C] Neolithic age
[D] Iron Age
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Iron Age ]
Notes:
In south India some people were buried along with their tools, weapons, pottery and other belongings under big and heavy stones. These graves are known as megaliths. These Megalith burials have yielded the first iron objects from south India. Besides these the use of Black and Red ware pottery was also a distinctive feature of the Megalithic people.
