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 which period, “Arthshastra” was written?
[A] Gupta
[B] Maurya
[C] Shaka
[D] Kushan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maurya]
Notes:
Arthshastra was written by Kautilya or Vishnugupta or Chanakya, who was a professor at Taxila University and later the prime minister of the Maurya Empire. The manuscript was discovered by Arya Sharma Shashtri in 1904. Arthshastra has been divided in 15 Adhikarans and 180 Prakarans. It is related to money and politics and contains 6000 shlokas
12. Which among the following Buddhist Canon is related to dealing with rules for monks and nuns ?
[A] Vinaya Pitaka
[B] Sutta Pitaka
[C] Abhidhamma Pitaka
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vinaya Pitaka]
Notes:
Tripitaka or Three Baskets is a traditional term used for various Buddhist scriptures. It is known as pali Canon in English. The three pitakas are Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Sutta Pitaka: It contains over 10 thousand suttas or sutras related to Buddha and his close companions. This also deals with the first Buddhist council which was held shortly after Buddha’s death, dated by the majority of recent scholars around 400 BC, under the patronage of king Ajatasatru with the monk Mahakasyapa presiding, at Rajgir. It is divided into various sections as shown in following graphics:
Vinaya Pitaka: The subject matter of Vinay Pitaka is the monastic rules for monks and nuns. It can also be called as Book of Discipline. Its three books are Suttavibhanga, Khandaka and Parivara.
Abhidhammapitaka deals with the philosophy and doctrine of Buddhism appearing in the suttas. However, it does not contain the systematic philosophical treatises. There are 7 works of Abhidhamma Pitaka which most scholars agree that don’t represent the words of Buddha himself.
13. Who among the following king is related to Repair of Sudarsana Lake?
[A] Rudradaman
[B] Gautmi Putra Satkarni
[C] Kharavela
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rudradaman]
Notes:
The Junagarh Rock Inscription mentions that the Saka ruler Rudradaman (150-151 BC) had taken up the task of restoration of lake Sudarsana.
14. Which of the following group represents right combination of Triratnas of Jainism?
[A] Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Thought
[B] Right Thought, Right Action, Right Conduct
[C] Right Faith, Right Knowledge , Right Conduct
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Right Faith, Right Knowledge , Right Conduct]
Notes:
The triratnas are the three jewels (also referred to as ratnatraya) are understood as samyagdarshana (“right faith”), samyagjnana (“right knowledge”), and samyakcharitra (“right conduct”). One of the three cannot exist exclusive of the others, and all are required for spiritual liberation.
15. Which among the following is correct about Bhaddasala?
[A] He was a poet in the court of Chandragupta Maurya
[B] He was the general of the Nanda Army
[C] He was an ambassador of Ceylon King sent to Asoka’s court
[D] He was a playwright in the Gupta Era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [He was the general of the Nanda Army]
Notes:
Bhaddasala – (Bhadra shala / Bhadra shal ) was very strong opponent faced by chandragupta. He was a general of King Nanda.
16. Select the statement which is NOT correct regarding Kalidasa:
[A] Kalidasa was a renowned Sanskrit poet and dramatist of Gupta period.
[B] He was one of the nine gems in the court of Chandragupta I.
[C] Kumarasambhavam and Ritusamhara are his two epic works.
[D] His plays and poetry are primarily based on Hindu Puranas and philosophy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [He was one of the nine gems in the court of Chandragupta I.]
Notes:
He was one of the nine gems in the court of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya.
17. 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.
18. Who was the founder of Parmaras dynasty?
[A] Vakpati Munj
[B] Padmagupta
[C] Bhoja
[D] Sindhuraj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vakpati Munj]
Notes:
Vakpati Munj was the founder of Parmaras dynasty. He is said to have ruled from 993 to 995 A.D.
19. 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.
20. Who among the following Chola ruler built Brihadeshwar temple at Thanjavur in year 1010 AD ?
[A] Rajaraja
[B] Adhirajendra
[C] Rajendra I
[D] Vijayalaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajaraja]
Notes:
The Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola I built Brihadeshwar temple (also known as Rajarajeshwar temple) at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu in year 1010 AD. It is the world’s first complete granite temple.
