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. Indus Valley site at Surkotada is located in which state?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Haryana
[C] Gujarat
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
The Indus Valley site at Surkotada is located in the Rapar Taluka of the Kutch district of Gujarat, about 160 km northeast of Bhuj. The ancient mound is surrounded by a rising ground with small sandstone hills.
12. Which among the following sites near Pondicherry gives best support to the view on an ancient trade between Rome and the ancient Tamil country of India?
[A] Villianur
[B] Suttukeni
[C] Arikamedu
[D] Andiarpalayam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arikamedu]
Notes:
Arikamedu is the site near Pondicherry that best supports the view of ancient trade between Rome and the ancient Tamil country of India. Arikamedu was an important coastal and port town in ancient India. It was located near Puducherry, a union territory of India. Arikamedu was believed to be an active trading port with the Roman Empire as early as the second century BC. Arikamedu exported textiles, beads, and precious stones, and imported wine and olive oil from Rome. It was believed to be the only town to have ties with Rome.
Arikamedu is located about seven kilometers from Pondicherry. The name Arikamedu means “eroding mud”.
13. Konark Temples are related to which of the following dynasties ?
[A] Ganga
[B] Pallavas
[C] Chandelas
[D] Cholas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ganga]
Notes:
The Sun Temple at Konarak was built in about 1250 AD by the East Ganga king Narasimhadeva in order to commemorate military successes against Muslim invaders.It is also known as the Black Pagoda.
14. Which among the following is the most important work of Tamil Literature of Sangam Period (sometimes also referred as Bible of the Tamil land)?
[A] Thirukkural
[B] Purananuru
[C] Malaipatukatam
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Thirukkural]
Notes:
Thiruvalluvar was the author of the book ‘Tirukkural (also known as the Kural). It is a classic Tamil sangam literature consisting of 1330 couplets or Kurals. The book is also called as the fifth Veda or ‘Bible of the Tamil Land’.
15. Which of the following was used in house making in Indus Valley Civilization?
[A] Stone
[B] Bricks
[C] Wood
[D] Bamboo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bricks]
Notes:
Bricks were used in Indus Valley Sites for house making.
16. Who among the following was called Lichchavi Dauhitra?
[A] Chandragupta
[B] Kumargupta
[C] Samudragupta
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Samudragupta ]
Notes:
Samudragupta calls himself Lichchavi- dauhitra the son of the daughter of the Lichchavis. The Licchavis were a clan amongst the Vajji Mahajanapada of ancient India.
17. Which of the following statements is not correct about Nalanda University? (UPSC Prelims 1983)
[A] It was an ancient Buddhist learning centre
[B] A Chinese Hiuen Tsang studied here
[C] We came to know about it only through the writings of Chinese pilgrims
[D] It was mainly responsible for spreading Buddhism to China, Japan and South East Asia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [We came to know about it only through the writings of Chinese pilgrims]
Notes:
Nalanda was an ancient Mahavihara. It was a large and revered Buddhist monastery. It flourished under the patronage of the Gupta Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries. At its peak the school attracted scholars and students from near and far, with some travelling from Tibet, China, Korea, and Central Asia.
Hiuen Tsang travelled around India between the years of 630 and 643 CE and visited Nalanda first in 637 and then again in 642, spending a total of around two years at the monastery.
18. It is said that of the five doctrines taught by Jainism four were taken over by Mahavira from previous teachers and only one was added by him. Which one of the following was the doctrine added by him? (UPSC Prelims 1991)
[A] Do not commit violence
[B] Observe continence
[C] Do not acquire property
[D] Do not speak a lie
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Observe continence]
Notes:
Mahavira added the principle of chastity to the four Jain principles already given by Parshva (no violence, no lying, no stealing, no possessions). According to tradition Mahavira is said to have established a community of 14,000 monks and 36,000 nuns before he died.
19. Which Harappan site revealed the actual remains of a rhinoceros that were used on the seals by Indus people?
[A] Banwali
[B] Kalibangan
[C] Lothal
[D] Amri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Amri]
Notes:
Harappan site of Amri, located in modern-day Sindh, Pakistan has revealed actual rhinoceros bones and fossils although the one-horned rhinoceros species no longer inhabits the region. However, rhino motifs commonly occur on Indus seals, bronzes, and pottery found across sites. The discovery of rhino remains at Amri confirms the Indus people were familiar with these exotic animals that they incorporated into religious iconography. The non-native rhinos were likely brought or traded from elsewhere.
20. Which mandal of the Rig Veda contains compilation of soma hymns?
[A] Mandal VII
[B] Mandal VIII
[C] Mandal IX
[D] Mandal X
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mandal IX]
Notes:
The ninth mandal of the Rig Veda contains compilation of soma hymns. The IX mandala of the Rig Veda is completely devoted to the vedic God soma. It is a collections of hymns taken from the Rig Veda and set to tunes for the purpose of singing.
