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 the Sangam age, ‘Karai’ the revenue term is related with__?
[A] Collecting Tax
[B] Land Tax
[C] Custom Duties
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Land Tax ]
Notes:
The Term Karai was used for Land Tax in the Sangam Period.
12. That the homeland of the Aryans was Arctic Region, was propounded by ___?
[A] Max Muller
[B] Edward Meyer
[C] Bal Gangadhar Tilak
[D] Herzefeld
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Bal Gangadhar Tilak ]
Notes:
The Arctic Home in the Vedas is a book on the origin of Aryans by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak The book was written at the end of 1898, but was first published in March 1903 in Pune .It propounded the theory that the North Pole was the original home of Aryans during pre-glacial period which they had to leave due to the ice deluge around 8000 B.C. And had to migrate to the Northern parts of Europe and Asia in search of lands for new settlements. In support to his theory , Tilak has presented certain Vedic hymns, East Iranian passages, Vedic chronology and Vedic calendars with interpretations of the contents in detail.
13. Which among the following kings assassinated Brihadrath, the last Maurya King?
[A] Agnimitra
[B] Pushyamitra Shunga
[C] Vasujyeshtha
[D] Vasumitra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pushyamitra Shunga]
Notes:
Brihadratha was a weak ruler and his Senapati Pushymitra Shunga while a parading the entire Mauryan army before Brihadratha to show him the strength of the army assassinated him and this was the end of the Mauryas.
Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty in around 185-183 BC.
14. Milinda-Panho is a pali text which record discussion between Milinda and Nagsena. Milinda was a ________?
[A] Satvahan King
[B] Shunga King
[C] Indo Greek Ruler
[D] Nanda king
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indo Greek Ruler]
Notes:
The Milinda Panho is a Buddhist text which dates from sometime between 100 BC and 200 CE. It records a dialogue between the Buddhist sage Nāgasena, and the Indo-Greek king Menander.
15. Which among the following is also called encyclopedia of Buddhism?
[A] Buddhacharita
[B] Mahavibhasa
[C] Milinda Panho
[D] Vinayapitaka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahavibhasa]
Notes:
Abhidharma-mahavibhasa known as Mahavibhaṣa, is a Vaibhashika written treatise on Sarvastivada abhidharma. It translated into Chinese by the scholar–pilgrim Xuanzang and his translation team between 656 and 659 C.E.
16. Who among the following has been mentioned as Maharajadhiraja and a Lion to the Huna Deer by Banabhatta?
[A] Harshavarshana
[B] Prabhakarvardhana
[C] Yashovardhana
[D] Grahavarman.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prabhakarvardhana]
Notes:
Prabhakaravardhana was a king of Thanesar in northern India around the time of the decline of the Gupta Empire. Banabhatta credits Prabhakaravardhana with a strong stance against the Hunas, describing him as:”A lion to the Huna deer”.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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).
20. The “Siddhimatrika” script was one of the forms of writing Sanskrit in ancient India. This script, which made Sanskrit works known in China and Japan was developed during the times of ___:
[A] Kanishka
[B] Harsha
[C] Meander
[D] Chandragupta Vikramaditya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Harsha]
Notes:
During the times of Harsha, an script called Siddhimatrika was developed which is sometimes called Harsha Script. Please note that Siddhimatrika was the form of writing in which Sanskrit works became known in China and Japan.
