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. Ashvaghosha, who has written the marvelous work “Buddhacharita” was a court poet of which among the following kings?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kanishka
[C] Samudra gupta
[D] Ajatshatru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kanishka]
Notes:
Asvaghosa wrote “Buddhacharitra” and lived in the court of King Kanishka. He was a Buddhist philosopher, poet, orator and dramatist from India. He is considered to be the greatest Indian poet before Kalidasa.
12. The railings of the Sanchi Stupa were made during ?
[A] Maurya Period
[B] Sunga Period
[C] Kushana Period
[D] Gupta Period
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sunga Period]
Notes:
The railing of the Sanchi stupa was made during Sunga dynasty. On the railing decorations at Sanchi stupa is a depiction of worshipers paying homage to a tree, in front of which a platform has been erected.
13. There is no evidence of cultivation of which among the Barley , Sugarcane, Rice & Field pea at any of the sites of the Indus valley ?
[A] Sugarcane, Rice & Field pea
[B] Rice & Field pea
[C] Sugarcane Only
[D] Rice only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sugarcane Only]
Notes:
The correct answer is “Sugarcane Only.” While barley and rice were cultivated in the Indus Valley Civilization, there is no archaeological evidence of sugarcane cultivation in that region during that period. The Indus Valley Civilization, which thrived around 2500 BCE, is known for its advanced agricultural practices, including the cultivation of barley and rice, but sugarcane was primarily cultivated in other regions, such as Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, before spreading to India later.
14. Which of the following was a common way of Chola kings Raj Raja-1 and Rajendra 1 to commemorate their victories?
[A] Erecting Pillars
[B] Erecting Temples
[C] Erecting inscriptions
[D] issuing coins
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Erecting Temples]
Notes:
Rajaraja I, born Arulmoli Varman, often described as Rajaraja the Great, was a Chola emperor chiefly remembered for reinstating the Chola power. Rajendra Chola I or Rajendra I was a Tamil Chola emperor of South India who succeeded his father Rajaraja Chola I to the throne in 1014 CE. They build temples to commemorate their victories.
15. Which Jain Tirthankara is regarded as female by the Shwetambar sect of Jainism?
[A] 16th
[B] 18th
[C] 19th
[D] 20th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [19th]
Notes:
Jainism, an ancient Indian religion, is divided into two main sects – the Shwetambars and the Digambars. In a unique aspect, the Shwetambars believe the 19th Tirthankara, Mallinath, to have been a woman. However, this belief is not shared by the Digambar sect. This diversity in perspectives showcases the complexities and variations that exist even within single religious communities.
16. 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.
17. Who among the following ruler built the Dasavatara and the Ravana-ka- khai at Ellora?
[A] Amoghvarsha I
[B] Krishna III
[C] Dantidurga
[D] Govinda I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dantidurga]
Notes:
The founder of Rashtrakuta empire,Emperor Dantidurga built the Dasavatara and the Ravana-ka- khai at Ellora.
18. Which of the following rivers is not included in the list of Seven Rivers that graced and nourished the first Aryan settlement?
[A] Sutudri
[B] Parusni
[C] Asikni
[D] Charmanvati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Charmanvati]
Notes:
Charmanvati is the ancient name of Chambal. There is a verse in Nadistuti sukta of Rig-Veda, hymn of praise of rivers which mentions the following 10 rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Sutudri, Parusni, Asikni, Marudvrdha, Vitasta, Arjikiya, and Susoma. The Shutudri was Sutlej, Parushni was Ravi, Asikni was Chenab and Vitasta was Jhelum. The 5 rivers Sutudri, Parusni, Asikni, Vitasta, and Vipas all were tributaries of Sindhu River. Together with Sarasawti and Sindhu, these 5 rivers constituted the Sapta Sindhu
19. Which of the following Rock Edicts of Asoka talks about taxation?
[A] Bhabru Inscription
[B] Nigalisagar Pillar Inscription
[C] Rummindei Pillar Inscription
[D] Barabar Cave Inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rummindei Pillar Inscription]
Notes:
Rummindei Pillar Inscription says that The Beloved of the Gods, the king Piyadassi, when he had been consecrated twenty years, came in person find referenced the place where Buddha Sakyamuni was born. He caused a stone enclosure to be made and a stone pillar to be erected. As the Lord was born here in the village of Lumbini, he has exempted it from tax, and fixed its contribution [i.e. Of grain] at one-eigth.
20. Which of the following Vedas is sometimes referred as the “Veda of magical formulas”?
[A] Rig-Veda
[B] Samveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Atharvaveda ]
Notes:
Atharvaveda is sometimes referred as the “Veda of magical formulas”
