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. Who among the following were known as Tocharians?
[A] Kushans
[B] Shakas
[C] Hunas
[D] Kalabhras
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kushans]
Notes:
Kushans are also known as Yuechis or Tocharians.
12. Which Seleucid king’s name appears on Ashoka’s edicts?
[A] Antiochus I Soter
[B] Seleucus IV Philopator
[C] Antiochus II Theos
[D] Seleucus II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Antiochus II Theos]
Notes:
Antiochus II Theos, ruler of Syria, is mentioned in Ashoka’s edicts among Hellenistic contemporaries: Ptolemy II (Egypt), Magas (Cyrene), Antigonus Gonatas (Macedonia), and Alexander (Epirus).
13. Which among the following dynasties is known to have given the largest grant of villages to the temples and Brahamans?
[A] Prathihara
[B] Guptas
[C] Pala
[D] Satavahana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guptas]
Notes:The Guptas gave the largest grant of villages to temples and Brahmins. The practice of donating land to Brahmins was common during the Gupta period, which was a time of great cultural and intellectual flourishing in India. The three types of land grants in the Gupta period were:
- Brahmadeya: Land given to a group of Brahmins.
- Devadana: Land given to the gods.
- Agrahara: A settlement of priests.
The land was typically used for farming or other agricultural purposes. The income generated from the land was used to support the Brahmins and their families. The taxes from the villages were assigned to the Brahmana donees, who were also given the right to get the donated land cultivated.
14. Who is the author of Devichandraguptam?
[A] Vishakhadatta
[B] Dandin
[C] Bharavi
[D] Kalidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vishakhadatta]
Notes:
Devi-Chandraguptam is the Sanskrit play of Vishakhadeva (Vishakhadatta). Its the story of Gupta King Ramagupta who decides to surrender his queen Dhruvadevi to a Shaka invader but his younger brother Chandragupta enters the enemy camp disguised as queen and kills the enemy. In the climax of the play, Chandragupta dethrones Ramagupta and marries Dhruvadevi. Kindly note that an 11th century Persian text Majmal-ut-Tawarikh includes some parts of the plot of this play.
15. What is the meaning of kalibangan in Rajasthan which shows the prehistoric and pre-Mauryan character of Indus Valley Civilization ?
[A] Black River
[B] Black Bangles
[C] Black forest
[D] Black land
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Black Bangles]
Notes:
- Kali = Black
- Bangan = Bangles
16. On which of the following systems of Hindu Philosophy, Shankaracharya wrote commentary in 9th century AD?
[A] Sankhya
[B] Vaisheshika
[C] Yoga
[D] Uttarmimansa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Uttarmimansa]
Notes:
Uttar Mimamsa is the Vedanta, one of the most significant of all Indian philosophies. As compared to other systems, its advent and growth is recent. Still it is the most influential orthodox philosophical systems of India.
17. Which among the following best suits to Vajrasana?
[A] The place where Buddha got enlightment
[B] The Place where First Buddhist Council was held
[C] The capital of one of the clans of Athakula
[D] The site where a Mauryan Palace has been excavated
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The place where Buddha got enlightment]
Notes:
The Vajrasana is an ancient stone slab located under the Bodhi tree, directly beside the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya. It was placed at Bodhgayā by emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Empire between 250-233 BCE, at the spot where the Buddha gained enlightenment about 200 years before.
18. Which Veda is sometimes called the "Veda of magical formulas?"
[A] Atharvaveda
[B] Krishna Yajurveda
[C] Shukla Yajurveda
[D] Rig-Veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Atharvaveda]
Notes:
The Atharvaveda has less connection with sacrifice and deals with normal procedures for everyday life. Atharvaveda is also known as “Veda of magical formulas”. The Atharvaveda includes samhitas, Brahmana text and three primary Upanisads, Mundaka Upanishad, Mandukya Upanishads and the Prashna Upanishads.
19. The image of Buddha with a circular head halo and flying Gandharvas on either side with garlands in hands appeared for the first time during the:
[A] Gandhara School of Arts
[B] Mathura School of Arts
[C] Gupta School of Arts
[D] Amaravati School of Art
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Gandhara School of Arts]
Notes:
The image of Buddha with a circular head halo and flying Gandharvas on either side with garlands in hands appeared for the first time during the Gandhara School of Arts.
20. In which of the following places, Buddha attained enlightment?
[A] Sarnath
[B] Bodhgaya
[C] Kapilvastu
[D] Rajgriha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bodhgaya]
Notes:
The Bodhi Tree was a large and ancient sacred fig tree located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, under which Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher who became known as the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment or Bodhi.
