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. What was the correct rank of “Baladhikarana” in the Gupta Age?
[A] Head of Army
[B] Head of State Police Department
[C] Head of cavalry
[D] Head of intelligence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Head of Army]
Notes:
“Baladhikarana” in the Gupta Age is the Head of the army. The Gupta Empire is referred to as the Golden Age of India because of the extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy that illuminated the elements of Hindu Culture.
12. The famous Gayatri mantra is addressed to which of the following vedic goddess?
[A] Aditi
[B] Saraswati
[C] Savitri
[D] Laxmi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Savitri]
Notes:
The Gāyatrī Mantra is also known as the Sāvitri Mantra. It is an important mantra from the Rig Veda dedicated to Savitri, the deity of five elements. Gāyatrī is the name of the Goddess of the Vedic Mantra in which the verse is composed.
13. Who among the following granted permission to Buddhist King of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a Monastery at Bodh Gaya?
[A] Chandra gupta Virkramaditya
[B] Samudra Gupta
[C] Skand Gupta
[D] Kumara Gupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Samudra Gupta]
Notes:
Samudragupta granted permission to Buddhist king of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a monastery at Bodh Gaya. Samudragupta was a ruler of the Gupta Empire of Ancient India. As a son of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta I and the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, he greatly expanded his dynasty’s political power.
14. The word coromandal cost has been derived from the kingdom of which of the following?
[A] Cheras
[B] Cholas
[C] Chalukyas
[D] Pandyas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cholas]
Notes:
The name coromandal occurs in the forms Cholamandalam or Solamandalam on the great temple inscription of Tanjore. So Coromandel takes its name from the ancient dynasty of Tamil rulers known as the Cholas.
15. Which among the following is considered to be the official law book of the Guptas?
[A] Manusmriti
[B] Parashara Smriti
[C] Yajnavalkya Smriti
[D] Vyasa Smriti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yajnavalkya Smriti]
Notes:
The Yajnavalkya Smriti is one of the Dharma-related texts of Hinduism composed in Sanskrit. It is dated to between the 3rd to 5th-century CE, and belongs to the Dharmasastras tradition. It was the official law book of the Guptas.
16. Which deity did the Alwars get associated with in ancient Indian mythological text?
[A] Shiva
[B] Vishnu
[C] Parvati
[D] Ganesha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vishnu]
Notes:
The term “Alwars” comes from ancient Indian mythology, specifying a specific group of 12 Vaishnava saints known for their poetic expressions of devotion for Lord Vishnu in Tamil Nadu. The prominent group includes Poigai Alvar, Bhoothathalvar, Peyalvar, and others. Their spiritual work is often considered the early precursor to the Bhakti movement that promoted devotion towards a particular deity overcoming the barriers of caste and gender.
17. Which Satvahana ruler adopted the title Tri-samudra-toya-pita-vahana?
[A] Vashishtiputra Pulumayi
[B] Gautamiputra Sri Satkarni
[C] Simuka
[D] Yajnasri Satkarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gautamiputra Sri Satkarni]
Notes:
Gautamiputra Sri Satakarni adopted the title Tri-samudra-toya-pita-vahana. Tri-samudra-toya-pita-vahana meant the ruler whose subjects drank the water of the three seas of the east, west and south viz. today’s Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
18. By which of the following The term Yavanapriya (mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts) denoted?
[A] a fine variety of Indian muslin
[B] ivory
[C] damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance
[D] pepper
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [pepper]
Notes:
The term ‘Yavanapriya’ mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts denoted pepper.
19. Inamgaon Chalcolithic site of Maharashtra has shown evidence of which of the following?
[A] Horse burials
[B] Rampart along with a ditch
[C] irrigation canal and an embankment
[D] Megalith
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ irrigation canal and an embankment ]
Notes:
Inamgaon is a Chalcolithic site of Maharashtra has shown evidence of an irrigation canal and an embankment.
20. Which one of the following animals was NOT represented on the seals and terracotta art of the Harappan culture?
[A] Cow
[B] Elephant
[C] Rhinoceros
[D] Tiger
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cow]
Notes:
Cow, camel, horse and lion were not depicted on seals. Unicorn (bull) was the animal most commonly represented on the seals.
