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 are not mentioned in Asokan Inscriptions?
[A] Cholas
[B] Satyaputras
[C] Cheras
[D] Pallavas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pallavas]
Notes:
Ashoka was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from c. 268 to 232 BCE. Pallavas ruled from 275CE to 897 CE. They are not contemporaries.
12. 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:
Yajnavalkyasmriti, which is almost regarded as the official law book of Guptas, was composed also in Gupta era.
13. “Gangaikonda Cholapuram” became the capital of the Chola empire from the time of which emperor ?
[A] Rajendra I
[B] Rajaraja II
[C] Parantaka I
[D] Rajaraja I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajendra I]
Notes:
The Chola King Rajendra I defeated Mahipala (the Pala king of Bengal and Bihar) and to commemorate his victory he built a new capital called Gangaikonda Cholapuram (the city of the Chola conqueror of the Ganga).
14. In the early Vedic age, Vishnu was one of the names of __?
[A] Surya
[B] Agni
[C] Dyaus
[D] Prajapati
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Correct Answer: A [ Surya]
Notes:
Vishnu was one of the names of surya in the early vedic age. Surya is sun.
15. In which sect, Gandhara school of art came into existence?
[A] Hinayana sect
[B] Vaishnava sect
[C] Shaiva sect
[D] Mahayana sect
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mahayana sect]
Notes:
The Gandhara school of art came into existence in Mahayana sect. Mahayana sect believes in idols worship of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. The Gandhara School of art had also developed in first century AD along with Mathura School during reign of Kushana emperor Kanishka
16. Who among the following introduced the Saka era? (UPSC Prelims 1982)
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kanishka
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Harsha Vardhana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kanishka]
Notes:
The Saka Era was founded by Kanishka, the emperor of Kushana Empire from the year 78 A.D. The year of the modern Saka Calendar is tied to the Gregorian date of 22 March every year, except in Gregorian leap years when it starts on 21 March.
17. Teri sites of Tamil Nadu are associated with which of the following periods?
[A] Neolithic
[B] Mesolithic
[C] Paleolithic
[D] Upper Paleolithic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Mesolithic ]
Notes:
Teri sites are group of 11 sites n the Tinnevelly district of Tamil Nadu. They are associated with dunes of reddened sand. These teri sites are belongs to Mesolithic period.
18. Which of the following age is also known as copper age?
[A] Paleolithic age
[B] Neolithic age
[C] Mesolithic age
[D] Chalcolithic age
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Chalcolithic age ]
Notes:
Neolithic age is followed by the Chalcolithic or stone – copper age, which generally occurred from 1800 – 1000 BC
19. Which one of the following Indus cities is not located in India?
[A] Sutkagendor
[B] Surkotada
[C] Dholavira
[D] Lothal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sutkagendor]
Notes:
Of the listed options, Sutkagen Dor is the only archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization not located within modern borders of India. It lies near the Dasht river in Pakistan’s Balochistan province close to the Iranian frontier. Surkotada, Dholavira and Lothal are all IVC metropolitan centers excavated across the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in western India that represented the easternmost outposts of the greater Indus zone.
20. Who among the following named the Indus valley civilization as the ‘Harappan civilization’ after the name of the Indus site of Harappa?
[A] Dr Sankhalia
[B] Dr S R Rao
[C] Sir ME M Wheeler
[D] Sir John Marshall
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sir John Marshall]
Notes:
Sir John Marshall- Director-General of the ASI from 1902–1928 led to organisation of its work structure and departments. In the 1920s, he named the newly discovered Indus Valley civilization after Harappa, the first site excavated in Sahni’s 1921 work, thus giving the entire culture its nomenclature as the ‘Harappan civilization’.
