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. At which among the following places, Gautam Buddha preached his last sermon?
[A] Sarnath
[B] Rajgir
[C] Vaishali
[D] Pavapuri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vaishali]
Notes:
Lord Buddha preached his first sermon at Sarnath. Buddha preached most sermons at Sravasti. Lord Buddha preached his last sermon at Vaishali.
12. Who among the following is the author of Dharmasastra?
[A] Manu
[B] Gautama
[C] Kasyapa
[D] Several authors
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Several authors]
Notes:
Dharmaśāstra is a genre of Sanskrit theological texts, and refers to the treatises of Hinduism on dharma. There are many Dharmashastras, variously estimated to be 18 to about 100. There are many authors for Dharmasastras.
13. Which among the following Buddhist Canon is related to dealing with rules for monks and nuns ?
[A] Vinaya Pitaka
[B] Sutta Pitaka
[C] Abhidhamma Pitaka
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vinaya Pitaka]
Notes:
Tripitaka or Three Baskets is a traditional term used for various Buddhist scriptures. It is known as pali Canon in English. The three pitakas are Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Sutta Pitaka: It contains over 10 thousand suttas or sutras related to Buddha and his close companions. This also deals with the first Buddhist council which was held shortly after Buddha’s death, dated by the majority of recent scholars around 400 BC, under the patronage of king Ajatasatru with the monk Mahakasyapa presiding, at Rajgir. It is divided into various sections as shown in following graphics:
Vinaya Pitaka: The subject matter of Vinay Pitaka is the monastic rules for monks and nuns. It can also be called as Book of Discipline. Its three books are Suttavibhanga, Khandaka and Parivara.
Abhidhammapitaka deals with the philosophy and doctrine of Buddhism appearing in the suttas. However, it does not contain the systematic philosophical treatises. There are 7 works of Abhidhamma Pitaka which most scholars agree that don’t represent the words of Buddha himself.
14. In ancient India, which dynasty issued the largest number of Gold coins?
[A] Guptas
[B] Mauryas
[C] Cholas
[D] Nandas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Guptas]
Notes:
Guptas issued the largest number of gold coins in ancient India. During their rule they introduced gold coins for the trade and they have issued a large amount of gold coins in their kingdom for the trade and the welfare of their people.
15. Kena Upanishad is of which of the following Vedas?
[A] Rig Veda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharva veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Samaveda]
Notes:
“Ken” literally means ‘by whom’. It belongs to the Talavakara Brahmana of Sama Veda and is therefore also referred to as Talavakara Upanishad.
16. 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.
17. Who among the following belonged to Sakya clan of Kshatriyas?
[A] Gautam Buddha
[B] Mahavir jain
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Rishabhnath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gautam Buddha]
Notes:
Gautama Buddha belongs to Sakya clan of Kshatriyas. They lived in the area near Magadha. His mother is Maya devi and father is Suddhodana.
18. Which among the following sites has given the evidence of an earliest recorded “Earthquake”?
[A] Kalibangan
[B] Lothal
[C] Surkotda
[D] Harappa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kalibangan]
Notes:
According to B. B. Lal, former DG of ASI, Kalibangan site shows that an earthquake occured around 2600 BC, which brought to an end the Early Indus settlement at the site. It is perhaps the earliest archaeologically recorded earthquake.
19. Establishment of Svetambara as a separate sect within Jainism was resulted at ____?
[A] Rajgriha
[B] Vallabhi
[C] Ujjaini
[D] Sanchi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vallabhi]
Notes:
It was the outcome of Jain monks council meeting held in the year of 453 or 466 CE
20. In which among the following Mahajanapada, Lord Buddha attained parinirvana?
[A] Anga
[B] Magadha
[C] Malla
[D] Vatsa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Malla]
Notes:
Buddha attained Niravana at Kushinagara, a village some 180 Kilometers from Varanasi and it was in the state of Mallas.
