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 profession of Karmara in Vedic age?
[A] Blacksmith
[B] Potter
[C] Ratha (Chariot ) Makers
[D] Goldsmith
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Blacksmith]
Notes:Some of the ancient professions and their names are as follows:
- Karmara – Blacksmith
- Takshan – Carpenter
- Vapta – Barber
- Charmana – Tanner
- Hiranayakara – Goldsmith
- Tantuvaya – weaver
12. Saka Year is how many years behind the Christian Era?
[A] 50
[B] 75
[C] 78
[D] 100
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [78]
Notes:
The Shaka era is a historical calendar era, the epoch of which corresponds to Julian year 78. Kanishka the Great, was the emperor of the Kushan dynasty in the second century founded the Shaka era.
13. Who among the following was behind the “epoch making” discovery of Arthashastra that altered the false perception of the European scholars that Ancient Indians learnt the art of administration from the Greeks?
[A] R. Shamasastry
[B] C. Sivarama Murti
[C] K. S. Neelakantan Unni
[D] Veturi Prabhakara Sastri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [R. Shamasastry]
Notes:
Rudrapatna Shamasastry FRAS was a Sanskrit scholar and librarian at the Oriental Research Institute Mysore. He re-discovered and published the Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. He was behind the “epoch making” discovery of Arthashastra that altered the false perception of the European scholars that Ancient Indians learnt the art of administration from the Greeks.
14. The forces of Alexander refused to cross which of the following rivers and returned back?
[A] Beas
[B] Chenab
[C] Ravi
[D] Satluj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Beas ]
Notes:
The forces of Alexander while invading India refused to cross Beas (Bipasa) river.
15. Who among the following Chola ruler assumed the title of Gangaikondachola?
[A] Kulottunga I
[B] Rajaraja I
[C] Arinjaya
[D] Rajendra I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rajendra I ]
Notes:
The Chola ruler Rajendra I assumed the title of Gangaikondachola (the Chola who took the Ganges) when he 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).
16. The rock cut Barabar and Nagarjuna caves were mainly used by the ascetics associated to _?
[A] Buddhism
[B] Jainism
[C] Charvaka
[D] Ajivika
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ajivika]
Notes:
Makkhali Gosala is said to be the founder of Ajivika School of philosophy. He was contemporary of Siddhartha Gautama and of Mahavira. The rock cut Barabar and Nagarjuna caves were built during the Mauryan period for the Ajivika sect.
17. In which of the following sites, earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the Indian subcontinent is found?
[A] Dholavira
[B] Lothal
[C] Mohenjadaro
[D] Mehrgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Mehrgarh ]
Notes:
Mehrgarh is a Neolithic site, which lies on the Kacchi Plain of Balochistan. The earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the subcontinent is found in Mehrgarh
18. Which of the following has been invaluable in fixing the time of the Indus civilization?
[A] Indus seals discovered in Indus cities
[B] Indus seals discovered in Mesopotamian cities
[C] Mesopotamian pottery discovered in Indus cities
[D] Harappan pottery discovered in Indus cities
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indus seals discovered in Mesopotamian cities]
Notes:
Seals from Indus Valley sites uncovered in Mesopotamia—modern day Iraq—have been invaluable in establishing chronological benchmarks for the civilization. Specific seals naming rulers and officials that have been found in archeologically dated Mesopotamian layers provide precise 1st millennium BCE dates. They prove extensive maritime trade links.
19. Which of the following were the religious sectarian literature of around 4th to 6th centuries?
[A] Vedanta
[B] Vedanga
[C] Puranas
[D] Dharamshastra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Puranas]
Notes:
The word ‘puranas’ literally means ‘old’. The puranas are the religious sectarian literature of later times belonging to around 4th to 6th centuries. They have a well-defined perception of the past traditions.
20. Which of the following has been a patron of Ajivika order?
[A] Prasenjit
[B] Chanakya
[C] Pushyamitra Shunga
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Prasenjit]
Notes:
Prasenjit the King of Kosala was a patron of Ajivika order. The Ajivikas were rigid fatalists and determinists They believed that the affairs of the entire universe were ordered by a cosmic force called niyati.
