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. Which among the following veda has been described as “Braham Veda”?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharavaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Atharavaveda]
Notes:
Atharava Veda is known as Brahma Veda because it is recited by the Brahma priest in the Yajna and also because there are deliberations about Brahman, which is the ultimate reality according to Vedanta.
12. The bilingual Inscriptions of Asoka involved which of the following two languages?
[A] Brahmi & Aramaic
[B] Brahmi, Greek & Aramaic
[C] Brahmi & hieroglyphics
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brahmi, Greek & Aramaic]
Notes:
Asoka used 4 scripts The scripts used for the Prakrit inscriptions were Brahmi and Kharoshthi, and for the others, Greek and Aramaic
13. Which Jain Tirthankara is regarded as female by the Shwetambar sect of Jainism?
[A] 16th
[B] 18th
[C] 19th
[D] 20th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [19th]
Notes:
Jainism, an ancient Indian religion, is divided into two main sects – the Shwetambars and the Digambars. In a unique aspect, the Shwetambars believe the 19th Tirthankara, Mallinath, to have been a woman. However, this belief is not shared by the Digambar sect. This diversity in perspectives showcases the complexities and variations that exist even within single religious communities.
14. What was the name given to Ravi river by historians of Alexander?
[A] Hydasphus
[B] Hydraster
[C] Arjikiya
[D] Vipasha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Hydraster ]
Notes:
Ravi river was called as ‘Hydraster’ and ‘Rhouadis’ by the historians of Alexander.
15. As per the ancient Indian Texts, the land between which among the following two rivers has been called “Brahamavarta”?
[A] Saraswati river and Drsadvati River
[B] Saraswati river and Saryu River
[C] Sutudri (Satluj) River and Vipas (Beas) River
[D] Ganga River and Yamuna River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Saraswati river and Drsadvati River]
Notes:
The earliest of the Hindu sacred text, Rig-veda refers to the Saprasindhava, Panchanada, Madhydesa and Praki. These were perhaps the first references to the emergence of regions. The geographical location of these regions suggests that the Indo- Aryans preferred to settle down along the banks of the rivers-Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta, Jhelum), Asikni also known Chandrabhaga (Chenab). References are also found to Airavati (Ravn. Parushuni or Vipasa (Dcas), Saradru (Saduj) and the Saraswati. There is a general agreement that the region known as Panchanada included the plains of the five great eastern tributaries of the Sindhu river. Further east, the land between the Saraswati and Drishadvati was known to the IndoAryans as Brahmavarta. On the periphery of these plains lie the alluvial basins of the Gomti (Gomal), Krumu (Kurrum) and Kubha (Kabul). It is believed that these were the earliest Indo-Aryan settlements. Literary evidence suggests eastward march of the Indo-Aryans led to their settlements to the Madhyadesa regions. (Source: Geography of the South Asian subcontinent: a critical approach By Aijazuddin Ahmad)
16. Which of the following remains of the Gupta empire is the western Indian city of Ajanta most notable for?
[A] Stone Carvings
[B] Buddhist Monastery
[C] Large Temple
[D] Cave Painting
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Cave Painting]
Notes:
In the caverns of Ajanta, India, one can see the many cave paintings that were left on the walls of cave temples. The Buddhists who had their temples their painting mural of Buddhist stories and legends and also of scenes of Gupta India.
17. Which of the following is the parent script of the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian language?
[A] Indus
[B] Brahmi
[C] Kharosti
[D] Aramic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indus]
Notes:
The parent script of the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian language is Indus.
18. Ramanuja, the Vaishnava Saint, was born at which of the following places?
[A] Srirangam
[B] Srivilliputtur
[C] Udipi
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [None of the above]
Notes:
Ramanuja was born to mother Kanthimathi and father Asuri Kesava Somayaji, in Sriperumbudur, near modern Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is believed to have been born in the month of Chaitra under the star Tiruvadhirai.
19. Which one of the following archaeologists initially discovered the Mohenjo-Daro site of the Indus valley civilization?
[A] Sujohu Marshall
[B] Daya Ram Sahni
[C] Rakhal Das Banerji
[D] Sir Mortimer Wheeler
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rakhal Das Banerji]
Notes:
Mohenjo-Daro was discovered in 1922 by R. D. Banerji, an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India, two years after major excavations had begun at Harappa, some 590 km to the north. Large-scale excavations were carried out at the site under the direction of John Marshall, K. N.
20. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta Period women and sudras speak which of the following languages?
[A] Sanskrit
[B] Prakrit
[C] Pali
[D] Sauraseni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prakrit]
Notes:
In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period women and sudras speak Prakrit. It is a group of languages based between Between Sanskrit and its modern derivatives.
