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. Nakulin or Lakulin is considered to be a founder of which of the following sects?
[A] Pashupat
[B] Saiva
[C] Kapalika
[D] Kalamukhas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pashupat]
Notes:
Pashupata sect to worships the god Shiva as the supreme deity. Acording to Mahabharat, Shiva indicated that he would enter a dead body and incarnate himself as Lakulin or Nakulin or Lakulisha. Inscriptions from the 10th and 13th centuries refer to a teacher named Lakulin, whose followers believed him to be an incarnation of Shiva.
12. Who was the first chinese traveller visited Nalanda University and also study for some time ?
[A] Xuanzang
[B] Xi ping
[C] Hensen
[D] Xiaung zang
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Xuanzang]
Notes:
Xuanzang also known as Hieun Tsang visited Nalanda first in 637B.C. and then again in 642 B.C. and studied under the guidance of Shilabhadra.
13. In “Kumarasambhava” , the famous work of Kalidasa, who among the following has been referred as Kumara, whose birth has been depicted in this epic poem?
[A] Chadragupta II
[B] Bimbisara
[C] Kumaragupta
[D] Kartikeya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Kartikeya ]
Notes:
Kalidasa, in his epic “Kumarasambhava”, portrays the birth of “Kumara”, referring to Kartikeya. The story aligns with the narrative in the Kalikapurana. Kartikeya, also known as Subramanya or Murugan, is a Hindu god, the son of Shiva and Parvati, and is popularly worshipped in South India and by Tamil communities across the world.
14. Megasthenes was an ambassador for which of the following empires?
[A] Greek
[B] Egyptian
[C] Roman
[D] Ottoman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Greek]
Notes:
Megasthenes described what he called “the great capital of Pataliputra” as the most largest and prosperous city in the world. He wrote about its palaces, school, temples, parks, and said that the wall around the city “was crowned with 570 towers and had 64 gates”.
15. Which of the following clearly defines Lothal?
[A] A closed water system
[B] A poisonous gas
[C] A place in Gujarat where excavations have established a link with the Indus Valley civilization
[D] Legal action taken against defectors
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [A place in Gujarat where excavations have established a link with the Indus Valley civilization]
Notes:
Lothal was one of the southernmost cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization located in the modern state of Gujarat. It was first excavated in 1957 by S R Rao. The notable structures at Lothal include a dockyard and warehouse.
16. Which one of the following was the contemporary Bengal king during the time of Harsha of Kannauj?
[A] Bhaskaravarman
[B] Divakaramitra
[C] Devagupta
[D] Sasanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sasanka]
Notes:
Sasanka was the contemporary Bengal king during the time of Harsha of Kannauj. He created the first separate political entity in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent, called the Gauda Kingdom and is a major figure in Bengali history. He reigned in 7th century AD, and some historians place his rule approximately between 590 AD and 625 AD.
17. Which of the following name by Ashoka is generally referred in his inscriptions?
[A] Chakravarti
[B] Dharmadeva
[C] Dharmakirti
[D] Priyadarsi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Priyadarsi]
Notes:
Priyadasi was an honorific epithets used by the Indian Emperor Ashoka in his inscriptions. Priyadasi means “He who regards others with kindness”, “Humane”. It is generally used in conjunction with the title “Devanampriya” (“Beloved of the Gods”).
18. Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period?
[A] Saumilla
[B] Sudraka
[C] Shaunaka
[D] Susrutha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Susrutha]
Notes:
Susrutha Samitha was written by Susrutha. He was said to have been the best surgeon during the Gupta period.
19. Loe Banr and Kalako-deray in Swat Valley of Pakistan are known for which of the following archeological remains?
[A] Fire altars
[B] Pit-dwellings
[C] Iron implements
[D] Bone tools
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Pit-dwellings ]
Notes:
Pit dwellings have been found in Gufkral in Kashmir and in Loe Banr and Kalako-deray in the Swat valley.
20. Most of the Indus terracotta figurines were:
[A] hand-modelled
[B] sculptured with a chisel
[C] made in single moulds
[D] cut with a saw
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [hand-modelled]
Notes:
Most terracotta figurines recovered from Indus Civilization urban sites were hand modeled rather than molded, suggesting artisans were skilled at independently sculpting and crafting small statues in clay reflecting localized stylistic conventions. Depictions include zebu bulls, toys with movable limbs, cows feeding calves, females adorned with bangles and headdresses interpreted possibly as mother goddesses. The cow and bull imagery resonates with subsequent Indian traditions exemplifying continuing cultural elements.
