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 of the following is a famous play written by Gupta poet Kalidasa?
[A] Mohenjo-Daro
[B] Shakuntala
[C] Kshatriya
[D] Ramayana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shakuntala]
Notes:
Shakuntala is the story of how a highly king married a poor orphan, whose name was Shakuntala. However, the king was put under a spell and forgot about his bride. Eventually, he recovers his memory and the two of them become one again.
12. Who is the founder of Advaita philosophy?
[A] Adi Shankaracharya
[B] Swami Vivekananda
[C] Basaveshwara
[D] Sri Ramanujacharya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Adi Shankaracharya]
Notes:
Advaita Vedanta is a school in Hinduism. People who believe in Advaita believe that their soul is not different from Brahman. The most famous Hindu philosopher who taught about Advaita Vedanta was Adi Shankara who lived in India more than a thousand years ago.
13. Which of the following caves has the sculpture with the three faces of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh known as “Trimurti”? (UPSC Prelims 1979).
[A] Ajanta caves
[B] Ellora caves
[C] Kalva caves
[D] Elephanta caves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Elephanta caves]
Notes:
The Elephanta Island is located 10 km away from the Gateway of India at Mumbai in Maharashtra. The cave temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was excavated sometime in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta kings. The cave complex has been given the status of world heritage by UNESCO. Trimurti is considered the most important sculpture of Elephanta and is described as a ‘masterpiece of Gupta-Chalukyan art’. It is placed at the back of the cave facing the entrance, on the north-south axis and is also known as Maheshmurti or Trimurti Sadashiva.
14. Vidhushaka, a common character in Sanskrit drama, belongs to which of the following categories? (UPSC Prelims 1994)
[A] Brahmana
[B] Kshatriya
[C] Vaisya
[D] Shudra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brahmana]
Notes:
In classical Sanskrit drama, Vidushaka is essentially a Brahmin and is a confident / attendent of the Hero. Despite being educated in Sanskrit, he speaks in Prakrit, the vernacular language of the time. Bharata mentions him along with the principal characters in his Natyasastra.
15. Megaliths found South India belong to which period?
[A] Paleolithic age
[B] Mesolithic age
[C] Neolithic age
[D] Iron Age
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Iron Age ]
Notes:
In south India some people were buried along with their tools, weapons, pottery and other belongings under big and heavy stones. These graves are known as megaliths. These Megalith burials have yielded the first iron objects from south India. Besides these the use of Black and Red ware pottery was also a distinctive feature of the Megalithic people.
16. 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
17. Who among the following has been attempted to read the script as containing a preindo-Aryan language of the Indo-European family?
[A] Mahadevan
[B] SR Rao
[C] Kinnier-Wilson
[D] Parpola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SR Rao]
Notes:
S.R. Rao, one of India’s pioneering archaeologists, theorized that the undeciphered Indus script likely represents an Early Indo-European language, more specifically of Indo-Iranian branch, originating before the influx of Indo-Aryan speakers associated with Vedic India. This hypothesis assumes demographic continuity rather than mass displacement between Indus and subsequent Indian populations. Rao’s proposed readings remain unproven though influences between Harappan and Rigvedic cultures have been suggested based on materials, rituals, and ideology.
18. Which of the following were the most standardized products of the Harappans?
[A] Pottery
[B] Terracottas
[C] Bricks
[D] Statues
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bricks]
Notes:
Bricks and weights were perhaps the most standardized products manufactured in the Harappan civilization. Standardized sizes of bricks in ratio of 1:2:4 have been documented. Uniform weights based on binary system have been found, implying established trade practices and regulated urban industries governed by administrative policies for greater economic integration across the far-flung Harappan domain.
19. Which of the following is concerned with Vedic sacrifices that require three or more fires?
[A] Shrautasutra
[B] Grihyasutra
[C] Dharmasutra
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Shrautasutra]
Notes:
‘Vedanga’ means the ‘limbs of the Vedas’. The Vedanga consist of six sutras. Shrautasutra which is a part of Kaplasutra is concerned with Vedic sacrifices that require three or more fires.
20. The institution of gotra appeared in which of the following periods?
[A] Rig Vedic Age
[B] Later Vedic Age
[C] Mauryan Age
[D] Satavahan period
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Later Vedic Age]
Notes:
The institution of gotra appeared in the Later Vedic period. It’s literal meaning is ‘cow pen’ or the place where cattle belonging to whole clan are kept. However in course of time its meaning changed to ‘descent from a common ancestor’.
