Ancient Indian History Quiz Multiple Choice Questions (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.
A chapterwise course of total 2250 Ancient Indian History MCQs divided into 40 chapters and 16 Mock Tests is available in Android app of GKToday under UPSC Prelims Category. Download Now.
21. With reference to the Maurya Empire, which among the following statements is / are correct?
- In Maurya period ring wells come into prevalence for the first time
- The rulers of Maurya dynasty were characterized by their metronymics
- The government of Mauryas was highly centralised in character
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] Only 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Only 3 ]
Notes:
Ring wells come into prevalence for the first time in Gupta period, so first statement is not correct. Metronymics means a name derived from the name of a mother or female ancestor. The Satavahana rulers had the names of their mothers with their names such as Gautamiputra Satkarni,he adopted ‘Gautami’ on the name of her mother ‘Gautami . Thus second statement is also not correct. Third statement is correct.
22. Consider the following comparisons of the Chaityas and Viharas:
- Chaityas were for the purpose of living, Viharas were assemblies for the purpose of discussions
- Chaityas used to be made up of woods , Viharas used to be rock cut caves
- Chaityas were with Stupas, Viharas did not have stupas
Which among the above statements is / are correct?
[A] 1 & 3
[B] 2 & 3
[C] Only 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 3]
Notes:
Both early Chaityas and Viharas were made by woods and later stonecut Chaityas and Viharas were made. So we eliminate the second statement. Chaitya was a rectangular prayer hall with a stupa placed in the centre, the purpose was prayer. The Chaitya was divided into three parts, and had an apsidal ending. that Is, a semicircular rear end, The central part of the hall (also called the nave) was separated from the two aisles by two rows of pillars, The chaityas also had polished interior walls, semicircular roofs and horse-shoe shaped windows called the Chaitya windows. Viharas were the residences of the monks.
23. Consider the following:
1. Fire worship
2. Tree worship
3. Yaksha worship
4. Animal worship
Which among the above is / are pre-vedic phenomena?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2, 3 & 4 ]
Notes:
All given are pre-vedic phenomena
24. Consider the following pairs of Indus Valley sites with their excavations and findings:
- Surkotada – The only Harappan site to contain horse remains
- Mehrgarh – Earliest agricultural community
- Malwan – Southernmost Harappan site
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2 & 3 ]
Notes:
Surkotada is an archaeological site located in Kutch district of Gujarat. Surkotada site is the only Indus Valley site that contains horse remains dated to ca. 2000 BCE. Mehrgarh site is located near the Bolan Pass in Pakistan. This site shows the sequence from earliest settlement and the start of agriculture, to the mature Harappan Civilisation. Malwan is a small town in Sindhudurg District of Maharashtra. It is the Southernmost Harappan site in India.
25. Consider the following pairs of Mesolithic sites with states where they are located:
- Adamgarh – Madhya Pradesh
- Paisra – Bihar
- Bagor – Rajasthan
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2 & 3 ]
Notes:All of the above given pairs are correct.
- Adamgarh Hills is located in the Hoshangabad town of the Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh. These rock shelters are situated on the south of Narmada river. These contain paintings of Prehistoric period.
- PAISRA was one of the major discoveries of the last century , where evidence for the construction of huts and temporary shelters. It is located in Bihar.
- Bagor is a town with Sub-Tehsil in Mandal tehsil of Bhilwara district of Rajasthan State, India.Bagor is the largest mesolithic habitation site discovered in India, and it is the only one to have been horizontally excavated so as to expose extensive living.
26. Consider the following Chalcolithic sites:
- Dangwada
- Kayatha
- Eran
Which of the above has/have yielded evidence of bull worship, fire-altars and phallus worship?
[A] 1 & 3 Only
[B] 1 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ 1 Only ]
Notes:
Dangwada village is located in Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. The site is a chalcolithic site and excavation of the site has yielded evidence of bull worship, fire-altars and phallus worship.
27. Which of the following has been included by the UNESCO in the list of literature signifying World Human Heritage?
[A] Rig Veda
[B] Sama Veda
[C] Yajur Veda
[D] Atharva Veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rig Veda]
Notes:
The Rig Veda was recently included by the UNESCO in the list of literature signifying World Human Heritage. The Rig Vedic hymns are dedicated to various deities like Indra, Agni, Soma etc.
28. What was the capital of the northern part of Panchala?
[A] Indraprastha
[B] Ahichchhatra
[C] Kaushambi
[D] Kampilya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ahichchhatra]
Notes:
Panchala is situated in the western Uttar Pradesh. The Ganga river divided the state of Panchala into two parts. The northern part’s capital was Ahichchhatra, that is, modern-day Bareilly in western Uttar Pradesh.
29. Which of the following items were imported in the 6th century BCE?
[A] Iron
[B] Gold
[C] Sandalwood
[D] Pearls
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gold]
Notes:
There are evidences that trade flourished in the subcontinent. Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iran, and Mesopotamia were some of the trade partners. Items that were imported included precious stones such as gold, lapis lazuli, jade, silver, etc.
30. Who was the author of Indica?
[A] Kautilya
[B] Megasthenes
[C] Panini
[D] Alexander
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Megasthenes]
Notes:
Indica is written by the Greek Ambassador Megasthenes. He was sent to Chandragupta Maurya’s court by the Greek ruler Seleucus Nicator. During his stay in the capital patliputra, he recorded his impressions about India in this book.
