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.
21. Which of the following is associated with Palaeolithic Period?
[A] Fertile Crescent
[B] Polished Hand Axe
[C] Painted pottery
[D] Nomadism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Nomadism ]
Notes:
Fertile Crescent was a land which was fertile and suited to agriculture. Neolithic people lived in Fertile Crescent. Painted pottery and polished hand axes came during Neolithic period.
22. Which caves dating back to 600 A.D. are located on Gharapuri Island in Mumbai harbour?
[A] Ajanta Caves
[B] Kanheri Caves
[C] Ellora Caves
[D] Elephanta Caves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Elephanta Caves]
Notes:
The Elephanta Caves are hewn out of solid rock and filled with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Gharapuri Island can be reached by boat from the Gateway of India. The stone elephant after which these caves have been named has been shifted to the Bhau Dali Ladd Museum located next to Jijamata Udyan.
23. Who among the following wrote ‘Nyaya Sutra’?
[A] Vyasa
[B] Kapila
[C] Gautama
[D] Charaka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gautama]
Notes:
The Nyaya Sutras is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text composed by Aksapada Gautam and the foundational text of the Nyaya school of Hindu philosophy.. The Nyaya-sutras is attributed to Gautama, who was the principal author.
24. In which one of the following inscriptions is Ashoka mentioned by name?
[A] Major Rock edict at Girnar
[B] Minor Rock inscription at Maski
[C] Bairat inscription
[D] Lamghan inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Minor Rock inscription at Maski]
Notes:
The Maski inscriptions were found in Maski village in the Raichur district of Karnataka. These inscriptions are etched on a boulder and cave walls in Brahmi script. The significance of the Maski inscriptions is that they provided definitive evidence linking Ashoka to the title “Devanampriya” (Beloved of the Gods). The text includes the name “Devanampriya Ashoka”, clearly establishing the connection. Other inscriptions like the Gujarra Rock Edict from Madhya Pradesh do mention titles like “Devanampiya Piyadasi Asokaraja”.
25. 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.
26. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called chaityas while the others viharas. What is the difference between the two?
[A] Chaitya is a place of worship while vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
[B] Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the cave while vihara is the hall axial to it
[C] There is no material difference between the two
[D] Vihara is a place of worship while chaitya is the dwelling place of the monks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chaitya is a place of worship while vihara is the dwelling place of the monks]
Notes:
The Buddhist architecture is mainly consisting of Chaityas, Viahras, Stupa and Stambhas. There are mainly two types of distinct architecture related to the caves, i.e. Chaitya and Viharas. Chaityas were the place of worship in Buddhism, whereas Viharas were dwelling place of monks
27. Which of the following was not known to Indus Valley people?
[A] Silver
[B] Copper
[C] Iron
[D] Bronze
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Iron]
Notes:
Variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver was extensively used by the Harappan metal workers. Minor metals like tin, arsenic, lead, antimony etc. were used for alloying but there was no mention of iron.
28. In which of the following the only mention of the four varnas was found?
[A] Fifth mandal
[B] Tenth mandal
[C] Seventh mandal
[D] First mandal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tenth mandal]
Notes:
The tenth mandal of the Rig Veda contains the only mention of the four varnas. It was found in the Purusashukta of the tenth mandal of the Rig Veda. The varna system was probably introduced towards the end of the Rig Vedic age.
29. What is the Upveda of the Yajur Veda?
[A] Ayurveda
[B] Dhanuraveda
[C] Gandhraveda
[D] Shilpaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dhanuraveda ]
Notes:
The Yajur Veda majorly deals with the procedure for the performance of sacrifices. The Upveda of the Yajur Veda is called the Dhanur Veda .It contains a collection of short magic spells which is used by a certain class of priests at the time of sacrifices.
30. Mahavira passed away at what age?
[A] 65
[B] 70
[C] 72
[D] 75
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [72]
Notes:
The 24th trithankar Mahavira passed away at the age of 72 years in 527 BCE at Pavapuri near Patna and became a siddha (fully liberated). He had attained Kaivalya at the age of 42.
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