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.
31. Who was Seleucus Nicator?
[A] Prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Greek Scholar
[C] General of Alexander
[D] Mathematician
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [General of Alexander]
Notes:
Seleucus Nicator was one of the generals of Alexander. He served as an infantry general and after the death of Alexander, had succeeded in gaining control over most of the eastern Asiatic provinces. Chandragupta defeated him around 301 BCE.
32. Which of the following was referred to as ‘Devanampiya Piyadassi’?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Bindusara
[C] Ashoka
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ashoka]
Notes:
Ashoka also referred to as Ashokavardhana was the son of Bindusara. In the year 1837 James Prinsep deciphered an inscription written in Brahmi script referring to a king called ‘Devamapiya Piyadassi’ (beloved of the gods) which was attributed to Ashoka.
33. Which of the following rock edict mentions about the purpose of rock edicts?
[A] Tenth Edict
[B] Fourteenth Edict
[C] Thirteenth Edict
[D] First Edict
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fourteenth Edict]
Notes:
The Fourteenth Rock Edict of Ashoka mentions the engraving of inscriptions on rocks, installed in various parts of the country. It also tells the objectives and modalities of these Rock Edicts.
34. Which of the following pillar edict talks about Dhamma Mahamattas?
[A] Second Pillar Edict
[B] Fifth Pillar Edict
[C] Sixth Pillar Edict
[D] Seventh Pillar Edict
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Seventh Pillar Edict]
Notes:
The Seventh Ashokan Pillar Edict mentions about Dhamma Mahamattas. Dhamma Mahamattas was a special cadre of officials who were entrusted with the duty to spread dhamma within the kingdom.
35. Which of the following issued the first ever long inscription in chaste sanskrit?
[A] Rudradaman I
[B] Azes
[C] Kanishka
[D] Gondophernes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rudradaman I]
Notes:
Rudradaman I issued the first ever long inscription in chaste sanskrit. Rudradaman I ruled from AD 130 to 150. He ruled over Sindh including parts of Gujarat, Konkan, Narmada valley, Malwa and Kathiawar.
36. Which of the following authored the Gatha Sattasai?
[A] Yajnashri Satakarni
[B] Hala
[C] Gautamiputra Vijaya Satakarni
[D] Chanda Satakarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hala]
Notes:
Hala was probably the 17th king in the line in the Satvahana dynasty. He was also a great poet who authored the Gatha Sattasai. It is a collection of 700 erotic poems in the Maharashtri Prakrit dialect.
37. Halivakara refers to which of the following?
[A] Irrigation tax
[B] Plough tax
[C] Crop tax
[D] House tax
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Plough tax]
Notes:
Halivakara during the Gupta period probably refers to plough tax. The Gupta period saw an increase in land taxes but the number of trade and commerce taxes decreased.
38. In which of the following architectural style, temples in northern India were made in the Gupta period?
[A] Dravida
[B] Nagara
[C] Vesara
[D] Mandapa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nagara]
Notes:
Temple Architecture started in India during the Gupta period. The northern temples were made in the architectural style known as Nagara. Square temples with flat-roof were built in northern India.
39. Two temples, in which the images of Vishnu are placed in the center as a chief deity, are found at which of the following places?
1) Dashavatara temple at Deogarh
2) Bhitargaon in Kanpur
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
During the Gupta period, flat-roofed square temples were built in northern India in the architectural style known as Nagara. Two temples, in which the images of Vishnu are placed in the center as a chief deity, are found at Bhitargaon in Kanpur and Dashavatara temple at Deogarh.
40. Which of the following kings was the son of Vakataka king Rudrasena I?
[A] Prithvisena I
[B] Rudrasena II
[C] Pravarasena II
[D] Narendrasena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Prithvisena I]
Notes:
Prithvisena I was the second ruler of the Vakataka Nandivardhana branch. He is described as a righteous conqueror in later Vakataka inscriptions. Due to his qualities like truthfulness, transparency, compassion, and humility, he was compared to the epic hero Yudhishthira.
