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. Which of the following god became supreme during the Later Vedic Age?
[A] Indra
[B] Agni
[C] Prajapati
[D] Vishnu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Prajapati]
Notes:
During the Later Vedic period changes in the material life of people naturally resulted in a change in their attitude towards the gods and goddesses as well. The two most important Gods of the Rig Vedic times, Indra and Agni, lost their importance and instead of them, Prajapati also known as the creator became supreme.
32. Bimbisara belonged to which of the following dynasties?
[A] Mughal dynasty
[B] Haryanka dynasty
[C] Slave dynaty
[D] Shishunaga dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haryanka dynasty]
Notes:
Magadha came out to be the most powerful state and the centre of a vast empire. Bimbisara belonged to the Haryanka dynasty and ruled for 52 years starting from 544 to 492 BCE.
33. What was the capital of Magadh?
[A] Ujjain
[B] Patlipura
[C] Rajgriha
[D] Taxila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajgriha]
Notes:
The Capital of Magadh empire was situates at Rajgriha or Girivraja. The city was almost impregnable as it was surrounded by five hills, the openings in which were closed by stone walls on all sides.
34. Which of the following was responsible for the security of frontier forts in the Mauryan administration?
[A] Nikayas
[B] Anta-Mahamattas
[C] Senapati
[D] Sthanikas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Anta-Mahamattas]
Notes:
It is believed that the Mauryans maintained a huge army. The army consisted of 6,00,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, 9,000 elephants, and 8,000 chariots. In Mauryan administration the security of frontier forts was the responsibility of Anta-Mahamattas.
35. Pranaya refers to which of the following?
[A] Fruits tax
[B] Liquor Tax
[C] Emergency tax
[D] Sales tax
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Emergency tax]
Notes:
Kautilya or Chanakya mentions certain emergency taxes which were called Pranaya or additional levies that the state could impose if the treasury got depleted. These emergency taxes included a tax on farmers, an additional levy on the traders, and taxes on the income of actors, singers, and prostitutes.
36. Which of the following periods saw the regular use of fire-baked bricks and perforated roof tiles?
[A] Kanvas
[B] Shungas
[C] Satavahanas
[D] Kushans
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Satavahanas]
Notes:
The material culture of Satavahanas was a fusion of both northern ingredients as well as local Deccan elements. The people of Deccan learnt the use of coins, burnt bricks, ring wells, the art of writing, etc. from northern people. There was a regular use of fire-baked bricks and the use of flat, perforated roof tiles which resulted in the longevity of the construction.
37. Which of the following was the court poet of Samudragupta?
[A] Banabhatta
[B] Harishena
[C] Kalidasa
[D] Bhavabhuti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Harishena]
Notes:
Harishena was the court poet of Samudragupta. The Prayagaprashasti was composed in pure Sanskrit by Harisena. Harishena was not only his court poet but was also a kumaramatya.
38. Which of the following Gupta king adopted the title of Kaviraja?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Kumargupta
[D] Skandagupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Samudragupta]
Notes:
Samudragupta is depicted in his coins as a poet, a musician, and a patron of learning. He was a great patron of art and adopted the title of Kaviraja which means king among poets.
39. Which of the following foreign travelers mentions in his memoirs that the Chandalas lived outside the village and had to maintain distance from the upper castes?
[A] Hiuen-Tsang
[B] Fa-Hien
[C] Ptolemy
[D] I-tsing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fa-Hien]
Notes:
The Chinese traveler Fa-Hien mentions in his memoirs that the chandalas lived outside the village and had to maintain distance from the upper castes. The chandalas were told to strike a piece of wood to announce their arrival when they entered towns or market places so that the others might not touch them and get polluted.
40. Which of the following major cities were included the Pala kingom?
1. Pataliputra
2. Vikrampura
3. Ramvati
4. Monghyr
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 2, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
The kingdom of Palas included both Bengal and Bihar, which included the major cities of Pataliputra, Vikrampura, Ramvati (Varendra), Monghyr (Munger), Tamralipti and Jaggadala.
