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 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.
32. Which of the following refers to a perpetual endowment which a recipient could not alienate but could make use of the income accruing from it eternally during the Gupta period?
[A] Nivi dharma
[B] Nivi dharma aksayana
[C] Aprada dharma
[D] Bhumichchhidrallyaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nivi dharma aksayana]
Notes:
Nivi dharma aksayana was a land tenure system which refers to a perpetual endowment which a recipient could not alienate but could make use of the income accruing from it eternally.
33. Which of the following was the capital of Vatsagulma branch of Vakatakas?
[A] Padmapura
[B] Vatsagulma
[C] Pravarapura
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vatsagulma]
Notes:
Vatsagulma Branch or Line was the second major Vakataka line. It had its capital at Vatsagulma which is modern Washim in Akola district of the state of Maharashtra.
34. Which of the following defeated Shashanka and extended his control over parts of Kongoda in Orissa?
[A] Rajya Vardhana
[B] Prabhakar Vardhana
[C] Grahavarman
[D] Harsha Vardhana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Harsha Vardhana]
Notes:
Rajyavardhan was unfortunately killed by Shashanka (the king of Gauda), who also cut the Bodhi tree and occupied Kannauj. Later, Harshavardhan defeated Shashanka and extended his control over parts of Kongoda in Orissa.
35. Which of the following were present in the court of Harsha?
1. Banabhatta
2. Mayura
3. Bhartrihari
4. Matanga Divakara
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[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:
Some of the accomplished writers in the court of Harsha were- (1) Banabhatta was the author of Harshacharita, (2) Mayura was the author of Mayurashatak, (3) Bhartrihari (grammarian), and Matanga Divakara.
36. Which of the following kings succeded the king Bhoja I / Mihir Bhoja?
[A] Mahendrapala
[B] Rajyapala
[C] Yashpala
[D] Harichandra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mahendrapala]
Notes:
Mahendrapala I was the successor of king Bhoja I / Mihir Bhoja. The Pratihara empire reached its peak of prosperity and power under Mihir Bhoja. The extent of its territory was almost similar to that of the Guptas.
37. Under which of the following Pala rulers Bengal emerged as the most powerful State in Northern India?
[A] Gopala
[B] Dharmapala
[C] Devapala
[D] Mahipala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dharmapala]
Notes:
Under the rule of Dharmapala Bengal emerged as the most powerful State in Northern India. Dharmapala fulfilled the dream of Sasanka to lay the foundation of a great Gauda empire. Dharmapala adopted imperial titles such as Paramesvara, Paramabhattaraka and Maharajadhiraja.
38. Which of the following Jain leader and author inaugurated a new era in Yoga literature?
[A] Chandabai
[B] Haribhadra
[C] Somadeva Suri
[D] Kundakunda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haribhadra]
Notes:
Haribhadra, originally a Brahamana, was the outstanding personality among the Jain writers of this period. With his writings, he established that Sanskrit, rather than Prakrit, would be the language of Jain study. He inaugurated a new era in Yoga literature.
39. Which of the following sects are some of the important sects of Shaivism?
1) Pasupata Lakulisa
2) Kapalikas
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:
There are many sects of Saivism. Pasupata Lakulisa and Kapalikas are two major sects of Shaivism. Pasupata Lakulisa was the founder of the Pasupata sect of Saivism. According to Kapalikas, Siva was the Lord of Sakti. The Kapalikas wore a garland of human bones.
40. Which of the following items were imported from Balkh during the early medieval period?
1. Horses
2. Saffron
3. Asafoetida
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The Indian merchants during the early medieval period did not go up to Central Asia but visited Iran up to the Oxus valley. They imported things like horses, saffron and asafoetida from Balkh.
