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. These questions are part of GKToday’s 35000+ MCQs Bank Course in GKToday Android App
41. In which place of Indus Valley Civilization, Great Bath is found?
[A] Mohenjo-daro
[B] Mitathal
[C] Kalibangan
[D] Lothal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mohenjo-daro]
Notes:
The Great Bath is one of the best-known structures among the ruins of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization at Mohenjodaro in Sindh, Pakistan. It is called the “earliest public water tank of the ancient world.” Archaeological evidence indicates that the Great Bath was built in the 3rd millennium BC. It measures approximately 12 metres (40 ft) by 7 metres (23 ft), with a maximum depth of 2.4 metres (8 ft). Two wide staircases, one from the north and one from the south, served as the entry to the structure. Most scholars agree that this tank would have been used for special religious functions where water was used to purify and renew the well being of the bathers.
42. Who was the king when Hiuen Tsang visited India?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Vishnugupta
[C] Samudragupta
[D] Harshavardhana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Harshavardhana]
Notes:
Hiuen Tsang, hailed as the Prince of Pilgrim, was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveller, and translator. He travelled to India in the seventh century during the reign of Harshavardhana. He left behind an account about India and Bengal. He described the interaction between Chinese Buddhism and Indian Buddhism during the early Tang dynasty.
43. What was Varahamihira by profession?
[A] Philosopher
[B] Astrologer
[C] Astronaut
[D] Ancient astronomer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ancient astronomer]
Notes:
Varahamihira was an Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer who lived in Ujjain. He is considered to be one of the nine jewels of the court of legendary ruler Vikramaditya (thought to be the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II Vikramaditya).
44. Which one of the following is not a sect of Buddhism?
[A] Digambar
[B] Theravad
[C] Mahayana
[D] Hinayana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Digambar]
Notes:
Digambara and Svetambara traditions have had historical differences ranging from their dress code, their temples and iconography, attitude towards female monastics, their legends, and the texts they consider as important in Jainism. Digambara “sky-clad” is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being Svetambara. Generally, Digambara monks wear no clothes whereas Svetambara “white-clad” monks usually wear white clothes.
45. Which inscription mentioned about Harshavardhan’s Vallabhi conquest?
[A] Aihole Pillar Inscription
[B] Junagadh Inscription
[C] Navsari Copper plate Inscription
[D] Damodarpur copper plate Inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Navsari Copper plate Inscription]
Notes:
The Nausasi (Navsari) Copper plate inscription gives us information about Harsha’s successful expedition against Vallabhi. The inscription tells that Harsha defeated Vallabhi ruler, Dhruvasena II who accepted the position of a feudatory vassal. His hostilities with Vallabhi kingdom ended through a matrimonial alliance.
46. Who was the founder of Chola empire?
[A] Vijayalaya
[B] Uttam
[C] Rajadhiraja
[D] Gandaraditya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vijayalaya]
Notes:
Vijayalaya founded the Chola dynasty in 850 AD. Vijayalaya, possibly a feudatory of the Pallava dynasty, took an opportunity arising out of a conflict between the Pandya dynasty and Pallava dynasty in c. 850, captured Thanjavur from Muttarayar, and established the imperial line of the medieval Chola Dynasty. He was succeeded by Aditya I in 891.
47. What was the the capital of Pallavas?
[A] Mahabalipuram
[B] Kanchi
[C] Vatapi
[D] Trichnapalli
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kanchi]
Notes:
Pallavas ruled regions of northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh between the second to the ninth century CE. Kanchipuram served as the capital city of the Pallava Kingdom from the 4th to the 9th century. It is also known by its former names Kanchiampathi, Conjeevaram, and the nickname “The City of Thousand Temples’. Kanchipuram was mentioned in the Mahabhasya, written by Patanjali in the 2nd century BC. Huien Tsang visited this city and wrote about its glorious culture. The Pallavas were the first well-known dynasty in the history of South India after the fall of the Satavahanas.
48. Who built the famous Shiva temple at Ellora?
[A] Rastrakuta Ruler Krishna I
[B] Chalukyan King Pulikeshi II
[C] Mauryan Emperor Ashoka
[D] Gupta King Samudra Gupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rastrakuta Ruler Krishna I]
Notes:
The Kailasa temple at Ellora, Maharashtra, was built in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I as attested in Kannada inscriptions. This is one of the 34 temples and monasteries known collectively as the Ellora Caves. It is a megalith carved out of one single rock.
49. Which of the following statements about Bindusara is not correct?
[A] He was known to the Greeks as ‘Amitrochates’
[B] Taranatha, the Tibetan Buddhist monk visited his court
[C] Deimachus, ambassador of Antiochus I was in his court
[D] He was interested in the Ajivika sect
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Taranatha, the Tibetan Buddhist monk visited his court]
Notes:- Bindusara was known to the Greeks as ‘Amitrochates’ (derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Amitraghata’ or slayer of foes)
- According to Taranatha, the Tibetan Buddhist monk who visited India in the 16th century, Bindusara conquered 16 states, comprising ‘the land between the two seas, presumably the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
- Bindusara had contacts with Antiochus I, the Seleucid king of Syria whose ambassador, Deimachus, was said to have been at the Mauryan court, Bindusara wrote to Antiochus I asking for some sweet wine, dried figs and a sophist to be sent to the Mauryan court.
- In the religious sphere, Bindusara was more interested in the Ajivika sect than in other heterodox sects.
50. In which state, the largest number of indus valley sites was found in post-independence India?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Punjab
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat ]
Notes:
Gujarat has accounted for the highest number of Harappan sites discovered in India after independence. Hundreds of Harappan sites have been found in Gujarat, including major ancient cities like Lothal, Dholavira, and Gola Dhoro. Gujarat was a major center of commerce and trade. Its long coastline and access to raw materials like copper and semi-precious stones made it an economic hub. Surkotada in Gujarat provides earliest evidence of horse remains dating back to 2000 BC. Some unique finds include a seal depicting a 3-headed animal and gold beads.
