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.
1. Parnadatta was appointed the Provincial Governor of Saurashtra by __?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Rudradaman
[C] Chandragupta II
[D] Skandagupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Skandagupta ]
Notes:
Skandgupta’s Junagarh Inscription: It states that Skandagupta appointed Parnadatta as goptri (governor) of Surashtra (Saurashtra).
2. Who among the following was the founder of Pushyabhuti Dynasty ?
[A] Pushyabhuti
[B] Prabhakar Vardhan
[C] Aditya vardhan
[D] Harshavardhan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Pushyabhuti ]
Notes:
According to Banabhatta, Pushyabhuti was the founder of Pushyabhuti Dynasty.
3. Which rock edict of Ashoka mentions the purpose of the rock edicts?
[A] Major Rock Edict XIV
[B] Major Rock Edict XV
[C] Major Rock Edict XI
[D] Major Rock Edict XIII
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Major Rock Edict XIV ]
Notes:
The Major Rock Edict XIV describes the purpose of the rock edicts of different parts of the country.
4. In the Maurya empire, what was the name of department of the Chief of the Mines ?
[A] Dauvarika
[B] Antapal
[C] Karmantika
[D] Paura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Karmantika ]
Notes:
Karmantika was the department name of the Chief of the Mines.
5. Who was the author of the book ‘Manimekalai’?
[A] Ilango Adigal
[B] Seethalai Saathanaar
[C] Perudevanar
[D] Tiruttakrdeva
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Seethalai Saathanaar ]
Notes:
The author of Manimekalai is Seethalai Saathanaar (also spelled as Chithalai Chathanar), a Buddhist poet. The book is a poem in 30 cantos. It is a sequel to the epic Silappadikaram and tells the story of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi who converted to Buddhism. The book compares Buddhism with other religions in South India. Manimekalai is one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature. The other four are: Silappatikāram, Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi, Valayapathi, Kuṇṭalakēci. Manimekalai has been dated between the 2nd-century and early 9th century.
6. Which of the following is the equivalent term used for Raja in early vedic era?
[A] Gopati
[B] Gomat
[C] Gopa
[D] Gomitra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Gopati ]
Notes:
In the Early Vedic age, ‘Raja’ was known as Gopati.
7. Nakoda at Rajasthan, which is famous for miracles at Nakodaji, is a temple of which among the following ?
[A] Vishnu
[B] Krishna
[C] Buddha
[D] Parsvanath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Parsvanath]
Notes:
Parsvanath was the 23rd of 24th Tirthankaras.
8. “All Indians are Free and not even one of them is a slave”. Who among the following has observed the above about the Mauryan Empire?
[A] Megasthenes
[B] Hiuen Tsang
[C] Ashoka
[D] Strabo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Megasthenes]
Notes:
Megasthenes in his book Indica wrote all Indians are free and not even one of them is a slave.
9. “Gayatri Mantra” has been mentioned in which of the Vedas?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rigveda]
Notes:
Gayatri Mantra comes from the third Mandala of the Rigveda. This Mandala has 62 hymns, mainly to Agni and Indra. It is one of the “family books” (mandalas 2-7), the oldest core of the Rigveda. This Mandala also mentions Kikats, a non-Aryan tribe, which most scholars agree that was resident of somewhere in near Magadha in modern Bihar.
10. Sarnath is associated with which aspect of Buddha’s life?
[A] Birth
[B] Residence
[C] First sermon
[D] Death
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [First sermon]
Notes:
Buddha gave his first sermon at the Sarnath which is known as “Dhammachakra Parivartan”.
