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. Which among the following Satavahana / Satakarni rulers recovered Malwa from the Shaka rulers?
[A] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[B] Satkarni I
[C] Hala
[D] Yajnsari Satkarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Yajnsari Satkarni ]
Notes:
Yajna Sri Satakarni, who ruled in second century AD was the last great king of the Satavahana dynasty. Inscriptions about him in Nasik Caves and Kanheri Caves mention that he was able to regain some lost territories such as north Konkan and Malwa from the Shaka rulers.
2. Who among the following was the author of Kiratarjuniya?
[A] Bharavi
[B] Dandin
[C] Varahmihira
[D] Kalidasa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bharavi]
Notes:
Bharavi, a distinguished Sanskrit poet from the 6th century, is acknowledged as the author of “Kiratarjuniya”. The title can be translated as “Arjuna and the Mountain Man”. The epic literature centers on the theme of morality and dharma, articulating a Didactic episode from the Mahabharata. It highlights the human values and virtues, establishing itself as a significant part of ancient Indian literature.
3. Who was the author of Dashkumarcharitam and at whose court did he live?
[A] Dandin, Nandivarman II
[B] Bharavi, Nandivarman II
[C] Appar, Dandivarman I
[D] Bharavi, Narsimhavarman I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Dandin, Nandivarman II ]
Notes:
Dashkumarcharitam was composed by Dandin, who was a Sanskrit author of prose romances and expounder on poetics in the 6th-7th century. Both Bharavi and Dandin, the authors of Kiratarjuniyam and Dasakumarcharitam respectively, lived in the Pallava court.
4. In which inscription, the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka refers himself as Piyadassi laja Magadhe (Piyadassi, King of Magadha)?
[A] Junagarh Inscription
[B] Kandhar Inscription
[C] Dipavamsa Inscription
[D] Babhru Inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Babhru Inscription ]
Notes:
In Babhru edict, the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka refers himself as Piyadassi laja Magadhe (Piyadassi, King of Magadha). In this edict he states his faith in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.
5. Tolkāppiyam belongs to which tamil Sangam?
[A] first
[B] second
[C] third
[D] fourth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ second ]
Notes:
Tolkāppiyam is a work on the grammar of the Tamil language. It deals with orthography, phonology, morphology, semantics, prosody and the subject matter of literature. It belongs to second tamil Sangam.
6. Who among the following rulers of Gupta dynasty started Gupta Era?
[A] Vishnugupta
[B] Chandragupta I
[C] Skandgupta
[D] Samudragupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Chandragupta I ]
Notes:
The Gupta Era was started by Chandragupta I in 319-320 AD. He was the real founder of the Gupta dynasty and was known as Maharajadhiraja (king of kings).
7. Who among the following was an Indian sage and Guru, reputed to disseminate Tantric Buddhism in Bhutan and Tibet during the 8th century?
[A] Asanga
[B] Nagarjuna
[C] Padmasambhava
[D] Mahavir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Padmasambhava]
Notes:
Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, was an 8th-century Buddhist master from the Indian subcontinent. It is said he brought Vajrayana tantric Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan and is recognized as the second Buddha in these regions. His name means “Lotus-Born”, as per the legend, by his birth he was miraculously appeared seated lotus. Subsequently, he played a crucial role in the development of Tibetan Buddhism and culture.
8. The ancient city of Raj Griha which is modern Rajgir near Patna was built by which of the following kings?
[A] Bimbisara
[B] Ajatshatru
[C] Prasenjit
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bimbisara]
Notes:
The ancient city of Rajgriha which is modern Rajgir near Patna was built by Bimbisara. Bimbisāra also known as Seniya or Shrenika in the Jain histories was a King of Magadha and belonged to the Haryanka dynasty. He was the son of Bhattiya.
9. Who among the following Buddhist Philosophers persuaded the Indo Greek King Meander to Accept Buddhism?
[A] Asanga
[B] Nagasena
[C] Dharmakirti
[D] Jambuka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nagasena]
Notes:
Nagasena was a Sarvastivadan Buddhist sage born in Kashmir and lived around 150 BCE. His answers to questions about Buddhism posed by Menander I, the Indo-Greek king of northwestern India, are recorded in the Milinda Panha and the Sanskrit Nagasenabhiksusutra.
10. The first Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha ________?
[A] Shortly after Budhha’s Death
[B] Shortly before Buddha’s Death
[C] A century After Buddha’s Death
[D] A century After Buddha’s Death
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Shortly after Budhha’s Death]
Notes:
The First Buddhist council convened just after Gautama Buddha’s death in c. 400 BCE at Rajgriha. It was a gathering of senior monks of the Buddhist order. It was recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Theravadins and Sanskrit Buddhist schools.
