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 Satavahana ruler composed Gathasaptashati?
[A] Simuka
[B] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[C] Pulumayi
[D] Hala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Hala ]
Notes:
Gathasaptashati was written by the Satavahana king Hala. Hala was the 17th ruler of the Satavahana dynasty and ruled from 20–24 CE. The text is a collection of 700 Prakrit verses written by various poets and poetesses. Most of the poems are about love. The text is considered the most important literary work in Prakrit. It is believed that the text took its formal shape in the early centuries of the Common Era.
2. During whose reign Mahayana sect of Buddhism came into existence?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kanishka
[C] Ajatsatru
[D] Nagarjuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kanishka ]
Notes:
Mahayana sect of Buddhism emerged during the reign of Kanishka. Asanga was the founder of Mahayan sect of Buddhism.
3. Who among the following was the author of Abhidhamma treatise Kathavatthu?
[A] Mah-a kassapa
[B] Mahinda
[C] Milinda
[D] Moggaliputta Tissa.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Moggaliputta Tissa. ]
Notes:
The Abhidhamma treatise Kathavatthu was written by Moggaliputta Tissa. He was a Buddhist monk and scholar who lived in the 3rd century BC . Moggaliputta-Tissa was the spiritual teacher of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, and his son Mahinda, who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. He also presided over the Third Buddhist Council.
4. The Chalukya king, Pulakesin II defeated Harshavardhan on the banks of which river?
[A] Narmada
[B] Kaveri
[C] Niranjana
[D] Rijupalika
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Narmada ]
Notes:
Chalukya king Pulakesin II had defeated Harshavardhan on the banks of River Narmada in 618 AD. Pulakeshin, who ruled from the Chalukyan capitalof Badami, challenged Harsha’s conquests. The former had established himself as ‘lord paramount’ of the south, as Harsha had of the north. Unwilling to tolerate the existence of a powerful rival in the south, Harsha had marched from Kanauj with a huge force. Such was Pulakeshin’s efficiency in guarding the passes of the Narmada that Harsha was compelled to accept the river as the demarcation and retire from the field of battle after losing a major part of his elephant force.
5. The oldest evidence in human history for the drilling of teeth in a living person was found in which of the following cultures?
[A] Ahar banas
[B] Mehrgarh
[C] Sohn Valley
[D] Malwa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Mehrgarh ]
Notes:
In April 2006, Nature journal announced that the earliest evidence of drilling holes in human teeth while the person was still alive was found at the Mehrgarh neolithic site in Balochistan, Pakistan dating around 7,500 BCE to 9,000 BCE. Eleven drilled molar crowns were discovered here revealing the first known instance of proto-dentistry practiced anywhere in the world. This indicates advanced medical knowledge and skills amongst the early farming communities of Mehrgarh.
6. Which among the following major rock edicts of Ashoka are in Kharosthi script?
[A] Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi
[B] Sanchi
[C] Sarnath
[D] Bairut
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi ]
Notes:
The two major rock edicts of Ashoka viz. Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi are in Kharosthi script. These both the rock edicts are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
7. In the Maurya empire, who was the superintendent of Ports ?
[A] Pattanadhyaksha
[B] Manadhyaksha
[C] Kosadhyaksha
[D] Ganikadhyaksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Pattanadhyaksha ]
Notes:
As per the officials mentioned in the Arthashastra, Pattanadhyaksha was the superintendent of Ports.
8. Who was the author of the Jivaka Chintamani?
[A] Perudevanar
[B] Seethalai Saathanaar
[C] Tiruttakrdeva
[D] Ilango Adigal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Tiruttakrdeva ]
Notes:
The epic tamil poem, Jivaka Cintamani (also known as Civaka Cintamani) is a Jain religious epic authored by jain saint Tiruttakrdeva. This epic is considered one of the classic epics of Sangam Literature. The poem means “fabulous gem”and is also known as Manannul (Book of Marriages).
9. Which among the following was the last ruler of Gupta empire?
[A] Vishnugupta
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Buddhagupta
[D] Kumaragupta II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Vishnugupta ]
Notes:
Vishnugupta was the last ruler of the Gupta empire. His reign lasted 10 years, from 540 to 550 CE.
10. Rajatarangini, a book that generally recorded the heritage of Kashmir in the 12th Century, was written by__:
[A] Pravaragupta
[B] Kalhana
[C] Lalitapida
[D] Kashyapa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kalhana ]
Notes:
Kalhana penned the book named Rajatarangini in 12th century CE. It is a metrical historical chronicle of north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly the kings of Kashmir, written in Sanskrit. Rajatarangini describe the misrule prevailing in Kashmir during the reign of King Kalash, son of King Ananta Deva of Kashmir.
