Ancient Indian History MCQs

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The Indo-Greek king, Milinda (or Menander I ) was converted to Buddhism by Nagasena, a Buddhist monk and philospher. Before becoming a Buddhist, Menander asked Nagasena many questions relating to Buddhism.These questions and Nagasena’s answers are recorded in a form of book known as ‘Milindapanho (or The Questions of Milinda).

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The sister of Harshavardhan, Rajyasri was married to Grahavarmana, King of Kanauj. He was the last ruler of Kanauj belonging to the Maukhari royal dynasty.

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The Northern Panchalas had their capital at Ahicchatra. On the other hand, Southern Panchalas had their capital at Kampilya.

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The royal physician, Jivaka, was sent by Bimbisara to treat Avanti King Pradyota, who was ailing with Jaundice.

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The Akaradhyaksha was the superintendent of mines, responsible for mineral extraction. Karmantika was associated with state workshops and industrial operations. The Lohadhyaksha supervised metals and their manufacture, a role broader than iron alone, in the administrative system described in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.

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The Bamiyan cave murals in Afghanistan are recognized as the earliest known oil paintings. Scientific analysis identified drying oils in murals from the Bamiyan caves, and the paintings are generally dated to a period spanning the 5th to 9th centuries CE. These findings place the discovery in central Afghanistan, near the famous Bamiyan Buddha site, making Afghanistan the correct answer.

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Dharanikota is a town near Amaravati in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh in India, It is the site of the ancient Dhanyakataka which was the capital of the Satavahana kingdom which ruled in the Deccan around the 1st to 3rd centuries A.D.

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Kalhana’s Rajatarangini is a Sanskrit verse chronicle of Kashmir, composed in the twelfth century. Its eight books trace the region’s rulers from legendary beginnings to Kalhana’s own time. Its early accounts combine tradition and legend with historical material.

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Yavanapriya means dear to the Yavanas and is a name for black pepper. Yavana originally referred to Greeks and was later used more broadly for certain foreign peoples.

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Ashoka is credited with the establishment of the Sudaman Caves. These caves were primarily built for and dedicated to the Ajivikas. It is believed that the cave was named after Sudama, an Ajivika monk.