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. The Satapatha and Taittiriya Brahmanas belong to which Veda?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Samaveda
[C] Yajurveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yajurveda]
Notes:
Satapatha Brahmana and Taittiriya Brahmana are part of the Yajurveda corpus. Satapatha Brahmana is associated with the Shukla (White) Yajurveda. Taittiriya Brahmana belongs to the Krishna (Black) Yajurveda. These texts explain rituals and sacrificial details of Yajurveda. Rigveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda have their own Brahmana texts different from these two.
2. Who among the following wrote ‘Nagananda’?
[A] Banabhatta
[B] Simhanada
[C] Pulakesin II
[D] Harshavardhana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Harshavardhana ]
Notes:
The emperor of Vardhana dynasty, Harshavardhana wrote a play ‘Nagananda’. It describes the story of the Jimutavahana’s self-sacrifice to save the Nagas. It has an enlightening Buddhist legend for its subject and is one of the best works of the Indian Drama.
3. In the Maurya empire, who looked after Markets and check wrong practices?
[A] Samsthadhyaksha
[B] Sitadhyaksha
[C] Akaradhyaksha
[D] Manadhyaksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Samsthadhyaksha ]
Notes:
In the Mauryan Empire, Samsthadhyaksha looked after the Markets and check wrong practices.
4. Which among the following are important functionaries of Early Vedic period?
[A] Purohita
[B] Senani
[C] Gramini
[D] All of the above
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Correct Answer: D [ All of the above ]
Notes:
The important functionaries of Early Vedic period are Purohita, Senani and Gramini.
5. In which Mandal of Rigveda ‘Gayatri Mantra is mentioned?
[A] III
[B] IV
[C] V
[D] VI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ III ]
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.
6. Who was the court physician during the reign of Kanishka-I?
[A] Charak
[B] Vasumitra
[C] Nagarjuna
[D] Asvaghosa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Charak ]
Notes:
Charak was the court physician of Kanishka I. He was one of the principal contributors to the ancient art and science of Ayurveda, a system of medicine and lifestyle developed in Ancient India. He is sometimes referred to as the Father of Indian Medicine.
7. The Excavated Buddhist Site, Lalitgiri , which was notified as Centrally Protected in the year 1937, is located in which among the following states of India?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] West Bengal
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
Lalitgiri is situated in Cuttack district of Odisha which is at a distance of around 100 kms from Bhubaneswar. The Buddhist relics found during excavation was notified as centrally protected in the year 1937.
8. Meander who was an Indo Greek king accepted which of the following religion ?
[A] Janism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Jainism
[D] Islam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Buddhism]
Notes:
Before becoming a Buddhist, Menander (an Indo-Greek king) 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).
9. Who is known as greatest law giver of ancient India?
[A] Banabhatta
[B] Kautilya
[C] Manu
[D] Chanukya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Manu]
Notes:
Manusmriti, a book on Indian law is attributed to the legendary first man and lawgiver, Manu. Manu-smriti, traditionally the most authoritative of the books of the Hindu code (Dharmashastra) in India.
10. Who among the following granted permission to Buddhist King of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a Monastery at Bodh Gaya?
[A] Chandra gupta Virkramaditya
[B] Samudra Gupta
[C] Skand Gupta
[D] Kumara Gupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Samudra Gupta]
Notes:
Samudragupta granted permission to Buddhist king of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a monastery at Bodh Gaya. Samudragupta was a ruler of the Gupta Empire of Ancient India. As a son of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta I and the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, he greatly expanded his dynasty’s political power.
