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 of the following pairs is / are correctly matched?
- Nagananda – Harsha
- Mudrarakshasa – Visakhadatta
- Mrichchhakatika – Sudraka
- Ratnavali – Rajasekhara
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 2 & 3 ]
Notes:
- Mricchakatika, is a ten-act Sanskrit drama written by Sudraka.
- Nagananda is one of the best Sanskrit dramas in five acts dealing with the popular story of Jimutavahana’s self-sacrifice to save the Nagas, written by king Harsha(Vardhana Dynasty).
- The Mudrarakshasa (“The Signet of the Minister”) is a historical play in Sanskrit by Vishakhadatta that narrates the ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in Northern India.
- Ratnavali is a Sanskrit drama about a beautiful princess named Ratnavali, and a great king named Udayana,written by Indian emperor Harsha(Vardhana dynasty).
2. Which among the following is not among Ashtamahasthanas?
[A] Lumbini
[B] Rajgriha
[C] Vajrayana
[D] Taxila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Taxila ]
Notes:
The holy places where the four principal events of the Buddha’s life took place are Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (Enlightenment), Sarnath (First Sermon), Kusinagar (Death took place). Apart from these four places, there are another four holy places viz. Sravasti, Rajgriha, Vaishali and Vajrayana, these eight holy places are known as Ashtamahasthanas.
3. What was the fifth tenet added by Tirthankara Mahavira to the four basic tenets of Jainism?
[A] Non injury
[B] Non lying
[C] Observe continence
[D] Non stealing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Observe continence ]
Notes:
The five main teachings of Jainism are do not commit violence, do not speak a lie, do not steal, do not acquire property and observe continence (brahmacharya). The brahmacharya was added by Lord Mahavira.
4. Which Chalukyan ruler set up it capital at Vengi ?
[A] Vishnuvardhan
[B] Mahendravarman
[C] Kakusthavarman
[D] Pulakesin II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Vishnuvardhan ]
Notes:
The son of Pulakesin II, Vishnuvardhan established the eastern branch of the chalukyas with it’s capital first at Pistapur and later at Vengi.
5. Which among the following dynasties were ruling over Magadha when Alexander invaded India?
[A] Shisunagas
[B] Nandas
[C] Mauryas
[D] Kosalas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Nandas ]
Notes:
The ruler of Nanda Dynasty, Dhanananda was the contemporary of Alexander.
6. Which of the following inscriptions mentions Chandragupta Vikramaditya’s authority over North-Western India?
[A] Mehrauli iron pillar inscription
[B] Beirut inscription
[C] Junagarh inscription
[D] Allahbad pillar inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mehrauli iron pillar inscription ]
Notes:
The Mehrauli iron pillar inscription mentions Chandragupta Vikramaditya’s authority over north western India and a good portion of Bengal. This pillar was established by Chandragupta as Vishnupada in the honor of Lord Vishnu.
7. With which among the following Vedas, the Shatapatha Brahmana is related to___?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Yajurveda
[C] Samaveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Yajurveda ]
Notes:
Yajurveda is the book of sacrificial prayers.The world’s oldest prose literature of the Indo-Europeans is contained in Yajurveda.. There are two primary versions or Samhitas of the Yajurveda : Shukla(white) and Krishna(black) This implies that the Krishna Yajurveda includes the Brahmana prose discussions within the Samhita (no Brahman) while the Shukla Yajurveda has separately a Brahmana text, Shatapatha.
8. From the times of which among the following Chola rulers, the Gangaikondacholapuram became the capital of the Chola empire?
[A] Parantaka Chola I
[B] Rajendra Chola I
[C] Kulottunga Chola I
[D] Vikrama Chola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajendra Chola I]
Notes:
Gangaikondacholapuram was constructed by Rajendra Chola I to commemorate his conquest over the chalukyas and other feudatories Kalonga, Gangas, Palas etc .These victories led him to assume the title Gangaikonda.
9. There is no evidence of cultivation of which among the Barley , Sugarcane, Rice & Field pea at any of the sites of the Indus valley ?
[A] Sugarcane, Rice & Field pea
[B] Rice & Field pea
[C] Sugarcane Only
[D] Rice only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sugarcane Only]
Notes:
The correct answer is “Sugarcane Only.” While barley and rice were cultivated in the Indus Valley Civilization, there is no archaeological evidence of sugarcane cultivation in that region during that period. The Indus Valley Civilization, which thrived around 2500 BCE, is known for its advanced agricultural practices, including the cultivation of barley and rice, but sugarcane was primarily cultivated in other regions, such as Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, before spreading to India later.
10. Which among the following is Not Correctly matched?
[A] Maurya Empire – Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Shunga Dynasty – Pushyamitra Shunga
[C] Satvahana Dynasty – Gautamiputra satkarni
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Satvahana Dynasty – Gautamiputra satkarni]
Notes:
The founder of Satvahana Dynasty was Simuk and not Gautamaiputra Satakarni
