Ancient Indian History MCQs

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In the major Rock Edict V, Ashoka mentioned “Every Human is my child”. He had concerns about the policy towards slaves. This rock edict also referes to the appointment of Dhamma-mahamatta for the first time in the twelfth year of his reign.

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In the Mauryan Empire, Samsthadhyaksha looked after the Markets and check wrong practices.

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The Neolithic Revolution or Neolithic Demographic Transition, sometimes called the Agricultural Revolution, was the world’s first historically verifiable revolution in agriculture. It was the wide-scale transition of many human cultures from a lifestyle of hunting and gathering to one of agriculture and settlement which supported an increasingly large population. Archaeological data indicates that various forms of plants and animal domestication evolved in separate locations worldwide, starting around 12,000 years ago.

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Malavikagnimitram is the Sanskrit play, which depicts Agnimitra as its hero. Malvika is a maid servant whom Agnimitra falls in love. This was known to his chief queen, who imprisions her. Later it was known that Malvika was of a royal birth and she was accepted as queen of Agnimitra. Malavikagnimitram gives account of Rajsuya Yajna of Pushyamitra Shunga, father of Agnimitra.

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In the mid of the 8th century, Dantidurga , who was one of the chieftain of ancient Rastrakuta family fought his way to the front and overthrew Kirtivarman II, thus bringing an end to the main branch of Chalukyas. This was the beginning of the Rastrakuta Empire in Deccan.

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Tripitaka or Three Baskets is a traditional term used for various Buddhist scriptures. It is known as pali Canon in English. The three pitakas are Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Sutta Pitaka: It contains over 10 thousand suttas or sutras related to Buddha and his close companions. This also deals with the first Buddhist council which was held shortly after Buddha’s death, dated by the majority of recent scholars around 400 BC, under the patronage of king Ajatasatru with the monk Mahakasyapa presiding, at Rajgir. It is divided into various sections as shown in following graphics:
Vinaya Pitaka: The subject matter of Vinay Pitaka is the monastic rules for monks and nuns. It can also be called as Book of Discipline. Its three books are Suttavibhanga, Khandaka and Parivara.
Abhidhammapitaka deals with the philosophy and doctrine of Buddhism appearing in the suttas. However, it does not contain the systematic philosophical treatises. There are 7 works of Abhidhamma Pitaka which most scholars agree that don’t represent the words of Buddha himself.

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The correct answer is inscriptions. Inscriptions, often found on stone or metal, provide direct evidence of historical events, rulers, and societal norms in ancient India. They date back to the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE) and include important examples like the Edicts of Ashoka, which offer insights into governance, religion, and culture. Unlike religious literature, which can be biased, inscriptions are primary sources that reflect contemporary realities. Coins also provide valuable information but are less comprehensive than inscriptions.

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The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in central India that spans the prehistoric paleolithic and mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period. It exhibits the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent and evidence of Stone Age starting at the site in Acheulian.

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Harsha (c. 590–647 CE), also known as Harshavardhana, was an Indian emperor who ruled North India. His biography Harshacharita (“Deeds of Harsha”) written by Sanskrit poet Banabhatta describes his association with Thanesar, besides mentioning the defence wall, a moat and the palace with a two-storied Dhavalagriha.

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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.