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 achievements of which ruler was recorded in Nasik Inscription?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Bindusara
[C] Devabhumi
[D] Gautamiputra Satkarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Gautamiputra Satkarni ]
Notes:
The achievements of Gautamiputra Satkarni were mentioned in Nasik Inscription, who were made by his mother Gautami Balasri. In it, Gautamiputra Satkarni was mentioned as the destroyer of the Sakas, Pahlavas and the Yavanas.
2. Who among the following Gupta emperor made Ujjain as his second capital?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Kumargupta I
[D] Kumargupta I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Chandragupta II ]
Notes:
Chandragupta II Vikramaditya made Ujjain as second capital of his empire.
3. Who was the father of King Harshavardhan ?
[A] Prabhakara Vardhana
[B] Bhaskar vardhan
[C] Jaivardhan
[D] Mahavardhan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Prabhakara Vardhana ]
Notes:
Prabhakara Vardhana, the founder of Vardhana Dynasty ruled from 580-605 AD. He had two sons – Rajya Vardhan and Harshvardhan and one daughter, Rajyasri. He died fighting with the Huns in 605 A.D.
4. King Ashvapati of the Upanishadic Age was the ruler of which among the following Kingdoms?
[A] Kekaya
[B] Matsya
[C] Panchala
[D] Sursena
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Correct Answer: A [ Kekaya ]
Notes:
LATER VEDIC AGE – The Kekaya kingdom was situated on the bank of River Beas, east of Gandhar kingdom. King Aswapati ruled Kekaya when Janak was the king of Videha.
5. The Greek Ambassador Deimachus of Plataea had visited the court of which of the following rulers of Magadha?
[A] Dhanananda
[B] Chandragupta Maurya
[C] Bindusara
[D] Asoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Bindusara ]
Notes:
Deimachus of Plataea had come as ambassador to Bindusāra or Amitraghāta, the son and successor of Chandragupta Maurya. He along with Megasthenes provides important information about the contemporary society and polity. He was sent by Antiochus I (the son of Seleucus Nikator).
6. Which among the following ruler is known for Junagarh Rock Inscription?
[A] Rudradaman I
[B] Jivadaman
[C] Damajadasri
[D] Jayadaman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rudradaman I]
Notes:
The Junagarh Rock inscription of Rudradaman is considered as an early example of chaste Sanskrit, written in mid second century AD. It mentions that one of Chandragupta Maurya’s governors, Pushyagupta, was responsible for building a dam on Sudarshana Lake near Girnar in Kathiawar. From another inscription of Skandgupta we came to know that this very dam was repaired during his reign, almost 800 years after it was built
7. King Prasenjita was a contemporary and friend of Lord Buddha. He was a king of ________?
[A] Kasi
[B] Kosal
[C] Anga
[D] Magdha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kosal]
Notes:
King Prasenjita was an Aikṣvāka dynasty ruler of Kosala. Sāvatthī was his capital. He was a prominent Upāsaka of Gautama Buddha, who built many Buddhist temples. He was friend of Lord Buddha.
8. Fa-Hien who came to visit India during Gupta Period had the main motive of ___________?
[A] Establish trade relations between India and China
[B] Write a book on the life of Indian People
[C] Study the teachings of Gautam Buddha
[D] To spread Buddhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Study the teachings of Gautam Buddha]
Notes:
Fa-Hien was a Chinese Buddhist, was one of the pilgrims who visited India during the reign of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II. His main motive is to study the teachings of Gautama Buddha.
9. As per the ancient Indian legends, which among the following significant female figures of Vedic Period suffered from an incurable disfiguring disease, perhaps leprosy, which was treated by Ashwins?
[A] Ghosha
[B] Lopamudra
[C] Gargi
[D] Maitreyi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Ghosha]
Notes:
As per the ancient Indian legends, Ghosha suffered from an incurable disfiguring disease, perhaps leprosy, which was treated by Ashwins. The Ashwins are twin Vedic gods of medicine in Hindu mythology. Associated with the dawn, they are described as youthful divine twin.
10. Which of the following religious text describes Brahmavarta as the region between the rivers Saraswati and Drishadwati in India?
[A] Manusmriti
[B] Bhagavata Purana
[C] Atharvaveda
[D] Matsya Purana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Manusmriti]
Notes:
The Hindu religious text Manusmriti describes Brahmavarta as the region between the rivers Sarasawti and Drishadwati in India. The earliest of the Hindu sacred text, Rig-Veda refers to the Saprasindhava, Panchanada, Madhyadesha and Praki. These were perhaps the first references to the emergence of regions. The geographical location of these regions suggests that the Indo- Aryans preferred to settle down along the banks of the rivers-Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta, Jhelum), Asikni also known Chandrabhaga (Chenab). There is a general agreement that the region known as Panchanada included the plains of the five great eastern tributaries of the Sindhu River. Further east, the land between the Sarasawti and Drishadwati was known to the Indo-Aryan as Brahmavarta.