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 beneficiaries of Asoka’s donations in the region of Barabar Hill were__?
[A] Buddhists
[B] Ajivikas
[C] Svetambar Jains
[D] Digambar Jains
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Ajivikas ]
Notes:
The Edicts of Asoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Asoka. The one of the Edict of Asoka is “Barbara cave Inscription : giving away the Barbara cave to Ajivika sect. Dasharataha is known to have gifted the Nagarjuni hills to Ajivikas.
2. Which among the following two dynasties of the Northern India confronted with the Rashtrakutas?
[A] The Pratiharas and the Paramaras
[B] The Palas and the Chandelas
[C] The Pratiharas and the Palas
[D] The Chalukyas and the Chahamanas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ The Pratiharas and the Palas ]
Notes:
North Indian Dynasties : Towards the close of the 8th century AD, there were three great powers in India – the Palas in the east, the Gurjar- Pratiharas in the north and the Rashtrakutas in the deccan. The tripartite struggle for the supremacy among the Palas, Partiharas and the Rashtrakutas was the desire to possess the city of Kannauj ,which was then a symbol of sovereignty.
3. For which among the following offenses, Manu recommended higher punishment to Brahamans than the persons of other varnas?
[A] Profanity
[B] Murder
[C] Theft
[D] Treason
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Theft ]
Notes:
According to Manu, a Brahamana was to be awarded higher punishment than the persons of other varnas for the offence of Theft.
4. “The king was the ruler of all except Brahamanas”. This was the view of __?
[A] Manu
[B] Yajnavalkya
[C] Apasthamba
[D] Gautama
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Gautama ]
Notes:
Gautama-dharmasutra The Dharmasutras: The Law Codes of Apastamba, Gautama, Baudhayana, and Vasistha The Dharmasutras are the four surviving written works of the ancient Indian tradition on the subject of dharma, or the rules of behavior a community recognizes as binding on its members. Gautama- dharmasutra is believed to be the oldest of the four Hindu Dharmasastras, It survives as an independent treatise. According to Gautama the ruler is the owner of everything in his realm except the brahmanas.
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. The oldest evidence in human history for the drilling of teeth in a living person was found in which of the following cultures?
[A] Ahar banas
[B] Mehrgarh
[C] Sohn Valley
[D] Malwa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Mehrgarh ]
Notes:
In April 2006, Nature journal announced that the earliest evidence of drilling holes in human teeth while the person was still alive was found at the Mehrgarh neolithic site in Balochistan, Pakistan dating around 7,500 BCE to 9,000 BCE. Eleven drilled molar crowns were discovered here revealing the first known instance of proto-dentistry practiced anywhere in the world. This indicates advanced medical knowledge and skills amongst the early farming communities of Mehrgarh.
7. The place Dharanikota in South India is related to which ancient dynasty?
[A] Chola
[B] Satavahana
[C] Pandya
[D] Chera
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Satavahana ]
Notes:
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.
8. Heliodorus’ a Greek ambassador of the Indo-Greek king was sent to the court of which ruler?
[A] Bhagbhadra
[B] Devabhut
[C] Pushyamitra
[D] Ghosha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Bhagbhadra ]
Notes:
Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador sent to the court of Sunga King, Bhagbhadra by the Greek King of Taxila, Antialkidas. Heliodorus erected famous votive Heliodorus pillar around 110 BC near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
9. “All Indians are Free and not even one of them is a slave”. Who among the following has observed the above about the Mauryan Empire?
[A] Megasthenes
[B] Hiuen Tsang
[C] Ashoka
[D] Strabo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Megasthenes]
Notes:
Megasthenes in his book Indica wrote all Indians are free and not even one of them is a slave.
10. Mahabalipuram was a port city of which of the following dynasties?
[A] Chola
[B] Pallava
[C] Chalukya
[D] Kakatiya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pallava]
Notes:
Mahabalipuram was one of the major port cities by the 7th century within the Pallava kingdom. The town was named after Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, who was also known as Mahabali. Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO world heritage site.
