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. Menander I, the famous Indo-Greek ruler set up his capital at which place?
[A] Sialkot
[B] Pathankot
[C] Rajkot
[D] Sialdah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Sialkot ]
Notes:
The famous Indo-Greek, Menander I (165/155–130 BCE) set up his capital at Sakala or Sialkot.
2. Before ascending the Maurya throne, Ashoka was the viceroy of which of the following?
[A] Taxilla
[B] Ujjain
[C] Pataliputra
[D] Kandhar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Taxilla ]
Notes:
Before ascending the Maurya throne, Ashoka was the viceroy of Taxila.
3. Who wrote Mahabhashya?
[A] Panini
[B] Patanjali
[C] Kalidas
[D] Tulsidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Patanjali ]
Notes:
Mahabhashya was written by Patanjali. It is a commentary on selected rules of Sanskrit grammar from Paini’s treatise, the Ashtadhyayi and Katyayana’s Varttika.
4. Works of 11th century Sanskrit poet Jayadeva have become the basis of which among the following dance forms of India?
[A] Odissi
[B] Bharatnatyam
[C] Kathak
[D] Manipuri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odissi]
Notes:
Jayadeva’s seminal works greatly influenced the Odissi dance form. He is known for his epic Gita Govinda, an important text in Odissi dance’s repertoire. It describes the unique relationship of divine Krishna and his devotee Radha, along with the gopis of Vrindavan. These spiritual themes find a visual depiction through Odissi dance, showcasing its close tie with ancient poet Jayadeva.
5. The regions where the Aryans settled in India was called Saptasindhu , which was pronounced as haptahindu as well. What was the other term used for this area?
[A] Mahabharata
[B] Aryavarta
[C] Pataliputra
[D] Brahmavarta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Brahmavarta]
Notes:
The correct answer is “Brahmavarta.” Saptasindhu refers to the land of the seven rivers, important in Vedic texts. Aryavarta, meaning “land of the Aryans,” is often used interchangeably but specifically refers to northern India. Brahmavarta, derived from Brahma, signifies a sacred region associated with Vedic culture and is considered the heartland of early Aryan civilization.
6. Which among the following is also called encyclopedia of Buddhism?
[A] Buddhacharita
[B] Mahavibhasa
[C] Milinda Panho
[D] Vinayapitaka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahavibhasa]
Notes:
Abhidharma-mahavibhasa known as Mahavibhaṣa, is a Vaibhashika written treatise on Sarvastivada abhidharma. It translated into Chinese by the scholar–pilgrim Xuanzang and his translation team between 656 and 659 C.E.
7. Which among the following work was originally called as Jaya Kavya?
[A] Ramayan
[B] Mahabharata
[C] Aitreya Brahaman
[D] Manu Smriti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahabharata]
Notes:
The work originally called “Jaya Kavya” is the Mahabharata. This epic, attributed to the sage Vyasa, was initially a shorter poem celebrating the victory of the Kuru dynasty in battle. The term “Mahabharata” means “the great tale of the Bharata dynasty,” and it has evolved into one of the longest epic poems in the world, consisting of over 100,000 shlokas (verses). The Mahabharata also includes the Bhagavad Gita, a key philosophical text in Hinduism.
8. Select the statement which is NOT correct regarding Kalidasa:
[A] Kalidasa was a renowned Sanskrit poet and dramatist of Gupta period.
[B] He was one of the nine gems in the court of Chandragupta I.
[C] Kumarasambhavam and Ritusamhara are his two epic works.
[D] His plays and poetry are primarily based on Hindu Puranas and philosophy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [He was one of the nine gems in the court of Chandragupta I.]
Notes:
He was one of the nine gems in the court of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya.
9. Which of the following serve as first evidence that Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini?
[A] Records of Fa Hien
[B] Records of Huen Tsang
[C] Pillar of Asoka
[D] Writings of Ashwaghoasha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pillar of Asoka]
Notes:
Nigrodharama, a Buddhist Monastery close to Kapilavastu, where Buddha used to live when visiting Kapilavastu. The main evidence that Buddha was born in Lumbini,Nepal is the Ashoka Pillar which is still at Lumbini. Every year number of tourist visit the birth place of Gautam Buddha i.e. Kapilvastu District, Nepal.
10. The first documented evidence of untouchability in ancient India comes from which among the following periods?
[A] Maurya Period
[B] Shunga Period
[C] Gupta Era
[D] Times after reign of Harsha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gupta Era]
Notes:
The term asprsya or untouchable was first mentioned in Katyayana dharmasastra which belonged to the Gupta period.
