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. Nābhivarṣa is the historical name of which of the following countries?
[A] India
[B] Myanmar
[C] China
[D] Egypt
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Correct Answer: A [India ]
Notes:
According to some historical sources, the term Nābhivarṣa was used for India prior to its name Bharatvarsa. The name is derived from King Nabhi, who was father of Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara in Jainism.
2. Which of the following Greek Explorers is considered to have left the earliest account of India?
[A] Herodotus
[B] Ctesias
[C] Scylax
[D] Hippalus
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Correct Answer: C [ Scylax ]
Notes:
The earliest Greek Account of India was left by Scylax of Caryanda who was sent by Kind Darius-I of Persia to follow the course of river Indus and find out where it led. His original works are now lost.
3. Which Greek ambassador set up a pillar in honour of Vishnu?
[A] Megasthenes
[B] Heliodoros
[C] Theodorus
[D] Plato
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Correct Answer: B [ Heliodoros ]
Notes:
The Greek ambassador Heliodoros set up a pillar in honour of Vishnu (Vasudev) at Vidisha. He was sent to the court of Sunga King, Bhagbhadra by the Greek King of Taxila, Antialkidas.
4. Who among the following was the first Satavahana King to introduce the Ruler’s head on the coins ?
[A] Satkarni I
[B] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[C] Vasishthiputra Pulumavi
[D] Yajna Satakarni
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Correct Answer: A [ Satkarni I ]
Notes:
Satavahana dynasty ruled from Pune in Maharastra to Coastal Andhra Pradesh in the 2nd century BC onwards.The coins issued by Satavahanas had Bilingual legends. The name of the Kings was mentioned in Prakrit as well as some south Indian Language. Satavahana Kings promoted Buddhism. Satkarni I was the first Satavahana King to introduce the Ruler’s head on the coins.
5. Who was the founder of Chalukya Dynasty ?
[A] Vishnuvardhan
[B] Pulakesin I
[C] Kirtivarman I
[D] Pulakesin II
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Correct Answer: B [ Pulakesin I ]
Notes:
The founder of Chalukya dynasty, Pulakesin I established a small kingdom with Badami (or Vatapi) as its capital in Bijapur District, Karnataka .
6. Ujjaini located in the Malwa region, came under which Mahajanapada?
[A] Anga
[B] Kasi
[C] Kosal
[D] Avanti
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Correct Answer: D [ Avanti ]
Notes:
Ujjaini was located in the Malwa region came under Avanti Mahajanapada.
7. Which Indus Valley Site was discovered by Rakhal Das Bannerjee?
[A] Kali Banga
[B] Harappa
[C] Lothal
[D] Mohenjodaro
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Correct Answer: D [ Mohenjodaro ]
Notes:
Rakhal Das Bannerjee, an Indian archaeologist, discovered the Indus Valley civilization site of Mohenjodaro in 1922. Mohenjodaro is located in Sindh, Pakistan. The name Mohenjodaro means “Mound of the dead”. It was the largest city of the Indus Valley civilization. Bannerjee was an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India. In 1920, he was surveying the lower part of the Indus River valley when he heard reports of a buried site. While exploring, he found pottery and stone blades. He studied the unusual shape and size of several mounds. He submitted a report to his boss on what he had found in 1922.
8. The hymns of regveda were composed by ?
[A] Hotri
[B] Udgatri
[C] Adhvaryas
[D] Nakshotri
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Correct Answer: A [ Hotri ]
Notes:
Hotri For Vedic priests viz. Hotri, adhvaryu, udgatri and brahman (brahmin) participated in the shrauta rites and each of them had special attributes. Hotri was the priest chanting the hymns of Rig Veda; adhvaryu chanting the hymns of Yajur Veda; Udgatri chanting the Sama Veda hymns. Brahman priest was the most and supervisor of the entire ceremony and the one chanting the hymns of Atharva Veda.
9. At which of the following sites, largest variety of food grains in the Chalcolithic age has been found?
[A] Navdatoli
[B] Gilund
[C] Adamgarh
[D] Banahali
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Correct Answer: A [ Navdatoli ]
Notes:
At Navdatoli, located near Maheshwar town in Madhya Pradesh in Narmada valley, several varieties of food grains like rice, jowar, ragi etc. have been found.
10. Who granted permission to Buddhist king of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a monastic at Bodh Gaya?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Kumargupta
[C] Skandgupta
[D] Chandragupta II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Samudragupta ]
Notes:
The Gupta emperor, Samudragupta granted permission to Buddhist king of Ceylon Meghavarman to build a monastry at Bodh Gaya. Hence, he was also known as Anukampavan (full of compassion).
