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 conversation between Nagasena and Menander-I related to Buddhism is recorded in which book?
[A] Milindapanho
[B] Panhomenanda
[C] Nagapanho
[D] Menandapanho
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Milindapanho ]
Notes:
Before becoming a Buddhist, Menander (an Indo-Greek king) asked Nagasena many questions relating to Buddhism.These questions and Nagasena’s answers are recorded in a form of book known as ‘Milindapanho (or The Questions of Milinda).
2. Who among the following Chalukyan king sent an ambassador to Persian king Khusrau II ?
[A] Pulakesin I
[B] Pulakesin II
[C] Kirtivarman I
[D] Vishnuvardhan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Pulakesin II ]
Notes:
The Chalukyan king, Pulakesin II sent an ambassador to the Persian king Khusrau II in 625 A.D. And received one from him.
3. Which among the following era is identical with Gupta era?
[A] Vikram era
[B] Vallabhi era
[C] Saka era
[D] Harsha era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Vallabhi era ]
Notes:
Vallabhi era is identical with Gupta era and Vallabhi era followed Gupta era in A.D. 366.
4. Who among the following were known as Tocharians?
[A] Kushans
[B] Shakas
[C] Hunas
[D] Kalabhras
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kushans]
Notes:
Kushans are also known as Yuechis or Tocharians.
5. Who is Kumara in the epic poem Kumarasambhava written by Kalidasa?
[A] Kartikeya
[B] Abhimanyu
[C] Sanatahkumara
[D] Arjuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kartikeya]
Notes:
Kumarasambhava, is an epic poem by Kalidasa written in the 5th century CE. The work describes the courting of the ascetic Shiva, who is meditating in the mountains, by Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas; the conflagration of Kama (the god of desire)—after his arrow struck Shiva—by the fire from Shiva’s third eye; the wedding and lovemaking of Shiva and Parvati; and the subsequent birth of Kumara (Skanda), the war god. Kumara is son of shiva Kartikeya.
6. Bagh caves near Gwalior represent the paintings of which of the following era?
[A] Maurya Era
[B] Gupta Era
[C] Kushana Era
[D] Rajput Era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gupta Era]
Notes:
Bagh caves near Gwalior represent the paintings of Gupta era. The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments.
7. Which of the following religious text is written in the form of questions and answers?
[A] Vinaya Pitaka
[B] Sutta Pitaka
[C] Abhidhamma Pitaka
[D] Prakirnas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Abhidhamma Pitaka]
Notes:
The Abhidhamma Pitaka is a detailed scholastic analysis and summary of the Buddha’s teachings in the Suttas. Everything written in this is in the form of question and answer.
8. Who is the founder of the four Mattas located at the four corners of India?
[A] Adi Shankara
[B] Bhaskaracharya
[C] Ramanujacharya
[D] Madhavacharya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Adi Shankara]
Notes:
The four Mattas, positioned in four directions of India i.e north, south, east, and west, were founded by Adi Shankara, the Indian philosopher in the early 8th century AD. These four Mattas are located in Sringeri in Karnataka, Puri in Orissa, Dwarka in Gujarat, and Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand respectively. This was part of his strategy to bring unity in a spiritually divided India during that time.
9. Who among the following were also known as Tocharians?
[A] Kushanas
[B] Hunas
[C] Greeks
[D] Shakas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kushanas]
Notes:
The Tocharians were an Indo-European people who inhabited the medieval oasis city-states on the northern edge of the Tarim Basin in ancient times. The Tocharian languages, a branch of the Indo-European family, are known from manuscripts from the 6th to 8th centuries AD. The Kushans were most probably one of five branches of the Yuezhi confederation, an Indo-European nomadic people of possible Tocharian origin.
10. Dashkumarcharitam was composed by whom?
[A] Bharavi
[B] Dandin
[C] Varahmihira
[D] Kalidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dandin]
Notes:
Dashkumarcharitam was composed by Dandin, who was a Sanskrit author of prose romances and expounder on poetics in the
6th-7th century. The book, Dashkumarcharitam is a prose romance in Sanskrit that describes the adventures of ten young men, the Kumaras, all of whom are either princes or sons of royal ministers, as narrated by the men themselves.
