Ancient Indian History MCQs

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The First Buddhist Council was held at Saptaparni cave near Rajagriha in 72 AD, during the reign of Emperor Ajatsatru. It was held under the Presidentship of Mahakassapa to compile the Dhamma Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka.

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As per the Arthashastra of Chankya, Samaharta was the Chief Collector general of revenue that supervises the collection of revenue from the whole kingdom.Pradeshtri was known as the Divisional Commissioner. They were the modern district magistrates and in charge of district. They were to make tours once in every 5 years to inspect the entire administration of the areas under control. Antapal was known as the Governor of the frontier.

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The first recognized Paleolithic discovery in India is associated with Pallavaram near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. In 1863, Robert Bruce Foote found a handaxe there, which became an important early evidence of Paleolithic culture in the Indian subcontinent. This discovery is widely regarded as the starting point of systematic prehistoric archaeology in India. Before this, in 1842, the discovery of polished stone tools by Dr. Primrose at Lingsugur in the Raichur district of Karnataka marked the first recorded find of prehistoric stone tool artifacts in India, signaling the inception of South Asian prehistory. However, it belonged to Neolithic period not Paleolithic.

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Faxian visited India during Chandragupta II’s reign. His travel account is known as Foguo Ji, or A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms. Si-Yu-Ki is associated with Xuanzang.

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Chandragupta II Vikramaditya made Ujjain as second capital of his empire.

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The Kushana Dynasty, established by Kujula Kadphises in the 1st century AD, has been primarily identified through numismatic (coin) evidence. Historians and archaeologists deciphered the inscriptions and images on coins, enabling the understanding of their reign, relationship with other regions, and the extent of their empire. The numismatic study also helped to discern the religious influences and the transition of power within the dynasty.

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The correct answer is Agni. In Vedic rituals, Agni, the fire god, is considered the divine messenger who receives offerings and prayers from humans and conveys them to the heavens. Agni is central to Vedic ceremonies, symbolizing purity and the connection between the earthly and divine realms. He is often invoked in rituals for blessings and protection.

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Pushyamitra Shunga was the founder and first ruler of the Shunga Empire. He was a Brahmin and follower of Hinduism. Pushyamitra was originally a Senapati “General” of the Maurya Empire. In 185 BCE he assassinated the last Mauryan Emperor, Brihadratha Maurya, during an army review, and proclaimed himself emperor.

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Thirukkural, attributed to Thiruvalluvar, contains 1,330 couplets on virtue, wealth and love. It belongs to the Eighteen Lesser Texts (Pathinenkilkanakku) and is often described as the “Bible of the Tamil land”.

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The Gopatha Brahmana is a genre of the prose texts describing the Vedic rituals, associated with the Atharvaveda. The text is associated with both the Shaunaka and the Paippalada recension of the Atharvaveda. It is considered that this Brahmana is associated with both Shaunaka and Paippalada Shakha of the Atharvaveda.