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. Which Ashokan inscription mentions five contemporary Hellenic Kings?
[A] Major Rock Edict XI
[B] Major Rock Edict XII
[C] Major Rock Edict X
[D] Major Rock Edict XIII
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Major Rock Edict XIII ]
Notes:
The Major Rock Edict XIII of Ashokan inscription mentions Asoka’s victory over Kalinga and names of Greek Kings such as Antiochus, Ptolemy, Antigonus, Magas and southern Indian rulers such as Cholas, Pandyas. It has also mentioned names of Kamboj, Nabhaks, Bhoja, Andhra, etc.
2. Which of the Brahamana says’wife is half her husband’?
[A] Satapatha Brahamana
[B] Aitareya Brahamana
[C] Gopatha Brahamana
[D] Taittiriya Brahmana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Satapatha Brahamana ]
Notes:
The Satapatha Brahamana states that the wife is half her husband and completes him.
3. Mundaka Upanishad, the Mandukya Upanishad and the Prashna Upanishad are associated with which of the following Vedas?
[A] Atharva-Veda
[B] Rig-Veda
[C] Sama-Veda
[D] Yajur-Veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Atharva-Veda ]
Notes:
Atharvaveda text includes three primary Upanishads, influential to various schools of Hindu philosophy. These include the Mundaka Upanishad, the Mandukya Upanishad and the Prashna Upanishad.
4. The silver coins of which among the following kings carried portraits and bilingual legends, which were inspired by the Kshatrapa types?
[A] Satavahanas
[B] Kushanas
[C] Guptas
[D] Mauryas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Satavahanas ]
Notes:
Satavahana kings are noted for issuing bilingual coins featuring Middle Indo-Aryan language on one side, and Tamil language on the other side.
5. Who among the following kings was a contemporary of both Mahavira and Buddha ?
[A] Ajatshatru
[B] Nandivardhana
[C] Bimbisara
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bimbisara]
Notes:
Bimbisara was contemporary of both Mahavira and Buddha. The Jain texts mention that he was a disciple of Lord Mahavira. The Buddhist texts mention that he met Buddha before enlightment. Buddha promised him to visit his capital after he gets enlightment. He was a patron of Buddha and as a mark of goodwill; he presented the Bamboo Grove (karanda venu vana) to the Sangha.
6. Which among the following Buddhist Canon is related to dealing with rules for monks and nuns ?
[A] Vinaya Pitaka
[B] Sutta Pitaka
[C] Abhidhamma Pitaka
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vinaya Pitaka]
Notes:
Tripitaka or Three Baskets is a traditional term used for various Buddhist scriptures. It is known as pali Canon in English. The three pitakas are Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Sutta Pitaka: It contains over 10 thousand suttas or sutras related to Buddha and his close companions. This also deals with the first Buddhist council which was held shortly after Buddha’s death, dated by the majority of recent scholars around 400 BC, under the patronage of king Ajatasatru with the monk Mahakasyapa presiding, at Rajgir. It is divided into various sections as shown in following graphics:
Vinaya Pitaka: The subject matter of Vinay Pitaka is the monastic rules for monks and nuns. It can also be called as Book of Discipline. Its three books are Suttavibhanga, Khandaka and Parivara.
Abhidhammapitaka deals with the philosophy and doctrine of Buddhism appearing in the suttas. However, it does not contain the systematic philosophical treatises. There are 7 works of Abhidhamma Pitaka which most scholars agree that don’t represent the words of Buddha himself.
7. Which among the following system in the Vedic Age has provided for a marriage of a childless widow with the brother of blood relation of her deceased husband for the sake of progeny ?
[A] Amaju
[B] Niyoga
[C] Arsa
[D] none of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Niyoga]
Notes:
Niyoga practice in the Vedic Age has provided for a marriage of a childless widow with the brother of blood relation of her deceased husband for the sake of progeny.
8. Who is the author of Devichandraguptam?
[A] Vishakhadatta
[B] Dandin
[C] Bharavi
[D] Kalidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vishakhadatta]
Notes:
Devi-Chandraguptam is the Sanskrit play of Vishakhadeva (Vishakhadatta). Its the story of Gupta King Ramagupta who decides to surrender his queen Dhruvadevi to a Shaka invader but his younger brother Chandragupta enters the enemy camp disguised as queen and kills the enemy. In the climax of the play, Chandragupta dethrones Ramagupta and marries Dhruvadevi. Kindly note that an 11th century Persian text Majmal-ut-Tawarikh includes some parts of the plot of this play.
9. Charak was a contemporary of which of the following Kings?
[A] Chandra Gupta Maurya
[B] Kanishka
[C] Ashoka
[D] Akbar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kanishka]
Notes:
Charak was a contemporary of King Kanishka. Charak was a member of Kanishka’s court and is known as the “Father of Indian Medicine”. Charak was a major contributor to Ayurveda and is famous for writing the Charak Samhita. Kanishka was the king of the Kushan dynasty, which ruled over the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan, and possibly areas of Central Asia. Other scholars in Kanishka’s court included Parsva, Vasumitra, Asvaghosa, Nagarjuna, and Mathara.
10. The meaning of Mohenjo dero is ‘mound of the dead’. The same meaning is expressed by which of the following names ?
[A] Harappa
[B] Lothal
[C] Amri
[D] Kalibangan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lothal]
Notes:
The name Lothal is derived from the term “Lothall,” which means “mound of the dead” in the local language.