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. On the bank of which river, Mahavira attained Kaivalaya?
[A] Niranjana
[B] Rijupalika
[C] Yamuna
[D] Jamuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Rijupalika ]
Notes:
According to Jain scriptures, Lord Mahavira attained the highly exalted omniscient state of Kaivalya in 599 BCE under a Sal tree near the village of Jrimbhikgrama. This site was located on the banks of the River Rijupalika in the kingdom of Magadha, which roughly corresponds to the modern Bihar. The site holds a special place for Jains as the exact spot where Mahavira attained supreme enlightenment through deep penance and meditation.
2. Who was the brother-in-law of Harshavardhan ?
[A] Grahavarmana
[B] Banabhatta
[C] Devgupta
[D] Bhaskarvarman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Grahavarmana ]
Notes:
The sister of Harshavardhan, Rajyasri was married to Grahavarmana, King of Kanauj. He was the last ruler of Kanauj belonging to the Maukhari royal dynasty.
3. 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.
4. Which one of the following archaeologists discovered the Harappa site of the Indus Valley civilisation?
[A] Rakhal Das Bannerjee
[B] Sir William Jones
[C] Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar
[D] Daya Ram Sahini
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Daya Ram Sahini ]
Notes:
In 1921, an Indian archaeologist Raj Bahadur Daya Ram Sahini discovered the Harappa site of the Indus Valley civilisation.
5. Which of the following Upanishads gives clear reference of four Ashrams of individual’s life?
[A] Jabala Upanishad
[B] Katha Upanishad
[C] Virhadranyaka Upanishad
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Jabala Upanishad ]
Notes:
In Jabala Upanishad, there is a clear reference of four Ashrams i.e. Brahmachari, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasi.
6. 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
Show Answer
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.
7. Which among the following was the royal emblem of Chola Kingdom?
[A] Bow
[B] Tiger
[C] Carp
[D] Fish
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Tiger ]
Notes:
The Chola kingdom was known as Cholamandulam, it was situated to the north-east of Pandya kingdom between Pennar and Vellar rivers. Tiger was the royal emblem of Chola Kingdom.
8. Which among the following were the scholars in the Court of Kanishka-I?
[A] Vasumitra, Asvaghosa and Parsva
[B] Nagarjuna, Charaka and Mathara
[C] Charaka, Vasumitra and Asvaghosa
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ All of the above ]
Notes:
The great scholars in the Court of Kanishka I were Asvaghosa (the Buddhist poet), Nagarjuna (the philosopher), Samgharaksha (the chaplain), Mathara (the politician), Vasumitra (the Buddhist scholar), Charaka (the physician) and Agisala (the engineer).
9. The achievements of Samudragupta are mentioned in which inscription?
[A] Hathigumpha inscription
[B] Allahabad Pillar inscription
[C] Bairut inscription
[D] Junagarh Pillar inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Allahabad Pillar inscription ]
Notes:
The achievements of Samudragupta are composed by his court-poet Harisena in Allahabad Pillar inscription ( or Prayag-Prasasti inscription).
10. 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.
