Ancient Indian History MCQs

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.

Notes:
The holy places where the four principal events of the Buddha’s life took place are Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (Enlightenment), Sarnath (First Sermon), Kusinagar (Death took place). Apart from these four places, there are another four holy places viz. Sravasti, Rajgriha, Vaishali and Vajrayana, these eight holy places are known as Ashtamahasthanas.

Notes:
The five main teachings of Jainism are do not commit violence, do not speak a lie, do not steal, do not acquire property and observe continence (brahmacharya). The brahmacharya was added by Lord Mahavira.

Notes:
The history of ancient Tamil kingdoms i.e. Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas came to be known from Sangam Literature.

Notes:
Pushyamitra Sunga laid the foundation of Sunga Dynasty by assassinating Brihadratha Maurya (the last ruler of the Mauryan Empire). He was Commander-in-Chief in the army of Mauryan Emperor. Pushyamitra Sunga ruled for 36 years and was succeeded by his son Agnimitra. Devabhuti, the last ruler of the Sunga dynasty, was overthrown by Vasudeva who founded Kanva dynasty in 75 BC.

Notes:
The Sakas introduced Satrap system of government along with Parthians that was similar to that of the Achaemenid and Seleucid systems in Iran. Under this system, the kingdom was divided into provinces each under military governor Mahakshatrapa (great satrap). The governors of lower status were called kshatrapas (satraps). These governors had the power to issue their own inscriptions and mint their own coins.

Notes:
The achievements of Samudragupta are composed by his court-poet Harisena in Allahabad Pillar inscription ( or Prayag-Prasasti inscription).

Notes:
Narasimhavarman I was a Tamil king of the Pallava dynasty who ruled South India from 630–668 AD. He was also known as Mamallan, which means “great wrestler”. Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) was named after him.  Narasimhavarman wanted to avenge his father’s defeat at the hands of Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin II. He defeated Pulakesin II in the Battle of Manimangalam near Kanchi.

Notes:
Maya, the mother of Gautama Buddha, belonged to the Koliya dynasty. She was also known as Queen Mahamaya or Queen Maya. The Koliya dynasty was a clan or family that ruled over a region in ancient India, which is believed to be in the modern-day Nepal. Queen Maya’s husband was King Suddhodana, who was the ruler of the Shakya clan, and they were both from the same Koliya dynasty. Maya passed away shortly after giving birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.

Notes:
Arikamedu is the site near Pondicherry that best supports the view of ancient trade between Rome and the ancient Tamil country of India. Arikamedu was an important coastal and port town in ancient India. It was located near Puducherry, a union territory of India. Arikamedu was believed to be an active trading port with the Roman Empire as early as the second century BC. Arikamedu exported textiles, beads, and precious stones, and imported wine and olive oil from Rome. It was believed to be the only town to have ties with Rome.
Arikamedu is located about seven kilometers from Pondicherry. The name Arikamedu means “eroding mud”.