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. Who among the following was the 23rd Jain Tirthankara ?
[A] Nemi Natha
[B] Mahavira
[C] Parshvanath
[D] Malinath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Parshvanath ]
Notes:
Lord Parshvanath was the 23rd Jain Tirthankara who lived around 872-772 BCE. He was born to King Ashvasena and Queen Vama of Kashi/Varanasi as a royal prince. He gave up worldly comforts and became an ascetic at age 30 in search of spiritual awakening. He attained Kevala Jnana under a Dhaataki tree near Varanasi after 83 days of deep penance. His main teachings were non-violence, not stealing, not lying and non-attachment to possessions. His iconic symbol is a snake or serpent sheltering him.
2. Who was the author of the Jivaka Chintamani?
[A] Perudevanar
[B] Seethalai Saathanaar
[C] Tiruttakrdeva
[D] Ilango Adigal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Tiruttakrdeva ]
Notes:
The epic tamil poem, Jivaka Cintamani (also known as Civaka Cintamani) is a Jain religious epic authored by jain saint Tiruttakrdeva. This epic is considered one of the classic epics of Sangam Literature. The poem means “fabulous gem”and is also known as Manannul (Book of Marriages).
3. Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador of which of the following Indo-Greek kings?
[A] Antialcidas Nikephoros
[B] Selecus Nicator
[C] Alexander
[D] Constantine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Antialcidas Nikephoros ]
Notes:
Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador of Indo-Greek king Antialcidas Nikephoros of Taxila in the court of Sunga King Bhagbhadra. He erected famous votive Heliodorus pillar around 110 BC near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.
4. Which Saka king defeated by Gautamiputra Satakarni?
[A] Moga
[B] Rudradaman -I
[C] Menander
[D] Nahapana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Nahapana ]
Notes:
The famous Satvahana ruler Gautamiputra Satkarni defeated the Saka King Nahapana and restored the prestige of his dynasty by reconquering a large part of the former dominions of the Satavahanas.
5. That the homeland of the Aryans was Arctic Region, was propounded by ___?
[A] Max Muller
[B] Edward Meyer
[C] Bal Gangadhar Tilak
[D] Herzefeld
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Bal Gangadhar Tilak ]
Notes:
The Arctic Home in the Vedas is a book on the origin of Aryans by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak The book was written at the end of 1898, but was first published in March 1903 in Pune .It propounded the theory that the North Pole was the original home of Aryans during pre-glacial period which they had to leave due to the ice deluge around 8000 B.C. And had to migrate to the Northern parts of Europe and Asia in search of lands for new settlements. In support to his theory , Tilak has presented certain Vedic hymns, East Iranian passages, Vedic chronology and Vedic calendars with interpretations of the contents in detail.
6. Who was the first Indo-Greek king, who became Buddhist?
[A] Antiochus II
[B] Apollodotus I
[C] Apollodotus II
[D] Menander II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Menander II ]
Notes:
Menander II was the Indo-Greek king who established a large empire in the South Asia and became a patron of Buddhism.
7. In which of the following works is mentioned the conspiracy hatched by Pushyamitra Shunga to eliminate the last Mauryan King Brihadratha?
[A] Mahabhasya of patanjali
[B] Rajtarangini of Kalhan
[C] Harshacharita of Baanbhatta
[D] Malvikagnimitra of Kalidasa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Harshacharita of Baanbhatta]
Notes:
The Harshacharita, is the biography of Indian emperor Harsha by Banabhatta, a Sanskrit writer of seventh-century CE India. He was the Court Poet, of Harsha. He mentioned the conspiracy hatched by Pushyamitra Shunga to eliminate the last Mauryan King Brihadratha.
8. Bhogagamas were villages given by the Kings to his favorites in Pre Maurya Period particularly Purohitas (Priests) or some Setties (Big Merchants) for the purpose of __________?
[A] Revenue collection
[B] administration
[C] Enjoyment
[D] Taxation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Enjoyment]
Notes:
Bhogagamas were villages given by the Kings to his favorites in Pre Maurya Period particularly Purohitas (Priests) or some Setties (Big Merchants) for the purpose of Enjoyment.
9. Gopatha Brahman is a part of which of the following Vedas?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Yajurveda
[C] Samaveda
[D] Atharva veda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Atharva veda]
Notes:
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.
10. Which among the following pairs is NOT correctly matched? (Traveler – During reign of King)
[A] Megasthenes – Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Deimachos – Asoka
[C] Hsuan -Tsang – Harshavardhana
[D] Fa-Hien – Chandragupta II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Deimachos – Asoka]
Notes:
Deimachos was a Greek ambassador who visited the court of Bindusara
