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 ruler of Kanchi during the time of Samudragupta ?
[A] Hastivarman
[B] Mantaraja
[C] Nilaraja
[D] Vishnugopa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Vishnugopa ]
Notes:
King Vishnugopa (Pallava dynasty ) of Kanchi is mentioned in the list of rulers of the South defeated by Samudra Gupta. It is mentioned in the Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta.
2. Which sect of Buddhism does not believe in idol-worship?
[A] Hinayana
[B] Mahayana
[C] Vajrayana
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Hinayana ]
Notes:
Those who followed strictly the doctrine of Buddha and denied the existence of God were known as the followers of Lesser vehicle or Hinayana. The Hinayana sect does not believe in idol worship, nor do its followers believe that Buddha was God.
3. During whose reign the Third Buddhist Council was organized?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kalasoka
[C] Ajatsatru
[D] Kanishka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Ashoka ]
Notes:
The Third Buddhist Council was held at Patliputra during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. It was held under the Presidentship of Moggliputra Tissa to revise scriptures.
4. The Chalukya king, Pulakesin II defeated Harshavardhan on the banks of which river?
[A] Narmada
[B] Kaveri
[C] Niranjana
[D] Rijupalika
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Narmada ]
Notes:
Chalukya king Pulakesin II had defeated Harshavardhan on the banks of River Narmada in 618 AD. Pulakeshin, who ruled from the Chalukyan capitalof Badami, challenged Harsha’s conquests. The former had established himself as ‘lord paramount’ of the south, as Harsha had of the north. Unwilling to tolerate the existence of a powerful rival in the south, Harsha had marched from Kanauj with a huge force. Such was Pulakeshin’s efficiency in guarding the passes of the Narmada that Harsha was compelled to accept the river as the demarcation and retire from the field of battle after losing a major part of his elephant force.
5. Which of the following inscriptions mentions the name of Kalidasa?
[A] Allahabad pillar inscription
[B] Aihole inscription
[C] Alapadu grant
[D] Hanumakonda inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Aihole inscription ]
Notes:
Aihole inscription mentions the name of the poet Kalidasa. The inscription was written in 634 by Ravikirti, the court poet and minister of the Chalukya king Pulakesin II. The inscription is located in Aihole, Karnataka.
The Aihole inscription also provides information about the early history of the Chalukyas of Badami until 634 AD. It also provides a terminus ante quem of 634 CE for both Kalidasa and Bharavi.
6. 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.
7. Which among the following is true about Buddha?
[A] He accepted existence of God
[B] He didn’t accept existence of God
[C] He neither accepted nor rejected the existence of god
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [He neither accepted nor rejected the existence of god]
Notes:
Buddha, or Siddhartha Gautama, did not explicitly affirm or deny the existence of God. His teachings focused on personal enlightenment and the Four Noble Truths, emphasizing individual experience over theological speculation. This approach led to interpretations that he neither accepted nor rejected the concept of God, aligning with the agnostic stance. Buddhism generally does not center around a creator deity, distinguishing it from many other religions.
8. Bagh caves near Gwalior represent the paintings of which of the following era?
[A] Maurya Era
[B] Gupta Era
[C] Kushana Era
[D] Rajput Era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gupta Era]
Notes:
Bagh caves near Gwalior represent the paintings of Gupta era. The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments.
9. Fourth Buddhist Council was held at?
[A] Kapilvastu
[B] Kashmir
[C] Sarnath
[D] Bodhgaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kashmir]
Notes:
First Rajgir, Second vaishali, Third patliputra
Fourth Buddhist Council is the name of two separate Buddhist council meetings first in Sri Lanka and another at Sarvastivada school, in Kashmir around the First Century AD.
10. Which among the following Vedic Texts gives a systematic exposition of the ‘theory of rebirth’ for the first time?
[A] Chhandogya Upanishad
[B] Mundaka Upanishad
[C] Satapatha Brahmana
[D] Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chhandogya Upanishad]
Notes:
The correct answer is the Chhandogya Upanishad. This text, dating back to around 800-600 BCE, is one of the oldest Upanishads and is important for its philosophical discussions, including the concept of rebirth (punarjanma). It introduces the idea of the eternal soul (Atman) and its journey through cycles of birth and death, laying foundational thoughts for later Hindu philosophies. The Chhandogya Upanishad is also known for its exploration of the relationship between the individual soul and the universal spirit (Brahman).
