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. Hathigumpha inscription gives account of which of the following rulers?
[A] Asoka
[B] Chandragupta Maurya
[C] Kharvela
[D] Samudragupya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Kharvela ]
Notes:
The Hathigumpha Inscription at Udayagiri near Bhubaneswar in Odisha was got inscribed by King Kharvela of Kalinga in 2nd century BC.
2. Which of the following Chinese emperors was contemporary of Harshavardhana?
[A] Taizong
[B] Wu Zetian
[C] Ruizong
[D] Xuanzong
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Taizong ]
Notes:
In 641 AD Harshavardhan sent an envoy to Taizong (Tai-Tsung), the Tang emperor of China and in return, the Chinese ruler sent three embassies to Harsha court.
3. Pushyamitra, the founder ruler of Sunga Dynasty performed how many Ashvamedha sacrifices?
[A] None
[B] 1
[C] 2
[D] 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ 1 ]
Notes:
The founder of Sunga dynasty, Pushyamitra Sunga is recorded to have performed two Ashvamedhas to promote orthodox brahamical faith during his rule.
4. Who was the court poet of Samudragupta?
[A] Harisena
[B] Asanga
[C] Veerasena Saba
[D] Vasubandhu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Harisena]
Notes:
Harisena, a highly esteemed poet, served as a court poet of Samudragupta, a notable ruler of the Gupta Empire in India. He is renowned for his Prayag Prashasti inscription that glorified the numerous achievements of Samudragupta. This inscription is an eloquent tribute to Samudragupta’s military prowess,benevolence, and cultural patronage. Harisena’s eloquence and literary brilliance made him an integral part of Samudragupta’s court.
5. Who among the following Gupta emperor made Ujjain as his second capital?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Kumargupta I
[D] Kumargupta I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Chandragupta II ]
Notes:
Chandragupta II Vikramaditya made Ujjain as second capital of his empire.
6. What metals were known to the people of Indus valley civilisation?
[A] Copper, bronze, silver, gold but not iron
[B] Copper, silver, iron but not bronze
[C] Copper, gold, iron but not silver
[D] Copper, silver, iron but not gold
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Copper, bronze, silver, gold but not iron ]
Notes:
The Indus valley people knew the use of copper, bronze, silver, gold but not iron.
7. The Nitisara of Kamandaka, also known as the Kamandakiya-Nitisara, was composed during the period of:
[A] Satavahana dynasty
[B] Gupta dynasty
[C] Kalachuri dynasty
[D] Nanda dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gupta dynasty]
Notes:
The Nitisara of Kamandaka, also known as the Kamandakiya-Nitisara, was composed during the period of Gupta Dynasty. It was based on Kautilya’s Arthashastra
8. Kushinara or Kushinagar, where Lord Buddha attained parinirvana was located in which among the following provinces of ancient India?
[A] Anga
[B] Magadha
[C] Malla
[D] Vatsa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Malla]
Notes:
The Buddha belonged to a small gana known as the Sakya gana, and was a kshatriya. When he was a young man, he left the comforts of his home in search of knowledge. He wandered for several years, meeting and holding discussions with other thinkers. He finally decided to find his own path to realisation, and meditated for days on end under a peepal tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, where he attained enlightenment. After that, he was known as the Buddha or the Wise One. He then went to Sarnath, near Varanasi, where he taught for the first time.
Buddha attained Nirvana at Kusinara a village some 180km from Varanasi and it was in the state of Mallas.
9. Ashoka called the third buddhist council at which of the following places?
[A] Magadha
[B] Pataliputra
[C] Burma
[D] Therevada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pataliputra]
Notes:
The Third Buddhist council was convened in about 250 BCE at Asokarama in Pataliputra, supposedly under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka. The council is recognized and known to both the Theravada and Mahayana schools, though its importance is central only to the Theravada.
10. The Brihadishwara Temple (Rajarajeswaram) is situated at?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Thanjavur
[C] Lucknow
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thanjavur]
Notes:
Brihadeeswarar Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Rajrajeshwaram temple at Thanjavur is the world’s first complete “granite” temple. It was built by Rajraja Chola-I and is a part of UNESCO’s world Heritage sites. The Vimana or the temple tower (known as Raja Gopuram) is 216 Feet in height and is one of the tallest buildings of its kind. The Nandi is carved out of a single rock. This temple has completed 1 millennium in 2010. It was dictated by lord Shiva to Rajraja Chola I, when he triumphed Ilam (Sri Lanka) Island.
