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 laid down for punishment for a person becoming mendicant without making adequate provision for dependent wife and children?
[A] Manu
[B] Yajnavalkya
[C] Kautilya
[D] Narada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Kautilya ]
Notes:
Chanakya : He is also known by Vishnugupta, Kautilya,was born around 350 BC and is known for his being the chief architect of Mauryan Empire and writing the pioneering work in the Economics and Political Science that is Arthashstra. He is known as Indian Machiavelli in the western world.
2. First Buddhist Council was held during the reign of which of the following kings?
[A] Ajatsatru
[B] Ashoka
[C] Kanishka
[D] Kalasoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Ajatsatru ]
Notes:
The First Buddhist Council was held at Saptaparni cave near Rajagriha in 72 AD, during the reign of Emperor Ajatsatru. It was held under the Presidentship of Mahakassapa to compile the Dhamma Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka.
3. Which among the following was the main occupation of Palaeolithic (Old stone) people?
[A] Agriculture
[B] Farming
[C] Hunting
[D] Fishing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Hunting ]
Notes:
Hunting animals and gathering wild fruits, vegetables and plants were the main occupations of Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers. They did not practice organized agriculture and were nomadic, moving from place to place for sustenance. Stone tools found at sites like Hunsgi Valley, Kurnool Caves, and Bhimbetka were probably used for skinning animals and cutting meat.
4. Which among the following major rock edicts of Ashoka are in Kharosthi script?
[A] Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi
[B] Sanchi
[C] Sarnath
[D] Bairut
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi ]
Notes:
The two major rock edicts of Ashoka viz. Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi are in Kharosthi script. These both the rock edicts are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
5. Which Ashokan inscription prohibits animal slaughter?
[A] Major rock edict III
[B] Major rock edict I
[C] Major rock edict IV
[D] Major rock edict V
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Major rock edict I ]
Notes:
The Major rock edict I of Ashoka prohibits animal slaughter and holidays of festive gathering. Only two peacocks and one deer were killed in Asoka’s kitchen. He wished to discontinue this practice of killing two peacocks and one deer as well. On the other hand, Major Rock Edict II mentions medical treatment for men and animals, construction of roads, wells and tree planting.
6. Who was the author of the book ‘Tirukkural’?
[A] Seethalai Saathanaar
[B] ]Tiruttakrdeva
[C] Ilango Adigal
[D] Thiruvalluvar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Thiruvalluvar ]
Notes:
Thiruvalluvar was the author of the book ‘Tirukkural (also known as the Kural). It is a classic Tamil sangam literature consisting of 1330 couplets or Kurals. The book is also called as the fifth Veda or ‘Bible of the Tamil Land’.
7. Which of the following subjects are dealt in by Kalpa Sutras?
[A] Sacrifices
[B] Family ceremonies
[C] Varnas, Ashramas
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ All of the above ]
Notes:
Under Kalpa Sutras ,Shravta Sutras deal with the sacrifices,Grihya Sutras deal with the family ceremonies,Dharma Sutras deal with Varnas, Ashramas.
8. In which state / UT of India, the first Paleolithic site was discovered?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Karnataka ]
Notes:
The first evidence of the Stone Age culture in India surfaced in Karnataka as early as in 1842 when Dr. Primrose discovered polished stone knives and arrow heads at Lingsugur in Raichur district of Karnataka.
9. The famous book Sutrakritanga provides detailed information about the life of:
[A] Mahavira
[B] Gautama Buddha
[C] Kapila
[D] Basavanna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mahavira ]
Notes:
Sutrakritanga is the second agama of the 12 main Angas of the Jain canons. It provides detailed information about the life of Mahavira. It is also known as the Golden Book of Jainism.
10. Which among the following site has yielded the cultural remains from Neolithic to Harappan era?
[A] Dholavira
[B] Mohenjo-Daro
[C] Harappa
[D] Mehrgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mehrgarh]
Notes:
Mehrgarh is the oldest agricultural settlement in the Indian subcontinent Agriculture-based Neolithic settlements. Despite being the agriculture settlement, it used only stone tools, so is why placed in Neolithic Era. It flourished in the seventh millennium B.C. Mehrgarh is located on the Bolan River, a tributary of the Indus, at the eastern edge of the Balochistan plateau overlooking the Indus plain.
