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. Which of the following Upanishads is composed in prose form?
[A] Isa Upanishad
[B] Katha Upanishad
[C] Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
[D] Svetasvatara Upanishad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Brihadaranyaka Upanishad]
Notes:
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is one of the oldest Upanishads and is estimated to have been composed about 700 BCE. It is written in prose and forms part of the Shatapatha Brahmana of the Yajur Veda. It is considered as a source of philosophical doctrines, metaphorical speculative thoughts and mystical symbolism in Hinduism.
2. Who among the following was the founder of Pushyabhuti Dynasty ?
[A] Pushyabhuti
[B] Prabhakar Vardhan
[C] Aditya vardhan
[D] Harshavardhan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Pushyabhuti ]
Notes:
According to Banabhatta, Pushyabhuti was the founder of Pushyabhuti Dynasty.
3. What type of script did the Indus Valley people use?
[A] Desi Script
[B] Pictographic Script
[C] Brahmi Script
[D] Kharosti Script
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pictographic Script]
Notes:
The Indus Valley Civilization used a pictographic script, consisting of symbols representing objects or ideas. This script remains undeciphered and differs from Brahmi and Kharosti scripts, which were used later in Indian history. The term “Desi Script” is not recognized for this ancient civilization.
4. Which rock edict of Ashoka mentions the purpose of the rock edicts?
[A] Major Rock Edict XIV
[B] Major Rock Edict XV
[C] Major Rock Edict XI
[D] Major Rock Edict XIII
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Major Rock Edict XIV ]
Notes:
The Major Rock Edict XIV describes the purpose of the rock edicts of different parts of the country.
5. The IX mandala of the Rigveda samhita is dedicated to?
[A] Soma
[B] Purushkuta
[C] Gotra
[D] Gayatri Mantra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Soma ]
Notes:
The IX mandala of the Rigveda samhita is dedicated to Soma.
6. Which Gupta emperor was an expert Veena player?
[A] Sri Gupta
[B] Samudragupta
[C] Chandragupta I
[D] Kumargupta I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Samudragupta ]
Notes:
Samudragupta was an expert ‘ Veena’ player and adopted the title of Kaviraj (King of poets). He was not only a great warrior but also a great patron of art and literature.
7. 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.
8. In the Indus Valley civilization the Great Granary was found in which among the following sites?
[A] Mohenjodaro
[B] Harappa
[C] Surkotada
[D] Lothal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mohenjodaro ]
Notes:
Great Granary was found at Mohen-jo daro, while six small granaries were found at Harappa.
9. In which period of the Indian History , the number zero as well as decimal system were invented?
[A] Gupta
[B] Maurya
[C] Nanda
[D] Chedi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gupta]
Notes:
The concept of zero as a number, and the use of a symbol to represent it, are generally attributed to the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata. In his book “Aryabhatiya,” which was written in the 5th century CE, Aryabhata described the concept of zero as a placeholder in positional notation, and he used a dot to represent it. This was a significant development in the history of mathematics, as it allowed for the creation of more sophisticated mathematical systems.
10. The bilingual Inscriptions of Asoka involved which of the following two languages?
[A] Brahmi & Aramaic
[B] Brahmi, Greek & Aramaic
[C] Brahmi & hieroglyphics
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brahmi, Greek & Aramaic]
Notes:
Asoka used 4 scripts The scripts used for the Prakrit inscriptions were Brahmi and Kharoshthi, and for the others, Greek and Aramaic
