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. The beneficiaries of Asoka’s donations in the region of Barabar Hill were__?
[A] Buddhists
[B] Ajivikas
[C] Svetambar Jains
[D] Digambar Jains
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Ajivikas ]
Notes:
The Edicts of Asoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Asoka. The one of the Edict of Asoka is “Barbara cave Inscription : giving away the Barbara cave to Ajivika sect. Dasharataha is known to have gifted the Nagarjuni hills to Ajivikas.
2. Who was the author of Dashkumarcharitam and at whose court did he live?
[A] Dandin, Nandivarman II
[B] Bharavi, Nandivarman II
[C] Appar, Dandivarman I
[D] Bharavi, Narsimhavarman I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Dandin, Nandivarman II ]
Notes:
Dashkumarcharitam was composed by Dandin, who was a Sanskrit author of prose romances and expounder on poetics in the 6th-7th century. Both Bharavi and Dandin, the authors of Kiratarjuniyam and Dasakumarcharitam respectively, lived in the Pallava court.
3. 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.
4. Which among the following was capital of Mitrakas?
[A] Kosambi
[B] Vallabhi
[C] Odantapuri
[D] Vikramsila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vallabhi]
Notes:
After the decline of the Gupta Empire, Maitraka dynasty was founded by Senapati (general) Bhatarka, who was a military governor of Saurashtra under Gupta Empire, established himself as the independent empire around 475 CE. The Maitraka dynasty ruled western India (now Gujarat) from approximately 475 to approximately 776 CE from their capital at Vallabhi.
5. Which among the following dynasties is known to have given the largest grant of villages to the temples and Brahamans?
[A] Prathihara
[B] Guptas
[C] Pala
[D] Satavahana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guptas]
Notes:The Guptas gave the largest grant of villages to temples and Brahmins. The practice of donating land to Brahmins was common during the Gupta period, which was a time of great cultural and intellectual flourishing in India. The three types of land grants in the Gupta period were:
- Brahmadeya: Land given to a group of Brahmins.
- Devadana: Land given to the gods.
- Agrahara: A settlement of priests.
The land was typically used for farming or other agricultural purposes. The income generated from the land was used to support the Brahmins and their families. The taxes from the villages were assigned to the Brahmana donees, who were also given the right to get the donated land cultivated.
6. Pushyamitra Shunga, who was originally a Senapati of the Mauryan Empire and assassinated the last Mauryan Emperor Brihadrath in 185 BC was a ____?
[A] Brahamin
[B] Kshatriya
[C] Vaishya
[D] Shudra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brahamin]
Notes:
Pushyamitra Shunga was the founder and first ruler of the Shunga Empire. He was a Brahmin and follower of Hinduism. Pushyamitra was originally a Senapati “General” of the Maurya Empire. In 185 BCE he assassinated the last Mauryan Emperor, Brihadratha Maurya, during an army review, and proclaimed himself emperor.
7. Which among the following is true?
[A] the gold coins issued by Guptas were having more Gold Content than Kushanas
[B] The gold coins issued by Kushana were having more Gold content than Guptas
[C] Both were having the same fraction of Gold
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [The gold coins issued by Kushana were having more Gold content than Guptas]
Notes:
According to the Indian Archaeology, the gold coins were issued by different emperors. Kushanas issued gold coins that were being used to make trade relation easier. The Gupta emperors made the most aristocratic gold coins. The gold coins of Gupta rulers were better than Kushana rulers because Gupta used good quality gold for the coins. This indicates that Gupta coins were more expensive and high quality.
8. Who among the following is famous for saving the empire from the Huna tribe, which had overran Asia and Europe?
[A] Samudra Gupta
[B] Chandra Gupta II
[C] Skandagupta
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Skandagupta]
Notes:
Skandagupta was a Gupta Emperor of northern India. His Bhitari pillar inscription suggests that he restored the Gupta power by defeating his enemies, who may have been rebels or foreign invaders.He saved empire from Huna tribe. He also repulsed an invasion by the Indo-Hephthalites, probably the Kidarites.
9. In which was the following texts of Kalidasa , Sati system has been mentioned?
[A] Raghuvamsa
[B] Kumārasambhava
[C] Ṛitusaṃhāra
[D] Meghadūta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kumārasambhava]
Notes:
Kumārasaṃbhavam is a poem by Kālidāsa. It is regarded as one of Kālidāsa’s finest works. Sati system has been mentioned in this.
10. In Buddhism, Patimonkha deals with which among the following?
[A] Education
[B] Propaganda
[C] Discipline
[D] All the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Discipline]
Notes:
In Theravada Buddhism, the Patimokkha is the basic code of monastic discipline,. It consists of 227 rules for fully ordained monks (bhikkhus) and 311 for nuns (bhikkhunis). It is contained in the Suttavibhanga, a division of the Vinaya Pitaka.