Ancient Indian History MCQs

Notes:
Ariya-sachchani refers to the Four Noble Truths, which are the basic teachings of Buddhism. The four truths are:

1. Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world.
2. Every suffering has a cause – Samudya.
3. Suffering could be eliminated– Nirodha.
4. It can be achieved by following the Atthanga Magga or the Eight Fold Path.

The Four Noble Truths are accepted by all schools of Buddhism. The first truth, suffering, is characteristic of existence in the realm of rebirth, called samsara. The Buddha’s doctrine is centered on dukkha (sufferings) and its extinction. The essence of Buddhism is the attainment of enlightenment or nirvana.

Notes:
Maya was the name of the mother of Gautam Buddha. She was from the Koliyan clan. She was married to the King Suddhodana, who ruled in the kingdom of Kapilavastu.

Notes:
Ajita Kesakamblin is the earliest known teacher of complete materialism. He is a contemporary of Buddha. Ajita founded a sect monks according to Buddhist scriptures.

Notes:
According to Taranatha, King Ashoka spent several years in pleasurable pursuits of life after ascending to the throne of Mauryan empire and was consequently called ‘Kamasoka’. Ashoka is regarded as the greatest kings of all times.

Notes:
Ashokan Pillar Edicts have been found at 7 different places. Two Pillar Edicts, one from Topra and the other one from Meerut were shifted to Delhi by Feroz Shah Tughlaq of the Tughlaq dynasty.

Notes:
The Chinese traveler Fa-Hien mentions in his memoirs that the chandalas lived outside the village and had to maintain distance from the upper castes. The chandalas were told to strike a piece of wood to announce their arrival when they entered towns or market places so that the others might not touch them and get polluted.

Notes:
Mahendrapala who ruled from 885 C.E. to 910 C.E. was the successor of Bhoja I / Mihir Bhoja. He was defeated by the Rashtrakuta King Indra III, who completely devastated the city of Kannauj.

Notes:
The name ‘Dantidurga’ meant he whose elephant is his fortress which also signifies the military feats and accomplishments of Dantidurga. He also helped his father-in-law, the Pallava King Nandivarmana, to regain Kanchi from the Chalukyas.

Notes:
Mahendravarman I was the Pallava king who ruled the dynasty from 590 A.D. to 630 A.D. He was defeated by Pulekshin II at Pullalur (near Kanchi) who annexed the northern part of the Pallava kingdom.

Notes:
Aditya I who ruled from c.871 to 907 CE was the successor of Vijayalaya. He achieved significant military successes and expanded the Chola kingdom. He also entered into a matrimonial alliance by marrying a Pallava princess.