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.
31. Which of the following tribe originated from the steppes of north Central Asia?
[A] Kanvas
[B] Shungas
[C] Satavahanas
[D] Kushans
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kushans]
Notes:
The Kushanas were nomadic tribal people who were originally from the steppes of north Central Asia. The Kushanas first displaced the Shakas, gradually seized Gandhara, and set up their authority over the lower Indus basin and the greater part of the Gangetic basin.
32. Which of the following succeeded Goapala?
[A] Dharmapala
[B] Devapala
[C] Mahipala I
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dharmapala]
Notes:
Gopala was succeeded by his son, Dharmapala. He ruled for about 40 years. He achieved a lot in his lifetime. Dharmapala also undertook foreign expedition. However he initially suffered defeats at the hands of the Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas.
33. Which of the following Pala ruler founded the Somapuri monastery near Paharpur in Bihar?
[A] Gopala
[B] Dharmapala
[C] Devapala
[D] Mahipala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dharmapala]
Notes:
Dharmapala founded the Vikramshila monastery near Bhagalpur in Bihar. He is also credited with the foundation of the Somapuri monastery near Paharpur in Bihar. Dharmapala is also credited with the grant of 200 villages to Nalanda University.
34. Which of the following kings founded the Vikramasilavihara?
[A] Gopala
[B] Dharmapala
[C] Devapala
[D] Mahendrapala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dharmapala]
Notes:
Dharmapala, the second Pala king founded the Vikramasila vihara and gave a lot of money to those who studied there. Vikramasila vihara grew up to be an important academic centre and students not only from all comers of India but also from Tibet and other foreign countries came to study there.
35. Which of the following Chola King completely overran the Pandyas and Cheras and included them in his empire?
[A] Rajaraja I
[B] Rajadhiraja
[C] Athirajendra
[D] Rajendra I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rajendra I]
Notes:
Rajendra I who ruled from c.1014 to 1044 CE completely overran the Pandyas and Cheras and included them in his empire. He also led an expedition to the north, crossed the Ganga and defeated the Pala ruler, Mahipal I and the Western Chalukyas in 1022 CE.
36. At which of the following places did Rajadhiraja planted a Jaystambha?
[A] Kalyani
[B] Yadgir
[C] Anuradhapura
[D] Kolhapur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yadgir]
Notes:
Rajadhiraja who was the son and the successor of Emperor Rajendra Chola I ruled the Chola kingdom from 1044 A.D. to 1052 A.D. He sacked and plundered Chalukyan cities such as Kalyani and planted a Jaystambha at Yadgir.
37. “Samaya” referred to which of the following in Chola administration?
[A] Corporate organisations
[B] Caravans
[C] Villages
[D] Peasants
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Corporate organisations]
Notes:
The corporate organisations during the Chola administration were also referred to as samaya as they were created through an agreement or contract. The members of samaya were governed by a code of conduct called bananju-dharma.
38. ‘Kani rights’ refers to which of the following in the Chola period?
[A] Right to cultivate
[B] Right of possession over land
[C] Superior possessive right
[D] Right to live a particular village
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Right of possession over land]
Notes:
The different inscriptions related to Chola empire point out to several instances of land transfers by the process of sale or
gif which involved the transfer of kani rights, that is, the right of possession over land associated with certain other rights and obligations.
39. A lot of beads were discovered from Mohenjo-Daro in Indus Valley Civilization. Most of these beads were made of __?
[A] Terracota
[B] Jasper
[C] Lapis
[D] Steatite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Steatite]
Notes:
The beautiful beads are one of the important discoveries of Mohenjodaro. Majority of the beads are made of fired steatite. Other materials in making beads include Agate, Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, grossular garnet, serpentine and amazonite.
40. The largest number of Indus Valley Civilization sites have been found in which state of Independent India?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Haryana
[C] Gujarat
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
The state which has accounted for highest number of Harappan sites after independence is Gujarat. Gujarat has been one of the main centre of the Indus Valley Civilization. It contains major ancient metropolitan cities from the Indus Valley such as Lothal, Dholavira, and Gola Dhoro.
