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 were present in the court of Harsha?
1. Banabhatta
2. Mayura
3. Bhartrihari
4. Matanga Divakara
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Some of the accomplished writers in the court of Harsha were- (1) Banabhatta was the author of Harshacharita, (2) Mayura was the author of Mayurashatak, (3) Bhartrihari (grammarian), and Matanga Divakara.
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. The great philosopher and dialectician Santarakshita lived and worked during the reign of which of the following kings?
[A] Chandrakirti
[B] Gopala
[C] Mahendrapala
[D] Harsha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gopala]
Notes:
King Gopala who ruled from 750 A.D. to 770A.D. was the founder of the Pala Dynasty of the Bengal region of the Indian Subcontinent. He was a great patron of Buddhism. The great philosopher and dialectician Santarakshita lived and worked during his reign.
34. An important writer on Sanskrit metres named Utpala belonged to which of the following centuries?
[A] 8th century
[B] 9th century
[C] 10th century
[D] 11th century
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [10th century]
Notes:
With regards to metrics Utpala was the only important writer on Sanskrit metres. He lived in the latter hall of the tenth century AD. He was a commentator of V?r?ha Mihira’s Brihat Samhit?.
35. Which of the following Rashtrakita king made a new capital city Manyakheta?
[A] Govinda II
[B] Amoghavarsha I
[C] Govinda III
[D] Dantidurga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amoghavarsha I]
Notes:
Amoghavarsha I was the greatest ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty who ruled for around 64 years. He moved the Rashtrakuta regal capital from Mayurkhandi in the Bidar district to Manyakheta in the Gulbarga district in the modern Karnataka state.
36. Which of the following were considered the three limbs of the Chola army?
1. Elephants
2. Ships
3. Cavalry
4. Infantry
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 4
[D] Only 1, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Only 1, 3 & 4]
Notes:
The Chola Kings maintained a huge army which consisted of three limbs of elephants, cavalry and infantry. The infantry was armed with spears. The Chola Kings were protected by bodyguards. These bodyguards were sworn to defend the kings even at the cost of their own lives.
37. ‘Erivariya’ referred to which of the following in the Chola administration?
[A] Tank committee
[B] Law and order committee
[C] Justice committiee
[D] Food committee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tank committee]
Notes:
There were different committees in the Chola administration which looked after different activities like law and order, justice etc. The tank committee was known as ‘erivariya’. It looked after the distribution of water to the fields.
38. Which of the following is the earliest known Chera king?
[A] Udiyanjeral
[B] Nedunjeral Adan
[C] Senguttuvan
[D] Kudakko Ilanjeral Irumporai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Udiyanjeral]
Notes:
Udiyanjeral is the earliest known Chera king and Nedunjeral Adan was the one of the prominent kings of Chera dynasty. He is believed to have defeated the seven crowned kings and won the coveted title of adhiraja.
39. Which of the following were the most prominent ports on the eastern coast of India during Sangam period?
1. Tamralipti
2. Arikamedu
3. Kalyana
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:
Some of the prominent ports on the eastern coast of India during the Sangam age were Tamralipti in West Bengal and Arikamedu in Tamil Nadu Coast. Kalyana was on the western coast.
40. Which one of the following is the name used by the Greeks to refer to Bahrain as the centre of pearl trading?
[A] Palmyra
[B] Bactra
[C] Tigris
[D] Tylos
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tylos]
Notes:
Tylos was the name used by the ancient Greeks to refer to Bahrain as the centre of pearl trading. It was widely used when Nearchus, the general of Alexander the Great, visited the place to explore its riches and trade. Cotton cultivation and trade was famous in Tylos.
