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 was in charge of standardised weights and measures during the Mauryan period?
[A] Pautavadhyaksha
[B] Panyadhyaksha
[C] Sansthadhyaksha
[D] Pautavadhyaksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pautavadhyaksha]
Notes:
Pautavadhyaksha was in charge of standardised weights and measures during the Mauryan period. Rupadarshaka was the inspector of coins. Sansthadhyaksha was the superintendent of markets. And Panyadhyaksha was the officer in charge of trade, price fixation, and sale of goods produced by state-run manufacturing units.
32. Which of the following was the main source of income in the Mauryan administration?
[A] State taxes
[B] Trade
[C] Donations
[D] Land revenue
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Land revenue]
Notes:
The Mauryas maintained a huge standing army. The state taxes were insufficient to maintain such huge army, so they started to regulate certain economic activities to generate more revenue. The main source of income was land revenue.
33. Which of the following Buddhist scholars wrote the Buddhacharita?
[A] Vasumitra
[B] Ashvagosha
[C] Charaka
[D] Nagarjuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ashvagosha]
Notes:
The Buddhist scholar who wrote the hagiographic Buddhacharita is Ashvagosha. Buddhacharita is the sacred biography of the Buddha composed in the early second century CE. He also composed the Saundarananda which is a Sanskrit kavya.
34. Which of the following was the author of the Sanskrit lexicon Amarakosha?
[A] Dandin
[B] Amarshima
[C] Kalidasa
[D] Bhasa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amarshima]
Notes:
Amarshima was the author of the Sanskrit lexicon Amarakosha. Amarshima is said to have been one of the nine gems that adorned the court of Vikramaditya, that is, Chandragupta Vikramaditya.
35. Trade between the different parts of India during the Gupta period included which of the following articles?
1. Pepper
2. Sandalwood
3. Coral
4. Saffron
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
During the Gupta period local trade was mostly confined to the articles of daily use whereas trade between different parts of India was usually for valuable and luxury commodities which included pepper, sandalwood, coral, musk, saffron, yak’s tail, elephants, horses, gold, copper, iron and mica.
36. Which of the following kings was the successor of Ishanavarmana?
[A] Sarvavarmana
[B] Grahavarmana
[C] Avanti Varmana
[D] Advaita Varmana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sarvavarmana]
Notes:
Sarvavarmana who ruled the Maukharies probably from 560 CE to 585 CE was the son of Ishanavarmana, the most famous ruler of the Maukharies. He succeeded the throne after the death of Ishanavarmana.
37. Which of the following was able to defeat the Hunas and strengthen his position in the regions of Punjab and Haryana?
[A] Prabhakar Vardhana
[B] Harsha Vardhana
[C] Rajya Vardhana
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Prabhakar Vardhana]
Notes:
The Pushyabhuti dynasty came into prominence with the accession of Prabhakar Vardhana. Prabhakar Vardhana was able to defeat the Hunas and strengthen his position in the regions of Punjab and Haryana.
38. Which of the following sects are some of the important sects of Shaivism?
1) Pasupata Lakulisa
2) Kapalikas
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
There are many sects of Saivism. Pasupata Lakulisa and Kapalikas are two major sects of Shaivism. Pasupata Lakulisa was the founder of the Pasupata sect of Saivism. According to Kapalikas, Siva was the Lord of Sakti. The Kapalikas wore a garland of human bones.
39. In the early medieval India, which of the following refers to tax levied upon the whole village?
[A] Bhoga
[B] Kara
[C] Hiranya
[D] Pindka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pindka]
Notes:
The land-grants of the early medieval period mention Bhaga, Bhoga, Kara and Hiranya as the chief sources of revenue to the donees. Pindaka was a tax which was levied upon the whole village.
40. Which of the following items were imported from Balkh during the early medieval period?
1. Horses
2. Saffron
3. Asafoetida
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The Indian merchants during the early medieval period did not go up to Central Asia but visited Iran up to the Oxus valley. They imported things like horses, saffron and asafoetida from Balkh.
