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 has been invaluable in fixing the time of the Indus civilization?
[A] Indus seals discovered in Indus cities
[B] Indus seals discovered in Mesopotamian cities
[C] Mesopotamian pottery discovered in Indus cities
[D] Harappan pottery discovered in Indus cities
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indus seals discovered in Mesopotamian cities]
Notes:
Seals from Indus Valley sites uncovered in Mesopotamia—modern day Iraq—have been invaluable in establishing chronological benchmarks for the civilization. Specific seals naming rulers and officials that have been found in archeologically dated Mesopotamian layers provide precise 1st millennium BCE dates. They prove extensive maritime trade links.
32. Buddha delivered his first Sermon at which of the following places?
[A] Kushinagar
[B] Lumbini
[C] Gaya
[D] Sarnath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sarnath]
Notes:
The Buddha delivered his first Sermon in a deer park at Sarnath. This event is known as ’DhammaChakka-Pavattana’ meaning ‘turning the wheel of dharma’.
33. Which of the following was the main expounder of materialistic philosophy?
[A] Ajivikas
[B] Charvaka
[C] Buddhism
[D] Jainism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Charvaka]
Notes:
Charvaka was the main expounder of materialistic philosophy. Charvakas rejected Vedas and any rituals. They were opposed to the idea of God or any other supernatural power. Most of its literature is lost now.
34. What was the earliest capital of Magadh?
[A] Ujjain
[B] Patlipura
[C] Rajgriha
[D] Taxila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajgriha]
Notes:
The Capital of Magadh empire was situates at Rajgriha or Girivraja. The city was almost impregnable as it was surrounded by five hills, the openings in which were closed by stone walls on all sides.
35. Under which of the following Jain saints Chandragupta Maurya adopted Jainism?
[A] Mahavir
[B] Bhadrabahu
[C] Kautilya
[D] Sthulabhadra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bhadrabahu]
Notes:
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan empire. In Greek and Latin accounts he is also mentioned as Sandrocuttos. It is believed that Chandragupta Maurya adopted Jainism and became an ascetic under the Jain saint Bhadrabahu.
36. Who is also famous as the conqueror of land between the two seas?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Bimbisara
[C] Bindusara
[D] Ashoka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bindusara]
Notes:
During his reign, Bindusara expanded the Maurya empire to the southern part of India up to Mysore. His empire extended from the Arabian Sea (west coast of India) to the Bay of Bengal (east coast of India). As his kingdom spanned the territory between the two seas, he gained the fame as “the conqueror of the land between the two seas”.
37. Which of the following were the principal crops grown during the Mauryan period?
1) Wheat
2) Rice
3) Barley
4) Millet
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] only 1 & 2
[B] only 1, 2, & 3
[C] only 1, 2, & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:
During the Mauryan age, the mainstay of the economy was agriculture. The principal crops that were grown are as follows: various varieties of rice, barley, millet, wheat, sugarcane, and most of the pulses, peas, and oilseeds.
38. “Gapata Sarah” refers to which of the following?
[A] Waste land
[B] Jungle or forest land
[C] Habitable land
[D] Pasture land
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pasture land]
Notes:
The land during the Gupta period can be classified into the following groups:
Kshetra: Cultivable land
Khila: Waste land
Aprahata: Jungle or forest land
Vasti: Habitable land
Gapata Sarah: Pasture land
39. Which of the following is described as the lord of the north (sakalauttarapathanatha)?
[A] Prabhakar Vardhana
[B] Rajya Vardhana
[C] Harsha Vardhana
[D] Grahavarman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Harsha Vardhana]
Notes:
Harshavardhan is known as the last great Hindu king of India. He was originally a Shaiva but also supported Buddhism. He was also described as the lord of the north or sakalauttarapathanatha.
40. Under which of the following Pala rulers Bengal emerged as the most powerful State in Northern India?
[A] Gopala
[B] Dharmapala
[C] Devapala
[D] Mahipala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dharmapala]
Notes:
Under the rule of Dharmapala Bengal emerged as the most powerful State in Northern India. Dharmapala fulfilled the dream of Sasanka to lay the foundation of a great Gauda empire. Dharmapala adopted imperial titles such as Paramesvara, Paramabhattaraka and Maharajadhiraja.
