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. Where was the third Buddhist council held?
[A] Sarnath
[B] Taxila
[C] Kashmir
[D] Patliputra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Patliputra]
Notes:
The third Buddhist council was held in 250 BCE under the patronage of the King Ashoka. It was held at patliputra and the council was presided over by the monk Mongaliputta tissa.
32. What was the capital of Magadha Mahajanapada?
[A] Nalanda
[B] Rajagriha
[C] Viratanagara
[D] Potali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajagriha]
Notes:
The Magadha Mahajanapada was located in the present-day Bihar. The capital of Magadha Mahajanapada was at Rajagriha or Girivraja. Magadha played a vital role in the development of Buddhism and Jainism.
33. Which of the following was the first non-Kshatriya dynasty?
[A] Haryanka Dynasty
[B] Shishunaga Dynasty
[C] Nanda Dynasty
[D] Maurya Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nanda Dynasty]
Notes:
Nanda Dynasty was the first non-Kshatriya dynasty. Mahapadma Nanda was a famous Nanda ruler who is also called Ugrasena in Pali texts, because of his large army.
34. Which of the following established the first empire of the Indian subcontinent?
[A] Samudragupta
[B] Harshavardhan
[C] Chandragupta
[D] Vikramaditya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chandragupta]
Notes:
The Maurya period is remarkable in the early history of the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta Maurya was the first ruler who tried to consolidate small fragmented kingdoms and combined them to form the first empire of the Indian subcontinent.
35. Satavahanas claimed their descent from which of the following varna?
[A] Brahmana
[B] Kshtriya
[C] Vaishiya
[D] Shudra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brahmana]
Notes:
The Satavahanas claimed their descent from Brahamana varna. They performed Vedic rituals and worshipped gods like Krishna, Vasudeva, as evident in the Naneghat cave inscription of Naganika of 1st century BCE.
36. Which of the following married the daughter of Rudradaman I?
[A] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[B] Simuka
[C] Vashishthiputra Pulumayi
[D] Yajna Sri Satakarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vashishthiputra Pulumayi]
Notes:
According to the Junagadh Inscription Vashishthiputra Pulumayi married the daughter of Rudradaman I. The coins of Vashishthiputra Pulumayi were found in the various parts of Andhra.
37. Which of the following refers to a perpetual endowment which a recipient could not alienate but could make use of the income accruing from it eternally during the Gupta period?
[A] Nivi dharma
[B] Nivi dharma aksayana
[C] Aprada dharma
[D] Bhumichchhidrallyaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nivi dharma aksayana]
Notes:
Nivi dharma aksayana was a land tenure system which refers to a perpetual endowment which a recipient could not alienate but could make use of the income accruing from it eternally.
38. Which of the following kings was defeated by the Rashtrakuta King Indra III?
[A] Harichandra
[B] Rajyapala
[C] Mahendrapala
[D] Yashpala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mahendrapala]
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.
39. The Pala ruler ‘Gopala’ ruled during which of the following periods?
[A] 750 to 770 A.D.
[B] 755 to 775 A.D
[C] 760 to 780 A.D
[D] 765 to 785 A.D
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [750 to 770 A.D.]
Notes:
The Pala ruler ‘Gopala’ ruled from 750 to 770 A.D. The name of Gopala’s father was Vapyata, who was a military chief of renown. And the name of Gopala’s grandfather was Davitavishnu.
40. The eastern Gangas ruled at which of the following places in 5th century?
[A] Patliputra
[B] Tamralipti
[C] Kannauj
[D] Kalinga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kalinga]
Notes:
The Gangas are also referred to as western Gangas or the Gangas of Mysore to demarcate them from eastern Gangas. The eastern Gangas ruled in Kalinga in the 5th century.
