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 is the purpose of yajnas performed during the Rig Vedic period?
1. Yajnas established the authority of the chiefs over the people.
2. Yajna reinforced the territorial aspect of the polity.
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:
The yajnas performed during the Rig Vedic period served two purposes which are as follows:
1. Yajnas established the authority of the chiefs over the people.
2. Yajna reinforced the territorial aspect of the polity.
32. What was the capital of the northern part of Panchala?
[A] Indraprastha
[B] Ahichchhatra
[C] Kaushambi
[D] Kampilya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ahichchhatra]
Notes:
Panchala is situated in the western Uttar Pradesh. The Ganga river divided the state of Panchala into two parts. The northern part’s capital was Ahichchhatra, that is, modern-day Bareilly in western Uttar Pradesh.
33. Which of the following inscriptions contains information about the birthplace of the Buddha and Ashoka’s visit to Lumbini?
[A] Nigali Sagar Inscription
[B] Rummindei Inscription
[C] Kandahar Inscription
[D] Girnar Rock Inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rummindei Inscription]
Notes:
Rummindei Inscription in Nepal commemorates the birthplace of the Buddha and that Ashoka visited Lumbini. THe inscription mentions that the village of Lumbini was exempted from bali and was to pay only one-eighth of bhaga.
34. Which of the following officer was in charge of trade, price fixation, and sale of goods produced by state-run manufacturing units in the Mauryan administration?
[A] Panyadhyaksha
[B] Sansthadhyaksha
[C] Rupadarshaka
[D] Pautavadhyaksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Panyadhyaksha]
Notes:
Panyadhyaksha was the officer who was in charge of trade, price fixation, and sale of goods produced by state-run manufacturing units in the Mauryan administration.
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. The achievements of Samudragupta are recorded in which of the following inscriptions?
[A] Topra pillar inscription
[B] Rummendei inscription
[C] Junagarh inscription
[D] Allahabad pillar inscription
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Allahabad pillar inscription]
Notes:
The achievements of Samudragupta are recorded in a long inscription (an eulogy) engraved on the Allahabad pillar also called the Prayagaprashasti. The surface of the pillar also contains inscriptions of Ashoka and later, the Mughal emperor Jahangir.
37. Two temples, in which the images of Vishnu are placed in the center as a chief deity, are found at which of the following places?
1) Dashavatara temple at Deogarh
2) Bhitargaon in Kanpur
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:
During the Gupta period, flat-roofed square temples were built in northern India in the architectural style known as Nagara. Two temples, in which the images of Vishnu are placed in the center as a chief deity, are found at Bhitargaon in Kanpur and Dashavatara temple at Deogarh.
38. Which of the following kings was the son of Vakataka king Rudrasena I?
[A] Prithvisena I
[B] Rudrasena II
[C] Pravarasena II
[D] Narendrasena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Prithvisena I]
Notes:
Prithvisena I was the second ruler of the Vakataka Nandivardhana branch. He is described as a righteous conqueror in later Vakataka inscriptions. Due to his qualities like truthfulness, transparency, compassion, and humility, he was compared to the epic hero Yudhishthira.
39. Which of the following kings was called as King Baura by Al-Masudi?
[A] Mihir Bhoja
[B] Harichandra
[C] Nagabhatta I
[D] Vatsaraja
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mihir Bhoja]
Notes:
Mihir Bhoja was appreciated by the Arab writers for keeping his empire safe from robbers. He was also called King Baura by Arab traveller, Al-Masudi. According to other Arab travellers, the Pratihara rulers had the best cavalry in India.
40. Which of the following items were imported from Ceylon?
1) Pearls
2) Dry ginger
3) Tin
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2, & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, & 3]
Notes:
India had a flourishing trade with South-East Asia during the medieval period. The articles imported from that quarter were silk, porcelain ware, camphor, bees’ wax, cloves, lump camphor, sandalwood, and cardamom. Spices were imported from Java and Sumatra. India imported pearls, dry ginger, and tin from Ceylon.
