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. ‘Kritadasas’ referred to which of the following type of slaves during the early medieval period?
[A] Persons who were reduced to the status of slaves.
[B] Slaves who had been purchased.
[C] Persons who sold themselves as slaves.
[D] Persons who were captured by the victorious rulers as prisoners of war.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Slaves who had been purchased.]
Notes:
Slavery as an institution existed during the early medieval period. Those slaves who had been purchased were referred to as Kritdasas. There seems to have been existence of trade in slaves during that period.
32. Which of the following wrote Yogavarttika and Yogasarasamgraha?
[A] Vijnanabhikshu
[B] Udayana
[C] Jayanta
[D] Nathamuni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vijnanabhikshu]
Notes:
Vijnanabhikshu was the author of Yogavarttika and Yogasarasamgraha. He was Hindu philosopher from Bihar. He was known for his commentary on various schools of Hindu philosophy.
33. Which of the following was the capital of Rashtrakutas?
[A] Manyakheta
[B] Ujjain
[C] Vallore
[D] Bijapur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manyakheta]
Notes:
The Rashtrakutas are believed to be feudatories of the Chalukyas, Their capital was Manyakheta or Malkhed near Sholapur. They achieved spectacular military successes both in the north and south.
34. Somesvara I established his capital at which of the following places?
[A] Manyakheta
[B] Kalyanpura
[C] Badami
[D] Kanchi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kalyanpura]
Notes:
The Later Chalukyan King Somesvara I came to the throne in 1042 AD. He gave up Manyakheta as his capital and established Kalyanpura of Kalyana as his new capital. His struggle with the Chola empire continued.
35. Shivaskandavarman ruled during which of the following periods?
[A] 3rd Century A.D.
[B] 4th Century A.D.
[C] 6th Century A.D.
[D] 7th Century A.D.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [4th Century A.D.]
Notes:
According to some inscriptions, one of the earliest rulers of the Pallava Dynasty was Shivaskandavarman. It is believed that he ruled in the early 4th century CE from 275 A.D. to 300 A.D.
36. During the reign of which of the following kings the Pallavas rose to power?
[A] Shivaskandavarman,
[B] Mahendravarman I
[C] Simhavishnu
[D] Mahendravarman II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Simhavishnu]
Notes:
During the last quarter of the 6th century, Simhavishnu, also known as Avanisimha, who was the son of Pallava king Simhavarman III played a crucial role in the rise of power of Pallavas.
37. The first Sangam was founded by which of the following?
[A] Tolkappiyar
[B] Sage Agastya
[C] Kapilar
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sage Agastya]
Notes:
The first Sangam was founded by Sage Agastya. The seat of first sangam was Thenmadurai in South Madurai. Thenmadurai is said to have submerged in the sea. It was patronised by 89 kings.
38. Which of these was a plough tax during Gupta Period?
[A] Sulka
[B] Halivakara
[C] Kara
[D] Hiranya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Halivakara]
Notes:
The Gupta Period was one of the largest empires after the fall of the Maurya Empire in the Indian Subcontinent. To maintain the kingdom, kings of the Gupta Period required taxes from its people. Halivakara was a plough tax, paid by every cultivator owning a plough during Gupta Era. Kara was a periodic tax levied on the villagers during Gupta Era. It was a special kind of tax levied on king’s wish. Some other taxes include Bali, Bhoga, etc.
39. Which of these provides major information on Asoka’s campaign against Kalinga?
[A] Mahavamsa
[B] Rock Edict XIII
[C] Pillar Edict VII
[D] Divyavadana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rock Edict XIII]
Notes:
The vivid description of Kalinga war is given in 13th Rock Edict of Asoka. The edict gives description of the devastation caused to Kalinga due to war and how the Mauryan emperor felt remorse for it. The Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka refer to 14 separate major Edicts, which are significantly detailed and extensive. These Edicts were concerned with practical instructions in running the kingdom such as the design of irrigation systems and descriptions of Ashoka’s beliefs in peaceful moral behavior.
40. What were the pillared halls of Buddhists known as?
[A] Chaityas
[B] Mathas
[C] Stupas
[D] Viharas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chaityas]
Notes:
A chaitya is a Buddhist shrine or prayer hall with a stupa at one end that were made for large gathering of devotees. They were rectangular halls with finely polished interior walls, well-proportioned pillars with capitals, semi-circular roof. The pillars had three parts: prop, base buried in ground and shaft. Chaityas of Karle, Nasik, Ajanta, Junnar, etc, are famous.
