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. Varanasi was the capital of which of the following mahajanapada?
[A] Mallas
[B] Vajji
[C] Kosala
[D] Kashi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kashi]
Notes:
Kashi was the capital of one of the sixteen mahajanapada called Varanasi (Modern Benaras). However Kashi was eventually captured by Kosala. The city of Kashi got its name from rivers Varuna and Asi as cited in the Matsya Purana.
32. Which century marked the origin of the Indian legal and judiciary systems?
[A] 6th century BCE
[B] 4th century BCE
[C] 3rd century BCE
[D] 8th century BCE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [6th century BCE]
Notes:
According to Pali texts, the 6th century marks the origin of the Indian legal and judiciary systems. Before the emergence of such a system, people were governed by tribal laws.
33. 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.
34. Kautilya was the Prime Minister of which of the following kings?
[A] Vikramaditya
[B] Ashoka
[C] Samudragupta
[D] Chandragupta Maurya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chandragupta Maurya]
Notes:
Kautilya or Chanakya was the Prime Minister of the first Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya. He is also the author of the oldest text on public administration in the world i.e., Arthashastra. Arthashastra is the oldest book which is based on the political condition of India.
35. Which of the following looked after the ordinary affairs in the Mauryan administration?
[A] Nikayas
[B] Amatya
[C] Tirthas
[D] Mantrin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nikayas]
Notes:
There were also bodies of Nikayas in the Mauryan administration. Nikayas were trained officials who looked after the ordinary affairs of the realm. The Arthashastra of Kautilya refers to the highest functionaries at the centre as the eighteen Tirthas.
36. Which of the following allowed the absorption of Tribal communities into Brahminical society?
[A] Kushana Empire
[B] Maurya empire
[C] Gupta Empire
[D] Magadha Empire
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gupta Empire]
Notes:
During the Gupta empire, the Brahminical culture was extended to distant areas and a large number of tribal communities were assimilated into the Brahminical social structure. The tribal heads were included as kshatriyas, the ordinary tribals were given the status of Shudras.
37. Which of the following kings extended the Vakataka empire southwards into Vidarbha?
[A] Vindhyashakti
[B] Prithvisena
[C] Pravarasena
[D] Rudrasena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pravarasena]
Notes:
Pravarasena was Vindhayasakti’s son and successor of the Vakataka Empire. He conducted wars with the Naga kings. He extended the Vakataka empire southwards into Vidarbha and adjoining areas of the Deccan.
38. Which of the following was called as the Commander-in-Chief of Harsha?
[A] Avanti
[B] Simhananda
[C] Bhanu
[D] Kuntala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Simhananda]
Notes:
Harsha Vardhana ruled from 606 A.D. to 647 A.D. He maintained the administrative set-up of his empire on the model of previous great Hindu rulers. The Commander-in-Chief during the Harsha’s administration was called as Simhananda.
39. Which of the following authors wrote Dasavatara-charitam?
[A] Banabhatta
[B] Bilhana
[C] Kshemendra
[D] Gunadhya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kshemendra]
Notes:
Kshemendra was an 11th-century Sanskrit poet from Kashmir in India. Kshemendra is considered to be the author of Dasavatara-charitam which is written in Sanskrit. It mentions the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
40. Which of the following statements are correct with respect to Tantricism?
1. Tantra form of worship is open to women and Sudras.
2. This cult was popular with the lower castes only.
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: A [Only 1]
Notes:
Tantricism became popular around 5th or 6th century. Tantra form of worship is open to women and Sudras also. This cult was popular with both the higher castes and the lower castes during that time.
