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 empire assigned a sub-caste to the foreigners?
[A] Gupta Empire
[B] Kushana Empire
[C] Maurya empire
[D] Magadha Empire
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gupta Empire]
Notes:
During the Gupta rule, a large number of foreigners were assimilated into Indian society and each foreigner was assigned a sub-caste. The various foreign ruling families of the pre-Gupta period were given semi-kshatriya status.
32. Which of the following Dharmashastra were composed during the Gupta period?
1) Yajnavalkya
2) Katyayana
3) Narada
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] 1, 2, & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, & 3]
Notes:
The Gupta period is considered as the Golden Age of art and literature in ancient India. During the Gupta period, Several Dharam Shastras such as Yajnavalkya, Narada, Katyayana, and Brihaspati Smritis were composed.
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. Which of the following kings married the Harsha Vardhana’s sister Rajyashri?
[A] Ishanavarmana
[B] Grahavarmana
[C] Sarvavarmana
[D] Avanti Varmana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Grahavarmana]
Notes:
Grahavarmana who ruled the Maukharies around c. 600 CE was the son of Avanti Varmana. He married Rajyashri, the sister of Harsha Vardhana. Shashanka, the ruler of Bengal (Gauda), and Devagupta, the ruler of Malwa, jointly attacked Grahavarmana and killed him.
36. Where was the earliest capital of the Gangas situated?
[A] Banavasi
[B] Kolar
[C] Madurai
[D] Kanchi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kolar]
Notes:
The earliest capital of the Gangas was located near Kolar. The Kolar supplied a lot of gold to the kingdom of Gangas. They made most of the land grants to the Jainas. They were earlier feudatories of the Pallavas.
37. 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.
38. Which of the following rulers brought major portions of present-day Karnataka and Konkan under the Rashtrakuta kingdom?
[A] Dantidurga
[B] Krishna I
[C] Dhruva
[D] Amoghavarsha I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Krishna I]
Notes:
Krishna I who ruled the Rashtrakuta kingdom from 756 A.D. to 774 A.D. He Extended the Rashtrakuta empire and brought major portions of present-day Karnataka and Konkan under his control. He also gave a final blow to Pallavas.
39. Which of the following kings adopted the title Viranarayana?
[A] Dantidurga
[B] Govind II
[C] Govind III
[D] Amoghavarsha I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Amoghavarsha I]
Notes:
Amoghavarsha I (814 to 878 CE) who was the son of Govind III defeated the invading Eastern Chalukyas at Vingavalli and assumed the title Viranarayana. He also made peace with the Western Gangas by giving them two of his daughters for marriage.
40. Which of the following adopted the epithet of Vatapikonda?
[A] Vikramaditya I
[B] Narsimhavarman
[C] Pulkeshin II
[D] Kirtivarman I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pulkeshin II]
Notes:
The second expedition led by Pulkshein II against the Pallavas proved to be a complete failure. The King Narsimhavarman of the Pallava dynasty killed Pulkeshin II and adopted the epithet of Vatapikonda.
