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 was the head of the board of war elephants in Mauryan administration?
[A] Hastyadhyaksha
[B] Asvadhyaksha
[C] Padadhyaksha
[D] Rathadhyaksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hastyadhyaksha]
Notes:
As recorded by the prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya in his book Arthashastra, catching, training, and controlling war elephants was one of the most important skills taught by the military academies. The board of elephants in the war office was headed by Hastyadhyaksha.
32. In which of the following places the largest number of terracottas were manufactured during the post-Mauryan period?
[A] Rameshwaram
[B] Velleshwaram
[C] Madhurai
[D] Bhimbhetka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Velleshwaram]
Notes:
In the post-Mauryan period, beautiful pieces of terracotta produced in profuse quantities. The largest number of terracotta and moulds were manufactured at Velleshwaram in the Nalgonda district of Telangana. The terracotta figures were mostly meant for the use of upper classes in towns.
33. Who was the first Yuezhi chief to establish the foundation of the Kushana Empire in India?
[A] Kujula Kadphises
[B] Vima Kadphises
[C] Kanishka I
[D] Sadashkana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kujula Kadphises]
Notes:
Kujula Kadphises was the Yuezhi chief who laid the foundation of the Kushana Empire in India. The Yuezhi were a confederation of tribes from China’s western frontier. They migrated to Bactria (modern-day Afghanistan) due to attacks from the Xiongnu. Kujula Kadphises consolidated the Yuezhi power by defeating other Bactrian tribes, eventually laying down the foundation of the Kushana Empire, one of the prominent dynasties in Indian history.
34. Which of the following Kushana ruler proclaimed himself as ‘Mahishvara’ on his coins?
[A] Kanishka
[B] Kadphises I
[C] Vasudeva II
[D] Vima Kadphises
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vima Kadphises]
Notes:
Vima Kadphises was a Kushan emperor who ruled from 90CE to 100 CE. He issued a large number of gold coins. He was a firm devotee of Shiva. He also proclaimed himself as ‘Mahishvara’ on his coins.
35. Which of the following is a poem describing the cycle of seasons?
[A] Ritusamhara
[B] Raghuvamsha
[C] Kumarasambhavam
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ritusamhara]
Notes:
Ritusamhara is a poem written by Kalidasa describing the cycle of seasons whereas Kumarasambhavam is a story about the birth of Shiva and Parvati’s son and also Raghuvamsha depicts Vishnu as the origin and the end of the universe.
36. Agrahara Grants were given to which of the following?
[A] Brahmins
[B] Kshtriyas
[C] Vaishyas
[D] Shudras
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brahmins]
Notes:
During the Gupta period the Agrahara grants were restricted to Brahmins only. These grants were meant to be perpetual, hereditary and tax free, accompanied with the assignment of all land revenue.
37. Which of the following was the capital of Maitrakas?
[A] Vallabhi
[B] Avanti
[C] Patliputra
[D] Ujjain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vallabhi]
Notes:
Vallabhi was the capital of Maitrakas. It was also an important centre of learning. It was also a port town having flourishing trade and commerce situated along the Arabian sea.
38. 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.
39. Which of the following authors wrote Raghava-Pandaviya?
[A] Padmagupta
[B] Kaviraja
[C] Kumaradas
[D] Sanmitracharita
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kaviraja]
Notes:
Raghava-Pandaviya is an epic which is written by Kaviraja. It narrated the stories of Rama and the Pandavas. Kaviraja was the court poet of Kamadeva of the Kadamba dynasty who ruled between 1182 to 1187 AD.
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.
