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. What was the name given to Bindusara by Greek scholars?
[A] Amitraghata
[B] Amitrochates
[C] Napoleon of India
[D] Sandrocottus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amitrochates]
Notes:Bindusara was the son of Chandra Gupta Maurya, and the second to sit on the throne of the Mauryan Dynasty from 298 BCE to 273 BCE. Greeks writers address him as Amitrochates which also meant the destroyer of foes.
32. Which of the following rock edict mentions about the purpose of rock edicts?
[A] Tenth Edict
[B] Fourteenth Edict
[C] Thirteenth Edict
[D] First Edict
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Correct Answer: B [Fourteenth Edict]
Notes:
The Fourteenth Rock Edict of Ashoka mentions the engraving of inscriptions on rocks, installed in various parts of the country. It also tells the objectives and modalities of these Rock Edicts.
33. Which of the following were the officers responsible for the suppression of criminals?
[A] Dharmasthas
[B] Pradeshtris
[C] Mahamattas
[D] None of the above
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Correct Answer: B [Pradeshtris]
Notes:
According to Ashokan inscriptions Pradeshtris were the officers responsible for the suppression of criminals in the Mauryan empire. During that period various civil as well as criminal courts functioned at the local level right from village to province.
34. Where were the capital of Satavahanas situated?
[A] Pratishthana
[B] Rajgir
[C] Patliputra
[D] Ujjain
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Correct Answer: A [Pratishthana]
Notes:
As per some Puranas, the Andhras ruled for 300 years with their capital at Pratishthana which is modern Paithan on the Godavari in Aurangabad district. This is the same period which is also designated to the Satavahana Dynasty.
35. Which of the following kings built a stupa to house the Buddha’s relics in the city of Purushpura?
[A] Kanishka
[B] Vasudeva II
[C] Kadphises I
[D] Vima Kadphises
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Correct Answer: A [Kanishka]
Notes:
Kanishka had two capitals, Purushapura and Mathura. In the capital city of Purushpura, he built a giant stupa to house the Buddha’s relics. The building was magnificent as described by the Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien who visited the area later in the early fifth century CE.
36. Which of the following took the title of Vikramaditya?
[A] Chandragupta I
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Ramagupta
[D] Samudragupta
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Correct Answer: B [Chandragupta II]
Notes:
The empire of Chandragupta II included even the north-western India and Bengal as indicated by iron pillar inscription at Mehrauli in Delhi. He assumed the title of Vikramaditya which means the one who is as powerful as the sun.
37. Which of the following mentions fifteen types of slaves?
[A] Mrichakatika
[B] Narada Smriti
[C] Acharakkovai
[D] Buddhacharita
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Correct Answer: B [Narada Smriti]
Notes:
References of slaves can be found in the Dharam Shastra texts as well as the Narada Smriti, which also mentions the fifteen types of slaves. Slaves were generally referred to as domestic servants. These slaves included mainly the prisoners of war reduced to slavery, debt bondsmen, and voluntary enslavement.
38. Which of the following Kings assumed the title ‘Maharajadhiraja’ according to Asirgarh copper plate inscription?
[A] Sarvavarmana
[B] Ishanavarmana
[C] Grahavarmana
[D] Avanti Varmana
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Correct Answer: B [Ishanavarmana]
Notes:
Ishanavarmana who is considered as the founder of Maukhari rule in India ruled around the mid 6th century in the Ganges River valley. According to the Asirgarh copper plate inscription, he assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja’.
39. Which of the following kings was the last Hindu ruler of Kashmir before it came under the rule of Muslims?
[A] Jayasimha
[B] Vajrayudha
[C] Yashovardhana
[D] Avantivarman
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Correct Answer: A [Jayasimha]
Notes:
King Jayasimha who ruled from 1127 to 1155 AD was the patron of Kalhana. Kalhana was the famous historian and poet of Kashmir. In the 14th century, Kashmir passed under the rule of the Muslims.
40. During the early medieval period the status of which of the following degenerated?
[A] Brahmanas
[B] Kshtriyas
[C] Vaishyas
[D] Shudras
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Correct Answer: C [Vaishyas]
Notes:
After the reign of Harsha the status of Vaisyas in society degenerated to such an extent that there was hardly any difference between the status of a Vaishya and that of a Sudra during the early medieval period.
