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 foreign travelers mentions in his memoirs that the Chandalas lived outside the village and had to maintain distance from the upper castes?
[A] Hiuen-Tsang
[B] Fa-Hien
[C] Ptolemy
[D] I-tsing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fa-Hien]
Notes:
The Chinese traveler Fa-Hien mentions in his memoirs that the chandalas lived outside the village and had to maintain distance from the upper castes. The chandalas were told to strike a piece of wood to announce their arrival when they entered towns or market places so that the others might not touch them and get polluted.
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 Vakataka king took the title of Samrat?
[A] Pravarasena
[B] Vindhyashakti
[C] Prithvisena
[D] Rudrasena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pravarasena]
Notes:
Pravarasena was the second ruler of the Vakataka Dynasty. He performed an asvamedha sacrifice and a vajapeya sacrifice. He was the only Vakataka king who took the title of Samrat.
34. Which of the following Vakataka ruler adopted the title dharma-maharaja?
[A] Sarvasena
[B] Vindhyashakti II
[C] Harisena
[D] Prithivisena II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sarvasena]
Notes:
Sarvasena who belonged to Vatsagulma Branch/Line of Vakatakas ruled from c. 330 to 355 CE. He adopted the title dharma-maharaja. He was a renowned Prakrit poet. The Vakatakas originated in the central Deccan.
35. 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.
36. Which of the following was the author of Dhvanyolaka?
[A] Udbhat
[B] Anandavardhana
[C] Ahinavagupta
[D] Rudrata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Anandavardhana]
Notes:
Anandavardhana was the author of Dhvanyolaka which he composed in 9th century A.D. He was the champion of the Dhvant school. It throws light on the matter regarding Dhvani or suggestion, hence it is named as Dhvanyaaloka.
37. Which of the following kings wrote Prashnottara Ratnamalika?
[A] Govind III
[B] Dantidurga
[C] Dhruva
[D] Amoghavarsha I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Amoghavarsha I]
Notes:
Amoghavarsha who ruled the Rashtrakuta empire from 814 A.D. to 878 A.D was an accomplished poet and scholar. He wrote Prashnottara Ratnamalika in the Sanskrit language, which is considered as a writing of high merit and was later translated into the Tibetan language.
38. Which of the following Chola King completely overran the Pandyas and Cheras and included them in his empire?
[A] Rajaraja I
[B] Rajadhiraja
[C] Athirajendra
[D] Rajendra I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rajendra I]
Notes:
Rajendra I who ruled from c.1014 to 1044 CE completely overran the Pandyas and Cheras and included them in his empire. He also led an expedition to the north, crossed the Ganga and defeated the Pala ruler, Mahipal I and the Western Chalukyas in 1022 CE.
39. Which of the following is the largest Harappan / Indus Valley Civilization site?
[A] Harappa
[B] Mohen-jo Dero
[C] Rakhigarhi
[D] Mehrgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rakhigarhi]
Notes:
Among around 2000 sites of Indus Valley spread in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Rakhigarhi, located in Hisar district of Haryana, is the largest site.
40. Who was the founder of the Satvahana Empire?
[A] Kanha
[B] Gautamiputra
[C] Simuka
[D] Hala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Simuka]
Notes:
Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana Dynasty. He is mentioned as the first king in a list of royals in a Satavahana inscription at Nanaghat. He is believed to have destroyed the Shunga Power in the Deccan with the aid of the Rathikas and Bhojakas. He reigned for around 23 years and was beheaded by his brother Kanha, who succeeded him.
