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 capital of the northern part of Panchala?
[A] Indraprastha
[B] Ahichchhatra
[C] Kaushambi
[D] Kampilya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ahichchhatra]
Notes:
Panchala is situated in the western Uttar Pradesh. The Ganga river divided the state of Panchala into two parts. The northern part’s capital was Ahichchhatra, that is, modern-day Bareilly in western Uttar Pradesh.
32. Who among the following scholars mentioned Chandragupta Maurya as Sandrocottos?
[A] Kautilya
[B] William Jones
[C] Panini
[D] Seleucus Nicator
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [William Jones]
Notes:
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. He was also Called Sandrocottus by the Greek scholar William Jones.
33. Which of the following officer was in charge of trade, price fixation, and sale of goods produced by state-run manufacturing units in the Mauryan administration?
[A] Panyadhyaksha
[B] Sansthadhyaksha
[C] Rupadarshaka
[D] Pautavadhyaksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Panyadhyaksha]
Notes:
Panyadhyaksha was the officer who was in charge of trade, price fixation, and sale of goods produced by state-run manufacturing units in the Mauryan administration.
34. Which of the following forms of arts flourished in the post-Mauryan period?
1) Ivory work
2) Glass Manufacture
3) Bead cutting
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2, and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, and 3]
Notes:
In the post-Mauryan period art and crafts flourished on a large scale. There was a significant progress made in cloth-making and silk-weaving craft. Some of the other arts that flourished during this period were Ivory work, Glass Manufacture & Bead cutting.
35. Which of the following became important Buddhist sites under the Satavahanas?
1) Nagarjunakonda
2) Amravati
3) Nashik
4) Junar
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Though the Satavahanas made liberal sacrificial fees to the Brahmanas, they also promoted Buddhism. Some of the important Buddhist sites under the Satavahanas were Nagarjunakonda and Amravati in Andhra Pradesh and Nashik and Junar areas of Maharashtra.
36. 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.
37. Halivakara refers to which of the following?
[A] Irrigation tax
[B] Plough tax
[C] Crop tax
[D] House tax
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Plough tax]
Notes:
Halivakara during the Gupta period probably refers to plough tax. The Gupta period saw an increase in land taxes but the number of trade and commerce taxes decreased.
38. Which of the following Kings entered into a matrimonial alliance with the contemporary Kadambas?
[A] Prithvisena I
[B] Rudrasena II
[C] Narendrasena
[D] Pravarasena II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pravarasena II]
Notes:
Pravarasena II who was the son of Rudrasena II entered into a matrimonial alliance with the contemporary Kadambas. His son Narendrasena was married to Ajihata Bhattarika, the daughter of Kakutsavarman of the Kadamba dynasty.
39. Hsuan Tsang gives a detailed account of a grand assembly held in 643 CE. Where was it held?
[A] Ujjain
[B] Thaneswar
[C] Kannauj
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kannauj]
Notes:
Hsuan Tsang gives a detailed account of a grand assembly that was held at Kannauj in 643 CE. It was attended by the representatives of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Husan Tsang/Xuanzang along with others gave discourses on Mahayana doctrines.
40. Which of the following was called the Minister for Foreign Relations and War during the Harsha’s administration?
[A] Simhananda
[B] Avanti
[C] Kuntala
[D] Bhanu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Avanti]
Notes:
During the Harsha’s administration, there was a well-organized secretariat at the capital. According to Banabhatta who was the court poet of Harsha, the Minister for Foreign Relations and War was called Avanti.
