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. How many Sutras are there?
[A] 4
[B] 6
[C] 8
[D] 10
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [6]
Notes:
Sutras which are mentioned in the vedangas, are very short condensed statements that are used to express varied ideas. There are six Sutras. They are: Shiksha (Phonetics), Kalpa (Ritualistic science), Jyotisha (Astronomy), Vyakaran (Grammar), Nirukta (Etymology) and Chhanda (Metrics).
32. Where was the second Jain council held?
[A] Badami
[B] Patliputra
[C] Vallabhi
[D] Taxila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vallabhi]
Notes:
The second Jain council was held in 453 or 466 CE at Vallabhi. The council led to the final compilation of 12 angas and 12 upangas. It was presided by Derridhiganj. The president of the first council was Sthulabhadra, which was held in Patliputra.
33. Who among the following wrote the Buddhacharitra?
[A] Nagarjuna
[B] Asvaghosha
[C] Dinnada
[D] Gautam Buddha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Asvaghosha]
Notes:
Asvaghosha is the author of the Buddhacharitra. He had compiled the Buddhacharitra in the Sanskrit language. He was contemporary to Kanishka. He was also a dramatist, musician, debater, and scholar.
34. Which of the following is known as an era of ‘Second Urbanisation’?
[A] Third century BCE
[B] Second century BCE
[C] Sixth century BCE
[D] Seventh century BCE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sixth century BCE]
Notes:
The sixth century BCE is also known as the era of ‘Second Urbanisation’ in the Indian Subcontinent. Urban centers emerged nearly after a gap of more than a thousand years after the decline of Harappan towns.
35. According to Indian literature which of the following were referred to as Yavanas?
[A] Mauryans
[B] Mughals
[C] Indo-Greeks
[D] Indo-Romans
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indo-Greeks]
Notes:
The Indo-Greek was also known as Yavanas according to the Indian literature. Their kingdom spanned from modern-day Afghanistan to Hindukush mountains. They ruled during the last two centuries BCE. There were more than thirty kings and they often fought with one another.
36. The capital of Harsha was shifted from Thaneswar to which of the following?
[A] Kannauj
[B] Mathura
[C] Ujjain
[D] Kalinga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kannauj]
Notes:
The capital of Harsha was originally the city of Thaneswar, but later he shifted it to Kannauj. The river Narmada marked the southern boundary of Harsh’s empire. Harsha brought most of the north India under his control.
37. Which of the following had imprisoned Harsha’s sister Rajyashri and killed her husband Grahavarman?
[A] Devagupta
[B] Shashanka
[C] Dhruvasena II
[D] Pulkesin II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shashanka]
Notes:
Harsha succeeded his brother Rajya Vardhana. He undertook a campaign against the ruler of Malwa, Devagupta and Shashanka, who was the ruler of Gauda. Shashanka had imprisoned Harsha’s sister Rajyashri and killed her husband Grahavarman.
38. Which of the following was called as the Commander-in-Chief of Harsha?
[A] Avanti
[B] Simhananda
[C] Bhanu
[D] Kuntala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Simhananda]
Notes:
Harsha Vardhana ruled from 606 A.D. to 647 A.D. He maintained the administrative set-up of his empire on the model of previous great Hindu rulers. The Commander-in-Chief during the Harsha’s administration was called as Simhananda.
39. Which of the following were employed for the execution of criminals?
[A] Kshtriyas
[B] Vaishyas
[C] Shudras
[D] Chandalas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chandalas]
Notes:
During the early medieval period the Chandalas were employed for the execution of criminals. The Chandalas lived outside the village. They were not allowed to touch others. There was a serious crisis in the social order during that period.
40. The great philosopher and dialectician Santarakshita lived and worked during the reign of which of the following kings?
[A] Chandrakirti
[B] Gopala
[C] Mahendrapala
[D] Harsha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gopala]
Notes:
King Gopala who ruled from 750 A.D. to 770A.D. was the founder of the Pala Dynasty of the Bengal region of the Indian Subcontinent. He was a great patron of Buddhism. The great philosopher and dialectician Santarakshita lived and worked during his reign.
