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. In which of the following places earliest evidence of man in India is found?
[A] Nilgiris
[B] Nallamala Hills
[C] Siwalik Hills
[D] Narmada Valley
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Correct Answer: C [Siwalik Hills]
Notes:
The earliest evidence of existence of human in India had been found the banks of the Narmada at Madhya Pradesh’s Hathnora village. Narmada Human also known as Narmada Man belongs to the category of Homo erectus, preceding Homo sapiens, the modern human species.
32. Who among the following named Indus valley civilization as Harappan civilization?
[A] John Marshall
[B] M E M Wheeler
[C] S R Rao
[D] G F Dales
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [John Marshall]
Notes:
John Marshall, Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India from 1902 to 1928 named the newly discovered civilization after Harappa, the first site excavated. In his profile on the finds published in 1931, he coined the term ‘Indus Valley civilization’ or ‘Harappan civilization’, recognizing it as a great precursor Asian society preceding Mesopotamia and Egypt.
33. The mention of the eastern and western seas is found in which of the following?
[A] Atreya Brahamana
[B] Satpatha Brahmana
[C] Maitrayani Upanishad
[D] Mandukya Upanishad
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Correct Answer: B [Satpatha Brahmana]
Notes:
The mention of the eastern and western seas is found in the Satpatha Brahmana. The Shatapatha Brahmana is considered significant in the development of Vaishnavism.
34. What does the use of ‘Bull’ as a motif in the Ashokan pillar symbolizes?
[A] Purity and Fecundity
[B] Symbol of fertility
[C] Dharmachakra
[D] Departure of Siddhartha
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Correct Answer: B [Symbol of fertility]
Notes:
The Ashokan pillars are the most celebrated example of Mauryan art. The use of bull as a motif shows the inclination of Ashoka towards Buddhism. The bull represents fertility. The event of the birth of Buddha is also represented by Lotus and Bull.
35. The city administration of Pataliputra, according to Megasthenes was conducted by how many committees?
[A] 4
[B] 5
[C] 6
[D] 7
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Correct Answer: C [6]
Notes:
The municipal administration of Pataliputra which was the capital city of Mauryas had a unique character. The city administration of Pataliputra, according to Megasthenes and also corroborated by Arthashastra, was conducted by six committees which consisted of five members each.
36. The term ‘visthi’ refers to which of the following?
[A] Forced labour
[B] Wage labour
[C] Slave labour
[D] None of the above
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Correct Answer: A [Forced labour]
Notes:
During the Mauryan age the artisans living in towns had to pay taxes either in cash or kind or work free for the king. Visthi was a form of forced labour. Arthashastra of Kautilya also mention wage labour (karamakara), bonded labour and slave labour (dasas and ahitakas).
37. Which of the following was a great center for the manufacturing of Shataka in the post-Mauryan times?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Mathura
[C] Taxila
[D] Patliputra
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Correct Answer: B [Mathura]
Notes:
In the post-Mauryan period, the techniques of cloth-making, silk- weaving, and the manufacture of luxury articles developed. Mathura was a great center for the manufacture of a special type of cloth which was called shataka.
38. Who was the commander of Samudragupta during his southern campaign?
[A] Virasena
[B] Harishena
[C] Banabhatta
[D] None of the above
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Correct Answer: A [Virasena]
Notes:
The Prayag prashasti mentions how Samudragupta along with Vishnugupta of Kanchi defeated the twelve south Indian rulers. Virasena was the commander of Samudragupta during his southern campaign.
39. Which of the following succeeded Dharmapala?
[A] Devapala
[B] Mahipala I
[C] Ramapala
[D] None of the above
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Correct Answer: A [Devapala]
Notes:
Dharmapala was succeeded by Devapala. He was the son of Dharmapala. Devapala was an efficient ruler as he not only maintained the territories inherited by him from his father intact but also added to them.
40. Which of the following Pala ruler appointed Viradeva as the head of Nalanda Monastery?
[A] Gopala
[B] Ramapala
[C] Devapala
[D] Dharmapala
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Correct Answer: C [Devapala]
Notes:
Devapala granted the request of the Sailendra dynasty king, Balaputradeva to grant five villages to the monastery at Nalanda. He also appointed Viradeva as the head of Nalanda Monastery.
