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 statements are correct regarding Ashokan pillar edicts?
1. They were well-polished sandstone monolithic pillars.
2. Each was surmounted with a finely sculpted animal capital.
3. They were largely confined to the Ganges plain.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Some of the features of Ashokan pillar edicts are as follows:
1. They were well-polished sandstone monolithic pillars.
2. Each was surmounted with a finely sculpted animal capital.
3. They were largely confined to the Ganges plain
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
Show Answer
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 committee was responsible to supervise that public notice was given for the sale of manufactured articles in Mauryan administration?
[A] Tax collection
[B] Manufactured articles
[C] Trade, commerce and market regulations
[D] Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manufactured articles]
Notes:
The committee which supervised that public notice was given for the sale of manufactured articles in Mauryan administration was “Manufactured articles”. This committee was also responsible to keep a strict watch so that newly manufactured articles were not mixed with the old stock of articles.
34. Which of the following succeeded Mauryas in the Deccan and in central India?
[A] Shungas
[B] Kanvas
[C] Satavahanas
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Satavahanas]
Notes:
Sungas and the Kanvas succeeded the Mauryans in the north. In Deccan and in the central India, the Satavahanas succeeded the Mauryas however after a gap of almost 100 years.
35. In the Nashik inscription which of the following has been described as ekabamhana?
[A] Simuka
[B] Pulumayi II
[C] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[D] Yajna Sri Satakarni
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gautamiputra Satkarni]
Notes:
In the Nashik inscription Gautamiputra Satkarni is described as ekabamhana which means a peerless Brahmana and also khatiya-dapamanamada which means the one who destroyed the high handedness and pride of the Kshatriyas.
36. Which of the following kings integrated central Asia with north India as a part of a single empire?
[A] Kujula Kadphises
[B] Kanishka
[C] Vima Kadphises
[D] Vasudeva II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vima Kadphises]
Notes:
Vima Kadphises was the second ruler of the Kushanas. He was an important ruler of the Kushanas as he integrated central Asia with north India as a part of a single empire. It resulted in the intermingling of different cultures and an increase in inter-regional trading.
37. 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
Show Answer
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.
38. Which of the following are the nine gems of the court of Chandragupta II?
1. Dhanvantri
2. Kalidasa
3. Ghatakarapara
4. Varahamihira
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
The nine gems or the Navratnas of the court of Chandragupta II are as follows: Kalidasa, Varahamihrira, Dhanvantri, Ghatakarapara, Shanku, Kahapanaka, Vararuchi, Vetala Bhatta.
39. Which of the following kings is considered as the real founder of Maukhari supremacy?
[A] Sarvavarmana
[B] Ishanavarmana
[C] Grahavarmana
[D] Avanti Varmana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ishanavarmana]
Notes:
Ishanavarmana, who was the son of Advaita Varmana ruled the Maukhari dynasty around 554 CE. He is considered as the real founder of the Maukhari dynasty. He also assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja’.
40. ‘Kritadasas’ referred to which of the following type of slaves during the early medieval period?
[A] Persons who were reduced to the status of slaves.
[B] Slaves who had been purchased.
[C] Persons who sold themselves as slaves.
[D] Persons who were captured by the victorious rulers as prisoners of war.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Slaves who had been purchased.]
Notes:
Slavery as an institution existed during the early medieval period. Those slaves who had been purchased were referred to as Kritdasas. There seems to have been existence of trade in slaves during that period.
