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 is/are correct?
[A] The citadel at Harappa is in the form of a parallelogram in plan
[B] At Harappa, there are indications of gateways in the north and the south
[C] Buildings of Harappan period were built on high raised platforms
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All are correct]
Notes:
All the given statements about Harappan architecture and town planning are correct. Harappa’s citadel built on the western mound shows careful planning with a symmetrical layout and orientation along the cardinal directions. Fortification walls, gateways, raised platforms andgrid patterns demonstrate organized construction.
32. Which of the following are correct regarding Jatakas?
[A] They are the stories of animals
[B] They are the stories of Buddha’s family
[C] They are the stories of previous births of the Buddha
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [They are the stories of previous births of the Buddha]
Notes:
The Khuddaka Nikaya of the Sutta Pitak is further subdivided into fifteen books. One of the most prominent among them being the Jatakas which contains stories of the previous births of the Buddha.
33. Where was the capital of the Gandhara Mahajanapada situated?
[A] Viratanagara
[B] Taxila
[C] Potali
[D] Ujjain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Taxila]
Notes:
The capital of the state of Gandhara was Taxila or Takshashila located in modern-day Peshawar and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. They had cordial relations with Magadha Mahajanapda and also waged a successful war against Avanti.
34. What was the major trans-regional route towards the northern part of India called in the 6th century BCE?
[A] Dakshinapatha
[B] Uttarapatha
[C] Silk route
[D] Northern frontier
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttarapatha]
Notes:
The two major trans-regional routes of the 6th century were known as Uttarapatha and Dakshinapatha. Uttarapatha for northern India which stretched from the north-west across the Indo-Gangetic plains to the port city of Tamralipti on the Bay of Bengal.
35. Which of the following was also known as Kakarvarna?
[A] Kalasoka
[B] Shishunaga
[C] Udayin
[D] Ajatashatru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kalasoka]
Notes:
Kalasoka was the son and successor of Shishunaga. He is also known with the name of Kakarvarna (according to the Puranas). Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaishali during his reign.
36. How much tax was paid by the peasants in the Mauryan administration?
[A] One-third of produce
[B] One-fourth of produce
[C] One-fifth of produce
[D] One-sixth of produce
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [One-sixth of produce]
Notes:
During the Mauryan administration, the main occupation was agriculture and the main source of revenue was land revenue. Peasants used to pay one-sixth of total produce as tax which was also called as bhaga.
37. Which of the following was the lowest level of administration during the Satavahana dynasty?
[A] Village
[B] Town
[C] Province
[D] District
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Village]
Notes:
The lowest level of administration during the Satavahana period was a grama or village. It was under the charge of a gaulmika or village headman. The village headman was also the head of a military regiment consisting of nine chariots, nine elephants, 25 horses and 45 foot soldiers.
38. Which of the following were a part of the three grades of feudatories during the Satavahana period?
1. Raja
2. Mahabhoja
3. Senapati
4. Purohita
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: C [Only 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The Satavahana kingdom consisted of three grades of feudatories which are as follows:
1. Raja (who had right to strike coins)
2. Mahabhoja
3. Senapati
39. Areas of which of the following modern regions were included in the empire of Chandragupta – I?
1. Bihar
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Bengal
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The empire of Chandragupta I included parts of modern Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal. The capital was situated at Pataliputra. Chandragupta – I ruled from c. 319–335/336 CE.
40. Which of the following kings composed a Prakrit kavya glorifying Rama?
[A] Prithvisena I
[B] Narendrasena
[C] Rudrasena II
[D] Pravarasena II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pravarasena II]
Notes:
Pravarasena II is credited with the founding of a new capital at Pravarapura. Even though he was a devotee of Shiva like his grandfather, he composed a Prakrit kavya glorifying Rama, the Setubandha/Ravanavaha, in which he described about Rama’s journey to Lanka and his victory over Ravana.
