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 was the head of the board of war elephants in Mauryan administration?
[A] Hastyadhyaksha
[B] Asvadhyaksha
[C] Padadhyaksha
[D] Rathadhyaksha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hastyadhyaksha]
Notes:
As recorded by the prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya in his book Arthashastra, catching, training, and controlling war elephants was one of the most important skills taught by the military academies. The board of elephants in the war office was headed by Hastyadhyaksha.
32. Indo-Greeks invaded India in which of the following century?
[A] 1st century BCE
[B] 2nd century BCE
[C] 3rd century BCE
[D] 4th century BCE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1st century BCE]
Notes:
After the death of Ashoka, the successors of Ashoka were too weak to hold ground. Therefore a series of invasions on the
north-western border of India started. In the beginning of the 2nd century BCE, the Indo-Greeks were the first to invade the Indian subcontinent.
33. Which of the following basic features of Indo-Greek coinage?
1. Bilingual
2. Bi-script
3. Precise economic value
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The basic features of Indo-Greek coinage included the bilingual and bi-script legends. They were miniatures of aesthetic excellence and were of precise economic value. They also provided useful information on emerging religious sects and cults.
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. Which of the following language was used in Kanishka’s coins and inscriptions?
[A] Pali
[B] Prakrit
[C] Bactrian language
[D] Sanskrit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bactrian language]
Notes:
The centre of the huge empire under the rule of Kushana ruler, Kanishka was Bactria. It is observed that the main language in Kanishka’s coins and inscriptions is the Bactrian language.
36. Which of the following kings court was adorned by nine famous scholars known as the Navaratnas?
[A] Chandragupta I
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Samudragupta
[D] Kumargupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chandragupta II]
Notes:
The court of Chandragupta II at Ujjain was adorned by nine famous scholars known as the Navaratnas or the nine gems. Kalidasa adorned the court of Chandragupta II. He was a renowned classical Sanskrit poet and playwright of India and a peerless genius.
37. Which of the following Chinese traveller was sent to the Harsha’s court 646 AD?
[A] Fa-Hein
[B] Hsuan Tsang
[C] I-tsing
[D] Wang-hiuen-tse
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Wang-hiuen-tse]
Notes:
There are records of a battle between Chinese and Indian forces in the later half of the 7th century AD. The Chinese Emperor had sent Wang-hiuen-tse as an envoy to Harsha’s court in the year 646 AD. King Bhaskara-varman of Kamrupa also helped Wang-hiuen-tse in defeating Arjuna.
38. Which of the following kings were worshippers of Siva?
1) Pratihara
2) Vatsaraja
3) Mahendrapala
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, & 3]
Notes:
During the Medieval period, Saivism attained a dominant position in India. A large number of royal families adhered to this faith and built richly endowed temples dedicated to shiva. The Pratihara kings, Vatsaraja and Mahendrapala, were worshippers of Siva.
39. Which of the following epics are written by Vasudeva?
1) Yudhishthiravijaya
2) Sauri-kathodaya
3) Tripuradahana
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, & 3]
Notes:
Vasudeva was the son of Ravi. He was a Yamaka poet and a protege of King Ramavarman of Mahodayapura. Vasudeva has given us three long epics Yudhishthiravijaya, Sauri-kathodaya and Tripuradahana.
40. Which of the following was the founder of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty?
[A] Pulakesin I
[B] Pulakesin II
[C] Visnuvardhana
[D] Kirtivarman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Visnuvardhana]
Notes:
Visnuvardhana was the founder of the Eastern Chalukya dynasty. He was a brother of Pulakesin II. In 615 A.D. he was made the Viceroy of Pulakesin II in both North Maratha (Nasik) and South Maratha country.
