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 Buddhist scholars wrote the Buddhacharita?
[A] Vasumitra
[B] Ashvagosha
[C] Charaka
[D] Nagarjuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ashvagosha]
Notes:
The Buddhist scholar who wrote the hagiographic Buddhacharita is Ashvagosha. Buddhacharita is the sacred biography of the Buddha composed in the early second century CE. He also composed the Saundarananda which is a Sanskrit kavya.
32. “Kshetra” referred to which of the following during the Gupta period?
[A] Cultivatable land
[B] Waste land
[C] Jungle or forest land
[D] Habitable land
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cultivatable land]
Notes:
During the Gupta period “Kshetra” referred to cultivable land. During the Gupta period vast areas of virgin land were
brought under cultivation. Major improvements were also made in the existing methods of production.
33. Which of the following temples built during the Gupta period has a square tower of Shikhara?
1) Dasavatar Temple at Deogarh
2) Bhitargaon temple
3) Mahadev Temple at Nachna Kuthar
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] Only 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
In the early Gupta period, the Shikhara was not much prominent as compared to the later Gupta period. Dasavatar Temple at Deogarh, Bhitargaon temple, and Mahadev Temple at Nachna Kuthar have a square tower of Shikhara.
34. The Asirgadh Inscription in Nimar district of Madhya Pradesh describes the victory of which of the following kings?
[A] Sarvavarmana
[B] Advaita Varmana
[C] Grahavarmana
[D] Avanti Varmana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sarvavarmana]
Notes:
Sarvavarmana maintained his hold on Magadha and also kept the later Guptas under control. The Asirgadh Inscription in the Nimar district of Madhya Pradesh tells about the victory of Sarvavarmana over Damodargupta.
35. Which of the following was called as chief cavalry officer during the Harsha administration?
[A] Avanti
[B] Bhanu
[C] Kuntala
[D] Simhananda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kuntala]
Notes:
The Harsha’s army consisted of infantry, cavalry, elephant and camel corps. Harsha’s cavalry was 1,00,000 strong and Elephant corps consisted of 60,000 elephants. The chief cavalry officer was called as Kuntala.
36. Which of the following sects are some of the important sects of Shaivism?
1) Pasupata Lakulisa
2) Kapalikas
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
There are many sects of Saivism. Pasupata Lakulisa and Kapalikas are two major sects of Shaivism. Pasupata Lakulisa was the founder of the Pasupata sect of Saivism. According to Kapalikas, Siva was the Lord of Sakti. The Kapalikas wore a garland of human bones.
37. In the early medieval India, which of the following refers to tax levied upon the whole village?
[A] Bhoga
[B] Kara
[C] Hiranya
[D] Pindka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pindka]
Notes:
The land-grants of the early medieval period mention Bhaga, Bhoga, Kara and Hiranya as the chief sources of revenue to the donees. Pindaka was a tax which was levied upon the whole village.
38. Hiranya refers to which of the following form of tax during early medieval India?
[A] Fine realized for 10 offences committed by the villagers.
[B] A lumpsum assessment in cash upon villages as distinguished from the grain share of the king assessed upon the individual cultivators.
[C] A periodical tax levied primarily upon agricultural land over and above the king\’s normal share of the grain.
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A lumpsum assessment in cash upon villages as distinguished from the grain share of the king assessed upon the individual cultivators. ]
Notes:
Hiranya during the medieval times referred to lumpsum assessment in cash upon villages as distinguished from the grain share of the king assessed upon the individual cultivators.
39. Which of the following forms of industry were in vogue during the early medieval period?
1. A great variety and different qualities of textiles were produced.
2. Surashtra was famous for bell-metal and Vanga for tin industry.
3. The art of the jeweller appears to have maintained its old level.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
According to the record of the early medieval period a great variety and different qualities of textiles were produced. The Surashtra region was famous for bell-metal and Vanga for tin industry. However, the art of the jeweller appears to have maintained its old level.
40. The Muktesvara temple of Odisha was built in which of the following centuries?
[A] 6th century AD
[B] 8th century AD
[C] 9th century AD
[D] 10th century AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [10th century AD]
Notes:
The Muktesvara temple of Odisha was built most probably in the middle of the tenth century AD. This temple is considered as the gem of Orissan architecture. Its parts are so beautifully adjusted that the disposition of the whole is elegant as well as effective.
