World History MCQs
World History Multiple Choice Quiz Questions (MCQs) on Ancient World History, Medieval World History and Modern World History for various UPSC, PCS and other Competitive Examinations.
1. Which country was known as Gold Coast in past?
[A] Burkina Faso
[B] Togo
[C] Ghana
[D] Mali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ghana]
Notes:
Gold Coast was a region in West Africa that is now known as the country Ghana. The region was named the Gold Coast because of its large supplies of gold and the market for it during the transatlantic slave trade. The Gold Coast was also a trade hub for slaves.
The Portuguese named the area Mina, which means “mine”, after finding so much gold between the Ankobra and Volta rivers in the 15th century. The English colonists later adopted the name Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast was a British colony. In 1957, the Gold Coast gained independence from Britain and became the country Ghana. Kwame Nkrumah led the independence movement and became Ghana’s first prime minister and president.
2. Which country has gifted Manipur a Museum of Peace built on the memories of Battle of Imphal?
[A] Germany
[B] Japan
[C] France
[D] Poland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan ]
Notes:
The Imphal Peace Museum (IPM) has been gifted by Japan to Manipur to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal, which was one of the fiercest battles of the Second World War. The museum was inaugurated at Maibam Lokpa Ching popularly known as Red Hill. Around 70,000 Japanese soldiers, alongside those of Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), died in battles with the British-led Allied forces in areas around Imphal and Kohima from March to June 1944. The last of these battles was fought at Red Hill, where the Japanese War Memorial was built in 1944 to mark the 50th anniversary of the battle. The museum symbolizes the reconciliation between Japan & Britain and Japan & India. It is to reinforce the message that history changes and makes us learn from the past.
3. Which one of the following is the underground army of the African National Congress? (UPSC Prelims 1993)
[A] Unkhonto
[B] Kwazulu
[C] Xhosa
[D] Ulundi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Unkhonto]
Notes:
Umkhonto meaning “Spear of the Nation” was the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), co-founded by Nelson Mandela in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre.
4. From which nation Benin got its independence in 1960?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] France
[C] Portugal
[D] Spain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
From the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century Portuguese Empire had a colonial presence in Benin. The Portuguese empire was engaged in the massive slave trade with Benin. This continued till the abolition of slavery through the Slave Trade Act, 1807 which weakened Benin’s (previously Dahomey) status. This lead to the emergence of French power in Benin’s soil during the mid-19th century. And finally, due to the anti-colonial stand of Beninese during the later years, France was forced to independence to Benin in 1960.
5. Who said “Egypt is the gift of Nile”?
[A] Herodotus
[B] Sallust
[C] Aristotle
[D] Arrian
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Herodotus]
Notes:
Herodotus had said that “Egypt is the gift of the Nile.” The Egyptian Civilization began to flourish almost about 10,000 B.C. in the fertile valley of river Nile. The Egyptians worshiped Nile as God.
6. Which of the following was the world’s earliest form of paper that was invented by the Egyptians?
[A] Hieroglyphics
[B] Papyrus
[C] Cuneiform
[D] Bone Script
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hieroglyphics]
Notes:
Hieroglyphics was the world’s earliest form of paper that was invented by the Egyptians. All the sacred literatures of Egyptians were written in hieroglyphics which were in the form of some signs, each sign representing some expression.
7. Which of the following dynasty developed the concept of Mandate of Heaven?
[A] Xia Dynasty
[B] Shang Dynasty
[C] Qin Dynasty
[D] Zhou Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Zhou Dynasty]
Notes:
The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese political and religious teaching that was used in ancient and imperial China to justify the rule of the King or Emperor of China. It was developed during the rule of the Zhou dynasty which ruled from 1046 to 256 BC.
8. The Chinese made paper in which of the following year?
[A] 100 A.D.
[B] 105 A.D.
[C] 110 A.D.
[D] 115 A.D.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [105 A.D.]
Notes:
The invention of paper in ancient China was the greatest contribution to mankind. The Chinese made paper in 105 A.D. They used a brush that was made up of camel-hair for writing and painting.
9. Which of the following was main occupation of ancient Greeks?
[A] Agriculture
[B] Sea Trade
[C] Mining
[D] Animal Rearing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sea Trade ]
Notes:
The Greek civilization was quite prosperous and the people of this Aegean civilization used the Cuneiform and pictorial writings of the Sumerians and Egyptians. Sea-trade was their main occupation.
10. Which of the following were the two main cities of ancient Greece?
[A] Rome and Alexandira
[B] Sparta and Athens
[C] Cornith and Olympia
[D] Thebes and Argos
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sparta and Athens]
Notes:
Athens was the pioneer city-state of the Greek civilization that contributed much to the culture of ancient Greece. Sparta was another city-state of Greece located in the province of Laconia.