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 of the following civilizations flourished between the rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates?
[A] Mesopotamian Civilization
[B] Harrapan Civilization
[C] Chinese Civilization
[D] Egyptian Civilization
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mesopotamian Civilization ]
Notes:
The ancient Mesopotamian points to the land between the rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Its modern name is Iraq. The civilization flourished here almost at the same time with the Egyptian civilization.
2. 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.
3. Which of the following was a central part of the Egyptian religion?
[A] the pharaohs
[B] the afterlife
[C] the pyramids
[D] the heavens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [the afterlife]
Notes:
The concept of afterlife was a central part of the Egyptian religion. The Egyptian religious doctrines contained three afterlife ideologies, i.e., belief in an underworld, eternal life, and rebirth of the soul.
4. Which of the following was the first dynasty in China?
[A] Tang
[B] Xia
[C] Han
[D] Shang
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Xia]
Notes:
The Xia dynasty is the first dynasty in traditional Chinese historiography. It was the first government to emerge in ancient China and became the first to adhere to the policy of dynastic succession.
5. Which of the following are also known as “farmers of forty centuries”?
[A] Romans
[B] Greeks
[C] Chinese
[D] Mesopotamian’s
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chinese]
Notes:
The yellow river cause devastating floods in china and thus Chinese conditioned themselves well to meet this annual calamity. They used the dykes, canals, etc to control the floods and became good farmers. They came to be known as “farmers of forty centuries”.
6. Power and position in society was based on which of the following during the feudal period in Europe?
[A] Level of education
[B] Number of slaves
[C] Amount of land possessed
[D] Amount of money earned
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Amount of land possessed]
Notes:
Power and position in society was based on the amount of land possessed, during the feudal period in Europe. After receiving land from the kings, the powerful men, were known as Lords who promised to provide protection and security to the society.
7. Which of the following was the name of ships on Columbus’ first voyage?
1) Santa Maria
2) The Pinta
3) The Nina
Select the correct answer 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:
After Columbus succeeded in persuading the Queen Isabella of Spain to furnish him with three tiny ships – the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Nina, he started with his voyage into the Atlantic ocean.
8. Which of the following Hindu ruler welcomed Vasco da Gama?
[A] King of Junagarh
[B] Zomorin
[C] Jahangir
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Zomorin]
Notes:
Zamorin, who was the Hindu king of Calicut cordially welcomed Vasco da Gama and the first European was granted permission to establish trade contacts in this southern country of India establishing the first factory at Calicut.
9. Which of the following completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth?
[A] Vasco da Gama
[B] Bartholomew Diaz
[C] Ferdinand Magellan
[D] Juan Sebastian Elcano
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Juan Sebastian Elcano]
Notes:
Juan Sebastián Elcano was a Spanish explorer. After Magellan’s death in the Philippines, Elcano took command of the carrack Victoria from the Moluccas to Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain. He completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth.
10. Which of the following factors helped the rise of the modern nation-states?
1) The disintegration of the Holy Roman Empire left a vacuum that came to be filled.
2) The end of feudalism helped their rise
3) The rise of a nation-state on the basis of territory, population, law, and sovereignty.
Select the correct answer 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:
The following factors helped the rise of the modern nation-states.
1) The disintegration of the Holy Roman Empire left a vacuum that came to be filled.
2) The end of feudalism helped their rise.
3) The rise of a nation-state on the basis of territory, population, law, and sovereignty.
