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.
1. During whose reign was the Fourth Buddhist Council held?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Kalasoka
[C] Ajatsatru
[D] Kanishka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Kanishka ]
Notes:
The Fourth Buddhist Council was held at Kundalvana, Kashmir in 72 AD during the reign of Kushan king Kanishka. It was held under the Presidentship of Vasumitra to compose commentaries on the Tripitika.
2. Which sect of Buddhism does not believe in idol-worship?
[A] Hinayana
[B] Mahayana
[C] Vajrayana
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Hinayana ]
Notes:
Those who followed strictly the doctrine of Buddha and denied the existence of God were known as the followers of Lesser vehicle or Hinayana. The Hinayana sect does not believe in idol worship, nor do its followers believe that Buddha was God.
3. Who was the brother-in-law of Harshavardhan ?
[A] Grahavarmana
[B] Banabhatta
[C] Devgupta
[D] Bhaskarvarman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Grahavarmana ]
Notes:
The sister of Harshavardhan, Rajyasri was married to Grahavarmana, King of Kanauj. He was the last ruler of Kanauj belonging to the Maukhari royal dynasty.
4. The Gufkral prehistoric site is located in which state / Union Territory of India?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Jammu & Kashmir
[C] Karnataka
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Jammu & Kashmir ]
Notes:
Gufkral is a / Chalcolithic / Neolithic site in Jammu and Kashmir. It has given evidence of Pit dwellings.
5. The “Battle of Ten Kings” is depicted in which mandala of Rig Veda?
[A] Seventh
[B] Ninth
[C] Eighth
[D] Tenth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Seventh ]
Notes:
The Battle of Ten kings (Dashrajnya) is depicted in the 7th mandala of Rig Veda. This battle led to the formation of Bharata that gradually evolved into Bharatvarsha, Hindustan and India. It was the battle between 10 major tribal chiefs against Sudas of the Bharata tribe.
6. Which among the following is the correct location of an ancient site Deh Morasi Ghundai?
[A] Northern Pakistan
[B] Eastern Persia
[C] Modern Turkey
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Afghanistan ]
Notes:
Deh Morasi Ghundai, located in Kandhar province of Afghanistan is the first prehistoric site to be excavated in Afghanistan.
7. The place Dharanikota in South India is related to which ancient dynasty?
[A] Chola
[B] Satavahana
[C] Pandya
[D] Chera
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Satavahana ]
Notes:
Dharanikota is a town near Amaravati in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh in India, It is the site of the ancient Dhanyakataka which was the capital of the Satavahana kingdom which ruled in the Deccan around the 1st to 3rd centuries A.D.
8. Who defeated the Saka king Rudrasimha III and annexed his kingdom?
[A] Ramagupta
[B] Chandragupta II
[C] Kumargupta I
[D] Samudragupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Chandragupta II ]
Notes:
Chandragupta II defeated the Saka king Rudrasimha III and annexed his kingdom and assumed the title Vikramaditya. This brought an end to Saka-Kshatrapa rule in western India and added the regions of Gujarat, Kathiawad and west Malwa to the Gupta empire.
9. Which of the following is the most common motif of the Indus Seals ?
[A] Unicorn
[B] Bull
[C] Rhinoceros
[D] Elephant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Unicorn ]
Notes:
The unicorn is the most common motif on Indus seals and appears to represent a mythical animal that Greek and Roman sources trace back to the Indian subcontinent.
10. Who wrote the book Pancha Siddhantika?
[A] Varahamihira
[B] Aryabhatta
[C] Brahmagupta
[D] Kalidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Varahamihira ]
Notes:
Varahamihira was one of the only renowned Indian Astronomer, Mathematician and Astrologer. Varahamihira was born in 499 A.D. into a family of Brahmins settled at Kapittha, a village near Ujjain. He wrote the book Pancha Siddhantika.
