List of Top 50 Solved MCQs Of Ancient Indian History are given below :
1. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched
a) Harappan Civilization-Painted Grey Ware
b) The Kushans-Gandhara School of Art
c) The Mughals-Ajanta Paintings
d) The Marathas-Pahari School of Painting
Answer : (b)
2. What is the correct chronological order in which the following appeared in India?
1) Gold coins
2) Punch-marked silver coins
3) Iron plough
4) Urban culture
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
a) 3, 4, 1, 2
b) 3, 4, 2, 1
c) 4, 3, 1, 2
d) 4, 3, 2, 1
Answer : (d)
3. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
1) Mrichchakatika-Shudraka
2) Buddhacharita-Vasubandhu
3) Mudrarakshasha-Vishakhadatt
4) Harshacharita-Banabhatta
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1,2, 3 and 4
b) 1,3 and 4
c) 1 and 4
d) 2 and 3
Answer : (b)
4. Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
a) Chanhudaro
b) Kot Diji
c) Sohgaura
d) Desalpur
Answer : (c)
5. Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:
1) It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene.
2) During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : (c)
6. Which one of the following animals was not represented on the seal and terracotta art of the Harappan culture?
a) Cow
b) Elephant
c) Rhinoceros
d) Tiger
Answer : (a)
7. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
2) Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
3) Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (a)
8. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of
a) Bhakti
b) image worship and Yajnas
c) worship of nature and Yajnas
d) worship of nature and Bhakti
Answer : (c)
9. The “dharma” and “rita” depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements:
1) Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one’s duties to oneself and to others.
2) Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : (c)
10. What does Baudhayan theorem (Baudhayan Sulva Sutras) relate to?
a) Lengths of sides of a right angled triangle
b) Caculation of the value of pi
c) Logarithmic calculations
d) Normal distribution curve
Answer : (a)
11. Which one of the following four Vedas contains charms and spells?
a) Rig-veda
b) Yajur-veda
c) Atharva-veda
d) Sama-veda
Answer : (c)
12. The term ‘Aryan’ denotes
a) an ethnic group
b) a nomadic people
c) a speech group
d) a supporter race
Answer : (c)
13. Which of the following statements is/are applicable Jain doctrine?
1) The surest way of annihilating Karma is to practice penance
2) Every object, even the smallest particle has a soul
3) Karma is the bane of the soul and must be ended
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (d)
14. The Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by
a) Universal Law.
b) Universal Truth
c) Universal Faith
d) Universal Soul
Answer : (A)
15. Anekantavada is a core theory and philosophy of which one of the following?
a) Buddhism
b) Jainism
c) Sikhism
d) Vaishnavism
Answer : (b)
16. With reference to ancient Jainism, which one of the following statements is correct?
a) Jainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Sthulabahu
b) The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu were called Shvetambaras after the Council held at Pataliputra
c) Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharavela in the first century BC
d) In the initial stage of Jainism, the Jainas worshipped images unlike Buddhists
Answer : (c)
17. Consider the following statements :
1) Vardhaman Mahavira’s mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka.
2) Gautama Buddha’s mother was a princess from the Kosalan dynasty.
3) Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Benaras.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) 2 and 3
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (c)
18. Consider the following assertion and reason :
A: The emphasis of Jainism on non-violence prevented agriculturalists from embracing Jainism.
R: Cultivation involved killing of insects and pests.
a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) If A is true but R is false
d) If A is false but R is true
Answer : (a)
19. Consider the following:
1) Deification of the Buddha
2) Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
3) Image worship and rituals
Which of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (d)
20. Which of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?
1) Avanti
2) Gandhara
3) Kosala
4) Magadha
Select the correct answer using the code given below
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 2 and 4
c) 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 3 and 4
Answer : (c)
21. A Lord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes
a) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to watch over Mara and to prevent Mara from disturbing his meditation
b) Buddha’s calling of the Earth to witness his purity and chastity despite the temptations of Mara
c) Buddha’s reminder to his followers that they all arise from the Earth and finally dissolve into the Earth, and thus this life is transitory
d) Both the statements (a) and (b) are correct in this context
Answer : (b)
22. In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the
a) occasion to elect the Sanghaparinayaka and two speakers, one on Dhamma and the other on Vinaya
b) confession by monks of their offence committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season
c) ceremony of initiation of new person into theBuddhist Sangha in which the head is shaved and yellow robes are offered
d) gathering of Buddhist monks on the next day to thefullmoon day of Ashadha when they take up a fixed abode for the next four months of rainy season
Answer : (b)
23. The concept of Eight-Fold Path forms the theme of
a) Dipavamsa
b) Divyavadana
c) Mahaparinirvan Sutta
d) Dharma Chakra Pravartana Sutta
Answer : (d)
24. Many of the Greeks Kushanas and Shakas embraced Buddhism rather than Hinduism because
a) Buddhism was in the ascendant at that time
b) they had renounced the policy of war and violence
c) caste-ridden Hinduism did not attract them
d) Buddhism provided easier access to Indian society
Answer : (d)
25. Who among the following presided over the Buddhist Council held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir?
a) Parsva
b) Nagarjuna
c) Sudraka
d) Vasumitra
Answer : (d)
26. Consider the following statements:
1) The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council held by Kanishka
2) The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang met Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : (d)
27. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
1) Lothal: Ancient dockyard
2) Sarnath: First Sermon of Buddha
3) Rajgir: Lion capital of Ashoka
4) Nalanda: Great seat of Buddhist learning
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1, 2, 3, and 4
b) 3 and 4
c) 1, 2 and 4
d) 1 and 2
Answer : (c)
28. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?
1) Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
2) Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
3) Denial of efficacy of rituals
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (c)
29. Between which of the following was the ancient town of Takshasila located?
a) Indus and Jhelum
b) Jhelum and Chenab
c) Chenab and Ravi
d) Ravi and Beas
Answer : (a)
30. Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other three?
a) Bimbsara
b) Gautama Buddha
c) Milinda
d) Prasenjit
Answer : (c)
31. Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city state of India in the 6th century BC?
a) Gandhar
b) Kamboj
c) Kashi
d) Magadha
Answer : (d)
32. With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India that played a very important role in the country’s economy, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) Every guild was registered with the central authority of the State and the king was the chief administrative authority on them.
2) The wages, rules of work, standards and prices were fixed by the guild.
3) The guild had judicial powers over its own members.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (d)
33. Which one of the following dynasties was ruling over North India at the time of Alexander’s invasion?
a) Nanda
b) Maurya
c) Sunga
d) Kanva
Answer : (a)
34. The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadatta has its subject on
a) a conflict between Gods and Demons of ancient Hindu lore
b) a romantic story of an Aryan prince and a tribal woman
c) the story of power struggle between two Aryan tribes
d) the court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya
Answer : (d)
35. A: Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire.
R: Kalinga controlled the land and sea routes to south India.
a) Both, A and R, are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both, A and R, are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) If A is true but R is false
d) If A is false but R is true
Answer : (a)
36. The following persons came to India at one time or another:
1) Fa-Hien
2) I-Tsing
3) Megasthenese
4) Hieun-Tsang
The correct chronological sequence of their visits is:
a) 3, 1, 2, 4
b) 3, 1, 4, 2
c) 1, 3, 2, 4
d) 1, 3, 4, 2
Answer : (b)
37. Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve food grains to be utilized during the crises in the country?
a) Sohogaura Copper-plate
b) Rumminidei pillar-edict of Ashoka
c) Prayag-Prasasti
d) Mehrauli pillar inscription of Chandra
Answer : (a)
38. The Ashokan major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam kingdom include rock edicts
a) I and X
b) I and XI
c) II and XIII
d) II and XIV
Answer : (c)
39. The practice of military governorship was first introduced in India by the
a) Greeks
b) Sakas
c) Parthians
d) Mughals
Answer : (a)
40. With reference to the invaders in ancient India, which one of the following is the correct chronological order?
a) Greeks -Sakas – Kushans
b) Greeks- Kushans – Sakas
c) Sakas- Greeks- Kushans
d) Sakas- Kushans- Greeks
Answer : (a)
41. Consider the following statements:
1) The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha was assassinate by his commander-in chief, Pushyamitra Sunga.
2) The last Sunga King, Devabhuti was assassinate by his Brahmana minister Vasudeva Kanva who Usurped the throne.
3) The last ruler of the Kanva dynasty was deposed By Andhras.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2
b) Only 2
C) Only 3
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (d)
42. One consistent feature found in the history of southern India was the growth of small regional kingdoms rather than large empires because of
a) The absence of minerals like iron
b) Too many divisions in the social structure
c) The absence of vast areas of fertile land
d) The scarcity of manpower
Answer : (c)
43. The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following?
a) Mahapadma Nanda
b) Chandragupta Maurya
c) Ashoka
d) Samudragupta
Answer : (d)
44. From the third century AD when the Hun invasion ended the Roman Empire, the Indian merchants relied more and more on the
a) African Trade
b) West-European Trade
c) South-East Asian Trade
d) Middle-Eastern Trade
Answer : (c)
45. With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
a) It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
b) It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
c) The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wąges.
d) The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
Answer : (a)
46. ‘Mrichhakatikam’ an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with
a) the love affair of rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan
b) the victory of Chandragupta II over the Shaka Kshtrapas of western India
c) the military expeditions and exploits of Samudragupta
d) the love affair between a Gupta King and a princess of Kamarupa
Answer : (a)
47. There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves.
Where is the other surviving example of Gupta painting?
a) Bagh caves
b) Ellora caves
c) Lomas Rishi cave
d) Nasik caves
Answer : (a)
48. Which one of the following ports handled the north Indian trade during the Gupta period?
a) Tamralipti
b) Broach
c) Kalyan
d) Cambay
Answer : (a)
49. The Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1) The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery.
2) As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for Determining the innocence or guilt of a person.
3) The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below,
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : (b)
50. Emperor Harsha’s southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by
a) Pulkesin-I
b) Pulkesin-II
c) Vikramaditya-I
d) Vikramaditya-II
Answer : (b)
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Also refer : Top 50 Science MCQs For Competitive Exams.
