Multiple Choice Quiz Questions (MCQs) on Ancient Indian History for General Studies and GK preparation of SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC and State PSC Exams.
The Ancient history of India is an crucial topic for the UPSC, State PSC Civil Services Examination. It is also an interesting topic while being a vast topic as well. The notes and topics in this article will help in candidate in cruising through the Ancient History of India segment with relative ease.
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Ancient History comes under History Sections of General Studies. So, it is worth having a grip on the subject and to make preparation easy we have prepared this study material in which you will learn though NCERT about the Pre-Historic Period, Historic Period, Civilisations, Scripts, Cultures, Pre- Mauryan and Mauryan Age their religious developments, art & architecture, trade. At last, Gupta and Post Gupta Age its literary sources, administration, inscriptions, rulers etc.
Read more: NCERT Ancient Indian History MCQs PDF
NCERT books are an essential part of UPSC and State PSC Civil services exams preparation. However, because of the comprehensive syllabus, IAS aspirants should also refer to NCERT notes with NCERT MCQs book and keep tabs on the current affairs of at least the past 12-15 months.
The important topics to study from Ancient Indian History are Prehistoric India, Historic India, Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic India, Mahajanapadas, Mauryan Period, Gupta and Post Gupta Period.
Read more: Must Read Books for Competitive Exams
Ancient Indian History Multiple Choice Quiz Questions (MCQs)
1. The rulers of which among the following dynasties adopted the title Devaputra ?
[A] Maurya
[B] Sunga
[C] Kushana
[D] Saka-Kshatrapa
Answer: C [ Kushana ]
Kushanas Empire: Kanishka (100 – 126 AD), a prominent ruler of the Kushan Dynasty who achieved remarkable milestones in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. His descendants called him as Devaputra which means son of gods.
2. In the Rigvedic Dasrajan Yudha (Battle of Ten Kings) the Bharatas emerged winner at the bank of __?
[A] The Indus River
[B] The Saraswati River
[C] The Sutlej River
[D] The Parushni River
Answer: D [The Parushni River ]
According to Rigveda,the famous battle of ten kings ( or Dasrajan Yudha) was between Sudas, a Bharata king of the Tritsu family and the confederacy of ten well-known tribes- Puru, Yadu, Turvasa, Anu, Druhyu, Alina, Paktha ,Bhalanas,Shiva and Vishanin.In the bloody and decisive battle on the banks of River Parushni the Bharatas emerged victorious.
3. The earliest evidence of domestication of animals has been provided by Adamagarh. In which of the following states is located Adamgarh?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharastra
Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
The earliest evidence of domestication of animals has been found in Adamagarh in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh and Bagor in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan.
4. Before ascending the Maurya throne, Ashoka was the viceroy of which of the following?
[A] Taxilla
[B] Ujjain
[C] Pataliputra
[D] Kandhar
Answer: A [Taxilla]
Before ascending the Maurya throne, Ashoka was the viceroy of Taxila.
5. Who was Paura during the Maurya Empire?
[A] Governor of the city
[B] Chief Judge
[C] Mantri
[D] Dandapal
Answer: A [Governor of the city]
As per the Arthashastra of Chanakya, Paura was the Governor of the city.
6. The last ruler of the Mauryan Dynasty, who was assassinated by Pushyamitra Sunga, his commander-in-chief was __ ?
[A] Bindusara
[B] Chandragupta
[C] Brihadrata
[D] Ashokavardhan
Answer: C [Brihadrata]
Notes:
Brihadrata was assassinated in 185 BCE during a military parade, by the commander-in-chief of his guard, the Brahmin general Pusyamitra Sunga, who then took over the throne and established the Sunga dynasty. Brihadrata, the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty, held territories that had shrunk considerably from the time of emperor Ashoka, although he still upheld the Buddhist faith.
7. Who among the following was the founder of Rastrakuta dynasty?
[A] Dantidurga
[B] Krishna -I
[C] Indra – II
[D] Govinda -I
Answer: A [Dantidurga]
Notes:
In the mid of the 8th century, Dantidurga , who was one of the chieftain of ancient Rastrakuta family fought his way to the front and overthrew Kirtivarman II, thus bringing an end to the main branch of Chalukyas. This was the beginning of the Rastrakuta Empire in Deccan.
8. Rigveda was written during which among the following ages?
[A] Stone age
[B] Copper age
[C] Iron age
[D] All the above
Answer: C [Iron age]
Rig-Veda is known as the oldest religious text in the world. It is also known as “First testament” of mankind. It was composed around 1700 BC. Last hymns were composed between 1500-1200 BC. It’s a collection of hymns by a number of priest families. It is organized in 10 books which are called Mandalas
9. King Prasenjita was a contemporary and friend of Lord Buddha. He was a king of ________?
[A] Kasi
[B] Kosal
[C] Anga
[D] Magdha
Answer: B [Kosal]
King Prasenjita was an Aikṣvāka dynasty ruler of Kosala. Sāvatthī was his capital. He was a prominent Upāsaka of Gautama Buddha, who built many Buddhist temples. He was friend of Lord Buddha.
10. Who is the author of Devichandraguptam?
[A] Vishakhadatta
[B] Dandin
[C] Bharavi
[D] Kalidas
Answer: A [Vishakhadatta]
Devi-Chandraguptam is the Sanskrit play of Vishakhadeva (Vishakhadatta). Its the story of Gupta King Ramagupta who decides to surrender his queen Dhruvadevi to a Shaka invader but his younger brother Chandragupta enters the enemy camp disguised as queen and kills the enemy. In the climax of the play, Chandragupta dethrones Ramagupta and marries Dhruvadevi. Kindly note that an 11th century Persian text Majmal-ut-Tawarikh includes some parts of the plot of this play