Multiple Choice Quiz Questions (MCQs) on Ancient Indian History for General Studies and GK preparation of SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC and State PSC Exams

1. Which Greek ambassador set up a pillar in honour of Vishnu?

(A) Megasthenes

(B) Heliodoros

(C) Theodorus

(D) Plato

Answer: B

The Greek ambassador Heliodoros set up a pillar in honour of Vishnu (Vasudev) at Vidisha. He was sent to the court of Sunga King, Bhagbhadra by the Greek King of Taxila, Antialkidas.

2. The Pattini cult was established by which Sangam ruler?

(A) Nedunjeral Adan, the Chera ruler

(B) Senguttuvan, the Chera ruler

(C) Karikala, the Chola ruler

(D) Nedujeliyan, the Pandyan ruler

Answer: B

3. Which of the following was capital of Guptas?

(A) Taxila

(B) Pataliputra

(C) Ujjain

(D) Mathura

Answer: B

Pataliputra was the capital city of Gupta dynasty.

4. The ruler of Kushan dynasty, Kanishka was the follower of__?

(A) Jainism

(B) Hinayanism

(C) Hindusim

(D) Mahayanism

Answer: D

Kanishka was the follower of Mahayanism or the new theory of Buddhism. Mahayana means the Greater Vehicle. It refers to the path of the Bodhisattva seeking complete enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, also called Bodhisattva Vehicle.

5. In the Maurya Empire, what was the name of department of the Chief of the Mines?

(A) Dauvarika

(B) Antapal

(C) Karmantika

(D) Paura

Answer: C

Karmantika was the department name of the Chief of the Mines.

6. What metals were known to the people of Indus valley civilisation?

(A) Copper, bronze, silver, gold but not iron

(B) Copper, silver, iron but not bronze

(C) Copper, gold, iron but not silver

(D) Copper, silver, iron but not gold

Answer: A

The Indus valley people knew the use of copper, bronze, and silver, gold but not iron.

7. Which of the following Jain Tirthankara have been mentioned in Rigveda?

(A) Rishabha and Aristanemi

(B) Mahavira and Parsvanath

(C) Rishabha and Malinath

(D) Parsvanath and Rishabha

Answer: A

The Jain Tirthankaras, Lord Aristanemi (22nd Tirthankar) and Lord Rishabh Nath (1st Tirthankar) has been mentioned in Rigveda.

8. Which of the following Indus Valley sites is not a present in India?

(A) Chanhudaro

(B) Farmana

(C) Khirasara

(D) Loteshwar

Answer: A

Chanhudaro is an archaeological site belonging to the post-urban Jhukar phase of Indus valley civilization. The site is located 130 kilometers (81 mi) south of Mohenjodaro, in Sindh, Pakistan.

9. Among all the major rock edicts of Ashoka, which one is the longest?

(A) 7th major rock edict

(B) 11th major rock edict

(C) 13th major rock edict

(D) 9th major rock edict

Answer: C

10. The inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script were deciphered by ___?

(A) Alexander Cunningham

(B) James Princep

(C) Max Muller

(D) Mortimer Wheeler

Answer: B

James Princep (1799-1840) was an English scholar, orientalist and antiquary. He was the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and is best remembered for deciphering the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India. He was the first to decipher the inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script.

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