Quiz-2: Ancient Indian History MCQ Questions with Answer

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Ancient Indian History MCQ Questions with Answer

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Q1. The Social System of the Harappans was:

(a) Fairly egalitarian

(b) Slave-Labour based

(c) Colour Varna based

(d) Caste-based

Answer: (a)

Explanation: (i) The Social System of Harappan was fairly egalitarian (equality and equal rights).

(ii) No signs of slave tradition or Varna system have been found.

Q2. Which one of the following temples figured in the news regarding the institution of the Devadasi?

(a) Jagannath Temple, Puri

(b) Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu

(c) KandariyaMahadev temple, Khajuraho

(d) Chausath Yogini temple, Bhedaghat

Answer: (a) Jagannath Temple, Puri

Explanation: Devadasi is a girl “dedicated” to worship and service a deity or a temple for the rest of her life. They were considered the human wife of Lord Jagannath.

Q3. The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is:

(a) Sindhu

(b) Sutudri

(c) Sarasvati

(d) Ganga

Answer: (a) Sindhu

Explanation: Sapta Sindhu plays a prominent part in the hymns of the Rigveda, and consequently in early Vedic religion.

Q4. From which of the following regions, the remains of Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic cultures have been found in a sequence?

​(a) ​Kashmir valley

​(b) ​Krishna valley

​(c) ​Belan valley ​

(d) ​Godavari valley

Answer: (c)

Explanation: In the Belan valley (Uttar Pradesh), all three phases, the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic, have been found in the sequence.

Q5. Vaishakha Poornima has a great significance because it was on this day-

(a) Buddha was born

(b) Buddha got enlightened

(c) Buddha died

(d) All of the above

Answer: (d)

Explanation: Vaishakha Poornima is the full moon day in the month of Vaishakha (May). It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary. Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana (Death anniversary) of Gautama Buddha.

Q6. The Indo-Laws Kingdom set up in northern Afghanistan at the beginning of the second century B.C. was:

(a) Bacteria

(b) Scythia

(c) Zedrasia

(d) Aria

Answer: (a) Bacteria

Explanation: Bactria was the ancient civilization of Iranian peoples. Ancient Bactria was located between the Hindu Kush mountain range and the Amu Darya River, covering the flat region that straddles modern-day Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Q7. A story of Sunahsesha, in which his father Ajigarta is stated to have sold him to Harishchandra, occurs in: ​

(a) ​Aitareya Brahmana

​(b) ​Gopatha Brahmana

​(c) ​Svetasvatara Upnishad ​

(d) ​Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Answer: (a)

Explanation: ​The story of Sunahsesha in which his father Ajigarta is stated to have sold him to Harishchandra, occurs in Aitareya Brahmana.

Q8. Which of the following could be the most accurate description of the Mauryan monarchy under Ashoka?

(a) Enlightened despotism

(b) Centralized autocracy

(c) Oriental despotism

(d) Guided democracy

Answer: (a)

Explanation: The Mauryan monarchy under Ashoka was enlightened despotism.

Q9. Where is the Brihadeshwar temple, built during the Chola period, located?

(a) Mysore

(b) Mahabalipuram

(c) Thanjavur

(d) Kanyakumari

Answer: (c)

Explanation: Brihadeshwar temple is located in Thanjavur. It is also known as Raja Rajeshwara temple.

Q10. Assertion (A): The Aham and Puram poems of the PadinenKilukanakku group formed a continuation of the Sangam composition.

Reason (R): They were included under the post-Sangam works as against the Sangam works proper.

(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A

(c) A is true but R is false

(d) A is false but R is true

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A

Explanation: The didactic works of the Sangam period are called Kilukanakku(18 minor groups) consisting of Tirukurral and Naladiyar. The Aham and Purampoems of the Kilukanakku group were composed in the post-Sangam period. That’s why R explains A.

Q11. At which place, did Gautam Buddha give his first sermon? ​

(a) ​Vaishali

​(b) ​Vallabhi ​

(c) ​Rajgriha

​(d) ​Sarnath

Answer: (d)

Explanation: Sarnath, is the place where Gautam Buddha first gave his sermon after his enlightenment. It is one of the most sacred places for Buddhists after Bodhgaya where he got enlightenment.

Q12. In India, Ancient Iron Age is attached with-

(a) Gray pottery

(b) Black and Red Pottery

(c) Ocher Colored Pottery

(d) Northern Black Polish Pottery

Answer: (a)

Explanation: The painted gray ware (PGW) culture was important from the ancient Iron Age culture of genetic planes in India – Mathura was the largest PGW site.

Q13. 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) Indus and Jhelum

Explanation: Sindhu was the old name of the river Indus and Vitasta was the old name of River Jhelum.

Q14. Who among the following was the first grammarian of the Sanskrit language?

(a) Kalhana

(b) Maitreyi

(c) Kalidasa

(d) Panini

Answer: (d)

Explanation: Panini was the first grammarian of the Sanskrit language. His famous work Ashtadhyayi has 400 sutras containing rules of phonetics and grammar.

Q15. Why did Buddhism start declining in India in the early medieval times?

  1. Buddha was by that time considered as one of the incarnations of Vishnu and thus became a part of Vaishnavism.
  2. Invading tribes from Central Asia till the time of last Gupta king adopted Hinduism and persecuted Buddhists.
  3. Kings of the Gupta dynasty were strongly opposed to Buddhism.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Explanation: Buddha was considered the 9th incarnation of Vishnu. No tribe from Central Asia persecuted Buddhists. The Gupta dynasty did not oppose Buddhism. However, they did not give them patronage.

Q16. 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: (b) Universal Truth

Explanation: Jain Doctrine is “established” upon an undying universal truth. It was Rishabh Dev, who is first thought to realize the truth and achieve Kevalya Guyana.

Q17. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:

List-IList-II
A.  Chandragupta Maurya1.  Amitrochates
B.  Bindusar2.  Sandrocottus
C.  Ashok3.  Devanampriya
D.  Dasharatha4.  Buddha Shakya

​Codes: A B C D

(a)  1 2 3 4

(b)  2 1 4 3

(c)  3 4 2 1

(d)  3 4 1 2

Answer: (b)

Explanation: ​In foreign Greek and Latin accounts, Chandragupta is known as Sandrocottus and Androcottus. He became well known in the Hellenistic world for conquering Alexander the Great’s easternmost satrapies, and for defeating the most powerful of Alexander’s successors, Seleucus I Nicator, in battle. ​​Bindusara Maurya  (c. 320 BC – 272 BC)  was emperor of the Maurya Empire from 298 BC – 272 BC. During his reign, the empire expanded southwards. The Greeks called him Amitrochates or Allitrochades – the Greek transliteration for the Sanskrit word ‘Amitraghata’  (Slayer of enemies). ​​In the third century B.C., King Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty supported and protected Buddhism and erected stupas and stone pillars at sites associated with Shakyamuni Buddha. ​​Dasaratha is known to have dedicated three caves in the Nagarjuna Hills to the Ajivikas. Three inscriptions at the cave refer to him as ‘Devanampiya Dasaratha’.

Q18. In the context of the cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose?

(a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at the waist and neck

(b) Facial expressions, hand gestures, and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters

(c) Movements of body, face, and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story

(d) A little smile, a slightly curved waist, and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism.

Answer: (a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at the waist and neck

Explanation: The pose ‘Tribhanga’ is the favourite posture of Lord Krishna. We have often seen Lord Krishna standing in tribhanga posture before his cow ‘Kamdhenu’ or whenever he is playing his flute. He is often called Tribhana Murari.

Q19. Who wrote ‘Nyaya Sutra’?

(a) Vyasa

(b) Gautam

(c) Kapila

(d) Charaka

Answer: (b)

Explanation:Nyaya sutra” was written by Gautam

Q20. Match the following :

List-IList-II
A.  Amatyas1.  Concerned with economic function and some military duties
B.  Tirthas2.  Highest category of official and were eighteen in numbers
C.  Adhyakshya3.  Functioned in administration and judicial capacity
D.  Mahamattas4.  The Arthasastra uses this term in the sense of a minister

Codes: A B C D

(a)        2 3 4 1

(b)       3 2 4 1

(c)        1 2 3 4

(d)       2 1 4 3

Answer: (a)

Explanation: Amatyas, the highest category of officials and were eighteen in numbers. Tirthas functioned in administration and judicial capacity. Adhyakshya, the Arthasastra uses this term in the sense of a minister. Mahamattas were concerned with economic function and some military duties.

Q21. The Buddhist monk who spread Buddhism in Tibet was-

(a) Nagarjuna

(b) Ananda

(c) Asanga

(d) Padmasambhava

Answer: (d)

Explanation: Padmasambhava is also known as Guru Rimpoche the Indian Buddhist monk who spread Buddhism in Tibet. He even helped in the construction of the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet.

Q22. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?

(a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubneshwar

(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

(c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram

(d) varaha Image at Udayagiri

Answer: (b)

Explanation: Dhauligiri is located on the River Daya banks, at Bhubaneswar in Odisha. It is believed that Dhauli hill was the battlefield of the Kalinga War. The rock-cut elephant is the oldest Buddhist sculpture located here.

Q23. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest? ​

(a) ​Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar ​

(b) ​Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli ​

(c) ​Rock-cut monuments at Mahabalipuram

​(d) ​Varaha image at Udaigiri

Answer: (b)

Explanation: Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli was one of the earliest art of ancient India, which was made during the Ashoka period.

Q24. With reference to ancient Jainism, which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) Jainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Sthalabahu.

(b) The Jainas who remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahu was called Shvetambaras after the council held at Pataliputra.

(c) Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharaavela in the first century BC.

(d) In the initial stage of Jainism, the Jainasworshipped images, unlike the Buddhists.

Answer: (c) Jainism enjoyed the patronage of the Kalinga king Kharaavela in the first century BC.

Explanation: Jainism spread in South India under the leadership of Bhadrabahu (not Sthalabahu). The Jainaswho remained under the leadership of Bhadrabahuwere called Digambaras (not Shvetambaras) after the first council held at Pataliputra (modern Patna) by Sthulbahu.

Q25. The words “Satyameva Jayate” in the State Emblem of India were taken from-

(a) Upanishads

(b) Sama Veda

(c) Rig Veda

(d) Ramayana

Answer: (a)

Explanation: The words “Satyameva Jayate” were taken from Mundka – Upanishad.

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