MCQs on Ancient Indian History For UPSC, WBCS, SSC CGL, Rail NTPC P9

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Page 9

WBCS PRE - 2013

2181. Who composed 'Ai-hole' prasasti?

A

Harisena

B

Nayanikar

C

Kautilya

D

Rabikirti

D

Correct Answer: D. Rabikirti
Explanation: Aihole was located in the state of Karnataka and was the first capital of the Chalukyas. Many inscriptions have been found here but the inscription at the Meguti temple is popularly known as the Aihole Inscription. It contains many historical events of Chalukyas. It was written in Sanskrit and it uses the old Kannada script. There are also references to the defeat of Harshavardhana by Pulakesin II and the victory of the Chalukyas on Pallavas. There is a reference to the transfer of capital from Aihole to Badami by Pulakesin I. The Aihole inscription was written by Ravikirti, a court poet of the Chalukya king Pulakesin II. Pulakesin II ruled from 610 to 642 CE.

WBCS PRE - YYYY

10182. Who wrote Buddhacharita?

A

Basumitra

B

Vishakhadatta

C

Nagarjuna

D

Asvaghosa

D

Correct Answer: D. Asvaghosa

WBCS PRE - 2009

10283. The founder of Nanda Dynasty was

A

Dhana Nanda

B

Nagadasaka.

C

Kalasoka

D

Mahapadma

D

Correct Answer: D. Mahapadma

WBCS PRE - 2016

3084. According to Buddhism, the cause of all sorrows is

A

Trishna

B

Krodh

C

Maya

D

Kama

A

Correct Answer: A. Trishna

WBCS PRE - 2011

3885. Buddhist religious scripture Tripitaka was written in

A

Bengali

B

Pali

C

Sanskrit

D

Hindi

B

Correct Answer: B. Pali

WBCS PRE - 2016

581286. The most famous Indo-Greek ruler of India was :

A

Demetrius

B

Antiochus I

C

Menander

D

None of the above

C

Correct Answer: C. Menander

WBCS PRE - 2006

581387. Surya-Siddhanta was authored by (a) Aryabhatta (b) Varahamihira (c) Bararuchi (d) Sushruta

A

Aryabhatta

B

Varahamihira

C

Bararuchi

D

Surya-Siddhanta was authored by (a) Aryabhatta (b) Varahamihira (c) Bararuchi (d) Sushruta

B

Correct Answer: B. Varahamihira

WBCS PRE - 2003

581488. Sandhyakara nandi was the court poet of the

A

Pratiharas

B

Rashtrakutas

C

Senas

D

Palas

D

Correct Answer: D. Palas

SSC CGL - 2002

354289. Which of the following Gupta, kings stopped the Huns from invading India?

A

Kumaragupta

B

Samudragupta

C

Skandagupta

D

Chandragupta

C

Correct Answer: C. Skandagupta

SSC CGL - 2014

265790. The term 'Upanishad' literally implies

A

Knowledge

B

Wisdom

C

Sitting near

D

Recitation

C

Correct Answer: C. Sitting near
Explanation:

Upanishad means 'sitting down near', referring to the student sitting down near the teacher while receiving esoteric knowledge. Monier-Williams' Sanskrit Dictionary adds that, “Upanishad means 'setting to rest ignorance by revealing the knowledge of the supreme spirit.

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History of Ancient India MCQs For WBCS Exam P8

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Page 8

SSC CGL - 2012

353971. Alexander and Porus fought a battle at

A

Hydaspes

B

Jhelum

C

Panipat

D

Milan

A

Correct Answer: A. Hydaspes

WBCS PRE - 2011

472. The first metal discovered by man was

A

Zinc

B

Copper

C

Iron

D

Aluminum

B

Correct Answer: B. Copper
Explanation: Copper is the first metal discovered by humans. The first domesticated animal was the dog. The Indus civilized people did not know the use of iron. It was contemporary with the Chalcolithic era.

WBCS PRE - 2008

10773. Amir Khasru was the Court Poet of

A

Ghiyasuddin Tughluq

B

Akbar

C

Balban

D

Alauddin Khilji

D

Correct Answer: D. Alauddin Khilji

SSC CGL - 2013

422674. Where was the first Buddhist Council held ?

A

Vaishali

B

Kashmir

C

Rajagriha

D

Pataliputra

C

Correct Answer: C. Rajagriha

MPPSC - 2015

248875. Who was the author of 'Indica'?

A

Plutarch

B

Justin

C

Herodotus

D

Magasthenes

D

Correct Answer: D. Magasthenes

WBCS PRE - YYYY

9076. Who was the founder of the Satvahana Dynasty?

A

Satakasni

B

Gautamiputra Satakarni

C

Simuk

D

Krishna

C

Correct Answer: C. Simuk

WBCS PRE - 2009

3777. Who discovered the Indus Valley civilization?

A

Rakhaldas Banerjee

B

A. L. Basham

C

Sir Leonard Wooley

D

V. S. Agarwal

A

Correct Answer: A. Rakhaldas Banerjee
Explanation: 1921 at Harappa in the Punjab region by Daya Ram Sahni and then in 1922 at Mohenjo-daro (Mohenjodaro) by Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay.

WBCS PRE - 2000

6278. Si- U - Ki was authored by

A

Megasthenes

B

I- Tsing

C

Huen - Tsang

D

Fa- Hien

C

Correct Answer: C. Huen - Tsang

BPSC - 2014

558879. What is the name of Kalhana's book?

A

Arthashastra

B

Indica

C

Purana

D

Rajtarangini

D

Correct Answer: D. Rajtarangini

WBCS PRE - 2017

9280. The author of Kadambari was

A

Bhababhuti

B

Banabhatta

C

Khemendra

D

Kalhana

B

Correct Answer: B. Banabhatta
Explanation:

Kādambari is a romantic novel in Sanskrit. It was substantially composed by Bāṇabhaṭṭa in the first half of the 7th century CE, who did not survive to see it through completion. The novel was completed by Banabhatta's son Bhushanabhatta, according to the plan laid out by his late father.

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WBCS General Knowledge on Ancient Indian History P7

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Page 7

SSC CGL - 2002

287961. Who were the first kings to issue gold coins in India?

A

Mauryas

B

Indo-Greeks

C

Guptas

D

Kushans

B

Correct Answer: B. Indo-Greeks
Explanation:

The Indo Greeks; is the correct answer as the gold coins were first issued by Indo-Greeks in India. They introduced the gold coins around 270 BC. Ruler, Antochios II was the first one to introduce the gold coins for various economic reasons.

BPSC - 2016

570262. Who was the founder of Bahamani Kingdom?

A

Alauddin Hasan

B

Feroz Shah

C

Mahmud Gaonwa

D

Asaf Khan

A

Correct Answer: A. Alauddin Hasan

WBCS PRE - 2014

8263. Indica was written by

A

V. Smith

B

William Jones

C

Gondophernes

D

Megasthenes

D

Correct Answer: D. Megasthenes

WBCS PRE - 2013

3564. Buddha was born in

A

623 B.C

B

602 B.C

C

523 B.C

D

563 B.C

D

Correct Answer: D. 563 B.C
Explanation:

According to Buddhist tradition, Gautama Buddha lived between 563 BCE to 483 BCE. He was born into an aristocratic family in the Shakya clan. Born in Lumbini near Kapilavastu, Nepal.

Extra Info:

• Parents: Śuddhodana (father) Maya Devi (mother)
• Spouse: Yasodharā
• Children: Rāhula
• Other names: Shakyamuni ('Sage of the Shakyas')
• Masters(Gurus): Alara Kalama and Uddaka Rāmaputta
• Died(Mahaparinirvana): c. 483 BCE (aged 80) Kushinagar, Malla Republic (according to the Buddhist tradition)

SSC CGL - YYYY

279665. Which metal was first used by the Vedic people ?

A

Silver

B

Gold

C

Iron

D

Copper

D

Correct Answer: D. Copper

WBCS PRE - YYYY

10466. The author of 'Kadambari' was

A

Bhababhuti

B

Banabhatta

C

Kshemendra

D

Kalhana

B

Correct Answer: B. Banabhatta
Explanation: Banabhatta is also know for his literary work of Harsacharata. He was coart poet of Harsavardahan. Banabhatta is also known for his literary work of Harshacharita. He was the court poet of Harshvardhan.

WBCS PRE - 2004

5967. Fo-Kuo-King was authored by whom?

A

Hiuen Tsang

B

Megasthenes

C

It-Tsing

D

Fa-Hien

D

Correct Answer: D. Fa-Hien

SSC CGL - 1999

388668. Off the following scholars, who was tile first to discover the traces of the Harappan Civilization?

A

Sir John Marshall

B

R. D. Baneji

C

A. Cunningham

D

Daya Ram Sahani

C

Correct Answer: C. A. Cunningham

SSC CGL - 2002

272269. Which among the following is the oldest dynasty?

A

Maurya

B

Gupta

C

Kushan

D

Kanva

A

Correct Answer: A. Maurya

WBCS PRE - YYYY

171570. Ibn Battuta came to India during?

A

Akbar

B

Muhammed Bin Tughlak

C

Iltutmis

D

Alauddin Khalji

B

Correct Answer: B. Muhammed Bin Tughlak
Explanation: In 1334, Ibn Battuta arrived in India all the way through the mountains of Afghanistan, during the time when the Tughlaq dynasty was at its height at the time of Muhammad bin Tughluq.

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Ancient Indian History For UPSC, SSC CGL, RAIL NTCP Exams P6

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Page 6

WBCS PRE - 2019

4251. Where did Buddha preach his first sermons?

A

Kasi

B

Saranath

C

Kushinagar

D

Bodh Gaya

B

Correct Answer: B. Saranath

WBCS PRE - YYYY

5152. Who composed Allahabad Prasasti?

A

Harisena

B

Vasumitra

C

Asvaghosha

D

Nagarjuna

A

Correct Answer: A. Harisena
Explanation:

Harissa, also called Harishena or Hirisena, was a 4th-century Sanskrit poet, panegyrist, and government minister. He was an important figure in the court of the Gupta emperor, Samudragupta. His most famous poem, written c. 345 C.E., describes the bravery of Samudragupta and is inscribed on the Allahabad Pillar.

WBCS PRE - 2002

4553. Which of the following was not a part of Tripitakas three basket?

A

Sutta

B

Abhidhamma

C

Jatakas

D

Vinaya

C

Correct Answer: C. Jatakas
Explanation: Tipitaka in Pali means Three Baskets (Ti = Three, Pitaka = Basket).
Three Baskets (of scriptures)
1. Vinaya-Pitaka: the origin of the sangha; rules for monks and nuns.
2. Sutra-Pitaka: discourses of the Buddha.
3. Abhidharma-Pitaka: writings and discourses on Buddhist psychology and philosophy.

SSC CGL - 2006

393454. Buddha' means

A

The Enlightened one

B

The Religious Preacher

C

The Genius

D

The Powerful

A

Correct Answer: A. The Enlightened one

SSC CGL - 1999

313055. Which of the following Vedas provides information about the civilization of the Early Vedic Age?

A

Rig-Veda

B

Yajur-veda

C

Atharva-veda

D

Sama-veda

A

Correct Answer: A. Rig-Veda

SSC CGL - 2004

385856. The Harappan Civilization was discovered in the year :

A

1935

B

1942

C

1901

D

1922

D

Correct Answer: D. 1922

SSC CGL - 2011

359757. The Great Bath of Indus Valley Civilization is found at:

A

Harappa

B

Mohenjodaro

C

Ropar

D

Kalibangan

B

Correct Answer: B. Mohenjodaro

SSC CGL - 2013

398758. Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha together are known as

A

Triratna

B

Trivarga

C

Trisarga

D

Trimurti

A

Correct Answer: A. Triratna

SSC CGL - 1999

328459. Which was the oldest University?

A

Gandhara

B

Kanauj

C

Nalanda

D

Vaishali

C

Correct Answer: C. Nalanda

WBCS PRE - 2011

171460. Tahkik-i-hind was written by?

A

Alberuni

B

Al-Baradari

C

Suleman

D

Al-Masud

A

Correct Answer: A. Alberuni
Explanation: Alberuni came to India with Mahmud of Ghazni during his Indian invasion. Alberuni was one of the greatest scholars of the medieval Islamic era.

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MCQs on Ancient Indian History For WBCS Prelims and Mains P5

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Page 5

SSC CGL - 2006

302341. Lothal is a site where dockyards of which of the following civilization were found ?

A

Indus Valley

B

mesoptamian

C

Egyptian

D

Persian

A

Correct Answer: A. Indus Valley

WBCS PRE - 2009

1742. Name the last Tirthankara

A

Siddhartha

B

Silbhadra

C

Parsvanath

D

Mahavira

D

Correct Answer: D. Mahavira
Explanation: According to the Jains, a Tirthankara is a person who has conquered the cycle of death and rebirth by himself and paved the way for others to follow. There were 24 Tirthankars. The first Tirthankar was Rishabhanatha. The symbol used for him is the Bull. The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanath and the symbol used for him was Snake. The twenty-fourth Tirthankara was Mahavira and the symbol used for him was Lion. He was the original founder of Jainism.

SSC CGL - 2003

274743. The Saka era commencing from A.D. 78, was founded by

A

Kanishka

B

Asoka

C

Chandragupta

D

Vikramaditya

A

Correct Answer: A. Kanishka

SSC CGL - 2003

265444. The words 'Satyameva Jayate' in the State Emblem of India were taken from

A

Upanishads

B

Sama Veda

C

Rig Veda

D

Ramayam

A

Correct Answer: A. Upanishads
Explanation:

'Satyameva Jayate' (Truth alone triumphs) is a mantra from the ancient Indian scripture Mundaka Upanishad.

SSC CGL - 2009

287745. In which state was the Nalanda University located in India?

A

Bengal

B

Bihar

C

Orissa

D

Uttar Pradesh

B

Correct Answer: B. Bihar

SSC CGL - 2011

321246. Hiuen Tsang visited India during the reign of

A

Chandragupta. I

B

Chandragupta II

C

Harshavardhana

D

Rudradaman

C

Correct Answer: C. Harshavardhana

WBCS PRE - YYYY

170747. Satyameva Jayate was taken from which book?

A

Budhacharita

B

Arthasastra

C

Mundaka Upnishida

D

Mahabharata

C

Correct Answer: C. Mundaka Upnishida
Explanation: The Upanishads are a collection of texts of religious and philosophical nature, written in India probably between c. 800 BCE and c. 500 BCE. It played an important role in the development of spiritual ideas in ancient India, marking a transition from Vedic ritualism to new ideas and institutions. The Mundaka Upanishad contains the phrase Satyameva Jayate.

WBCS PRE - YYYY

171348. The Aihole inscription was written by?

A

Kautilya

B

Horisena

C

Rovikirti

D

Nayanika

C

Correct Answer: C. Rovikirti
Explanation:

The inscription is written in the Sanskrit language and uses the old Kannada script. There is a mention about the defeat of Harshavardhana by Pulakesin II and also about the victory of Chalukyas on Pallavas. There is also a reference to the shifting of the capital from Aihole to Badami by Pulakesin II.

Ravikirti was a court poet of Chalukya King, Pulakeshi II who in the throne from 610 to 642 CE.

WBCS PRE - 2009

11749. Name the Sultan who introduced Rationing System in India

A

Muhammad bin Tughlaq

B

Firuz Tughlaq

C

Ghiyasuddin Balban

D

Alauddin Khalji

D

Correct Answer: D. Alauddin Khalji

SSC CGL - 2005

375650. Who was the first known Gupta ruler?

A

Sri Gupta

B

Chandragupta I

C

Ghatotkacha

D

Kumaragupta I

A

Correct Answer: A. Sri Gupta

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General Knowledge Quiz on Ancient Indian History For WBCS P4

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Page 4

WBCS PRE - 2007

11831. Sakabda was started in

A

58 A.D

B

327 A. D

C

78 B.C

D

78 A.D

D

Correct Answer: D. 78 A.D
Explanation:

Kushana king Kanishka ascended the throne in 78 AD/ CE, and this date was used as the beginning of the Saka calendar era. Indian calendar follows this.

SSC CGL - 2015

446832. Who composed the Allahabad Pillar inscription?

A

Harisena

B

Mahasena

C

Veerasena

D

Vishnusena

A

Correct Answer: A. Harisena

WBCS PRE - 2014

3233. The oldest Veda is

A

Yajurveda

B

Samveda

C

Atharvaveda

D

Rigveda

D

Correct Answer: D. Rigveda

SSC CGL - 2005

357234. Which among the following is the sacred book of the Buddhists ?

A

Upanishad

B

Vedas

C

Tripitaka

D

Jatakas

C

Correct Answer: C. Tripitaka

SSC CGL - 2002

299535. Who was called India's Napoleon because of his victories ?

A

Skandagupta

B

Chandragupta

C

Brahmagupta

D

Samudragupta

D

Correct Answer: D. Samudragupta
Explanation:

Samudragupta (335-375 AD) of the Gupta dynasty is known as the Napoleon of India. Historian A V Smith called him so because of his great military conquests known from the 'Prayag Prashasti' written by his courtier and poet Harisena, who also describes him as the hero of a hundred battles.

WBCS MAIN - YYYY

175736. The language of the Jaina religious text was

A

Prakrit

B

Bengali

C

Sanskrit

D

Pali

A

Correct Answer: A. Prakrit

WBCS PRE - 2011

5437. Lion capital in currency notes was discovered from

A

Delhi

B

Sarnath

C

Bodh Gaya

D

Sanchi

B

Correct Answer: B. Sarnath

SSC CGL - 2002

287538. Kalibangan is situated in

A

Uttar Pradesh

B

Sindh

C

Rajasthan

D

Gujarat

C

Correct Answer: C. Rajasthan

SSC CGL - 2011

297439. Which is the port-town of Indus valley civilisation?

A

Kalibangan

B

Lothal

C

Ropar

D

Mohenjodaro

B

Correct Answer: B. Lothal

SSC CGL - 2002

394140. Tripitaka is the religious book of

A

damns

B

Buddhists

C

Sikhs

D

Hindus

B

Correct Answer: B. Buddhists

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