Ancient Indian History MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

Ancient History MCQ

1) Which is the largest empire in India?

  1. Maratha Empire
  2. Kushan Empire
  3. Maurya Empire
  4. Mughal Empire
Answer: C) Maurya Empire Explanation: Maurya Empire is the largest empire in India. Maurya empire was spread over 5000,000 kilometers of area up to 250 BC. Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya empire, and that period is called as Iron age of India.

2) The Bagh caves are in which state of India?

  1. Hyderabad
  2. Madhya Pradesh
  3. Bihar
  4. Chhattisgarh
Answer: B) Madhya Pradesh Explanation: Bagh painting on caves is known as Bagh caves situated in Madhya Pradesh of India. Bagh caves are rock-cut caves having amazing mural paintings by master painters of ancient India. These caves are situated on the southern slopes of Vindhyas in Bagh town of Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.

3) Atharvaveda deals in which of the following?

  1. Hymns
  2. Chants and Prayers
  3. Spell
  4. All of these
Answer: D) All of these Explanation: Atharvaveda is one of the four Vedas which contain the knowledge of Magic formulas. It contains various formulas to spell, including 730 Hymns, spells, Chants, 6000 mantras and prayers. It is composed of Vedic Sanskrit and divided into 20 books.

4) Which one of them was founded by Dharmapala?

  1. Nalanda
  2. Vikramashila
  3. Vallabhi
  4. None of these
Answer: B) Vikramshila Explanation: Vikramashila is one of the centers of an educational institute in eastern India during the 8th century or early 9th century founded by Dharmapala, who was the second ruler of the Pala Empire of Bengal region and successor of Gopala, who founded the Pala dynasty.

5) Which Dynasty hold the area from western Deccan to eastern Deccan?

  1. Pala Dynasty
  2. Satavahana Dynasty
  3. Nanda Dynasty
  4. Maurya Dynasty
Answer: B) Satavahana Dynasty Explanation: Satavahana dynasty covers the modern-day areas known as Telangana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Some parts of Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh were included. The Satavahana Dynasty's belongings were excavated from western and eastern ghats, Deccan, western India, Vidarbha, etc.

6) Who is the founder of the Gupta Dynasty?

  1. Vishnugupta
  2. Chandragupta 1
  3. Sri Gupta
  4. Samudragupta
Answer: C) Sri Gupta Explanation: Sri Gupta was the founder of the Gupta Dynasty from 240 AD to 280 AD. He was titled as 'Maharaja'. Chandragupta, Samudragupta and Vishnugupta are successors of Sri Gupta, who further ruled and expanded the Gupta kingdom.

7) Find out the city/cities of Indus valley civilization?

  1. Dholavira
  2. Mohenjodaro
  3. Banawali
  4. All of these
Answer: D) All of these Explanation: Many cities were found having belongings to Indus valley civilization named as Mohenjo-Daro, Kalibangan, local, banawali, Dholavira, Surkotada, Chanhudaro. They are situated in different countries and states.

8) What was found in thousands of numbers by an archaeologist from Harrapan sites?

  1. Utensils
  2. Seals
  3. Equipment's
  4. None of these
Answer: B) Seals Explanation: Archaeologists have discovered thousands of seals from the Harrapan sites. Some seals are made of soft stone called steatite, and some of gold, ivory, chert, agate and faience. Seals were used as an identity card, for commercial purposes, selling and buying purposes. Seals were square with a 2X2 dimension.

9) Which is the famous seal of Harrapan Civilization?

  1. Agate seal
  2. Long Seal M-1271
  3. Pashupati Seal
  4. Animal Seal
Answer: C) Pashupati seal Explanation: The most famous seal is the Pashupati Seal of Harappan Civilization from Mohenjo Daro. It is a seal with a figure seated cross-legged in the center with animals around; an elephant and a tiger to the figure's right and a rhino and a buffalo to its left.

10) Which is the largest Civilization in the world?

  1. Egypt civilization
  2. Mesopotamia Civilization
  3. Indus Valley Civilization
  4. China Civilization
Answer: C) Indus Valley Civilization. Explanation: World's largest Civilization is the Indus Valley Civilization spread over 1260,000 sq. km over modern- India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Indus Valley Civilization is also called as Harrapan civilization, and it is 8000 years old. Archaeologists firstly founded the belongings of IVC near the Indus river; hence it is named IVC. Around 100 sites have been found along the Indus river, 500 sites along Ghaggar- Hakra river and the first settlement was discovered at the modern site of Harappa, West Punjab, Pakistan.

11) What was the major economic source of Indus Valley Civilization?

  1. Agriculture
  2. Making weapons
  3. Buying and selling goods
  4. None of the above
Answer: A) Agriculture Explanation: Indus Valley Civilization is an Agriculture based civilization. Agriculture was its major source of income where they cultivate or produce cotton as their major economic source. Cotton measurement unit was 16, and cotton was imported and exported with all other goods. INV farmers firstly started to weave and spin the cotton.

12) Where does Manda Harappan site are located?

  1. Balochistan
  2. Sind
  3. Gujarat
  4. Foothills of Himalayas
Answer: D) Foothills of Himalayas Explanation: Manda village is an archeological site in Jammu at the Himalayas' foothills, the Northmost limit of IVC. J.P. Joshi discovered it during 1976-77. Ruins of an ancient Indus Valley Civilization were found at Manda Harappan site.

13) Which Civilization comes after the decline of the Indus valley civilization?

  1. Sumerian Civilization
  2. Mesopotamia Civilization
  3. Vedic Civilization
  4. Egypt Civilization
Answer: C) Vedic Civilization Explanation: Vedic Civilization comes after the decline of Indus Valley Civilization by 1400 BC. It comes between 1500 BC and 600 BC. Vedas are the prominent source of information in this era. Vedic age defines, how the Aryans and Indo- Aryans came and ruled all over.

14) Which emperor of the Magadh empire is known as 'Seniya'?

  1. Dhanananda
  2. Ajatashatru
  3. Bimbisara
  4. None of these
Answer: C) Bimbisara Explanation: Bimbisara is one of the Magadha empire's powerful emperors, ruled between 544 BC and 492 BC. He had a permanent and well-organized army whom he extended his kingdom Anga to the east.

15) Firstly used animals in the wars of Magadh?

  1. Horses
  2. Tigers
  3. Elephants
  4. None
Answer: C) Elephants Explanation: Elephants were firstly used in the wars of Magadh. In ancient history, elephants were the prominent vehicle used to escort the kings and a prominent member of wars, fields, places, and many more reasons. They were also used as a shield due to their size.

16) Few ancient Upanishads, especially essential books of rituals, are derived from …………….

  1. The Aranyakas
  2. The Rig-Ved
  3. The Brahmanas
  4. The Vedas
Answer: C) The Bharamanas Explanation: The Upanishads derived from Bharamanas contain the knowledge and information of rituals to be performed for God.

17) Which of the following is the Source of Hindu Philosophy?

  1. Vedas
  2. The Upanishads
  3. Storybooks
  4. Law books
Answer: B) The Upanishads Explanation: The Upnishads is a collection of the written text of religious teachings and philosophy. These are written between 800 BCE and 500 BCE. Traditionally there are 108 Upanishads( Vedic Sanskrit Text). The word Upanishad meaning "sitting at the feet of" sitting at the teacher's feet and writing the learning (the religious values) as text.

18) Find out the odd one

  1. Shiv Puran
  2. Rig- Veda
  3. Yajur- Veda
  4. Sam- Veda
Answer: A) Shiv Puran Explanation: Shiv Puran is all about Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. It is among the major 18 plans in the Hindu religion. It described the major aspects of Lord Shiva and told the way of praying to Lord Shiva by various means. Rig-veda, Yajur- Veda, Sam- Veda are the Indian Ancient History source, which describe the Vedic Literature in detailed. It provides the evidence and practicality of the Vedic period.

19) In which saying "war begins in the mind of men" is written?

  1. Mahabharata
  2. Sam- Veda
  3. Rig- Veda
  4. Atharva Veda
Answer: D) Atharva Veda Explanation: The famous Vedic saying "war begins in the minds of men" is contained in the Atharva Veda. This saying means firstly; war comes in the human mind, then it is implemented in an actual situation.

20) In how many periods, Modern Archaeology chronically standardize the Civilization?

  1. 6
  2. 3
  3. 5
  4. 7
Answer: C) 5 Explanation: Modern archaeology has established a probable chronology and periodization:
Pre - Harappan From 7000-5500 BCE
Early Harappan From 5500-2800 BCE
Mature Harappan From 2800- 1900 BCE
Late Harappan From 1900- 1500 BCE
Post-Harappan From 1500- 600 BCE

21) Which was/were the popular sport/sports of The Mesopotamian Civilization?

I. Racing II. Boxing III. Wrestling IV. Horse riding
  1. I and II
  2. II and IV
  3. I and III
  4. II and III
Answer: D) II and III Explanation: Boxing and Wrestling were popular sports of the Mesopotamian Civilization. Children played with dolls, carts and other toys.

22) World's largest pyramid of Egyptian Civilization __________

  1. The Great Pyramid of Giza
  2. Pyramid of the Sun
  3. Luxor Hotel
  4. Red Pyramid
Answer: A) The Great Pyramid of Giza Explanation: The Great Pyramid of Giza is the world's largest pyramid built for Khufu, the Egyptian King; they called him their GOD. The pharaohs were resting in its king's chamber in the pyramid. It was one of the Ancient monuments in the world.

23) The word 'paper' comes from _____________

  1. Papyrus
  2. Bamboo Plates
  3. Porcelain
  4. None of these
Answer: A) Papyrus Explanation: In Egyptian Civilization, the Egyptians wrote on sheets that looked like paper. These sheets were made from a plant called 'papyrus'. The word paper comes from papyrus.

24) Egyptian Civilization came up along which river_____________

  1. Tigris
  2. Nile
  3. Hwang Ho
  4. Euphrates
Answer: B) River Nile Explanation: Egyptian Civilization came up along the River Nile. The Mesopotamian Civilization came up between Rivers Tigris and Euphrates, and the Chinese Civilization came up along River Hwang Ho.

25) Find out the objects found by archaeologists that may be made of stones?

  1. Pots, coins, pans, seals and stamps found beneath the surface of the earth
  2. Paintings, Remains of building and sculpture.
  3. Ornaments, tools and weapons found by excavation.
  4. All of these
Answer: D) All of these Explanation: In the excavation of archaeological sites, scientists found the materials, ornaments, tools, weapons, painting, sculpture and remains of the building. Things like pots, coins, pans, seals, stamps etc., depict the story of a particular civilization of that time.

26) Find the site called a 'Palaeolithic Site'?

  1. Ziggurats
  2. Bhimbetka
  3. Hallur
  4. Burzahom
Answer: B) Bhimbetka Explanation: Bhimbetka is a 'Palaeolithic Site' in Madhya Pradesh. Paleolithic period means Stone Age remains up to 8000BC in which humans developed the stone tools. Bhimbetka (rock) shelters and Cave paintings in Madhya Pradesh are called Palaeolithic sites situated in Vindhya hills. It was first discovered by Robert Brue and his colleague William King in 1863.

27) Among which of the following states, ancient rock paintings were founded?

  1. Kerala and Karnataka
  2. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
  3. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
  4. Madhya Pradesh and Odisha
Answer: B) Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Explanation: Ancient rock paintings were found in Madhya Pradesh and South of Uttar Pradesh. Painting on caves depicts pictures of animals and hunting. These paintings were done using stone tools and told about how humans used tools for their livelihood.

28) Which Harappans imported material from Badakhshan and Kashmir?

  1. Carnelian
  2. Agates
  3. Turquoise
  4. Lapis Lazuli
Answer: D) Lapis Lazuli Explanation: Harappans imported-Lapis Lazuli material from Badakhshan and Kashmir. Lapis Lazuli is a precious spiritual stone used by priests, healers, and royalty for power, inner vision and wisdom. This stone has healing power as it boosts the immune system, effectively burns( cooling and soothing areas of inflammation), controls blood pressure and improves the immune system. It helps in reducing stress, alleviates insomnia and vertigo and also depression.

29) Which is the true statement about Indus Valley Civilization?

  1. Harrapans peoples were purely vegetarian.
  2. The priest group was the dominant group of society.
  3. Scribes couldn't help in preparing the seals.
  4. Harrapans had firstly designed the proper drainage system of water and sewage.
Answer: D) Harrapans had firstly designed the proper drainage system of water and sewage. Explanation: Harrapan Civilization drainage system was very impressive as water flowed from houses to the streets via drains, and an underground drainage system connected all the houses to the street drains. The drainage system was made of mortar, gypsum and lime, covered with brick or stone slabs by keeping heath and sanitation in mind.

30) Consider the following statements and choose the correct answer.

A. Anga Mahajanpada has located in parts of central doab and Rohilkhand. B. Kambojas followed Republican Constitution.
  1. Both A and B are true.
  2. A is false, and B is true.
  3. Both A and B are false.
  4. A is true, and B is false.
Answer: B) A is false, and B is true Explanation: Anga Mahajanpadas was located in the west of Rajmahal mountain range and east of Magadha. The capital of Anga is Chamba, and in the present day, it is situated in Bihar and West Bengal. Kamboj follows the Republican constitution as king rules but with the consent of the people of the kingdom.

31) Choose the incorrect statement about Vajji Sangha?

  1. Vajji was the capital of the powerful kingdom Magadha.
  2. There were thousands of rulers known as Rajas //;/; ruled together.
  3. Women, dasas and kammakaras also participate in assemblies.
  4. Rajas met together to perform rituals and to take an important decision after discussion.
Answer: C) Women, dasas and kammakaras also participate in assemblies. Explanation: At Vajji Sangha, women, dasas and Kammakaras were considered as back-end people and slaves to men. So they are not allowed to participate in official assemblies made to take the important decision about kingdoms and performing rituals.

32) Megasthenes was _________ Ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya?

  1. Italian
  2. Greek
  3. Portuguese
  4. Chinese
Answer: B) Greek Explanation: Megasthenes was a Greek Ambassador(historian and diplomat) in Chandragupta Maurya's court. Hellenistic King Seleucus1 had a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya after which he sent magasthenes to his palace to visit and analyse the working of the court and the area ruled by Chandragupta Mourya. He wrote the book on India named Indika and due to his pioneer work; he was regarded as the Father of Indian History.

33) Which ruler is best known for controlling the "Silk route"?

  1. Cholas
  2. Cheras
  3. Khushanas
  4. Pandavas
Answer: C) Khushanas Explanation: Around 2000 years ago, Kushanas ruled over Central Asia and North-west India. "Silk Route" was one of the important routes as silk is the most prominent, valuable material for rulers and the rich. Silk was in high demand. So during Khushanas rule, a branch of the silk route extended from Central Asia down to the seaports at the river Indus's mouth; silk was shipped westward to the Roman Empire. So, Khushanas had great control over the silk route.

34) What kind of marriage was referenced as Paisacha vivaha in the marriage system of ancient India.

  1. Love marriage
  2. A marriage made by abducting the bride in an unfair manner
  3. Forceful marriage by capturing the bride or groom
  4. A marriage made by purchasing the bride
Answer: B) Marriage by abducting the bride in an unfair manner Explanation: Paisacha vivaha was considered as an inferior marriage where the marriage was made by unfairly abducting the bride. When man kidnaps women, take her away, have physical relations with her forcefully, or abuse her in her unconscious or mentally challenged condition and drunken state.

35) Choose the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans?

  1. Arabic
  2. Urdu
  3. Persian
  4. Hindi
Answer: C) Persian Explanation: Persian was the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans as its literature began with the sultans who spoke Persian. So naturally, the Persian language spread over India and became the official language also.

36) Silk was very much famous 2000 years ago in Rome and the rest of Europe?

  1. Because it was the cheapest
  2. Wearing silk clothes became the fashion among the rulers and rich persons.
  3. Silk gave warmth in the cold climate.
  4. All of Above
Answer: B) Wearing silk clothes became the fashion among the rulers and rich persons. Explanation: Wearing silk was a royal fashion statement among rulers and rich as it shows their worth. Silk's rich, glossy colors, its smooth texture make it a highly valuable fabric in most societies. The topmost quality of silk is mulberry silk obtained from a domesticated silkworm called Bombyx mori.

37) Who was the famous ruler of Satavahanas?

  1. Satakami I
  2. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarani
  3. Simukha
  4. None of these
Answer: B) Gautamiputra Shri Satakarani Explanation: Gautami Putra Shri Satakarni was also called Ekabrahmana, ruler of the Satavahna Dynasty from 106 AD -130AD or 86-110). He defeated the Greeks, the Sakas, Pahlavas( Indo- Parthians), Nahapana King during his period. His kingdom boundaries were established from Krishna in the South to Malwa and Saurashtra in the north, Konkan in the west and bear in the east.

38) Great ruler Harshavardhana belongs to which Dynasty?

  1. Gupta Dynasty
  2. Maurya Dynasty
  3. Vardhana Dynasty
  4. None of the above
Answer: C) Vardhana Dynasty Explanation: Harshavardhana belongs to Vardhan Dynasty, also called as Pushyabhuti Dynasty. This Dynasty ruled over the parts of northern India during the 6th and 7th centuries AD. The Dynasty reached its zenith under its last ruler Harshavardhana.

39) Which of the following kingdoms were united during the rule of Harsha?

  1. Kannauj and Thanesar
  2. Magadha and Bengal
  3. Thanesar and Kanchipuram
  4. Kannauj and Deccan
Answer: A) Kannauj and Thanesar Explanation: After acquiring Kannauj by Harshavardhana, Thanesar and Kannauj kingdoms were united, and Kannauj was Harsha's capital. Harsha United many kingdoms like Punjab and Central India. Later on, he also annexed Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.

40) Find the name of a book written by Aryabhatta?

  1. Astadhyayi
  2. Navratna
  3. Aryabhatiyam
  4. Lilawati
Answer: C) Aryabhatiyam Explanation: Aryabhatta, a famous Mathematician and Astronomer, wrote a book names Aryabhatiyam in the Sanskrit language in which he stated that day and night were caused by the rotation of the earth on its axis and the rising and setting of the Sun every day happen due to this phenomena.

41) Kadamia was a kind of __________during Chola period.

  1. Road Tax
  2. Pilgrimage Tax
  3. Forced Labour
  4. Land Revenue
Answer: D) Land Revenue Explanation: During the Chola Dynasty, Kadamai(land revenue) was collected from all the farmers to fulfill the requirement of money in building temples, forts and to fight wars. Among 400 kinds of taxes, Kadami(land revenue) and vetti ( forced labor) tax were very famous.

42) Among these, which three kingdoms were engaged in the Tripartite struggle?

  1. Rashtrakuta, Pala, Chola
  2. Rashtrakuta, Chola, Gurjara- Pratihara
  3. Pala, Pallava, Gurjara-Pratihara
  4. None
Answer: B) Rashtrakuta, Pala, Gurjara- Pratihara Explanation: Rashtrakuta, Pala and Chola were three kingdoms engaged in a Tripartite struggle for about 200 years to annex Kannauj. Large temples were also seen as a demonstration of power; these temples were targets of destruction for any attack.

43) The builder of "Fort City of Siri' in Delhi was ___________.

  1. Akbar
  2. Iltutmish
  3. Ala-ud-din Khilji
  4. Ibrahim Lodi
Answer: D) Ibrahim Lodi Explanation: Ala-ud-din Khilji builds one of the Historical Monument of the 13th century named "Fort city of Siri". It was built to stop the invading Mongols who already plundered Punjab. Khilji manages to defeat the Mongols, and their thousands of soldiers were captured and brutely killed by elephants. Head of 8000 soldiers was lie buried in its wall. After that, the building was named 'Siri' as head in Hindi called 'sir'. Khilji gave a dreadful defeat to the Mongols by making this Monument.

44) Zat was called as ___________ during Mughal period.

  1. The cavalryman
  2. A caste
  3. A rank
  4. A society
Answer: B) a rank Explanation: Zat was called rank during the Mughal empire. Zat told the rank in Mansabdari System introduced by Mughal emperor Akbar as new administrative machinery and revenue system. Zat told the number of Mansabdar to hold the position in the official hierarchy.

45) Name of Chinese Scholar who wrote a detailed account of Harshavardhana's Court?

  1. Yijing
  2. Fa Xian
  3. Xuanzang
  4. All of these
Answer: C) Xuanzang Explanation: Xuanzang was a Chinese scholar (602 to 664) who came to India in 629 to translate the Buddhist manuscript into Chinese and took them to China. He took the land route back to china through North-west and Central Asia during the rule of Harshavardhana. During his 16 years of journey, he wrote about 600 manuscripts and famous books. He stayed in the court of Harshavardhana and wrote down the detailed account of what he saw. He carried back a statue of Buddha made of gold, silver and sandalwood.

46) A book "Vinaya pataka" contains all the_____________

  1. Jain Teachings
  2. Buddhist rules
  3. Vedic rituals
  4. Stories of battle
Answer: B) Buddhist rules Explanation: Vinay Pataka is a book containing the rules of the Buddhist sangha. This is also called a book of discipline as it contains rules and regulations for the monks and non. It contains different branches for men and women, which tells them the rules of living life like a bhikkus.

47) What does the word "Buddha" defines?

  1. The clever one
  2. The smart one
  3. The most non-violent person
  4. An enlighten person
Answer: D) An enlightened person. Explanation: Term "Buddha" refers to an enlightened one, which means a person who knows everything. A person who attains Bodhi means wisdom, an ideal state of intellectual and ethical perfection in mind that follows the ethical path of human means. A person who enlightens the path of people in their difficulties and make them secure humanity.

48) After excavating archaeological sites, where was the evidence of the first farmer and herders founded?

  1. Australia
  2. Egypt
  3. Europe
  4. India sub- continent
Answer: D) India sub- continent Explanation: Evidence of first farmer and headers were founded in Indian sub-continent in the excavation of the archaeological site of Indus Valley Civilization, wherein Harrapan culture instrument, painting, traced of farming were founded. Indus Valley Civilization was a vast civilization among all Civilization spread all over the Indian sub-continent (including current India and Pakistan).

49) Which of the following place is famous for pit houses?

  1. Hallur
  2. Chiron
  3. Koldihwa
  4. Burzahom
Answer: D) Burzahom Explanation: Burzahom is an excavated archaeologist site situated in Kashmir valley of Indian Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir. Their archaeologist found evidence of the Neolithic and megalithic era from 3000 BC and 1000 BC. There were pit houses made to protect them from the bitter cold and found the weapons, instruments of hunting and farming.