Chapter: Ancient History
1.

Who founded “MATHAS’ in the four corners of India?

A. Madhavacharya
B. Shankaracharya
C. Bhaskaracharya
D. Ramanujacharya
Answer» B. Shankaracharya
2.

Who was the founder of the Gupta Dynasty?

A. Chandragupta
B. Samudragupta
C. Kumaragupta
D. Maharaja Sri Gupta
Answer» A. Chandragupta
3.

The number of Vedas is

A. Eight
B. Four
C. Ten
D. Two
Answer» B. Four
4.

Indus Valley Civilisation became known from excavations at

A. Mohanjodaro
B. Ropar
C. Harappa
D. None of these
Answer» C. Harappa
5.

In which year did Alexander invade India?

A. 623 BC
B. 236 BC
C. 326 BC
D. 362 BC
Answer» C. 326 BC
6.

Who was the founder of Saka Era?

A. Kanishka
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Samudragupta
D. Chandragupta Vikramaditya
Answer» A. Kanishka
7.

During the early Vedic period, the society was based on

A. Birth
B. Wealth
C. Religion
D. Occupation
Answer» D. Occupation
8.

Which line of rulers succeeded the Maurayas in Magadh?

A. Sungas
B. Kushan
C. Vardhanas
D. Guptas
Answer» A. Sungas
9.

Which of the following is the oldest monument?

A. Qutub Minar
B. Ajanta Caves
C. Taj Mahal
D. Khajuraho
Answer» B. Ajanta Caves
10.

Which of the following ‘Veda’ deals with medicine?

A. Atharva Veda
B. Yajur Veda
C. Sama Veda
D. Rig Veda
Answer» A. Atharva Veda
11.

The god of war of the Rigvedic Aryans was

A. Varuna
B. Indra
C. Mitra
D. Rudra
Answer» D. Rudra
12.

Which, among the following, is the oldest dynasty?

A. Maurya
B. Gupta
C. Vardhana
D. Kushan
Answer» A. Maurya
13.

Swetambara and Digambara are the sects of which religion

A. Hinduism
B. Buddhism
C. Jainism
D. Zorastrians
Answer» C. Jainism
14.

Monuments containing relics of Buddha are called

A. Viharas
B. Chaityas
C. Stupas
D. Sanghas
Answer» C. Stupas
15.

Charak was the court physician of

A. Chandragupta
B. Kanishka
C. Harsha
D. Ashoka
Answer» B. Kanishka
16.

The Buddhist Sangha was divided into two sects-the Hinayana and the Mahayana during the reign of

A. Harsha
B. Ashoka
C. Dharampala
D. Kanishka
Answer» D. Kanishka
17.

Megasthenes was at the court of

A. Kanishka
B. Ashoka
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Harsha
Answer» C. Chandragupta Maurya
18.

The Indus Valley Civillisation reached its zenith in ………. BC:

A. 3500
B. 2500
C. 1700
D. 500
Answer» B. 2500
19.

Which is the oldest known civilization in India?

A. Vedic
B. Eipc
C. Puranic
D. Indus Valley
Answer» D. Indus Valley
20.

Which of the following is the oldest dynasty?

A. Maurya
B. Chola
C. Chalukya
D. Nanda
Answer» D. Nanda
21.

Puranas date back to the age of

A. Guptas
B. Cholas
C. Mauryas
D. Mughals
Answer» A. Guptas
22.

Eighfold Path (Ashtmarg) for elimination of human misery was prescribed by

A. Mahavira
B. Buddha
C. Jesus Christ
D. Krishna
Answer» B. Buddha
23.

Which language did Buddha preach in?

A. Pali
B. Magadhi
C. Prakrit
D. Sauraseni
Answer» A. Pali
24.

Original name of Lord Buddha was

A. Vardhamana
B. Sidhartha
C. Kumara
D. Bhodrabahu
Answer» B. Sidhartha
25.

The last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha, was killed by

A. Pushuamitra
B. Vishwamitra
C. Sangamitra
D. Vishumitra
Answer» A. Pushuamitra
26.

Who is regarded as the greatest law giver of ancient India?

A. Megasthenes
B. Panini
C. Manu
D. Kautilya
Answer» C. Manu
27.

Buddha delivered his first sermon at which place

A. Sarnath
B. Lumbini
C. Bodh Gaya
D. Vaishali
Answer» A. Sarnath
28.

Ajanta caves were built during whose period?

A. Gupta
B. Kushan
C. Maurya
D. Chalukya
Answer» A. Gupta
29.

Fa-Hein visited India during the reign of

A. Chandragupta II
B. Ashoka
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Harshvardhana
Answer» A. Chandragupta II
30.

The rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram were built by

A. Cholas
B. Pallavas
C. Chalukyas
D. Rastrakutas
Answer» B. Pallavas
31.

Lord Buddha was born in

A. Vaishali
B. Lumbini
C. Kashi
D. Patliputra
Answer» B. Lumbini
32.

________ did the maximum for the spread of Buddhism in foreign lands:

A. Ashoka
B. Kanishka
C. Raj Raja Chola
D. Harshvardhana
Answer» A. Ashoka
33.

Vedic Culture was a gift of the

A. Mauryas
B. Guptas
C. Indus Valley People
D. Aryans
Answer» D. Aryans
34.

Which is the oldest Veda?

A. Yajurveda
B. Samaveda
C. Atharaveda
D. Rigveda
Answer» D. Rigveda
35.

Hampi was the capital of whose empire?

A. Kushari
B. Pallava
C. Vijaynagar
D. Chola
Answer» C. Vijaynagar
36.

Buddha denounced

A. Jainism
B. Nature Worship
C. Humanism
D. Brahminism
Answer» D. Brahminism
37.

Which of the following Vedas is rendered musically?

A. Samaveda
B. Yajurveda
C. Rigveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer» A. Samaveda
38.

When was the Battle of Kalinga fought?

A. 540 AD
B. 273 BC
C. 262 BC
D. 712 AD
Answer» C. 262 BC
39.

Name the four volume book written by Megasthenes, the Greek diplomat giving account of India?

A. Indica
B. Ancient India
C. Glimpses of Maurian Empire
D. Travelogues to India
Answer» A. Indica
40.

Chandragupta Maurya built the first great empire in India with the help of

A. Seleucus
B. Mahapadmananda
C. Bindusara
D. Kautilya
Answer» D. Kautilya
41.

Whose philosophy is called the Advaita?

A. Ramanujacharya
B. Shankaracharya
C. Nagarjuna
D. Vasumitra
Answer» B. Shankaracharya
42.

The Jains believe that Mahavira was the last of the

A. Teachers
B. Monks
C. Prophets
D. Tirthankaras
Answer» D. Tirthankaras
43.

On the banks of which river did Alexander fight Porus?

A. Sutlej
B. Ravi
C. Jhelum
D. Chenab
Answer» C. Jhelum
44.

Sidhartha attained his enlightenment at

A. Benaras
B. Sarnath
C. Kushinagar
D. Gaya
Answer» D. Gaya
45.

Allahabad Pillar inscription (originally erected by Ashoka provides information about the reign of

A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Chandragupta
C. Samudragupta
D. Chandragupta II
Answer» C. Samudragupta
46.

Iron Pillar at Mehrauli was built by the

A. Guptas
B. Mauryas
C. Nandas
D. Khiljis
Answer» A. Guptas
47.

Gupta dynasty was famous for

A. Art and Architecture
B. Imperialism
C. Revenue and Law Reforms
D. Patronage of Literary Works
Answer» A. Art and Architecture
48.

Prophet Mohammad was born in

A. 570 AD
B. 622 AD
C. 1215 AD
D. None of these
Answer» A. 570 AD
49.

‘Chaityas and Viharas’ are associated with which of the following religions?

A. Jainism
B. Brahminish
C. Buddhism
D. Non- Brahmin Hinduism
Answer» C. Buddhism
50.

‘Bauddhacharita’ was written by an eminent philosopher, poet and dramatist of the court of

A. Ashoka
B. Aswaghosha
C. Pushyamitra
D. Samudargupta
Answer» B. Aswaghosha
51.

Chanakya, also known by the name of Kautilya, was the Prime Minister during the reign of

A. Ajatasatru
B. Bimbisara
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Chandragupta 1
Answer» C. Chandragupta Maurya
52.

The principal difference between Buddhism and Jainism hinges upon

A. value of rituals and superstitions
B. impact of right action
C. means towards salvation
D. role of the Vedas as the religious texts
Answer» C. means towards salvation
53.

Who, among the following, was the first Tiranthkar of Jainism?

A. Sidharath
B. Rishabdev
C. Vardhman
D. Parsvnath
Answer» B. Rishabdev
54.

The Aryans came from Central Asia to India about

A. 8000 B.C.
B. 6500 B.C.
C. 1500 B.C.
D. 2000B.C.
Answer» C. 1500 B.C.
55.

Mahavira was born at

A. Pataliputra
B. Sravasti
C. Vaishali
D. Rajagriha
Answer» C. Vaishali
56.

Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha, is in

A. Bihar
B. Sikkim
C. Nepal
D. Gujarat
Answer» C. Nepal
57.

Harishena, who wrote the Allahabad Pillar inscription, was the court poet of

A. Chandragupta I
B. Samudragupta
C. Mahendradutya
D. Skandagupta
Answer» C. Mahendradutya
58.

The Saka are commenced in which of the following centuries?

A. 1st century B.C.
B. 1st century A.D.
C. 2nd century B.C.
D. 2nd century A.D.
Answer» B. 1st century A.D.
59.

Which of the following rulers is generally referred to as the ‘Indian Napolean’?

A. Ashoka
B. Harshvardhana
C. Sumduragupta
D. Kanishka
Answer» C. Sumduragupta
60.

The ancient kingdom of Avanti had its capital at

A. Ujjain
B. Vaishali
C. Patalipuna
D. Ayodhya
Answer» A. Ujjain
61.

Who, amongst the following, is credited by a Chinese pilgrim with having built the ancient city of Rajagriha, the modern Rajgir in Patna district?

A. Ajatasatru
B. Bimbisara
C. Udayi
D. Prasenajit
Answer» B. Bimbisara
62.

An overwhelming majority of the images at Ajanta are those of

A. Jiva
B. Vishnu
C. Budha
D. Durga
Answer» C. Budha
63.

Who was the Hindu king shown playing on the Veena on ancient coins?

A. Shivaji
B. Samudragupta
C. Ashoka
D. Vikramaditya
Answer» B. Samudragupta
64.

Which of the following Buddist Councils was held during the reign of Kanishka?

A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer» D. Fourth
65.

The ultimate goal of which of the following religions is ‘nirvana’?

A. Buddhism
B. Hinduism
C. Jainism
D. All of these
Answer» A. Buddhism
66.

Nalanda University was a great centre of learning especially during

A. Buddhism
B. Jainism
C. Vaishnavism
D. Tantraism
Answer» A. Buddhism
67.

The Indus Valley Civilisaion pertains to

A. Old Stone Age
B. New Stone Age
C. Copper Age
D. Iron Age
Answer» C. Copper Age
68.

The Buddhist monk who converted Ashoka into Buddhism after the Kalinga War was

A. Udayana
B. Upagupta
C. Prasenjit
D. None of these
Answer» B. Upagupta
69.

To which country Emperor Ashoka deputed his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to propagate Buddism?

A. China
B. Korea
C. Egypt
D. Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Answer» D. Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
70.

Who, among the following eminent literary figures, was patronized by Emperor Harshvardhana?

A. Kalidas
B. Banabhatta
C. Asvaghosha
D. Bhavabhuti
Answer» B. Banabhatta
71.

The founder of Vikramsila University was

A. Devapala
B. Harshvardhana
C. Sasanks
D. Dharmapala
Answer» D. Dharmapala
72.

“Strict moral code and virtuous life is the way to salvation”. This theory belongs to

A. Buddhism
B. Jainism
C. Hinduism
D. Islam
Answer» C. Hinduism
73.

The great Bath of Indus Valley Civilisation belonged to

A. Kalibangan
B. Harappa
C. Mohenjodaro
D. Ropar
Answer» C. Mohenjodaro
74.

Sarnath’s Lion Capital is attributed to

A. Kaniska
B. Harshvardhana
C. Ashoka
D. Chandragupta
Answer» C. Ashoka
75.

What was Mahavira’s name before enlightenment?

A. Vardhamana
B. Anshumana
C. Sudhakar
D. Somdutta
Answer» A. Vardhamana
76.

The tools and weapons of Harappan civilisation were mostly made of

A. stone only
B. stone and copper
C. copper, bronze and iron
D. copper, tin and bronze
Answer» D. copper, tin and bronze
77.

Traces of which of the following has not been found in the Indus Civilisation?

A. Barley
B. Sesamum
C. Mustard
D. Sugarcane
Answer» D. Sugarcane
78.

The Indus Valley Civilisation was discovered in

A. 1902
B. 1912
C. 1922
D. 1932
Answer» C. 1922
79.

Indications of pre- Harappan civilisation have come from the archaeological excavations at

A. Ropar
B. Kalibangan
C. Lothal
D. Kunal
Answer» C. Lothal
80.

The Indus Valley Civilisation was spread over

A. Indo- Gangetic divide and upper Gangetic plain
B. Punjab, Sind, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Baluchistan
C. U.P., Haryana and neighbouring parts of Punjab and Rajasthan
D. banks of river Indus, Punjab, Sind and Baluchistan
Answer» B. Punjab, Sind, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Baluchistan
81.

Rice cultivation is associated with the Harappan site of

A. Harappa
B. Mohenjodaro
C. Kalibangan
D. Lothal
Answer» D. Lothal
82.

Mohenjodaro is also known as

A. Mound of the Great
B. Mound of the Survivors
C. Mound of the Living
D. Mound of the Dead
Answer» D. Mound of the Dead
83.

Which of the following elements of Hinduism were practised in the Indus Valley Civilisation?

A. Cult of Shiva
B. Idol worship
C. Worshipping cows
D. Wearing sacred threads
Answer» A. Cult of Shiva
84.

Gandhara School of Art was established in

A. Eastern India
B. Southern India
C. North-western India
D. Western India
Answer» C. North-western India
85.

Which of the following archaeologists initially discovered the Mohenjodaro site of Indus Valley Civilisation?

A. Daya Ram Sahni
B. Rakhal Das Banerjee
C. Sir John Marshall
D. Sir Martimer Wheeler
Answer» B. Rakhal Das Banerjee
86.

Which of the following is not related to Gandhara School of Art?

A. Elephanta
B. Khajuraho
C. Ellora
D. Ajanta
Answer» D. Ajanta
87.

Who among the following popularised the theory of ‘Arctic Region’ as the original home of Aryans?

A. Macdonell
B. Max Muller
C. B.G.Tilak
D. . Keith
Answer» C. B.G.Tilak
88.

Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas?

A. Savitri
B. Gargi
C. Leelavati
D. Lopamudra
Answer» B. Gargi
89.

Which of the following rivers is not mentioned frequently in Rig Vedic hymns?

A. Ganges
B. Brahmaputra
C. Sindhu
D. Saraswati
Answer» B. Brahmaputra
90.

Upanishads also known as the Vedantas are ______ in number.

A. 96
B. 105
C. 108
D. 112
Answer» C. 108
91.

The famous Vedic saying “War begins in the minds of men”, is stated in

A. Rig Veda
B. Atharva Veda
C. Sama Veda
D. Mundaka Upnishad
Answer» C. Sama Veda
92.

Which of the following statements is not correct?

A. The Rig Vedic people worshipped nature.
B. The Rig Vedic Aryans were by and large urban people.
C. The Rig Vedic family comprised parents and other kith and kin apart from husband and wife.
D. The Rig Vedic women were highly; respected and that most of the religious ceremonies’ wereconsidered incomplete unless wives joined their husbands
Answer» B. The Rig Vedic Aryans were by and large urban people.
93.

Codes of conduct of the Vedic Society are laid down in

A. Puranas
B. Vedas
C. Brahmanas
D. Smritis
Answer» D. Smritis
94.

Which of the following was not one of the distinguished tribes of the later Vedic period?’

A. Videhas
B. Bharatas
C. Panchalas
D. Kurus
Answer» B. Bharatas
95.

In Rig Vedic period, the most important functionary after the king was

A. Purohita
B. Senani
C. Law Officer
D. Tax Collector
Answer» A. Purohita
96.

The tax which the kings used to collect from the people in the Vedic period was called

A. Kara
B. Varman
C. Bali
D. Vidatha
Answer» C. Bali
97.

In the Vedic Society, the term used to denote a group of families was

A. gotra
B. jana
C. vish
D. grama
Answer» B. jana
98.

The Puranas are ........ in number.

A. 18
B. 25
C. 52
D. 108
Answer» A. 18
99.

Which of the following Vedangas contains the Srautra, the Grihya and the Dharma Sutras?

A. Nirukta
B. Shiksha
C. Chhandas
D. Kalpa
Answer» D. Kalpa
100.

Which one of the following is the earliest school of Indian philosophy?

A. Vaisesika
B. Samkhya
C. Yoga
D. Karma mimamsa
Answer» A. Vaisesika
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