Quick Quiz
Questions ▼
Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC. We covered all the Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC in this post for free so that you can practice well for the exam.
Install our MCQTUBE Android App from the Google Play Store and prepare for any competitive government exams for free.
These types of competitive mcqs appear in exams like SSC CGL, CHSL, JE, MTS, Stenographer, CPO, Railway Group-D, NTPC, ALP, JE, RPF, Tech, Bank, Delhi Police Constable, UP Lekhpal, dsssb, DDA ASO, BPSC Teaching, Defence, UPSSSC, UPSC (Pre), UPP, SI, UPTET, UPPCS, BPSC, BSSC, SBI, IBPS, LIC, State PCS, CDS, NDA, Assistant Commandant, and other Competitive Examinations, etc.
We created all the competitive exam mcqs into several small posts on our website for your convenience.
You will get their respective links in the related posts section provided below.
Related Posts:
Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC Students
Read the following statements carefully. 1. The ancient Chaityagrihas and Viharas located at Guntupalle in West Godavari district are rock-cut structures. 2. The Chaityas and Viharas found in the Eastern Deccan region are generally hewn out of rocks.
(A) Only statement 1 is true
(B) Only statement 2 is true
(C) Both statements are true
(D) Neither statement is true
Option c – Both statements are true
Parshvanatha, the revered Jain Tirthankara, is mainly associated with which of the following locations?
(A) Varanasi
(B) Kaushambi
(C) Giribraja
(D) Champa
Option a – Varanasi
The birthplace of Mahavira Swami was
(A) Kundagram
(B) Pataliputra
(C) Magadha
(D) Vaishali
Option a – Kundagram
The founder or early originator of Jain philosophy was
(A) Arya Sudharma
(B) Mahavira Swami
(C) Parshvanath
(D) Rishabh Dev
Option d – Rishabh Dev
Identify the first Tirthankara in Jainism
(A) Parshvanath
(B) Rishabhanath
(C) Mahavira
(D) Chetaka
Option a – Parshvanath
Kundalpur is known as the birthplace of
(A) Emperor Ashoka
(B) Gautam Buddha
(C) Mahavira Swami
(D) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Option c – Mahavira Swami
Mahavira attained his final liberation at
(A) Rajgir
(B) Ranchi
(C) Pavapuri
(D) Samastipur
Option c – Pavapuri
The term “Tirthankara” is primarily associated with which religion?
(A) Buddhists
(B) Christians
(C) Hindus
(D) Jains
Option d – Jains
The last Tirthankara in the Jain tradition was
(A) Parshvanath
(B) Risabhdev
(C) Mahavira
(D) Manisuvrata
Option c – Mahavira
Identify the one who was not a Tirthankara in Jainism
(A) Chandraprabhu
(B) Nathamuni
(C) Nemi
(D) Sambhav
Option b – Nathamuni
Prabhasgiri is an important pilgrimage site for
(A) Buddhists
(B) Jains
(C) Saivites
(D) Vaishnavites
Option b – Jains
In Jain teachings, the term used to denote “complete knowledge or intellect” is
(A) Jin
(B) Ratna
(C) Kaivalya
(D) Nirvana
Option c – Kaivalya
The doctrine of three jewels — right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct — forms the foundation of
(A) Buddhism
(B) Christianity
(C) Jainism
(D) None of these
Option c – Jainism
The principle of Anuvrata was introduced by
(A) Mahayana Buddhism
(B) Hinayana Buddhism
(C) Jainism
(D) Lokayata philosophy
Option c – Jainism
The philosophical idea of Syadvad belongs to
(A) Lokayatism
(B) Saivism
(C) Jainism
(D) Vaishnavism
Option c – Jainism
According to Jain philosophy, the universe is governed and sustained by
(A) Universal Law
(B) Universal Truth
(C) Universal Faith
(D) Universal Soul
Option a – Universal Law
Anekantavada, a doctrine emphasizing multiple viewpoints, is a core belief of
(A) Buddhism
(B) Jainism
(C) Sikhism
(D) Vaishnavism
Option b – Jainism
Which of the following religions does not accept the belief in the ultimate destruction of the world?
(A) Buddhism
(B) Jainism
(C) Hinduism
(D) Islam
Option b – Jainism
The fundamental principle of Jainism is
(A) Action
(B) Loyalty
(C) Non-violence
(D) Disfavour
Option c – Non-violence
The Yapaniya sect belonged to which religion?
(A) Buddhist
(B) Jainism
(C) Shaivists
(D) Vaishnavists
Option b – Jainism
The earliest sacred text of Jainism is
(A) Twelve Angas
(B) Twelve Upangas
(C) Fourteen Purvas
(D) Fourteen Uppurva
Option c – Fourteen Purvas
The earliest Jain scriptures were composed in which language?
(A) Ardh-Magadhi
(B) Paali
(C) Prakrit
(D) Sanskrit
Option a – Ardh-Magadhi
Which of the following pilgrimage sites is connected with Parshvanath?
(A) Champa
(B) Pava
(C) Sammed Shikhar
(D) Urjyant
Option c – Sammed Shikhar
Which among the following does not belong to early Jain literature?
(A) Therigatha
(B) Acarangasutra
(C) Sutrakritanga
(D) Brihatkalpasutra
Option a – Therigatha
The first founder of the Shwetambar sect during the early division of Jainism was
(A) Sthulabhadra
(B) Bhadrabahu
(C) Kalakacharya
(D) Deverdhi Kshama Sharaman
Option a – Sthulabhadra
The first disciple of Lord Mahavira was
(A) Jamali
(B) Yashoda
(C) Bipin
(D) Prabhash
Option a – Jamali
Who was the earliest follower of Mahavira?
(A) Jamali
(B) Yashoda
(C) Aanoja
(D) Trishala
Option a – Jamali
The compilation of the Svetambara Agamas took place at the Jain Council held in
(A) Vaishali
(B) Balabhi
(C) Pawa
(D) Pataliputra
Option d – Pataliputra
Which group played the largest role in promoting the Bhagavata sect?
(A) Persian
(B) Indo-Greek people
(C) Kushan
(D) Gupta
Option d – Gupta
Who is regarded as the founder of the Bhagavata religion?
(A) Janak
(B) Krishna
(C) Yagyavalkya
(D) Surdas
Option b – Krishna
In which text is Krishna, son of Devaki, primarily mentioned?
(A) Mahabharata
(B) Chandogya Upanishad
(C) Ashtadhyayi
(D) Bhagavata Purana
Option b – Chandogya Upanishad
Who were the earliest devotees of Vasudeva Krishna?
(A) Bhagavatas
(B) Vedic Aryans
(C) Tamilians
(D) Abhirs
Option a – Bhagavatas
Which deity is commonly depicted in Art holding a plough?
(A) Krishna
(B) Balarama
(C) Kartikeya
(D) Maitreya
Option b – Balarama
How many forms of devotion (bhakti) are recognized in the Bhagavata tradition?
(A) 7
(B) 8
(C) 9
(D) 10
Option c – 9
The Heliodorus inscription at Besnagar is linked to which figures?
(A) Sankarshan and Vasudeva
(B) Sankarshan and Pradyumna
(C) Sankarshan, Pradyumna, and Vasudeva
(D) Only Vasudeva
Option d – Only Vasudeva
Which is the earliest historical evidence connected to the Bhagavata religion?
(A) Samudragupta’s Allahabad inscription
(B) Heliodorus inscription at Besnagar
(C) Skandagupta’s Bhitri inscription
(D) Mehrauli pillar inscription
Option b – Heliodorus inscription at Besnagar
The earliest recorded epigraphic proof of Bhagavatism is
(A) Prayaga Prashasti of Samudragupta
(B) Nasik inscription of Gautami Balashri
(C) Garuda pillar at Besnagar
(D) Ayodhya inscription of Dhanadeva
Option c – Garuda pillar at Besnagar
Heliodorus, mentioned in the Besnagar inscription, was a resident of
(A) Pushkalavati
(B) Takshila (Taxila)
(C) Sakala
(D) Mathura
Option b – Takshila (Taxila)
Which Vishnu incarnation is shown lifting the Earth from the ocean?
(A) Kachhapa
(B) Matsya
(C) Varaha
(D) Narsingh
Option c – Varaha
What is the key difference between nastika and astika systems in India?
(A) Belief in God
(B) Belief in rebirth
(C) Acceptance of the Vedas
(D) Belief in heaven and hell
Option c – Acceptance of the Vedas
Which of the following emphasizes equal importance to Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti for liberation?
(A) Advaita Vedanta
(B) Vishishtadvaita Vedanta
(C) Bhagavad Gita
(D) Mimamsa
Option c – Bhagavad Gita
Which of the following is not a part of Prasthan Trayi?
(A) Bhagavata
(B) Bhagavad Gita
(C) Brahma Sutra
(D) Upanishad
Option a – Bhagavata
Where was the Mahabharata recited before an assembly of 60,000 hermits?
(A) Ahichhatra
(B) Hastinapur
(C) Kampilya
(D) Naimisharanya
Option d – Naimisharanya
In which Ramayana Kand does Rama first meet Hanuman?
(A) Kishkindha Kand
(B) Sunder Kand
(C) Bal Kand
(D) None of the above
Option a – Kishkindha Kand
The Rathyatra festival at Puri honors which deity?
(A) Lord Rama
(B) Lord Vishnu
(C) Lord Jagannath
(D) Lord Shiva
Option c – Lord Jagannath
On which riverbank is the Kumbh Mela at Nasik celebrated?
(A) Tapti
(B) Narmada
(C) Koyna
(D) Godavari
Option d – Godavari
Who is referred to as Ananga in Indian cultural tradition?
(A) Shiva
(B) Krishna
(C) Kama
(D) Laxman
Option c – Kama
What was the historic name of Ujjain?
(A) Taxila
(B) Indraprastha
(C) Avantika
(D) None of the above
Option c – Avantika
The earliest surviving coins in India were made from
(A) Copper
(B) Gold
(C) Lead
(D) Silver
Option d – Silver
Epigraphical evidence indicates that a canal was constructed under a Nanda king in which region?
(A) Anga
(B) Vanga
(C) Kalinga
(D) Magadha
Option c – Kalinga
Jivaka, the renowned physician during Buddha’s era, served in the court of
(A) Bimbisara
(B) Chanda Pradyota
(C) Prasenjit
(D) Udayin
Option a – Bimbisara
Kalpi town is situated along the banks of which river?
(A) Ganga
(B) Yamuna
(C) Narmada
(D) Krishna
Option b – Yamuna
Who was the final ruler of the Karnata dynasty?
(A) Harisimha
(B) Ramsimha
(C) Matisimha
(D) Shyamsimha
Option a – Harisimha
Who established the Karnata dynasty?
(A) Nanyadev
(B) Narsimhadev
(C) Vijaydev
(D) Haridev
Option a – Nanyadev
Among the 16 Mahajanapadas mentioned in Buddhist texts, which were also referred to by Panini in Ashtadhyayi? 1. Magadh 2. Ashmak 3. Kosala 4. Chedi 5. Vatsa
(A) Only 1, 2, and 3
(B) Only 4 and 5
(C) Only 3, 4, and 5
(D) Only 1, 3, and 5
Option d – Only 1, 3, and 5
In which texts is the list of the 16 Mahajanapadas recorded? 1. Arthashastra 2. Anguttara Nikaya 3. Digha Nikaya 4. Bhagavati Sutra
(A) Only 2 and 4
(B) Only 2, 3, and 4
(C) Only 1 and 2
(D) Only 1, 2, and 3
Option a – Only 2 and 4
Arrange these Magadhan dynasties in proper chronological order: 1. Nandas 2. Sungas 3. Mauryas 4. Haryankas
(A) 2, 1, 4, 3
(B) 4, 1, 3, 2
(C) 3, 2, 1, 4
(D) 1, 3, 4, 2
Option b – 4, 1, 3, 2
Read the statements and choose the correct answer: I. The sixth century B.C. was marked by major religious transformations across the world. II. Vedic religion had become highly complex by this time.
(A) Both I and II are false
(B) Both I and II are true
(C) I is true, II is false
(D) I is false, II is true
Option b – Both I and II are true
Women of which ancient Indian republic or kingdom took up arms against Alexander after many soldiers were killed or wounded?
(A) Abhisara
(B) Glausai
(C) Katha
(D) Massaga
Option d – Massaga
Which of the following individuals did not travel to India with Alexander?
(A) Nearchus
(B) Onesicritus
(C) Deimachus
(D) Aristobulus
Option c – Deimachus
Which dynasty ruled northern India at the time of Alexander’s invasion?
(A) Nanda
(B) Maurya
(C) Sunga
(D) Kanva
Option a – Nanda
Who was the ruler of Magadha during Alexander’s invasion?
(A) Mahapadmananda
(B) Dhanananda
(C) Sukalpa
(D) Chandragupta Maurya
Option b – Dhanananda
Name the Indian king defeated by Alexander at the banks of the Jhelum river.
(A) Ambhi
(B) Porus
(C) Chandragupta Maurya
(D) Mahapadma Nanda
Option b – Porus
Alexander’s success in India can be attributed to which factors? 1. Absence of strong central power in India 2. Superior military 3. Support from treacherous local rulers 4. Efficient administration
(A) Only 1 and 2
(B) Only 1, 2, and 3
(C) Only 2, 3, and 4
(D) All of the above
Option b – Only 1, 2, and 3
Consider the following: Assertion (A): Alexander departed from India in 325 B.C. after nearly two years of campaigns. Reason (R): He was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya.
(A) Both A and R are correct, and R explains A
(B) Both A and R are correct, but R does not explain A
(C) A is correct, R is false
(D) A is false, R is correct
Option c – A is correct, R is false
Even though Ashoka embraced Buddhism, he did not completely abandon Hindu traditions. Which of the following supports this?
(A) Arrival of pilgrims
(B) Continued belief in Moksha
(C) Adoption of the title ‘Devanampriya’
(D) Creation of veterinary hospitals
Option c – Adoption of the title ‘Devanampriya’
During Ashoka’s reign, a Buddhist Council was convened at which location?
(A) Magadha
(B) Pataliputra
(C) Samastipur
(D) Rajgir
Option b – Pataliputra
Who were known as Rajjukas?
(A) Merchants in the Chola Kingdom
(B) Officials in the Mauryan administration
(C) Feudal lords under the Gupta Empire
(D) Soldiers in the Saka army
Option b – Officials in the Mauryan administration
The term ‘Sarthwah’ refers to
(A) Brokers
(B) Caravan leaders or merchant convoys
(C) Moneylenders
(D) Pilgrims
Option b – Caravan leaders or merchant convoys
Which of these officials did not belong to the Mauryan administrative system?
(A) Agralharika
(B) Yukta
(C) Pradeshika
(D) Rajjuka
Option a – Agralharika
The Sarnath Pillar was commissioned by
(A) Harshavardhana
(B) Ashoka
(C) Gautam Buddha
(D) Kanishka
Option b – Ashoka
Which stupa is considered the finest representation of Buddhist architecture?
(A) Amaravati
(B) Bharhut
(C) Sanchi
(D) Sarnath
Option c – Sanchi
Who was responsible for constructing the Sanchi Stupa?
(A) Bimbisara
(B) Ashoka
(C) Harshavardhana
(D) Pusyamitra
Option b – Ashoka
In which language are Ashoka’s inscriptions primarily written?
(A) Sanskrit
(B) Prakrit
(C) Pali
(D) Hindi
Option b – Prakrit
Which of Ashoka’s inscriptions is written in Kharosthi script?
(A) Kalsi
(B) Girnar
(C) Shahbazgarhi
(D) Meerut
Option c – Shahbazgarhi
The earliest stone inscriptions in India were written in which language? ( Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC )
(A) Pali
(B) Sanskrit
(C) Prakrit
(D) Brahmi
Option c – Prakrit
The Brahmi script was deciphered using inscriptions on ( Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC )
(A) Stone tablets
(B) Seals
(C) Pillars
(D) Coins
Option a – Stone tablets
Who first succeeded in reading the Ashokan edicts? ( Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC )
(A) Buhler
(B) Robert Sebel
(C) James Prinsep
(D) Cordriguttan
Option c – James Prinsep
Ashokan inscriptions were first interpreted by ( Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC )
(A) James Prinsep
(B) George Buhler
(C) Vincent Smith
(D) Ahmad Hasan Dani
Option a – James Prinsep
Who initially deciphered the Brahmi script? ( Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC )
(A) A. Cunningham
(B) A. H. Dani
(C) Buhler
(D) James Prinsep
Option d – James Prinsep
The first British scholar to study Ashoka’s edicts was ( Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC )
(A) John Tower
(B) Harry Smith
(C) Charles Metcalfe
(D) James Prinsep
Option d – James Prinsep
Who decoded the edicts of Ashoka for the first time? ( Ancient History of India mcq with answers for UPSC )
(A) George Buhler
(B) James Prinsep
(C) Max Muller
(D) William Jones
Option b – James Prinsep
Pre-Ashokan Brahmi inscriptions were discovered at ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Nagarjunakonda
(B) Anuradhapura
(C) Brahmagiri
(D) Maski
Option b – Anuradhapura
Which ancient Indian script was written from right to left? ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Brahmi
(B) Nandnagari
(C) Sharada
(D) Kharosthi
Option d – Kharosthi
Ashoka is referred to by which title in his inscriptions?
(A) Chakravarti
(B) Dharmadeva
(C) Dharmakirti
(D) Priyadarshi
Option d – Priyadarshi
Which ruler is called ‘Priyadarsi’ and ‘Devanampriya’ in the inscriptions? ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Chandragupta Maurya
(B) Ashoka
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Harshavardhana
Option b – Ashoka
Which statement about Ashokan pillars is incorrect? ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) They are highly polished
(B) They are monolithic
(C) The pillar shafts taper in shape
(D) They were part of larger architectural structures
Option d – They were part of larger architectural structures
Which Ashokan edict includes the personal name of Ashoka? ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Kalsi
(B) Rummindei
(C) Special Kalinga Edict
(D) Maski
Option d – Maski
In which inscription is Ashoka’s name explicitly mentioned? ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Bhabru Edict
(B) Rock Edict XII
(C) Rummindei Pillar Inscription
(D) Minor Rock Edict of Maski
Option d – Minor Rock Edict of Maski
Other inscriptions where Ashoka’s name appears include ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Gujra
(B) Ahraura
(C) Brahmagiri
(D) Sarmath
Option a – Gujra
The Rummindei Pillar of Ashoka commemorates ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Buddha’s birth
(B) Buddha’s enlightenment
(C) Buddha’s first sermon
(D) Buddha’s death
Option a – Buddha’s birth
The Gujarra Minor Rock Edict mentioning Ashoka is situated in ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Mirzapur district, Uttar Pradesh
(B) Datia district, Madhya Pradesh
(C) Jaipur district, Rajasthan
(D) Champaran district, Bihar
Option b – Datia district, Madhya Pradesh
The only pillar where Ashoka calls himself emperor of Magadha is ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Minor pillar of Maski
(B) Rummindei pillar
(C) Queen pillar
(D) Bhabru pillar
Option d – Bhabru pillar
Kalsi is notable for ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Buddhist Chaityas
(B) Persian coins
(C) Ashokan Rock Edicts
(D) Gupta-era temples
Option c – Ashokan Rock Edicts
In Uttarakhand, a copy of Ashoka’s Rock Edicts was found at ( Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC )
(A) Nainital
(B) Pauri
(C) Tehri
(D) Kalsi (Dehradun District)
Option d – Kalsi (Dehradun District)
We covered all the Ancient History of India MCQ with answers for UPSC above in this post for free so that you can practice well for the exam.
Check out the latest MCQ content by visiting our mcqtube website homepage.
Also, check out:
