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Ancient India History mcq for UPSC Preliminary exam
The system of self-governing villages with elected panchayats was introduced by
(A) Kushans
(B) Dravidians
(C) Aryans
(D) Mauryans
Option d – Mauryans
Which classical Indian text permits a wife to seek divorce if abandoned by her husband?
(A) Kamasutra
(B) Manavadharmashastra
(C) Sukra Nitisara
(D) Arthashastra
Option d – Arthashastra
Which of the following sources prohibits remarriage?
(A) Jataka
(B) Manusmriti
(C) Yagyavalkya
(D) Arthashastra
Option b – Manusmriti
According to Manu, what status was assigned to foreigners in ancient Indian society?
(A) Kshatriyas
(B) Fallen Kshatriyas
(C) Vaishyas
(D) Sudras
Option b – Fallen Kshatriyas
Who was the final emperor of the Mauryan dynasty?
(A) Jaloka
(B) Avanti Verma
(C) Nandi Vardhana
(D) Brihadratha
Option d – Brihadratha
The earliest ruler to construct a water reservoir in the Girnar region was
(A) Chandragupta Maurya
(B) Ashoka
(C) Rudradaman
(D) Skandagupta
Option a – Chandragupta Maurya
In which inscription are both Chandragupta and Ashoka mentioned together?
(A) Nasik inscription of Gautamiputra Satakarni
(B) Junagarh inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman
(C) Girnar inscription of Ashoka
(D) Junagarh inscription of Skandagupta
Option b – Junagarh inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman
Ashoka’s edicts are also found in which of the following inscriptions?
(A) Junagarh inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman
(B) Nashik Prashasti of Gautamiputra Satakarni
(C) Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela
(D) None of the above
Option a – Junagarh inscription of Mahakshatrapa Rudradaman
Consider the following statements: 1. Brihadratha, last Mauryan ruler, was killed by Pushyamitra Sunga. 2. Devabhuti, last Sunga king, was assassinated by his minister Vasudeva Kanva. 3. The final Kanva ruler was overthrown by the Andhras. Which of these statements is/are correct?
(A) Only 1 and 2
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Option d – 1, 2 and 3
Which sources document the Third Buddhist Council during Ashoka’s reign? 1. Ashokan inscriptions 2. Dipavamsa 3. Mahavamsa 4. Divyavadana
(A) Only 1 and 2
(B) Only 2 and 3
(C) Only 3 and 4
(D) Only 1 and 4
Option b – Only 2 and 3
Which Mauryan rulers practiced Buddhism? 1. Chandragupta 2. Ashoka 3. Bindusara 4. Dasaratha
(A) Only 1 and 2
(B) Only 2 and 3
(C) Only 3 and 4
(D) Only 2 and 4
Option d – Only 2 and 4
During his pilgrimage, Ashoka visited Gaya, Kapilavastu, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Sarnath, and Shravasti. Which sequence did he follow?
(A) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
(B) 1, 3, 4, 2, 5, 6
(C) 4, 5, 6, 3, 2, 1
(D) 4, 2, 1, 5, 6, 3
Option b – 1, 3, 4, 2, 5, 6
Assertion (A): Ashoka annexed Kalinga into the Mauryan Empire. Reason (R): Kalinga controlled key land and sea routes to southern India.
(A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A
(B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
(C) A is true, but R is false
(D) A is false, but R is true
Option a – Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A
Assertion (A): Mauryan kings did not award land grants on a religious basis. Reason (R): Peasant revolts occurred against such grants.
(A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A
(B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
(C) A is true, but R is false
(D) A is false, but R is true
Option c – A is true, but R is false
Which of the following statements about Mauryan rulers is correct? They developed: 1. Culture, Art, and literature 2. Gold coins 3. Administrative divisions of provinces 4. Kingship extending to the Hindukush
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Only 1, 2, and 3
(D) Only 1, 3, and 4
Option d – Only 1, 3, and 4
According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which courts were part of the Mauryan judicial system? 1. Dharmamahamatra 2. Dharmasthiya 3. Rajjuka 4. Kantakshodhana
(A) Only 1 and 2
(B) Only 2 and 3
(C) Only 1 and 3
(D) Only 2 and 4
Option d – Only 2 and 4
The following foreign travelers visited India: Fa-Hien, I-Tsing, Megasthenes, Hieun-Tsang. What is the correct order of their visits?
(A) 3, 1, 2, 4
(B) 3, 1, 4, 2
(C) 1, 3, 2, 4
(D) 1, 3, 4, 2
Option b – 3, 1, 4, 2
Who was not a member of Kanishka-I’s court?
(A) Ashvaghosha
(B) Parshva
(C) Vasumitra
(D) Vishakhadatta
Option d – Vishakhadatta
Which city is absent from Kanishka’s Rabatak inscription?
(A) Shravasti
(B) Kaushambi
(C) Pataliputra
(D) Champa
Option a – Shravasti
Which Ayurvedic scholar received education at Taxila University?
(A) Sushruta
(B) Jivaka
(C) Charaka
(D) Both (B) and (C)
Option d – Both (B) and (C)
Which dynasty came to power in India after the Shunga dynasty?
(A) Satavahana
(B) Kushana
(C) Kanva
(D) Gupta
Option c – Kanva
Which ruler is noted as the defender of the Varna system?
(A) Pushyamitra Sunga
(B) Kharavela
(C) Gautamiputra Satakarni
(D) Vasudeva
Option c – Gautamiputra Satakarni
Which dynasty became the dominant power in southern India after the Mauryas?
(A) Satavahana
(B) Pallava
(C) Chola
(D) Chalukya
Option a – Satavahana
Simuka is recognized as the founder of which dynasty?
(A) Chera
(B) Chola
(C) Pandya
(D) Satavahana
Option d – Satavahana
Which Chinese commander defeated Kanishka?
(A) Pan Chao
(B) Ban Yong
(C) She Huang Ti
(D) Ho-Ti
Option a – Pan Chao
Which dynasty expanded its territory beyond India?
(A) Gupta dynasty
(B) Maurya dynasty
(C) Kushan dynasty
(D) None of the above
Option c – Kushan dynasty
The institution of child marriage first appeared during which period?
(A) Maurya period
(B) Kushan period
(C) Gupta period
(D) Harshavardhana period
Option b – Kushan period
Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(A) Harappan Civilization : Painted Grey Ware
(B) Kushans : Gandhara School of Art
(C) Mughals : Ajanta Paintings
(D) Marathas : Pahari School of Painting
The Gandhara Art style reached its peak under which dynasty?
(A) Kushans
(B) Guptas
(C) Akbar
(D) Mauryas
Option a – Kushans
Which statement about coins is incorrect?
(A) Kushanas : Gold and Copper
(B) Guptas : Gold and Silver
(C) Satavahanas : Gold and Silver
(D) Kalachuris : Gold, Silver, and Copper
Option c – Satavahanas : Gold and Silver
Bamiyan in Afghanistan is best known for
(A) Hindu temples
(B) Elephant ivory work
(C) Gold coins
(D) Buddha statues
Option d – Buddha statues
The Art style blending Indian and Greek elements is called
(A) Sikhar
(B) Vera
(C) Gandhara
(D) Nagara
Option c – Gandhara
Gandhara School of Art represents a fusion of
(A) Indian and Persian Art
(B) Indian and Chinese Art
(C) Indian and Turk-Afghan Art
(D) Indian and Greek Art
Option d – Indian and Greek Art
Which sculptures predominantly used green schist?
(A) Mauryan sculptures
(B) Mathura sculptures
(C) Bharhut sculptures
(D) Gandhara sculptures
Option d – Gandhara sculptures
What is the correct chronological order of ancient Indian invaders?
(A) Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas
(B) Greeks, Kushanas, Sakas
(C) Sakas, Greeks, Kushanas
(D) Sakas, Kushanas, Greeks
Option a – Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas
Who was the first Persian ruler to invade part of India?
(A) Cyrus
(B) Cambyses
(C) Darius I
(D) Shaharsh
Option c – Darius I
Which was the earliest dynasty among the following?
(A) Chalukya
(B) Pallava
(C) Rashtrakuta
(D) Satavahana
Option d – Satavahana
Which Purana records the longest list of Andhra Satavahana kings?
(A) Vayu Purana
(B) Vishnu Purana
(C) Matsya Purana
(D) None of the above
Option c – Matsya Purana
Where was the Satavahana capital located?
(A) Amaravati
(B) Nanded
(C) Naldurg
(D) Durg
Option a – Amaravati
Which of the following served as a Satavahana capital?
(A) Pratisthan
(B) Nagarjuna Konda
(C) Shakal or Sialkot
(D) Pataliputra
Option a – Pratisthan
The title ‘Ekabrahmana’ was associated with which ruler?
(A) Pushyamitra Shunga
(B) Kharavela
(C) Gautamiputra Satakarni
(D) Susharman
Option c – Gautamiputra Satakarni
King Kharavela is connected with which inscription?
(A) Girnar Pillar Inscription
(B) Junagarh Pillar Inscription
(C) Hathigumpha Inscription
(D) Sarnath Inscription
Option c – Hathigumpha Inscription
Which ruler was a patron of Jainism?
(A) Ashoka
(B) Harsha
(C) Pulakeshin II
(D) Kharavela
Option d – Kharavela
King Kharavela of Kalinga belonged to which dynasty?
(A) Chedi
(B) Kadamba
(C) Kalinga
(D) Haryanka
Option a – Chedi
Kharavela’s dynasty affiliation was
(A) Mahameghvahana dynasty
(B) Chedi dynasty
(C) Satavahana dynasty
(D) Rath-Bhojak dynasty
Option a – Mahameghvahana dynasty
Which king strongly promoted Jainism?
(A) Dashratha
(B) Brihadratha
(C) Kharavela
(D) Huvishka
Option c – Kharavela
The Eastern Roman ruler Justinian mostly contributed to which field?
(A) Law
(B) Architecture
(C) Science
(D) Literature
Option a – Law
Contemporaries of Kanishka include Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra, Kalidas, and Kamban. Which combination is correct?
(A) Only 1 and 4
(B) Only 2 and 3
(C) Only 1 and 2
(D) All of these
Option c – Only 1 and 2
During the Gupta period, centres in Gujarat, Bengal, Deccan, and Tamil regions were primarily engaged in which activity?
(A) Textile production
(B) Trading gems and precious stones
(C) Craftsmanship and handicrafts
(D) Cultivation of opium
Option a – Textile production
Which port managed the trade of North India during the Gupta era?
(A) Bhadoch
(B) Kalyan
(C) Cambay
(D) Tamralipti
Option d – Tamralipti
Who is recognized for contributing to Ayurvedic literature in the Gupta period? ( Ancient India History mcq for UPSC Preliminary exam )
(A) Saumilla
(B) Shudraka
(C) Shunaka
(D) Sushruta
Option d – Sushruta
Which of the following figures was not linked with medicine in ancient India? ( Ancient India History mcq for UPSC Preliminary exam )
(A) Dhanvantri
(B) Bhaskaracharya
(C) Charaka
(D) Susruta
Option b – Bhaskaracharya
Among the Nine Gems of Chandragupta, who specialized in astrology? ( Ancient India History mcq for UPSC Preliminary exam )
(A) Vararuchi
(B) Sanku
(C) Kshapanak
(D) Amar Singh
Option c – Kshapanak
Kalidas composed his works during the reign of which ruler? ( Ancient India History mcq for UPSC Preliminary exam )
(A) Samudragupta
(B) Ashoka
(C) Chandragupta-I
(D) Chandragupta-II
Option d – Chandragupta-II
Which coins were issued as gold currency by the Guptas? ( Ancient India History mcq for UPSC Preliminary exam )
(A) Kaudi
(B) Dinara
(C) Nishka
(D) Pan
Option b – Dinara
What was the term for silver coins circulated by the Guptas? ( Ancient India History mcq for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Karshapana
(B) Dinara
(C) Rupaka
(D) Nisc
Option c – Rupaka
Who was the first Gupta monarch to mint coins? ( Ancient India History mcq for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Chandragupta-I
(B) Ghatotkacha
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Srigupta
Option a – Chandragupta-I
In Gupta-era Sanskrit dramas, which languages did women and Sudras speak? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Sanskrit
(B) Prakrit
(C) Pali
(D) Sauraseni
Option b – Prakrit
Where has the earliest inscriptional evidence of the practice of Satipratha been discovered? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Eran
(B) Junagarh
(C) Mandsaur
(D) Sanchi
Option a – Eran
Who founded the Gupta Samvar lineage? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Chandragupta-I
(B) Srigupta
(C) Chandragupta-II
(D) Ghatotkacha
Option a – Chandragupta-I
The steady decline of urban centres was a notable feature of which period? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Gupta period
(B) Pratihara era
(C) Rashtrakuta period
(D) Satavahana period
Option a – Gupta period
Which dynasty granted the largest number of villages to temples and Brahmins? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Gupta Dynasty
(B) Pala Dynasty
(C) Rashtrakuta Dynasty
(D) Pratihara Dynasty
Option a – Gupta Dynasty
Which dynasty’s reign is referred to as the Golden Age of India? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Mauryan
(B) Shunga
(C) Gupta
(D) Magadha
Option c – Gupta
During which period did women enjoy relatively higher Social equality? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Gupta age
(B) Mauryan age
(C) Chola period
(D) Vedic Age
Option d – Vedic Age
What portion of production was collected as land revenue in the Gupta period? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) One-fourth
(B) One-sixth
(C) One-eighth
(D) Half
Option b – One-sixth
According to religious texts, what was the land revenue share? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) One-third
(B) One-fourth
(C) One-sixth
(D) One-eighth
Option c – One-sixth
As per Hindu law, what is considered the proper tax on crops? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Half of the produce
(B) One-sixth of the produce
(C) One-third of the produce
(D) One-fourth of the produce
Option b – One-sixth of the produce
Tax-free land under the Gupta Empire was typically granted to which group? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Military officials
(B) Civil administrators
(C) Brahmins
(D) Court scholars
Option c – Brahmins
What type of land was referred to as ‘Aprahat’? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Uncultivated Forest land
(B) Irrigated land
(C) Dense Forest
(D) Cultivated land
Option a – Uncultivated Forest land
What was the name of the irrigation tax in ancient India? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Bidakabhagam
(B) Hiranya
(C) Udranga
(D) Uparnika
Option a – Bidakabhagam
In the 3rd century A.D., Warangal was renowned for producing ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Copper vessels
(B) Gold ornaments
(C) Iron tools
(D) Elephant-teeth artifacts
Option c – Iron tools
Tormad belonged to which ethnic or racial group? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Sithian
(B) Huna
(C) Yaochi
(D) Saka
Option b – Huna
Who defeated the Huna king Mihirakula? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Budhagupta
(B) Yashodharman
(C) Shashanka
(D) Prabhakaravardhana
Option b – Yashodharman
The Chinese traveller Sungyun visited India in which period? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) 515–520 A.D.
(B) 525–529 A.D.
(C) 545–552 A.D.
(D) 592–597 A.D.
Option a – 515–520 A.D.
The ancient drama ‘Mudrarakshasa’ by Vishakhadutt deals with ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Conflicts between Gods and Demons in Hindu mythology
(B) Romance between an Aryan prince and a tribal maiden
(C) power struggles between Aryan clans
(D) Court intrigues during Chandragupta Maurya’s reign
Option d – Court intrigues during Chandragupta Maurya’s reign
Consider the following about Gupta emperors: 1. They claimed divine authority. 2. Administration was highly centralized. 3. They continued the tradition of land grants. Which of these statements are correct? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) 1, 2, and 3
(B) 1 and 2
(C) 1 and 3
(D) 2 and 3
Option c – 1 and 3
Where is the game of Chess believed to have originated? ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) China
(B) Iran
(C) Indonesia
(D) India
Option d – India
The ancient Indian play ‘Mrichchhakatika’ by Shudraka narrates ( Ancient India history MCQ for UPSC Preliminary Exam )
(A) Romance between a wealthy merchant and a courtesan’s daughter
(B) Chandragupta II’s victory over Shaka rulers
(C) Military campaigns of Samudragupta
(D) Love story between a Gupta king and a princess of Kamarupa
Option a – Romance between a wealthy merchant and a courtesan’s daughter
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