Ancient Indian History - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) – Page 1

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Recent MCQs

Which of the following universities was a prominent center of learning in ancient India?

  1. Oxford University
  2. Cambridge University
  3. Nalanda University
  4. Al-Azhar University
Ancient Indian History

The Battle of Hydaspes was fought between Alexander the Great and which Indian ruler?

  1. Chandragupta Maurya
  2. Porus (Puru)
  3. Dhannanda
  4. Ashoka
Ancient Indian History

Which school of philosophy is associated with Ajivikas?

  1. Determinism/Fatalism
  2. Materialism
  3. Idealism
  4. Hedonism
Ancient Indian History

Which of the following statements accurately reflects a teaching of Jainism?

  1. The world is eternal and unchanging.
  2. Nirvana can be achieved through the performance of elaborate Vedic rituals.
  3. Ahimsa (non-violence) is the supreme principle to avoid harming any living being.
  4. Salvation is attained through devotion to a single supreme deity.
Ancient Indian History

Which of the following sites is NOT associated with the Indus Valley Civilization?

  1. Harappa
  2. Mohenjo-Daro
  3. Dholavira
  4. Pataliputra
Ancient Indian History

The Sangam Age is primarily associated with the history of which region?

  1. Gujarat
  2. Tamil Nadu
  3. Bengal
  4. Maharashtra
Ancient Indian History

The Chalukyas were primarily associated with which region of India?

  1. Eastern India
  2. Southern India
  3. Northern India
  4. Central India
Ancient Indian History

Which of the following Mahajanapadas was located in present-day Bihar?

  1. Avanti
  2. Vatsa
  3. Magadha
  4. Koshala
Ancient Indian History

Which of the following languages was commonly used in the inscriptions of Ashoka?

  1. Sanskrit
  2. Pali
  3. Prakrit
  4. Tamil
Ancient Indian History

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the Nagara style of temple architecture?

  1. Elaborate gateways (Gopurams)
  2. Pyramidal superstructure (Vimana)
  3. Curvilinear Shikhara
  4. Rock-cut cave temples
Ancient Indian History

Which of the following Chinese travelers visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana?

  1. Fa-Hien
  2. I-Tsing
  3. Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)
  4. Faxian
Ancient Indian History

The Gupta period is often referred to as the 'Golden Age' of India primarily due to advancements in which fields?

  1. Military technology and territorial expansion.
  2. Art, literature, science, and mathematics.
  3. Maritime trade and overseas colonization.
  4. Centralized administration and bureaucratic efficiency.
Ancient Indian History

Which of the following rulers is associated with the expansion of Mahayana Buddhism?

  1. Chandragupta Maurya
  2. Ashoka
  3. Kanishka
  4. Harshavardhana
Ancient Indian History

The Gandhara School of Art is characterized by:

  1. The use of vibrant colors and intricate detailing in depicting scenes from daily life.
  2. A fusion of Greco-Roman and Indian artistic styles, particularly in depicting the Buddha.
  3. The exclusive use of terracotta as the primary medium for sculpture.
  4. A focus on abstract and symbolic representations of religious figures.
Ancient Indian History

Ashoka's Dhamma primarily focused on:

  1. The aggressive expansion of the Mauryan Empire through military conquest.
  2. Promoting religious tolerance, social welfare, and ethical conduct.
  3. Strict adherence to the caste system and traditional Vedic rituals.
  4. Establishing a centralized economic system based on state-owned enterprises.
Ancient Indian History

Alexander's invasion of India resulted in which of the following?

  1. The immediate establishment of a long-lasting Greek empire in India.
  2. The unification of all Indian kingdoms under Alexander's rule.
  3. The weakening of existing kingdoms, paving the way for the rise of the Mauryan Empire.
  4. The introduction of iron technology to India.
Ancient Indian History

The 'Four Noble Truths' are central to which of the following religions?

  1. Jainism
  2. Buddhism
  3. Ajivika
  4. Charvaka
Ancient Indian History

Which of the following best describes the primary difference between the Early Vedic and Later Vedic periods?

  1. Shift from nomadic pastoralism to settled agriculture and a more complex social hierarchy.
  2. The rise of Buddhism and Jainism in the Early Vedic period.
  3. Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization in the Later Vedic period.
  4. Increased maritime trade during the Early Vedic period.
Ancient Indian History

The 'Arthashastra,' a treatise on statecraft, economy, and military strategy, is attributed to which of the following?

  1. Megasthenes
  2. Kautilya (Chanakya)
  3. Kalidasa
  4. Panini
Ancient Indian History

Which of the following characteristics is NOT typically associated with the Indus Valley Civilization?

  1. Advanced town planning and drainage systems
  2. Widespread use of iron tools and weaponry
  3. A script that is yet to be fully deciphered
  4. Extensive trade networks with Mesopotamia
Ancient Indian History

Where is Lothal located?

  1. Gujarat
  2. Rajasthan
  3. Pakistan
  4. Haryana
Ancient Indian History

Vishal Snanagal (large bathing area) was found at which archaeological site?

  1. Ropar
  2. Harappa
  3. Mohenjo-daro
  4. Kalibangan
Ancient Indian History

According to Mortimer Wheeler and Stuart Piggott, what is the date of the Indus Civilization?

  1. 2350 B.C. – 1700 B.C.
  2. 2500 B.C. – 1500 B.C.
  3. 2500 B.C. – 1750 B.C.
  4. 2800 B.C. – 2500 B.C.
Ancient Indian History

Dholavira, the southern centre of the Harappan Civilization, which recently received the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag, is located in which state of India?

  1. Punjab
  2. Gujarat
  3. Madhya Pradesh
  4. Jharkhand
Ancient Indian History