Ancient Indian history MCQ with Answers । Part 2

26. Who composed the famous Sanskrit text ‘Meghaduta’?

a) Kalidasa

b) Valmiki

c) Vyasa

d) Banabhatta

Answer: a) Kalidasa

Explanation: Kalidasa, one of the greatest poets and playwrights of ancient India, wrote ‘Meghaduta’ (The Cloud Messenger). It is a lyric poem in which a lover, separated from his beloved, sends her a message through a cloud.

27. Which ancient Indian philosopher is known for his theory of atomism?

a) Charvaka

b) Kanada

c) Kapila

d) Shankara

Answer: b) Kanada

Explanation: Acharya Kanada, the founder of the Vaisheshika school of philosophy, is credited with developing one of the earliest theories of atomism. He proposed that all matter is made up of indivisible particles called "paramanu."

28. In which ancient Indian text do we find the earliest reference to the ‘Varna’ system?

a) Manusmriti

b) Mahabharata

c) Rigveda

d) Arthashastra

Answer: c) Rigveda

Explanation: The Rigveda, one of the oldest texts in India, contains the earliest reference to the ‘Varna’ system, which classifies society into four groups: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. This system laid the foundation for social stratification in ancient India.

29. Which Mauryan king is believed to have sent Buddhist missionaries to Sri Lanka?

a) Bindusara

b) Ashoka

c) Chandragupta Maurya

d) Brihadratha

Answer: b) Ashoka

Explanation: After converting to Buddhism, Emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta as Buddhist missionaries to Sri Lanka. This marked the beginning of Buddhism's spread to Sri Lanka, where it became the dominant religion.

30. Which city was the capital of the Pallava dynasty?

a) Kanchipuram

b) Madurai

c) Thanjavur

d) Amaravati

Answer: a) Kanchipuram

Explanation: Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallava dynasty, which ruled parts of South India between the 4th and 9th centuries CE. The city became an important cultural and religious center, famous for its temples and learning institutions.

31. The earliest evidence of cotton cultivation in the world is found in which ancient civilization?

a) Mesopotamian

b) Egyptian

c) Indus Valley

d) Chinese

Answer: c) Indus Valley

Explanation: The Indus Valley Civilization, particularly in sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, provides the earliest evidence of cotton cultivation and textile production, dating back to around 3000 BCE.

32. Which ancient Indian ruler is known for constructing the Sudarshana Lake for irrigation purposes?

a) Ashoka

b) Rudradaman I

c) Harshavardhana

d) Chandragupta II

Answer: b) Rudradaman I

Explanation: Rudradaman I, a ruler of the Western Satraps, is known for his efforts to reconstruct and repair the Sudarshana Lake, originally built during the reign of the Mauryas. The lake was a major irrigation source in Gujarat.

33. Who among the following is known as the ‘founder of Jainism’?

a) Rishabhadeva

b) Parsvanatha

c) Mahavira

d) Gautama Buddha

Answer: c) Mahavira

Explanation: Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, is considered the 24th Tirthankara and the founder of modern Jainism. He reformed and revived the earlier teachings of Jainism, which traces its origins to the first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva.

34. Which ancient Indian text is considered the foundational scripture of Buddhism?

a) Bhagavad Gita

b) Tripitaka

c) Mahabharata

d) Ramayana

Answer: b) Tripitaka

Explanation: The Tripitaka, meaning ‘three baskets,’ is the foundational scripture of Buddhism. It consists of three parts: the Vinaya Pitaka (rules for monks), the Sutta Pitaka (teachings of the Buddha), and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical interpretations).

35. Who was the first ruler to unify most of the Indian subcontinent under a single administration?

a) Ashoka

b) Chandragupta Maurya

c) Harshavardhana

d) Samudragupta

Answer: b) Chandragupta Maurya

Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya was the first ruler to unify large parts of the Indian subcontinent under the Maurya Empire, which stretched from Bengal in the east to Afghanistan in the west. His rule laid the foundation for the subsequent expansions under Ashoka.

36. The 'Nasik Prashasti' inscription is associated with which ruler?

a) Ashoka

b) Gautamiputra Satakarni

c) Chandragupta II

d) Samudragupta

Answer: b) Gautamiputra Satakarni

Explanation: The Nasik Prashasti, or eulogy, is an inscription that glorifies Gautamiputra Satakarni, a prominent Satavahana ruler, and his achievements. It was composed by his mother, Gautami Balashri, and found in a cave at Nasik.

37. Which ancient Indian ruler was referred to as ‘Devanampriya’ and ‘Priyadarshi’ in inscriptions?

a) Chandragupta Maurya

b) Ashoka

c) Bindusara

d) Samudragupta

Answer: b) Ashoka

Explanation: Ashoka is referred to as ‘Devanampriya’ (beloved of the gods) and ‘Priyadarshi’ (he who looks with kindness) in his inscriptions, which spread his message of dharma (moral law) and non-violence across his empire.

38. The earliest Buddhist Stupa, known as the ‘Great Stupa,’ was built at which location?

a) Sarnath

b) Nalanda

c) Sanchi

d) Bodh Gaya

Answer: c) Sanchi

Explanation: The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India, built during the reign of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. It is a significant monument for Buddhism and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

39. Which king’s court was adorned with the ‘Navaratnas’ (Nine Gems), including the famous poet Kalidasa?

a) Chandragupta Maurya

b) Harshavardhana

c) Chandragupta II

d) Kanishka

Answer: c) Chandragupta II

Explanation: Chandragupta II, also known as Vikramaditya, was the Gupta emperor under whom Indian art, culture, and literature reached its zenith. His court was adorned with the ‘Navaratnas,’ or nine gems, including Kalidasa, the renowned poet and dramatist.

40. Which famous temple complex was built during the reign of the Chola dynasty?

a) Konark Sun Temple

b) Brihadeeswarar Temple

c) Khajuraho Temples

d) Jagannath Temple

Answer: b) Brihadeeswarar Temple

Explanation: The Brihadeeswarar Temple, also known as the ‘Big Temple,’ was built by the Chola king Raja Raja Chola I in Thanjavur. It is an architectural marvel and one of the largest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in India.

41. The "Battle of Hydaspes" was fought between Alexander the Great and which Indian king?

a) Porus

b) Chandragupta Maurya

c) Dhanananda

d) Ambhi

Answer: a) Porus

Explanation: The Battle of Hydaspes was fought in 326 BCE between Alexander the Great and King Porus (Puru), on the banks of the Hydaspes River (modern-day Jhelum River). Despite his defeat, Porus impressed Alexander with his valor and was allowed to retain his kingdom.

42. Which ancient Indian dynasty is associated with the construction of the Ajanta and Ellora caves?

a) Maurya

b) Gupta

c) Chalukya

d) Rashtrakuta

Answer: d) Rashtrakuta

Explanation: The Ajanta and Ellora caves, located in Maharashtra, are significant for their ancient Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments. The Rashtrakutas played a major role in the construction of many caves at Ellora, especially the famous Kailasa temple.

43. The Sangam literature is a major source of information about the history and culture of which region in ancient India?

a) Northern India

b) Western India

c) Southern India

d) Eastern India

Answer: c) Southern India

Explanation: Sangam literature, composed between 300 BCE and 300 CE, provides a rich source of information about the social, political, and economic life of ancient South India, particularly the Tamil kingdoms of the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas.

44. Which famous ancient Indian text outlines the principles of statecraft, economics, and military strategy?

a) Arthashastra

b) Manusmriti

c) Bhagavad Gita

d) Mahabharata

Answer: a) Arthashastra

Explanation: The Arthashastra, attributed to Kautilya (also known as Chanakya), is an ancient Indian treatise that discusses politics, economics, diplomacy, and military strategy. It served as an important guide for rulers like Chandragupta Maurya.

45. The term ‘Saptanga,’ which refers to the seven elements of the state, is found in which ancient Indian text?

a) Rigveda

b) Arthashastra

c) Mahabharata

d) Ramayana

Answer: b) Arthashastra

Explanation: The ‘Saptanga’ theory, mentioned in the Arthashastra, refers to the seven elements that form a state: Swami (ruler), Amatya (ministers), Janapada (territory), Durga (fort), Kosha (treasury), Danda (army), and Mitra (ally).

46. Which ancient Indian empire is known for the extensive use of iron technology and is often called the ‘Iron Age of India’?

a) Maurya Empire

b) Gupta Empire

c) Magadha Empire

d) Chola Empire

Answer: c) Magadha Empire

Explanation: The Magadha Empire, which rose to prominence around 600 BCE, is often associated with the early use of iron technology in India. The use of iron tools and weapons helped in the empire’s expansion and dominance in the Indian subcontinent.

47. Which famous Indian astronomer and mathematician wrote the book ‘Aryabhatiya’?

a) Varahamihira

b) Bhaskaracharya

c) Aryabhata

d) Brahmagupta

Answer: c) Aryabhata

Explanation: Aryabhata, a celebrated Indian mathematician and astronomer, wrote the 'Aryabhatiya' in the 5th century CE. This text introduced concepts such as the approximation of pi (π) and the heliocentric theory of planetary motion.

48. The earliest known republics in India, known as ‘Mahajanapadas,’ flourished during which period?

a) Vedic Period

b) Post-Vedic Period

c) Gupta Period

d) Mughal Period

Answer: b) Post-Vedic Period

Explanation: The Mahajanapadas, or large kingdoms, flourished during the Post-Vedic period (circa 600 BCE to 300 BCE). They were prominent in northern India and were known for their republican forms of government, as seen in kingdoms like Vaishali and Magadha.

49. Which ancient Indian scientist is known for the discovery of the concept of zero?

a) Bhaskaracharya

b) Aryabhata

c) Brahmagupta

d) Charaka

Answer: c) Brahmagupta

Explanation: Brahmagupta, a 7th-century Indian mathematician, was the first to explain the concept of zero as a number in his text ‘Brahmasphutasiddhanta.’ He also laid down rules for the use of zero in arithmetic operations.

50. The ancient Indian physician Charaka is credited with writing which medical text?

a) Sushruta Samhita

b) Charaka Samhita

c) Ashtanga Hridaya

d) Ayurveda Sutra

Answer: b) Charaka Samhita

Explanation: Charaka, one of the principal contributors to Ayurveda, authored the ‘Charaka Samhita,’ which is a foundational text in ancient Indian medicine. It contains detailed descriptions of medical practices, treatments, and surgery.