Ancient Indian history MCQ with Answers । Part 5
101. Which text is regarded as the constitution of the Shvetambara sect of Jainism?
a) Angas
b) Upangas
c) Kalpasutra
d) Tattvartha Sutra
Answer: c) Kalpasutra
Explanation: The Kalpasutra is a sacred text of the Shvetambara sect of Jainism. It contains the biographies of the Tirthankaras, including Mahavira, and outlines Jain doctrines and religious practices.
102. Which of the following rulers adopted Buddhism and sent Buddhist missionaries to other countries?
a) Bindusara
b) Chandragupta Maurya
c) Ashoka
d) Kanishka
Answer: c) Ashoka
Explanation: Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga War and actively spread Buddhist teachings. He sent missionaries to regions such as Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean to propagate Buddhism.
103. Which river is considered sacred in both Hinduism and Buddhism and has its origin in Tibet?
a) Ganges
b) Yamuna
c) Indus
d) Brahmaputra
Answer: d) Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Brahmaputra River is considered sacred in both Hinduism and Buddhism. It originates in the Tibetan region of Kailash and flows through India and Bangladesh. It is especially significant in northeastern India.
104. Who is considered the founder of the Chola dynasty?
a) Rajaraja Chola I
b) Vijayalaya Chola
c) Rajendra Chola I
d) Karikala Chola
Answer: b) Vijayalaya Chola
Explanation: Vijayalaya Chola is credited with founding the Chola dynasty in the 9th century. He captured the region of Thanjavur and laid the foundation for the powerful Chola Empire, which saw its peak under Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I.
105. Which of the following is a Jain festival that lasts for eight to ten days and involves fasting and meditation?
a) Mahavir Jayanti
b) Diwali
c) Paryushan
d) Holi
Answer: c) Paryushan
Explanation: Paryushan is an important Jain festival celebrated by both Shvetambara and Digambara sects. It involves fasting, meditation, and self-purification. The festival aims to promote non-violence and forgiveness.
106. The famous Iron Pillar located in Delhi was built during the reign of which ruler?
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Ashoka
c) Chandragupta II
d) Harshavardhana
Answer: c) Chandragupta II
Explanation: The Iron Pillar located in Mehrauli, Delhi, was constructed during the reign of Chandragupta II of the Gupta dynasty. The pillar is renowned for its rust-resistant composition and inscriptions that praise the king.
107. Which ancient Indian mathematician is credited with the discovery of zero as a number?
a) Aryabhata
b) Brahmagupta
c) Varahamihira
d) Bhaskara I
Answer: b) Brahmagupta
Explanation: Brahmagupta, an ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, is credited with the formal recognition and use of zero as a number. His works also discuss the rules for arithmetic operations involving zero.
108. Who was the first Tirthankara in Jainism?
a) Rishabhanatha
b) Mahavira
c) Parshvanatha
d) Neminatha
Answer: a) Rishabhanatha
Explanation: Rishabhanatha, also known as Adinatha, is considered the first Tirthankara in Jainism. He is believed to have lived many millennia before Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara of the current age.
109. In the Sangam age, which region of ancient India was known as the Chera Kingdom?
a) Northern India
b) Eastern India
c) Western India
d) Southern India
Answer: d) Southern India
Explanation: The Chera Kingdom was one of the three major kingdoms of the Sangam age, along with the Chola and Pandya kingdoms. It was located in southern India, primarily in present-day Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu.
110. Which ancient Indian text is considered the earliest source of law and order in Indian society?
a) Manusmriti
b) Arthashastra
c) Mahabharata
d) Ramayana
Answer: a) Manusmriti
Explanation: The ‘Manusmriti,’ also known as the Laws of Manu, is an ancient Indian text that outlines the laws governing social conduct, ethics, and the duties of various castes. It is considered one of the foundational texts of the Hindu legal tradition
111. Which of the following is considered the primary scripture of the Zoroastrians in India, known as Parsis?
a) Avesta
b) Tripitaka
c) Zend-Avesta
d) Torah
Answer: c) Zend-Avesta
Explanation: The 'Zend-Avesta' is the sacred text of Zoroastrianism. The Parsis, who are Zoroastrians, migrated to India from Persia and follow the teachings contained in this ancient text.
112. The famous book ‘Indica,’ which provides detailed information on India, was written by whom?
a) Fa-Hien
b) Megasthenes
c) Hiuen Tsang
d) Ptolemy
Answer: b) Megasthenes
Explanation: Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya, wrote 'Indica,' an account of Mauryan society, culture, and administration. It provides valuable insights into ancient India.
113. Who among the following founded the famous Nalanda University in the 5th century CE?
a) Harshavardhana
b) Samudragupta
c) Kumaragupta I
d) Chandragupta II
Answer: c) Kumaragupta I
Explanation: Nalanda University, one of the greatest centers of learning in ancient India, was founded by Gupta ruler Kumaragupta I in the 5th century CE. It flourished as a Buddhist learning center for centuries.
114. Which ancient Indian text deals primarily with ethics and moral values, particularly emphasizing the concept of Dharma?
a) Bhagavad Gita
b) Arthashastra
c) Charaka Samhita
d) Tolkappiyam
Answer: a) Bhagavad Gita
Explanation: The Bhagavad Gita, a part of the Mahabharata, is a philosophical text that focuses on ethics, duty, and the concept of Dharma (righteousness). It forms the foundation of Indian spiritual and ethical thinking.
115. Which Hindu god is depicted with an elephant head and is known as the remover of obstacles?
a) Vishnu
b) Shiva
c) Brahma
d) Ganesha
Answer: d) Ganesha
Explanation: Ganesha, also known as Ganapati, is one of the most widely worshipped deities in Hinduism. He is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings, with an elephant head as his unique feature.
116. Which Indian king is known for his invasion of Sri Lanka and is credited with expanding the Chola Empire across Southeast Asia?
a) Rajaraja Chola I
b) Rajendra Chola I
c) Pulakesin II
d) Mahendra Varman
Answer: b) Rajendra Chola I
Explanation: Rajendra Chola I, the son of Rajaraja Chola I, is known for expanding the Chola Empire's influence beyond India, particularly through his successful naval campaigns against Sri Lanka and Southeast Asian regions.
117. The concept of "Ahimsa" (non-violence) is a key principle of which two ancient Indian religions?
a) Hinduism and Buddhism
b) Jainism and Sikhism
c) Jainism and Buddhism
d) Hinduism and Islam
Answer: c) Jainism and Buddhism
Explanation: Both Jainism and Buddhism place a strong emphasis on the principle of 'Ahimsa' or non-violence. In Jainism, Ahimsa is a central tenet, while in Buddhism, it is an important ethical principle aimed at preventing harm to living beings.
118. Which ruler of ancient India embraced Buddhism after the bloody battle of Kalinga?
a) Chandragupta Maurya
b) Bindusara
c) Ashoka
d) Bimbisara
Answer: c) Ashoka
Explanation: After witnessing the massive bloodshed in the Kalinga War, Emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhism. He devoted the rest of his reign to spreading Buddhist teachings of peace, compassion, and non-violence throughout his empire and beyond.
119. Which ancient Indian physician is considered the "Father of Indian Medicine" and authored the ‘Charaka Samhita’?
a) Sushruta
b) Charaka
c) Patanjali
d) Bhaskara
Answer: b) Charaka
Explanation: Charaka, an ancient Indian physician, is regarded as the "Father of Indian Medicine" for his significant contributions to Ayurveda. He authored the 'Charaka Samhita,' an authoritative text on medicine, diagnostics, and treatment methods.
120. Which of the following rivers is mentioned most frequently in the Rigveda?
a) Saraswati
b) Ganges
c) Yamuna
d) Indus
Answer: d) Indus
Explanation: The Indus River (referred to as "Sindhu" in the Rigveda) is the most frequently mentioned river in the Rigveda. The Indus Valley was the cradle of one of the earliest civilizations, and the river played a vital role in the cultural and religious life of the Vedic people.
121. Which of the following is known as the "Epic of South India," depicting the life of Rama in Tamil literature?
a) Ramayana
b) Silappadikaram
c) Kamba Ramayanam
d) Tolkappiyam
Answer: c) Kamba Ramayanam
Explanation: The 'Kamba Ramayanam,' composed by the Tamil poet Kambar, is a Tamil version of the Ramayana. It is considered a great literary work and is highly regarded in Tamil culture.
122. Who was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty before Chandragupta Maurya overthrew him?
a) Mahapadma Nanda
b) Dhanananda
c) Bindusara
d) Ashoka
Answer: b) Dhanananda
Explanation: Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty. He was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of his mentor Chanakya, marking the beginning of the Mauryan Empire.
123. The system of decimal numeration, including the concept of zero, originated in which ancient civilization?
a) Greek
b) Roman
c) Chinese
d) Indian
Answer: d) Indian
Explanation: The decimal numeral system, including the invention of zero, originated in ancient India. Indian mathematicians like Aryabhata and Brahmagupta made significant contributions to the development of these concepts, which later spread to other civilizations.
124. Which of the following deities is known as the "God of Rain" in ancient Vedic culture?
a) Agni
b) Indra
c) Varuna
d) Surya
Answer: b) Indra
Explanation: In ancient Vedic culture, Indra was regarded as the king of the gods and the god of rain, thunderstorms, and war. He played a central role in the Rigveda as the deity responsible for bringing rain and defeating enemies.
125. Who is the author of the ancient Indian text ‘Arthashastra,’ which discusses politics, economics, and statecraft?
a) Chanakya
b) Kalidasa
c) Patanjali
d) Charaka
Answer: a) Chanakya
Explanation: Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, authored the ‘Arthashastra.’ This ancient treatise focuses on statecraft, economic policies, military strategies, and governance, and it was used as a guide by rulers like Chandragupta Maurya.
