Ancient History MCQs- Most Relevant Questions for Competitive Exams

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Updated December 22, 2022

Ancient History MCQ  featured on this page are from length and breadth of the subject and they test your knowledge which is very much required in making through the Government Jobs.

The MCQs from Ancient History can be at times intriguing and you may not find them easy to solve. So, to match the assessment standards of competitive exams, the team has put in hours of quality time in its pursuit to support your preparation for such exams.

Instant collection touches upon Pallavas, Panchalas, Mauryan, Kalinga, Jainism, Budhism, etc. The team career101, hopes the collection below comes in really handy when you need it the most.

1. Which of the following was the capital of Northern Panchalas?

[A] Ahicchatra,
[B] Kampilya,
[C] Vajji,
[D] Panchal,
Correct Answer: [Ahicchatra]: Explanation: The Northern Panchalas had their capital at Ahicchatra. On the other hand, Southern Panchalas had their capital at Kampilya.

2. Who among the following Pallava ruler built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram?

[A] Narsimhavarman II,
[B] Nandivarman II,
[C] Aparajita,
[D] Mahendravarman I
Correct Answer: [Narsimhavarman II], Explanation: The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram and Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram built by Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman II.

3. What was the other name of Harshavardhana?

[A] Siladitya
[B] Harshaditya
[C] Bhaskarvarman
[D] Vishnuvardhan
Correct Answer: [Siladitya]
Explanation: Harshavardhana (606-647 AD) was also known as Siladitya. His kingdom extended from Punjab, West Bengal, Orissa and from Himalayas to the entire Indo-Gangetic plain north of the Narmada river. He gave equal respect to all religions and became the follower of Buddhism in his later life.

4. The grandson of Ashoka, who accepted Jainism was __?

[A] Samprati
[B] Kunala
[C] Dasharatha
[D] Salisuka
Correct Answer: [Samprati], Explanation: Emperor Samprati was the grandson of Emperor Ashoka, who reigned from 224–274 BCE. and accepted Jainism.

5. Under whose leadership Shvetambara sect formed?

[A] Bhadrabahu
[B] Sthalabahu
[C] Chandragupta Maurya
[D] Ashoka
Correct Answer: [Sthalabahu], Explanation: Sthalabahu Jainism is divided into two major sects viz. The Digambara (sky clad) sect and the Shvetambara (white clad) sect. Under the leadership of Sthalabahu, Shvetambara sect formed. Under the leadership of Bhadrabahu, the Digambara sect was formed.

6. Gautma Buddha’s mother ‘Mahamaya’ belongs to which tribe?

[A] Pala
[B] Gupta
[C] Kushan
[D] Koliya
||Correct Answer: [Koliya], Explanation: Gautma Buddha’s mother ‘Mahamaya’ belonged to Koliya tribe and she married Suddhodhana, who was a king of Sakya clan. The Sakya and Koliya ruled on opposite banks of the Rohni river in current Rupendehi District of Lumbini, Nepal. Both of them were republics.

7. In which Buddhist Council, Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana sects?

[A] First Buddhist Council
[B] Second Buddhist Council
[C] Third Buddhist Council
[D] Fourth Buddhist Council
||Correct Answer: [Fourth Buddhist Council], Explanation: Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana in the Fourth Buddhist Council.

8. What symbol represents birth of Gautama Buddha?

[A] Bodh tree
[B] Lotus
[C] Horse
[D] Wheel
|| Correct Answer: [Lotus], Explanation: Lotus and bull resemble the symbol of birth of Gautama Buddha.

9. In context with the Mahayana Buddhism faith, the future Buddha is ___?

[A] Krakuchanda
[B] Amitabha
[C] Maitreya
[D] Kanak Muni
Correct Answer: [Maitreya], Explanation: Maitreya is a future Buddha. According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor of the historic Sakyamuni Buddha, who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on Earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma.

10. In which of the following inscriptions Ashoka made his famous declaration, “All men are my children”?

[A] Minor Rock Edict (Ahraura)
[B] Pillar Edict VII
[C] Lumbini Pillar Edict
[D] Separate Kalinga Rock Edict I,
Correct Answer: [Separate Kalinga Rock Edict I], Explanation: Separate Edicts – They were found at sites in Kalinga,
»Separate Edict I – Asoka declared all people are my sons,
»Separate Edict II – proclamation of edicts even to a single person.

11. Who identified “Sandrokottus” of the Greco-Roman literature with Chandragupta Maurya?

[A] D. R. Bhandarkar
[B] Alexander Cunningham
[C] R. P. Chanda
[D] William Jones
Correct Answer: [William Jones] Explanation: (I). Maurya Empire was the first and one of the greatest empires to be established in Indian history by Chandragupta Maurya. (II). He dethroned the last Nanda ruler Dhananand and occupied Patliputra in 322 BC with the help of Kautilya (Chankya). (III). In 305 BC, he defeated Selecus Nikator, who was one of the generals of Alexander the Great (Greek ruler). (IV). He is also well-known in the Greek texts as – Sandro Kottus, Androcottus, Sandokyptos.

12. Rulers of which of the following dynasties maintained diplomatic relations with distant countries such as Syria in the West?

[A] Maurya
[B] Gupta
[C] Pallava
[D] Chola
Correct Answer: [Maurya]
Explanation: »Mauryan Emperor Bindusara had friendly relations with the Greek King Antiochos-I of Syria. Deimachos was a Syrian Ambassador who came in the court of Bindusara. »Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great: In his rock edict 13th mentions the names of 5 Hellenic kings– Antiochus II of Syria, Ptolemy II of Egypt, Antigonus of Messedonia, Magas of Syrina, Alexander of Epirus. He sent missionaries to all of them.. »This shows that Mauryan dynasty maintained the diplomatic relations with distant countries like Syria in the West.

13. As per Asoka’s inscriptions, which among the following place was declared tax free and proclaimed only 1/8th part as taxable?

[A] Kushinagar,
[B] Lumbini
[C] Kathmandu
[D] Sarnath
Correct Answer: [Lumbini]
Explanation: At the 20th anniversary of his enthronement, Asoka announced Lumbini as tax-free and proclaimed only 1/8th part as taxable. Description of this fact is found in the inscriptions of Nigliva and Rumindei.

14. Which of the following term is used for a “school” of learning and teaching the branches of Vedas?

[A] Shakha,
[B] Charna,
[C] Ratha,
[D] Yajna,
Correct Answer: [Charna],
Explanation: Charana refers to the Guru-pupil lineage or school for teaching and learning of Vedas in ancient India.

15. Consider the following statements:

I. Andal was a woman Alvar whose compositions were widely sung. II. Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a devotee of Shiva who adopted the path of extreme asceticim in order to attain her goal.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only I
[B] Only II
[C] Both I & II
[D] Neither I nor II
Correct Answer: Both I & II
Explanation: Both the statements are correct.

16. In which year, Ashoka invaded Kalinga?

[A] 261 BC
[B] 235 BC
[C] 285 BC
[D] 275 BC
Correct Answer: [261 BC]
Explanation: The Mauryan emperor, Ashoka invaded Kalinga in 261 BC and after a fierce battle Kalinga was conquered. The 13th rock edict of Ashoka elaborates the Kalinga war.

17. Which rock edict gives information about Asoka’s conversion to Buddhism?

[A] Bhabru rock edict
[B] Kalinga rock edict
[C] Tarai rock edict
[D] Barabar cave rock edict
Correct Answer: [Bhabru rock edict]
Explanation: The Bhabru rock edict gives information about Asoka’s conversion to Buddhism. The rock edict stated that he has full faith in Buddha, Sangha and Dhamma.

18. Which among the following was the main occupation of Palaeolithic (Old stone) people?

[A] Agriculture
[B] Farming
[C] Hunting
[D] Fishing
Correct Answer: [Hunting]
Explanation: Hunting was the main occupation of Palaeolithic (Old stone) people.

19. Which one of the following archaeologists discovered the Harappa site of the Indus Valley civilisation?

[A] Rakhal Das Bannerjee
[B] Sir William Jones
[C] Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar
[D] Daya Ram Sahini
Correct Answer: [Daya Ram Sahini]
Explanation: In 1921, an Indian archaeologist Raj Bahadur Daya Ram Sahini discovered the Harappa site of the Indus Valley civilization.

20. Which Ashokan inscription elaborates the policy of Dhamma?

[A] Major rock edict IX
[B] Major rock edict XI
[C] Major rock edict XII
[D] Major rock edict X
Correct Answer: [Major rock edict XI]
Explanation: The Major rock edict XI elaborates the Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma. It stresses the respect for elders, abstain from killing animals and liberal towards friends.

21. In which year, Vardhamana Mahavira was born?

[A] 563 BC
[B] 540 BC
[C] 533 BC
[D] 560 BC
Correct Answer: [540 BC]
Explanation: Vardhamana Mahavira was born in 540 BC at Kundaligrama, now in Bihar.

22. Who among the following is the author of ‘Harshacharita’?

[A] Banabhatta
[B] Hiuen Tsang
[C] Harshavardhan
[D] Bhaskarvarman
Correct Answer: [Banabhatta]
Explanation: Banabhatta was the court poet of Harshavardhana, who wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari. Harshacharita is an important historical work narratted the incidents of the earlier part of Harsha’s reign.

23. What was the other name of Harshavardhana?

[A] Siladitya
[B] Harshaditya
[C] Bhaskarvarman
[D] Vishnuvardhan
Correct Answer: [Siladitya]
Explanation: Bharshavardhan (606-647 AD) was also known as Siladitya. His kingdom extends from Punjab, West Bengal, Orissa and from Himalayas to the entire Indo-Gangetic plain north of the Narmada river. He gave equal respect to all religions and became the follower of Buddhism in his later life.

24. Who among the following Chalukyan king sent an ambassador to Persian king Khusrau II?

[A] Pulakesin I
[B] Pulakesin II
[C] Kirtivarman I
[D] Vishnuvardhan
Correct Answer: [Pulakesin II]
Explanation: The Chalukyan king, Pulakesin II sent an ambassador to the Persian king Khusrau II in 625 A.D. And received one from him.

25. Who among the following Pallava ruler built Vaikuntaperumal temple at Kanchi?

[A] Nandivarman II
[B] Aparajita
[C] Mahendrvarman I
[D] Vikramaditta II
Correct Answer: [Nandivarman II]
Explanation: Vaikunta Perumal Temple was built by Pallava King Nandivarman-II in the 8th century, he was a worshipper of Lord Vishnu.

26. Which of the following inscriptions mentions the name of Kalidasa?

[A] Allahabad pillar inscription
[B] Aihole inscription
[C] Alapadu grant
[D] Hanumakonda inscription
Correct Answer: [Aihole inscription]

Explanation: Aihole inscription written by the Badami Chalukyas King, Pulakesin II who reigned from 610 to 642 CE and was a follower of Jainism. This valuable inscription discovered in the Meguti temple near Aihole (Bijapur district in Karnataka). The inscription is in the Sanskrit language, which uses the old Kannada script. The accounts of Pulkeshi’s campaigns are provided in the Aioli inscription dated 634 AD. It was composed by his court poet Ravikirti. Bharavi, who is associated with the Pallavas of Kanchi along with Kalidasa is mentioned in the famous Aihole Inscription of Pulakesin II.

27. Ancient Indraprastha was capital of which of the following Mahajanapada?

[A] Kuru
[B] Matsya
[C] Panchal
[D] Vajji
Correct Answer: [Kuru]
Explanation: Kuru Indraprastha, capital of Kuru Mahajanpada located in Meerut Delhi region.

28. Which physician was sent by Bimbisara to treat Avanti King Pradyota?

[A] Jivaka
[B] Udayin
[C] Kalashoka
[D] Both A & B
Correct Answer: [Jivaka]
Explanation: The royal physician, Jivaka, was sent by Bimbisara to treat Avanti King Pradyota, who was ailing with Jaundice.

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