Ancient History Questions
Ancient History Questions
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1.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: B [ Charna ]
Hints & Explanations:
Charana refers to the Guru-pupil lineage or school for teaching and learning of Vedas in ancient India.
2.Menander I, the famous Indo-Greek ruler set up his capital at which place?
[A] Sialkot
[B] Pathankot
[C] Rajkot
[D] Sialdah
Correct Answer: A [ Sialkot ]
Hints & Explanations:
The famous Indo-Greek, Menander I (165/155–130 BCE) set up his capital at Sakala or Sialkot.
3.Which one of the following places was a mint centre of the Yaudheyas ?
[A] Bayana
[B] Rohtak
[C] Bareilly
[D] Mathura
Correct Answer: B [ Rohtak ]
Hints & Explanations:
The sacred town of Rohtak, also called Rohtak or mint of the Yaudheyas . Note : Karttikeya was the principal deity of the Yaudheyas.
4.What symbol represents nirvana of Gautama Buddha?
[A] Lotus
[B] Wheel
[C] Horse
[D] Bodhi Tree
Correct Answer: D [ Bodhi Tree ]
Hints & Explanations:
Bodhi Tree is the symbol of nirvana of Gautama Buddha. On the other hand, Stupa represents the symbol of death of Gautama Buddha. Further, The symbol ‘Horse’ signifies the renunciation of Buddha’s life.
5.Which among the following play is/are written by Harshavardhan ?
[A] Nagananda
[B] Ratnavali
[C] Priyadarshika
[D] All of these
Correct Answer: D [ All of these ]
Hints & Explanations:
Harsha wrote three sanskrit plays- Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika.
6.Who was the author of the book ‘Silappadikarma’?
[A] Ilango Adigal
[B] Seethalai Saathanaar
[C] Perudevanar
[D] Tiruttakrdeva
Correct Answer: A [ Ilango Adigal ]
Hints & Explanations:
The author of an epic Silappadikarma is Ilango Adigal. The epic deals with the love story of Kovalan (Son of a wealthy merchant in Puhar )and Madhavi (a beautiful courtesan dancer) of Kaveripattinam. It is also called Illiyad of Tamil Poetry.
7.Which among the following age marks a very distinct growth in population of Human beings compared to other ages?
[A] Lower paleolithic age
[B] Upper Paleolithic Age
[C] Mesolithic age
[D] Neolithic Age
Correct Answer: C [ Mesolithic age ]
Hints & Explanations:
Mesolithic age will be the correct answer.
8.Which of the following Rigvedic deities represented Storm?
[A] Indra
[B] Maruts
[C] Varun
[D] Apas
Correct Answer: B [ Maruts ]
Hints & Explanations:
Aryans, The Vedic Age – Religion : They personified force of nature and worshipped them as Vayu (air), Maruts (storm), Indra (rain), Varuna (water), Surya (sun), Agni (fire), Prithvi (earth), Aranyani (forest) etc.
9.Who among the following was propounder of the Madhyamika Philosophy?
[A] Bhadrabahu
[B] Parshwanath
[C] Sheelbhadra
[D] Nagarjuna
Correct Answer: D [ Nagarjuna ]
Hints & Explanations:
Nagarjuna (ca. 2nd or 3rd century) was a patriarch of Mahayana and the founder of Madhyamika School.
10.In context of Sangam Age, which among the following was the ruling class in society?
[A] Arasar
[B] Kadaisiyar
[C] Enadi
[D] Pandyas
Correct Answer: A [ Arasar ]
Hints & Explanations:
In Sangam period, Arasar was the ruling class in society.
11.Which of the following was capital of Guptas?
[A] Taxila
[B] Pataliputra
[C] Ujjain
[D] Mathura
Correct Answer: B [ Pataliputra ]
Hints & Explanations:
Patliputra was the capital city of Gupta dynasty.
12.With which among the following Vedas, the Shatapatha Brahmana is related to___?
[A] Rigveda
[B] Yajurveda
[C] Samaveda
[D] Atharvaveda
Correct Answer: B [ Yajurveda ]
Hints & Explanations:
Yajurveda is the book of sacrificial prayers.The world’s oldest prose literature of the Indo-Europeans is contained in Yajurveda.. There are two primary versions or Samhitas of the Yajurveda : Shukla(white) and Krishna(black) This implies that the Krishna Yajurveda includes the Brahmana prose discussions within the Samhita (no Brahman) while the Shukla Yajurveda has separately a Brahmana text, Shatapatha.
13.Bring out the only incorrect statement:
[A] Jorwe culture was most prominent in Maharashtra
[B] Hathonora is a site where a true hominid fossil was found
[C] The Earliest evidence of Rice cultivation has come from Belan Valley
[D] The people of all sites in Rajasthan during the Neolithic age were aware of Bricks
Correct Answer: D [ The people of all sites in Rajasthan during the Neolithic age were aware of Bricks ]
Hints & Explanations:
The people of all sites in Rajasthan during the Neolithic age were aware of Bricks D is the incorrect statement. People of Gilund in Rajasthan were NOT aware of bricks
14.Who among the following defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of river Narmada?
[A] Pulkesin I
[B] Kirtivarman I
[C] Pulkesin II
[D] Vikramaditya I
Correct Answer: C [Pulkesin II]
Hints & Explanations:
Harshavardhana was defeated by Chalukya king Pulakesin-II in circa. 615 AD on the bank of river Narmada. This was the most notable military achievement of Pulakeshin and it ended influence of Harsha from south of Narmada river and established this river as boundary between Uttarpatha and Dakshnipatha.
15.Which among the following is the correct meaning of a word “Manigramam” used in medieval India?
[A] Association of Villages
[B] Complex of various markets
[C] Association of Merchants
[D] Unit of administration in a small village
Correct Answer: C [Association of Merchants]
Hints & Explanations:
Manigramam guild was a localized merchant body which first appeared along the Kerala coast in the ninth century A.D. According to Herman Gundert, Manigramam people were descendants of Syrian Christian merchants who were converted to Saivism by Tamil Saivite poet Manikkavasagar. They gradually flourished in Tamil Nadu in the Pallava and Chola periods and then became supra-regional in character by being active in South-east Asia.
Ancient History Questions
16.Every five years, Harshavardhana used to donate all his possessions at an assembly at which among the following places?
[A] Ujjain
[B] Banaras
[C] Prayag
[D] Kannauj
Correct Answer: C [Prayag]
Hints & Explanations:
Harsha organised religious assemblies every fifth year of his reign at Prayag (Allahabad). The thing which was left in the state treasury after five years, Harsha used to give it all in charity at that time. He has held six such assemblies during his reign.
17.Which among the rulers of Magadh founded the city of Patliputra (Patna) on the bank of river Ganges?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Ajatshatru
[C] Bimbisara
[D] Bindusara
Correct Answer: B [Ajatshatru]
Hints & Explanations:
The ancient city of Pataliputra was founded in the 5th century BC by Ajatashatru, king of Magadha. Patna is a riverside city that extends along the south bank of the Ganges (Ganga) River for about 12 miles.
18.Madurai was a capital of which of the following dynasties?
[A] Pandyas
[B] Pallavas
[C] Cholas
[D] Cheras
Correct Answer: A [Pandyas]
Hints & Explanations:
Madurai was the capital city of Pandyas. The Pandyas were outsted from Madurai by the Chola dynasty during the early 9th century.The city remained under the control of the Cholas until the early 13th century, when the second Pandyan empire was established with Madurai as its capital.
19.Giak & Kiari are located in which of the following ?
[A] Ladakh
[B] Orissa
[C] Kuchh
[D] Assam
Correct Answer: A [Ladakh]
Hints & Explanations:
Giak & Kiari are located in Ladakh. They are examples of Neolithic sites
20.Nude male torso has been found at which of the following place?
[A] Mehergarh
[B] MohanJodro
[C] Harappa
[D] Lothal
Correct Answer: C [Harappa]
Hints & Explanations:
Nude Male Torso has been found at Harappa.
Ancient History Questions
