Magme Guru: ANCIENT INDIA

Showing posts with label ANCIENT INDIA. Show all posts

Showing posts with label ANCIENT INDIA. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 50

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 50

1. The chief feature(s) of the Chola architecture was/were
(a) replacement of bricks by stone structure
(b) massive vimanas or towers
(c) temples became vast complexes
(d) spacious courtyards
Ans: (b)

2. The masterpiece of Chola sculpture is the famous Nataraja or the Dancing Shiva image at
(a) Thanjavur
(b) Chidambaram
(c) Kalahasti
(d) Sri Sailam
Ans: (b)
3. A contemporary rival dynasty of the Cholas in South India was
(a) Chalukyas of Vengi
(b) Pandyas of Madurai
(c) Chalukyas of Kalyani
(d) Cheras
Ans: (c)

4. After the decline of the Chalukya kingdom of Kalyani at the close of the 12th and of the Chola kingdom at the beginning of the 13th century, the new kingdoms which arose in South India were
(a) Yadavas of Devagiri and Kakatiyas of Warangal
(b) Hoysalas of Dwarsamudra and Pandyas of Madurai
(c) Both (a) and (b) above
(d) Vijayanagar and Bahamani kingdoms
Ans: (c)

5. The moat important current(a) in the social life of early medieval India was/were
(a) assimilation of foreigners into the Hindu society as Rajputs
(b) rigidity of the caste system
(c) birth, occupation or profession and place of residence as new determinants of caste
(d) All the above
Ans: (d)

6. The first one, among the following, to deal with music was
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Yajur Veda
(c) Sama Veda
(d) Atharva Veda
Ans: (c)

7. The name of the Indian Astronomer (who knew five astronomical systems), who lived in the 6th century was
(a) Varahamihira
(b) Bhandarkar
(c) Pujyapada
(d) Prasastapada
Ans: (a)

8. Banabhatta, a great scholar, lived during the reign of
(a) Ashoka
(b) Harsha
(c) Kanishka
(d) Chandragupta II
Ans: (b)

9. Which Avtar of Vishnu tricked Mahabali and claimed earth and heaven from him?
(a) Vaman
(b) Narasimha
(c) Matsya
(d) Kurma
Ans: (a)

10. The official language of the Mauryan Court was
(a) Magadhi
(b) Prakrit
(c) Mythili
(d) Sanskrit
Ans: (a)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 49

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 49

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 49

1. Kalhana's Rajatarangini is a work on the history of
(a) Kashmir
(b) Malwa
(c) Bengal
(d) Gujarat
Ans: (a)

2. The single most important factor responsible for the transformation of Ancient Indian
society into medieval society was the
(a) practice of land grants
(b) decline of trade
(c) proliferation of castes
(d) rigidity of the caste system
Ans: (a)

3. India's earliest contact with Islam was established through
(a) Turkish invasions of the 11th-12th centuries
(b) Arab invasion of Sindh in the 7th century
(c) Sufi saints and Arab travellers
(d) Arab merchants of Malabar coast
Ans: (d)

4. Of the four main Chalukya dynasties of early medieval India Pulkesin II, who defeated Harsha, belonged to Chalukya dynasty of
(a) Anhilwad (Gujarat)
(b) Badami or Vatapi
(c) Vengi
(d) Kalyani
Ans: (b)

5. Most of the rock-cut caves, chaityas , monasteries, temples, etc. at Ajanta and Ellora were built during the period of
(a) Chalukyas of Badami
(b) Rastrakutas of Manyakheda
(c) Both (a) and (b) above
(d) Imperial Guptas
Ans: (c)

6. The capital of the Pallavas was
(a) Madurai
(b) Mahabalipuram
(c) Kanchi or Conjeevaram
(d) Thanjavur
Ans: (c)

7. The foundation of the Dravidian style of architecture in South India was laid by
(a) Pandyas
(b) Pallavas
(c) Cholas
(d) Chalukyas of Kalyani
Ans: (b)

8. The Pallava king responsible for carving the Rathas of Mahaballpuram was
(a) Simhavarma
(b) Mahendravarman-I
(c) Nandivaraman-II
(d) Narsimhavarman
Ans: (d)

9. The Cholas were the only known rulers in the history of India to have undertaken successful overseas naval expeditions. Who of the following Chola rulers successfully invaded Laccadives, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Sumatra?
(a) Parantaka-I
(b) Rajaraja-I
(c) Rajendra-I
(d) Both (b) and (c) above
Ans: (c)

10. The Chola king, who after successfully raiding Bengal took the title of Gangaikonda and also founded a new capital (Gangaikonda Cholapuram) was
(a) Rajaraja-I
(b) Rajendra-I
(c) Rajadhiraj-I
(d) Rajendra-II
Ans: (b)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 48

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 48

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 48

1. 'Ayurveda' has its origin in
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Sama Veda
(c) Yajur Veda
(d) Atharva Veda
Ans: (d)

2. Who wrote 'Kiratarjuniyam'?
(a) Bhasa
(b) Bhartruhari
(c) Bhavabhuthi
(d) Bharavi
Ans: (d)

3. The author of 'Sivaje-Chinthamani, considered to be a Tamil epic was a
(a) Buddhist
(b) Hindu
(c) Jaina
(d) Muslim
Ans: (c)

4. Who worte "Kiratarjuniyam"?
(a) Bhas
(b) Bhavabhuti
(c) Bhartruhari
(d) Bharavi
Ans: (d)

5. Who was the author of Amuktamalyada?
(a) Bhoja
(b) Harshavardhana
(c) Krishnadeva Roya
(d) Amoghavarsha
Ans: (c)

6. One of the founder kings of a ruling dynasty of North India elected by the people was
(a) Chandradeva of the Gahadavala dynasty
(b) Gopala of the Pala dynasty
(c) Ajayaraj of the Chauhan dynasty
(d) Jeja or Jejja of the Chandeka dynasty
Ans: (b)

7. Two great Buddhist universities of Nalanda and Vikramshila were patronised by the
(a) Palas
(b) Paramaras
(c) Chandelas
(d) All the above
Ans: (a)

8. The Chahamana (or Chauhan) king who founded the city of Ajmer and made it his capital was
(a) Ajayaraj
(b) Vigraharaj IV
(c) Vigraharaj III
(d) Prithviraj III
Ans: (a)

9. Three most important cities associated with the Chandelas were
(a) Khajuraho, Mahoba (or Mahotsvanagar) and Kalanjar
(b) Dhara, Kalanjar, and Chhatarpur
(c) Tripuri, Kalanjar and Khajuraho
(d) Mahoba, Banda and Chhatarpur
Ans: (a)

10. The temples of Khajuraho built by Chandela kings in the 11th century are?
(a) Shaiva temples
(b) Jain temples
(c) Both (a) and (b) above
(d) Buddhist, Jain and Shaiva temples
Ans: (c)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 47

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 47

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 47

1. A 'Sabha' in the Vedic period was a/an
(a) Institution of professional men in villages
(b) Royal Court
(c) Mantri Parishad
(d) National Assembly of all Citizens of the State.
Ans: (d)

2. The last in the succession of Jaina Tirthankaras was
(a) Parsvanatha
(b) Rishabha
(c) Mahavira
(d) Manisubruta
Ans: (c)

3. The Indus Valley Civilisation type was found in
(a) Sumer
(b) Egypt
(c) China
(d) All the three
Ans: (d)

4. In Jainism, 'perfect knowledge' is referred to as
(a) Jina
(b) Ratna
(c) Kaivalya
(d) Nirvana
Ans: (c)

5. The Buddhist sect Mahayana formally came into existence during the reign of
(a) Ajatashatru
(b) Ashoka
(c) Dharmapala
(d) Kanishka
Ans: (d)

6. Aryabhatta and Varahamihira lived during the
(a) Maurya Period
(b) Gupta Period
(c) Nanda Period
(d) Sunga Period
Ans: (b)

7. Earlier mathematicians (i.e. those who came before medieval Indian mathematicians) had taught that ; who among the following proved that it was infinity?
(a) Aryabhatta
(b) Bhaskara
(c) Brahmagupta
(d) Mahavira
Ans: (b)

8. Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta Period?
(a) Saumilla
(b) Sudraka
(c) Shaunaka
(d) Susruta
Ans: (d)
9. Kapilavasthu is associated with
(a) Emperor Ashoka
(b) Sri Krishnadeva Roya
(c) Lord Mahavira
(d) Lord Buddha
Ans: (d)

10. The ninth incarnation (Avtar) of Vishnu was
(a) Parasurama
(b) Buddha
(c) Krishna
(d) Rama
Ans: (b)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 46

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 46

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 46

1. Mahabharata was also known as
(a) Brihat Katha
(b) Jaya Samhita
(c) Rajatarangini
(d) Purana
Ans: (c)

2. Who, among the following rulers, organised the Second Buddhist Assembly?
(a) Ajatashatru
(b) Kalasoka
(c) Ashoka
(d) Ananda
Ans: (b)

3. 'Abhijnanasakuntalam' has been reckoned as a masterpiece of
(a) Bhasa
(b) Kalidasa
(c) Asvaghosha
(d) Sudraka
Ans: (b)

4. The worship of idols started in India in the ___ period.
(a) Pre-Aryan
(b) Gupta
(c) Maurya
(d) Kushan
Ans: (b)

5. Among the following four works, which one is encyclopaedic in nature?
(a) Amarakosa
(b) Ashtangahrudaya
(c) Brihat Samhita
(d) Siddhanta Siromani
Ans: (c)
6. Which of the following was not the work of Kalidasa?
(a) Raghuvamsa
(b) SakunUtiam
(c) Kumarasambhavam
(d) Kadambari
Ans: (d)

7. Kailasa Temple, one of the largest monolithic structures, is in
(a) Ajanta Caves
(b) Elephanta Caves
(c) Ellora Caves
(d) Nalanda Caves
Ans: (c)

8. The term "Tirthankaras" is associated with
(a) Hinduism
(b) Jainism
(c) Buddhism
(d) Zoroastrianism
Ans: (b)

9. Who possibly ruled the Indus people?
(a) an assembly of elders
(b) merchants
(c) kings
(d) priests
Ans: (b)

10. Which of the following metals was not known to the Indus Valley people?
(a) tin
(b) lead
(c) iron
(d) copper
Ans: (c)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 45

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 45

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 45

1. The word Jina from which the Jain(ism) has originated stands for
(a) great
(b) detached
(c) non-violence
(d) conqueror (of senses)
Ans: (d)

2. India had a brisk foreign trade with the Roman world during the period
(a) Sangam
(b) Pallava
(c) Chola
(d) Vijayanagar
Ans: (a)

3. The Sanskrit drama which triumph over the Nanda is
(a) Mrichhakatika
(b) Mudrarakshasa
(c) Devichandragupta
(d) Prabodhchadrodaya
Ans: (b)

4. The rulers of a dynasty of the Deccan who were supposed to be Brahmanas and staunch supporters of Brahmanism were
(a) Satavahanas
(b) Vakatakas
(c) Rashtrakutas
(d) Chalukyas
Ans: (a)

5. The successors of the Satavahanas in the Deccan were the
(a) Vakatakas
(b) Kadambas
(c) Rashtrakutas
(d) Chalukyas of Badami
Ans: (a)

6. The painting In the Ajanta Caves shows an Indian king receiving an embassy from the king or Persia. The king receiving the embassy has been identified with
(a) Pulakesin I
(b) Pulakesin II
(c) Rajendra Chola
(d) Dhruva IV
Ans: (d)

7. The last Nanda ruler of Magadha who was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya was
(a) Mahapadmananda
(b) Dhanananda
(c) Navananda
(d) Not known
Ans: (b)

8. The Pallava king who adopted the epithet of Vichitrachitta of curious minded was
(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Narasimhavarman I
(c) Narasimhavarman II
(d) Simhavishnu
Ans: (a)

9. River Chenab was known is ancient times as
(a) Parushni
(b) Satudri
(c) Himadri
(d) Asikru
Ans: (d)

10. According to Ancient Indian legendary sources, Surabhi was a/an
a) wish-fulfilling tree
b) treasure in the form of a cow, churned from the cosmic ocean
c) medicine prepared by Dhanvantri
d) intoxicating drink consumed during religious ceremonies in ancient times
Ans: (b)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 44

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 44

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 44

1. What is the name of the preaching mudra of gesture, in which the Buddha is depicted delivering his first sermon, In the Gandhara Sculptures?
(a) Abhaya
(b) Dharmachakra
(c) Dhyana
(d) Bhumisparsha
Ans: (c)

2. What was the original name of Euthydemia?
(a) Gondhara
(b) Sakala
(c) Kapisa
(d) Purushapura
Ans: (b)

3. In whose coins was the wheel round?
(a) Menander
(b) Demetrius
(c) Kanishka
(d) Nahapana
Ans: (a)

4. In whose reign did the visit of Saint Thomas take place?
(a) Maues
(b) Gondophernes
(c) Kanishka
(d) Menander
Ans: (b)

5. One of them was not conquered by Kaniahka from China Identify.
(a) Khotan
(b) Yarkand
(c) Kashgar
(d) Kapisa
Ans: (d)

6. The Harappan town considered to be a town of the artists and craftsmen was
(a) Mohenjo-Daro
(b) Chanhudaro
(c) Harappa
(d) Lothalmenials
Ans: (b)

7. In the Rigveda the term Dasas and Dasyus refers to
(a) robbers
(b) tribals
(c) non-Aryans
(d) menials
Ans: (c)

8. Two most important acts and rituals associated with the Vedic marriage system was/were
(a) Pani-Grahana
(b) Sapta-Padi
(c) Both (a) and (b) above
(d) Marriage Vows
Ans: (c)

9. The most important craftsman in the Vedic period was the
(a) blacksmith
(b) goldsmith
(c) carpenter
(d) barber
Ans: (c)

10. The ramous Vedic river which had long ago become extinct and now supposed to be flowing underground In Rajasthan is
(a) Sindhu
(b) Sabastu
(c) Shatudri
(d) Saraswati
Ans: (d)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 43

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 43

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 43

1. Ashoka's conquest of Kalinga has been described in the minor rock edict numbered
(a) I
(b) IV
(c) VIII
(d) XIII
Ans: (d)

2. The new element of Gopurm had been encouraged in temples of southern India by the
(a) Chalukyas
(b) Pallavas
(c) Cholas
(d) Pandyas
Ans: (d)

3. The temples known as the Seven Pagodas had been built by the
(a) Pallavas
(b) Cholas
(c) Hoysalas
(d) Chalukyas
Ans: (a)

4. A dominant majority of the images at Ajanta are those of
(a) Lord Shiva
(b) The Buddha
(c) Hanuman
(d) Parvati
Ans: (b)

5. The Modi script had been employed in the documents of the
(a) Hoysalas
(b) Zamorins
(c) Marathas
(d) Wodeyaras
Ans: (c)

6. In which script were the Ashokan inscription were written in North West Frontier Province?
(a) Prakrit
(b) Brahmi
(c) Sanskrit
(d) Kharoshti
Ans: (d)

7. The lowest unit of Chola administration was the
(a) Kottam
(b) Mandalam
(c) Kurram
(d) Valanadu
Ans: (c)

8. Madurai had been the capital of the
(a) Cholas
(b) Pallavas
(c) Rashtrakuta
(d) Pandyas
Ans: (d)

9. Which one of the following ports handled the north Indian trade during the Gupta period?
(a) Kalyan
(b) Cambay
(c) Tamralipti
(d) Broach
Ans: (c)

10. Who among the following presided over the Buddhist council held during the reign of Kanishka at Kashmir?
(a) Parsva
(b) Vasumitra
(c) Nagarjuna
(d) Sudraka
Ans: (b)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 42

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 42

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 42

1. Among the four works mentioned below which one is encyclopaedic in nature?
(a) Mamarakosa
(b) Siddhantasiromani
(c) Ashtangahridaya
(d) Brihat Samhita
Ans: (d)

2. Who was the Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya?
(a) Megasthanes
(b) Seleucos
(c) Menander
(d) Demetrias
Ans: (a)

3. Which of the following pairs of various eras and the respective years they commenced from, is wrong?
(a) Saka Era; 78AD
(b) Gupta Era; 320 AD
(c) Vikram Era; 58 AD
(d) Kali Era; 3102 BC
Ans: (c)

4. The ritualistic precepts pertaining to the hymns of the Vedas are known as the
(a) Samhitas
(b) Aranyakas
(c) Brahmanas
(d) Upanishads
Ans: (c)

5. The script of the Indus Valley Civilization was
(a) Dravidian
(b) Persian
(c) Sanskrit
(d) Undecipherable
Ans: (a)

6. The god whose worship had not gained ground in the Rlgvedic period was
(a) Marut
(b) Lord Shiva
(c) Agni
(d) Indra
Ans: (b)

7. The Digambaras and Shvetambaras differ primarily with regard to their
(a) Choice of god
(b) Philosophical doctrines
(c) Dress
(d) Rituals
Ans: (c)

8. Ashoka expresses his faith in the Buddhist creed in the
(a) Rummindei inscription
(b) Schism edict
(c) Kandhar inscription
(d) Bhabru edict
Ans: (d)

9. Which of the following was common to both the Harappan society and the Rigvedic society?
(a) Horse
(b) Female deities
(c) Urban centres
(d) Iron implements
Ans: (a)

10. The largest urban centre in ancient India had been
(a) Pataliputra
(b) Kausambi
(c) Taxila
(d) Kannauj
Ans: (d)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 41

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 41

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 41

1. The Buddha has been eulogized as an ocean of wisdom and compassion in
(a) Buddha-Charita
(b) Jataka tales
(c) Amarakosa
(d) The Light of Aisa
Ans: (c)

2. Who among the following is referred to as the 'Sadhu from the west'?
(a) Thomas of Cannan
(b) St Thomas
(c) St Bartholomew
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b)

3. Which of the following periods is referred to as the period of Hindu revival or renaissance?
(a) Period of Harsha
(b) Kushan Period
(c) Gupta Period
(d) Mauryan Period
Ans: (c)

4. Who among the following had popularized the theory of the Arctic region as the original home of the Aryans?
(a) BG Tilak
(b) Max Muller
(c) GK Gokhale
(d) Dr S Radhakrishnan
Ans: (a)

5. The famous vedic saying "war begins in the minds of men ____ " is contained in the
(a) Mundakopanishad
(b) Mahabharata
(c) Rig Veda
(d) Atharva Veda
Ans: (d)

6. Which of the following rivers does not find frequent mention in Rigvedic Hymns?
(a) Ganges
(b) Sindhu
(c) Brahmaputra
(d) Saraswati
Ans: (c)

7. The philosophical essence, "The world is but God manifest and God is my own soul" may be traced to the
(a) Vedas
(b) Upanishadas
(c) Puranas
(d) Manusmriti
Ans: (b)

8. The most commonly used coin during the Mauryan period was
(a) Karashopana
(b) Nishka
(c) Suvarna
(d) Kakini
Ans: (a)

9. The Arab conquest of Sind in 712 AD had taken place under the leadership of
(a) Mohammed of Ghazni
(b) Mohammed-bin-Qasim
(c) Mohammed of Ghori
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b)

10. The reverential title of 'The Liberator' had been earned by
(a) Alexander
(b) Chandragupta Maurya
(c) Ashoka
(d) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
Ans: (c)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 40

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 40

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 40

1. Identify the temple, from among the Collowing, that was built by the Rashtrakutas?
(a) The Kailash temple, Mahabalipuram
(b) The Surya Temple, Konark
(c) The Channakeshava temple, Batur
(d) The Shiva Temple, Ellora
Ans: (d)

2. The earliest surviving extant, i.e. still standing, temples date from the ______ period?
(a) Gupta
(b) Sunga
(c) Vedic
(d) Maurya
Ans: (a)

3. Which of the following sets of books and authors has been incorrectly matched?
(a) Kadambari - Banabhatta
(b) Arthasastra - Kalhana
(c) Uttarramcharita - Bhavabhuti
(d) Mudrarakshasa – Vishakhadatta
Ans: (b)

4. An elaborate system of municipal administration had been established by
(a) Skanda Gupta
(b) Chandragupta Maurya
(c) Kanishka
(d) Harshavardhana
Ans: (b)

5. During the period of Hiuen Tsang's visit, the city most famous for the production of cotton cloth was
(a) Benaras
(b) Pataliptura
(c) Mathura
(d) Ujjain
Ans: (c)

6. Foreigners were absorbed in a large number in the Indian society during the
period?
(a) Rajput
(b) Gupta
(c) Mauryan
(d) Kushan
Ans: (c)

7. Of the following books and their respective fields, which of the combinations is incorrect?
(a) Charaka Samhita - Architecture
(b) Malavikagnimitra - Drama
(c) Surya Siddhanta - Astronomy
(d) Mitakshara – Law
Ans: (a)

8. The chief impact of vedic culture on Indian history has been
(a) The growth of Sanskrit
(b) The rise of an other-worldly outlook
(c) The progress of philosophy
(d) The consolidation of the caste system
Ans: (d)

9. The original Buddhist religious texts had been written in
(a) Brahmi
(b) Sanskrit
(c) Pali
(d) Magadhi
Ans: (c)

10. The greatest Buddhist commentator of the Buddhist canonical literature has been
(a) Nagarjuna
(b) Ashvaghosha
(c) Vasumitra
(d) Buddhaghosha
Ans: (b)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 39

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 39

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 39

1. Which of the following is the oldest seat of learning?
(a) Nalanda
(b) Vikramshila
(c) Taxila
(d) Ujjain
Ans: (c)

2. The Shrimad Bhagvata Gita contains ______ chapters and ______Sanskrit slokas or couplets.
(a) 14,500
(b) 16,600
(c) 18,700
(d) 20,800
Ans: (c)

3. The Ramayana narrates events believed to have taken place in the ______ Yuga or age.
(a) Sat
(b) Dwapar
(c) Kal
(d) Treta
Ans: (d)

4. Who among the following anticipated Newton by affirming that all things tended to gravitate to the earth?
(a) Aryabhatta
(b) Brahmagupta
(c) Varahamihira
(d) Buddhagupta
Ans: (b)

5. In ancient India, Nalanda University represented a great centre for the study of
(a) Mahayana Buddhism
(b) Hinduism
(c) Hinayana Buddhism
(d) Jainism
Ans: (a)

6. Who is the author of Kadambari, from among the following?
(a) Kalidas
(b) Panini
(c) Kautilya
(d) Bana
Ans: (d)

7. Which sage or scholar had recast the original single Veda into four distinct Vedas?
(a) Patanjali
(b) Kapila
(c) Vyasa
(d) Shankaracharya
Ans: (c)

8. To whom did the term 'Macedonia's madaman' refer?
(a) Alexander
(b) Xersus
(c) Darius
(d) Phillip II
Ans: (a)

9. The bronze coins of Natraja or Dancing Shiva during the Chola period invariably depicted the deity with _____ arms.
(a) Eight
(b) Six
(c) Four
(d) Two
Ans: (b)

10. The two colossal images of the Buddha at Bamiyan are an instance of the _____ art?
(a) Early Mathura
(b) Maurya
(c) Gupta
(d) Gandhara
Ans: (c)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 38

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 38

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 38

1. The dynasty that excelled itself as a naval power was that of the
(a) Hoysalas
(b) Cheras
(c) Cholas
(d) Pallavas
Ans: (c)

2. Which Chola ruler had conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka and made it a province of his empire?
(a) Rajindra Chola I
(b) Adhirajindra Chola
(c) Parantaka Chola I
(d) Rajaraja Chola I
Ans: (d)

3. The ancient, medical treatise, Charaka Samhita is attributed to Charaka, who was a contemporary of
(a) Kanishka
(b) Chandragupta Maurya
(c) Ashoka
(d) Samudragupta
Ans: (a)

4. Who among the following are credited with having built the famous Ellora Caves?
(a) The Cholas
(b) The Satavahanas
(c) The Rashtrakutas
(d) The Cheras
Ans: (c)

5. The caves and rock cut temples at Ellora pertain to
(a) Hinduism
(b) Buddhism
(c) Jainism
(d) All of the above
Ans: (d)

6. The cult of Krishna is primarily exhibited through the
(a) Ancient art
(b) Rajasthani school of art
(c) Mughal school of art
(d) Bengal school of art
Ans: (b)

7. In which of the following caves have 28 new caves been further discovered?
(a) Ajanta Caves
(b) Ellora Caves
(c) Elephanta Caves
(d) None of the above
Ans: (c)

8. The Pallava kings were the makers of the rock-cut temples at
(a) Thanjavur
(b) Mahabalipuram
(c) Khajuraho
(d) Rameswaram
Ans: (b)

9. The Cresco paintings of Ajanta caves illustrate the art of the
(a) Guptas
(b) Mauryas
(c) Kushanas
(d) Rashtrakutas
Ans: (a)

10. Which is the oldest Indian linguistic text?
(a) Nirukta
(b) Mahabhashya
(c) Ashtadhyayi
(d) Kasikavritti
Ans: (c)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 37

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 37

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 37

1. An important part of the eastern court during the Gupta period was
(a) Kalyan
(b) Tamralipti
(c) Broach
(d) Sopara
Ans: (b)

2. The Sunga dynasty had made ____ the official religion of their kingdom.
(a) Buddhism
(b) The Ajivika Sect
(c) Jainism
(d) Brahmanism
Ans: (d)

3. Most of the Hindu colonies in South East Asia had been found during the reign of the
(a) Mauryas
(b) Rajputas
(c) Guptas
(d) Cholas
Ans: (d)

4. The Saka era started from the year
(a) 124 BC
(b) 78 BC
(c) 78 AD
(d) 124 AD
Ans: (c)

5. Which Gupta ruler had led a campaign to the south, besides being an accomplished veena player?
(a) Skandagupta
(b) Samudragupta
(c) Chandragupta I
(d) Chandragupta Vikramaditya
Ans: (b)

6. Who among the following has been called the 'Napoleon of India'?
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Harshavardhana
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Ashoka
Ans: (a)

7. Ashoka's prime claim to greatness lay in
(a) His extensive conquests
(b) The promotion of people's welfare by him
(c) His marathon army
(d) His exclusive patronage of Buddhism
Ans: (b)

8. The achievements of Samudragupta have been chronicled in the
(a) Hathigumpha inscription
(b) Sarnath inscription
(c) Girnar inscription
(d) Allahabad pillar inscription
Ans: (d)

9. The sage who is considered to have Aryanised southern India was
(a) Vasishta
(b) Vishwamitra
(c) Agastya
(d) Yagnavalkya
Ans: (c)

10. The Chola ruler who had subdued the Ganges and obtained the title 'Gangai Konda Cholan' was
(a) Rajaraja Chola
(b) Rajendra Chola I
(c) Rajadhiraja Chola
(d) Kulattunga
Ans: (b)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 36

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 36

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 36

1. The great Hindu law giver was
(a) Manu
(b) Banabhatta
(c) Kapil
(d) Kautilya
Ans: (a)

2. During whose reign did Buddhism become the state religion?
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Skandagupta I
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Ashoka
Ans: (d)

3. The correct chronological order of the four Buddhist councils held Is
(a) Rajagriha, Kashmir or Jullandhar, Pataliputra, Vaishali
(b) Vaishali, Rajagriha, Kashmir or Jullandhar, Pataliputra
(c) Rajagriha, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Kashmir or Jullandhar
(d) Pataliputra, Rajagriha, Kashmir or Jullandhar, Vaishali
Ans: (c)

4. The fourth Buddhist council had compiled an encyclopaedia of Buddhist philosophy, called
(a) Sutralankara
(b) Madhyamika Sutra
(c) Jatakas
(d) Mahavibhasha Sutra
Ans: (d)

5. Who had converted Kanishka to Buddhism?
(a) Parsva
(b) Nagarjuna
(c) Asvaghosha
(d) Vasumitra
Ans: (c)

6. Buddhism was first propagated outside India In
(a) China
(b) Cambodia
(c) Thailand
(d) Ceylon
Ans: (d)

7. The language adopted for preaching In Mahayana Buddhism was
(a) Pali
(b) Brahmi
(c) Sanskrit
(d) Prakrit
Ans: (c)

8. Who is said to have both been born and shed his body on the Vaishakha Purnima day?
(a) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
(b) Mahavira
(c) Shankaracharya
(d) The Buddha
Ans: (d)

9. The Indus Valley civilisation was discovered in the year
(a) 1917
(b) 1921
(c) 1927
(d) 1932
Ans: (b)

10. During the Gupta period, the village affairs were managed by the village headman with the assistance of the
(a) Amatya
(b) Mahattara
(c) Vishyapati
(d) Gopa
Ans: (c)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 35

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 35

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 35

1. The oldest Jain scriptures are regarded to be the
(a) Fourteen Purvas
(b) Twelve Upangas
(c) Twelve Angas
(d) Fourteen Uparvas
Ans: (c)

2. Who among the following rulers had embraced Jainism?
(a) Chandragupta Maurya
(b) Bindusara
(c) Ajatashatru
(d) Pulakesin
Ans: (a)

3. The original teachings of Mahavira are contained in the
(a) Jatakas
(b) Tripitakas
(c) Purvas
(d) Angas
Ans: (c)

4. Which of the following rulers did not enter the Buddhist Cold?
(a) Harsha
(b) Samudragupta
(c) Kanishka
(d) Ashoka
Ans: (b)

5. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period, women and Sudras speak
(a) Sanskrit
(b) Pali
(c) Prakrit
(d) Sauraseni
Ans: (c)

6. According to tradition, a mighty king In India in the fourth century BC had been raised to power by a Taxila brahmin, named
(a) Chanakya
(b) Patanjali
(c) Pushyamitra
(d) Manu
Ans: (a)

7. Who had established the four Mathas or Monastic seats in the four corners of India?
(a) Madhavacharya
(b) Shankaracharya
(c) Bhaskaracharya
(d) Ramanujacharya
Ans: (b)

8. The term used to denote a group of families in the vedic society was
(a) Vish
(b) Jana
(c) Grama
(d) Gotra
Ans: (b)

9. The Svetambaras and Digambaras refer to two sects of
(a) Saivism
(b) Buddhism
(c) Vaishnavism
(d) Jainism
Ans: (d)

10. According to the Mimansa School of Philosophy, liberation is possible through
(a) Yoga
(b) Bhakti
(c) Karma
(d) Jnana
Ans: (c)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 34

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 34

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 34

1. The Atharva Veda does not discuss the ideal of
(a) Karma
(b) Jnana
(c) Upasana
(d) Moksha
Ans: (d)

2. The institution of varna appeared in the
(a) Rigvedic period
(b) Later vedic period
(c) Period of the Manava Dharm Shastra
(d) Period of consolidation of text of the Mahabharata
Ans: (a)

3. The Aryans did not practise the craftsmanship of
(a) Blacksmithry
(b) Pottery
(c) Jewellery
(d) Carpentry
Ans: (c)

4. The only Veda to have been rendered musically is
(a) The Rig Veda
(b) The Sama Veda
(c) The Yajur Veda
(d) The Atharva Veda
Ans: (b)

5. What is the first discourse that the Buddha had delivered at the Deer Park in Sarnath called?
(a) Mahaparinirvana
(b) Mahamastabhisheka
(c) Mahabhiniskraman
(d) Dharmachakrapravartan
Ans: (d)

6. Name the ruler whose patronage had been enjoyed by Jainism.
(a) Kanishka
(b) Kharavela
(c) Pushyamitra Sunga
(d) Samudragupta
Ans: (b)

7. The famous Indo-Greek king to embrace Buddhism was
(a) Alexander
(b) Strato I
(c) Menander
(d) Democritus
Ans: (c)

8. To whom is the introduction of Buddhism into China traditionally attributed?
(a) Nagarjuna
(b) Samprati
(c) Vasubandhu
(d) Kashyapa Matanga
Ans: (d)

9. Name the ruler whose reign was a witness to both Vardhaman Mahavira and the Buddha preaching their respective doctrines?
(a) Udayin
(b) Bimbisara
(c) Ajatashatru
(d) Harshvardhana
Ans: (b)

10. Where was Mahavira born?
(a) Sravasti
(b) Vaishali
(c) Rajagriha
(d) Pataliputra
Ans: (b)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 33

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 33

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 33

1. Which of the following is not an important work of Kalidasa?
(a) Shakuntala
(b) Kumarasambhava
(c) Gita Govinda
(d) Meghadoot
Ans: (c)

2. Who was not among the scholars patronized by Kanishka?
(a) Parsva
(b) Birbal
(c) Ashvaghosha
(d) Nagarjuna
Ans: (b)

3. Which of the following is not a category into which Ashoka's monuments may be grouped?
(a) Stupas
(b) Pillars
(c) Viharas
(d) Caves
Ans: (c)

4. Which important industry show signs of having thrived in Lothal?
(a) Pottery
(b) Shipbuilding
(c) Terracota toys
(d) Aircraft manufacture
Ans: (b)

5. The archaeologist to initially discover the Mohenjo-Daro site of the Indus Valley Civilization was
(a) Sir John Marshall
(b) Daya Ram Sahni
(c) Sir Martimir Wheeler
(d) Rakhal Das Banerji
Ans: (d)

6. Which of the following Indus Valley sites is presently in Pakistan?
(a) Kalibangan
(b) Harappa
(c) Alamgirpur
(d) Lethal
Ans: (b)

7. The Harappan site that had a dock is
(a) Alamgirpur
(b) Harappa
(c) Lothal
(d) Mohenjo-Daro
Ans: (c)

8. Which one of the Chola Kings conquered Ceylon?
(a) Aditya I
(b) Rajendra
(c) Rajaraja I
(d) Vijayalaya
Ans: (d)

9. Which of the following was not an Indus Valley site?
(a) Pataliputra
(b) Rangpur
(c) Sukatagendor
(d) Lothal
Ans: (a)

10. The Vedic deity Indra was the god of
(a) Fire
(b) Rain and Thunder
(c) Eternity
(d) Wind
Ans: (b)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 32

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 32

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 32

1. What is the present name of Dwara Samudra, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas?
(a) Mathura
(b) Halebid
(c) Raourkela
(d) Belur
Ans: (b)

2. In which century did the first movement against vedic ritualistic practices start?
(a) 19th century BC
(b) 14th century BC
(c) 5th century AD
(d) 600 BC
Ans: (d)

3. The Ajanta cave paintings mostly belong to the period of the
(a) Mughals
(b) Mauryas
(c) Chalukyas
(d) Guptas
Ans: (d)

4. Which of the following rulers had reigned in the third century BC?
(a) Jehangir
(b) Ashoka
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Akbar
Ans: (b)

5. Who was the founder of the Sankhya School of philosophy?
(a) Ramanuja
(b) Manu
(c) Swami Vivekananda
(d) Kapila
Ans: (d)

6. Which of the following is regarded by historians as a crucial stage In describing the progress of civilization?
(a) Writing
(b) The discovery of fire
(c) Agriculture
(d) The use of internet
Ans: (c)

7. Where in India have traces of megalithic culture predominantly been found?
(a) Southern India
(b) Northeastern India
(c) Central India
(d) Northern India
Ans: (a)

8. Who is credited with having written the immortal classic treatise Raja Yoga Sutras (Aphorisms on Meditation)?
(a) Panini
(b) Kapila
(c) Patanjali
(d) Manu
Ans: (c)

9. The earlier Buddhist sculptures had shied away from depicting the image of the Buddha, except through such symbols as
(a) Footprints
(b) The Bodhi Tree
(c) Stupas
(d) All of the above
Ans: (d)

10. Of the following dynasties, only the dynasty was not a patron of temple architecture?
(a) Paramar
(b) Yadava
(c) Chalukya
(d) Chandella
Ans: (b)

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 31

UPSC May 19, 2020

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 31

ANCIENT INDIA MCQS SET 31

1. Which of the following are essentially books of rituals?
(a) The Vedas
(b) The Upanishads
(c) The Aranyakas
(d) The Brahmanas
Ans: (d)

2. The concluding portions of the Brahmanas are called the
(a) Vedas
(b) Agamas
(c) Tantras
(d) Satpathas
Ans: (d)

3. What does the Yajur Veda contain?
(a) Only hymns
(b) Spells and charms
(c) Hymns and rituals
(d) Commentaries on society
Ans: (c)

4. The Mahajanapada that acquired prominence to become an empire was that of
(a) Magadha
(b) Kasi
(c) Kosala
(d) Avanti
Ans: (a)

5. Which of the following forms of land tenure denoted an entire village being donated to Brahmins?
(a) Jagir
(b) Zamindari
(c) Brahmadeya
(d) Devadana
Ans: (c)

6. What did the Devadana type of a land tenure signify?
(a) Villages donated to Brahmins
(b) Villages donated to the King
(c) Villages donated to the gods
(d) Villages not normally lived in
Ans: (c)

7. Which of the following is not famous for temples marked by erotic sculptures?
(a) Khajuraho
(b) madhurai
(c) Halebid
(d) Konark
Ans: (c)

8. What was the extent of Harsha's empire?
(a) The entire Indian subcontinent
(b) The whole of India
(c) The entire Deccan region
(d) A part of northern India
Ans: (d)

9. The Rigvedic Aryans were governed by a
(a) Tribal republic
(b) Form of democracy
(c) Monarchical government
(d) Rule by elders
Ans: (c)

10. The most Important cause of the downfall of the Gupta empire was/were
(a) Muslim invasions
(b) The pacifist influence of the Buddha's teachings
(c) Frequent wars of succession
(d) Revolt and declaration of independence by principal chiefs
Ans: (d)

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