Ancient India: Vedic Age to the Guptas MCQs

Solved ancient Indian history MCQs on the Vedas, Mahajanapadas, Buddhism, the Mauryas, Kushanas, Guptas, Sangam age, Pallavas and Cholas, for SSC and state exams.

1. 1

   The Gayatri Mantra is found in the:

   ASamavedaBYajurvedaCAtharvavedaDRigveda

   Correct answer: D. Rigveda

   The Gayatri Mantra, addressed to Savitri (the Sun), is in the third mandala of the Rigveda.

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2. 2

   Which Veda is closely linked with music, as its hymns were meant to be sung?

   AAtharvavedaBRigvedaCYajurvedaDSamaveda

   Correct answer: D. Samaveda

   The Samaveda arranges Rigvedic verses as chants and is seen as the root of Indian music.

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3. 3

   How many Mahajanapadas are listed in Buddhist texts for the 6th century BCE?

   A8B12C16D20

   Correct answer: C. 16

   The Anguttara Nikaya lists sixteen Mahajanapadas, including Magadha, Kosala, Vatsa and Avanti.

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4. 4

   The early capital of the Magadha kingdom was:

   ARajagriha (Rajgir)BUjjainCPataliputraDVaishali

   Correct answer: A. Rajagriha (Rajgir)

   Rajagriha was Magadha's capital under Bimbisara and Ajatashatru; the capital later moved to Pataliputra.

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5. 5

   Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at:

   ALumbiniBKushinagarCSarnathDBodh Gaya

   Correct answer: D. Bodh Gaya

   He attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar.

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6. 6

   Gautama Buddha attained mahaparinirvana (died) at:

   AVaishaliBKushinagarCSravastiDRajgir

   Correct answer: B. Kushinagar

   Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

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7. 7

   The First Buddhist Council was held soon after the Buddha's death at:

   AVaishaliBKashmirCRajagrihaDPataliputra

   Correct answer: C. Rajagriha

   It met at Rajagriha under the patronage of Ajatashatru to compile the Buddha's teachings.

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8. 8

   Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador at the court of Chandragupta Maurya, wrote:

   ARajataranginiBIndicaCArthashastraDMudrarakshasa

   Correct answer: B. Indica

   Indica survives only in quotations by later writers but describes Pataliputra and Mauryan society.

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9. 9

   Ashoka's Brahmi inscriptions were first deciphered in 1837 by:

   AWilliam JonesBJames PrinsepCAlexander CunninghamDJohn Marshall

   Correct answer: B. James Prinsep

   James Prinsep deciphered the Brahmi script, which revealed that "Devanampiya Piyadasi" was Ashoka.

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10. 10

    The Gupta era, beginning in 319–320 CE, is associated with the accession of:

    AChandragupta IIBSri GuptaCChandragupta IDSamudragupta

    Correct answer: C. Chandragupta I

    Chandragupta I took the title Maharajadhiraja, and the Gupta era is counted from his reign.

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12. 11

    The poet Kalidasa is traditionally associated with the court of:

    AHarshavardhanaBKanishkaCAshokaDChandragupta II (Vikramaditya)

    Correct answer: D. Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)

    Kalidasa, author of Abhijnanashakuntalam and Meghaduta, is traditionally placed among the "nine gems" of Chandragupta II.

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13. 12

    The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien (Faxian) visited India during the reign of:

    AKanishkaBHarshavardhanaCChandragupta IIDAshoka

    Correct answer: C. Chandragupta II

    Fa-Hien travelled in India around 399–412 CE; Hiuen Tsang came later, under Harsha.

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14. 13

    The astronomer Aryabhata wrote:

    ABrihat SamhitaBLilavatiCAryabhatiyaDSurya Siddhanta

    Correct answer: C. Aryabhatiya

    The Aryabhatiya (499 CE) explains the rotation of the Earth and gives a value of π. Brihat Samhita is by Varahamihira and Lilavati by Bhaskara II.

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15. 14

    The rust-resistant Iron Pillar at Mehrauli, Delhi, dates from the time of the:

    AGuptasBCholasCKushanasDMauryas

    Correct answer: A. Guptas

    Its inscription refers to a king Chandra, usually identified as Chandragupta II; it has resisted rust for about 1,600 years.

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16. 15

    The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir under the patronage of:

    AKanishkaBAshokaCMenanderDHarsha

    Correct answer: A. Kanishka

    Kanishka, the great Kushana ruler, sponsored it; Mahayana Buddhism grew strongly after this period.

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17. 16

    Sangam literature is the earliest literature in:

    AKannadaBPaliCSanskritDTamil

    Correct answer: D. Tamil

    The Sangam poems describe life in the ancient Tamil kingdoms of the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas.

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18. 17

    The rock-cut rathas (chariot temples) at Mahabalipuram were built by the:

    ARashtrakutasBChalukyasCPallavasDCholas

    Correct answer: C. Pallavas

    The Pallavas of Kanchipuram built them in the 7th century, mainly under Narasimhavarman I.

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19. 18

    Which Chola king led a naval expedition to Southeast Asia (Srivijaya)?

    ARajaraja Chola IBRajendra Chola ICKarikalaDKulottunga I

    Correct answer: B. Rajendra Chola I

    Rajendra Chola I sent a fleet to Srivijaya around 1025 CE and also took the title Gangaikonda after reaching the Ganga.

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20. 19

    Banabhatta, who wrote the Harshacharita, was the court poet of:

    AHarshavardhanaBPulakeshin IICChandragupta IIDSamudragupta

    Correct answer: A. Harshavardhana

    The Harshacharita is a biography of Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE).

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21. 20

    The Milinda Panha records a dialogue between the monk Nagasena and the Indo-Greek king:

    AMenanderBSeleucusCDemetriusDAlexander

    Correct answer: A. Menander

    Menander (Milinda) is said to have accepted Buddhism after these discussions with Nagasena.

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