100 Ancient Indian History MCQs
Indus Valley Civilization
1. Which civilization is also known as the Harappan Civilization?
A. Vedic Civilization
B. Indus Valley Civilization
C. Mauryan Civilization
D. Gupta Civilization
Answer: B. Indus Valley Civilization
2. Harappa was first excavated in which year?
A. 1905
B. 1921
C. 1931
D. 1947
Answer: B. 1921
3. Who led the excavation of Harappa in 1921?
A. R. D. Banerji
B. Daya Ram Sahni
C. John Marshall
D. Alexander Cunningham
Answer: B. Daya Ram Sahni
4. Mohenjo-daro is located in present-day:
A. India
B. Nepal
C. Pakistan
D. Afghanistan
Answer: C. Pakistan
5. The famous Great Bath was discovered at:
A. Harappa
B. Mohenjo-daro
C. Lothal
D. Kalibangan
Answer: B. Mohenjo-daro
6. Which Harappan site is famous for its dockyard?
A. Lothal
B. Harappa
C. Ropar
D. Banawali
Answer: A. Lothal
7. Kalibangan is located in present-day:
A. Gujarat
B. Rajasthan
C. Punjab
D. Haryana
Answer: B. Rajasthan
8. Which Harappan site is associated with evidence of a ploughed field?
A. Lothal
B. Kalibangan
C. Dholavira
D. Harappa
Answer: B. Kalibangan
9. Dholavira is located in:
A. Gujarat
B. Rajasthan
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. Bihar
Answer: A. Gujarat
10. Which metal was generally unknown to the Harappans?
A. Copper
B. Bronze
C. Iron
D. Gold
Answer: C. Iron
11. The Harappan script is generally considered:
A. Fully deciphered
B. Partially deciphered
C. Undeciphered
D. Written only in Sanskrit
Answer: C. Undeciphered
12. Which animal is frequently depicted on Harappan seals?
A. Unicorn-like bull
B. Horse
C. Camel
D. Lion
Answer: A. Unicorn-like bull
13. The Harappan Civilization was primarily a:
A. Nomadic civilization
B. Urban civilization
C. Maritime empire
D. Feudal civilization
Answer: B. Urban civilization
14. Which Harappan site is located in Haryana?
A. Banawali
B. Lothal
C. Dholavira
D. Surkotada
Answer: A. Banawali
15. Which site is famous for its sophisticated water-management system?
A. Dholavira
B. Harappa
C. Rakhigarhi
D. Mohenjo-daro
Answer: A. Dholavira
Vedic Period
16. Which is the oldest Veda?
A. Samaveda
B. Yajurveda
C. Atharvaveda
D. Rigveda
Answer: D. Rigveda
17. The Rigveda contains approximately how many hymns?
A. 500
B. 1,028
C. 2,000
D. 3,000
Answer: B. 1,028
18. Which Veda is primarily associated with melodies and chants?
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Yajurveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer: B. Samaveda
19. The Yajurveda is mainly associated with:
A. Medicine
B. Rituals and sacrifices
C. Astronomy
D. Grammar
Answer: B. Rituals and sacrifices
20. Which Veda contains many spells and charms?
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Yajurveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer: D. Atharvaveda
21. Which river is most frequently mentioned in the Rigveda?
A. Ganga
B. Yamuna
C. Saraswati
D. Narmada
Answer: C. Saraswati
22. The Battle of Ten Kings is mentioned in:
A. Rigveda
B. Arthashastra
C. Ramayana
D. Manusmriti
Answer: A. Rigveda
23. The term ‘Sabha’ in the Vedic period referred to:
A. A religious text
B. An assembly
C. A kingdom
D. A tax
Answer: B. An assembly
24. The later Vedic period witnessed the increasing use of:
A. Iron
B. Aluminium
C. Steel
D. Silver coins
Answer: A. Iron
25. The Upanishads are primarily concerned with:
A. Trade
B. Philosophy and spiritual knowledge
C. Warfare
D. Agriculture
Answer: B. Philosophy and spiritual knowledge
Jainism and Buddhism
26. Who is regarded as the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism?
A. Parshvanatha
B. Mahavira
C. Rishabhanatha
D. Ajitanatha
Answer: B. Mahavira
27. Mahavira was born at:
A. Lumbini
B. Kundagrama
C. Sarnath
D. Rajgir
Answer: B. Kundagrama
28. Mahavira attained enlightenment at:
A. Bodh Gaya
B. Jambhikagrama
C. Sarnath
D. Kushinagara
Answer: B. Jambhikagrama
29. Mahavira’s first disciple was traditionally identified as:
A. Ananda
B. Gautama Swami
C. Sariputta
D. Moggalana
Answer: B. Gautama Swami
30. Gautama Buddha was born at:
A. Sarnath
B. Lumbini
C. Kushinagara
D. Rajgir
Answer: B. Lumbini
31. Buddha attained enlightenment at:
A. Bodh Gaya
B. Sarnath
C. Vaishali
D. Kushinagara
Answer: A. Bodh Gaya
32. Buddha delivered his first sermon at:
A. Lumbini
B. Sarnath
C. Rajgir
D. Pataliputra
Answer: B. Sarnath
33. Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana at:
A. Bodh Gaya
B. Sarnath
C. Kushinagara
D. Vaishali
Answer: C. Kushinagara
34. The Buddhist doctrine of the Middle Path was taught by:
A. Mahavira
B. Ashoka
C. Buddha
D. Nagarjuna
Answer: C. Buddha
35. The sacred Buddhist texts are collectively known as:
A. Vedas
B. Tripitaka
C. Puranas
D. Agamas
Answer: B. Tripitaka
36. The First Buddhist Council was held at:
A. Rajgir
B. Vaishali
C. Pataliputra
D. Kashmir
Answer: A. Rajgir
37. The Second Buddhist Council was held at:
A. Rajgir
B. Vaishali
C. Sarnath
D. Taxila
Answer: B. Vaishali
38. The Third Buddhist Council was held during the reign of:
A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Ashoka
C. Kanishka
D. Harsha
Answer: B. Ashoka
39. The Fourth Buddhist Council is traditionally associated with:
A. Ashoka
B. Kanishka
C. Bimbisara
D. Samudragupta
Answer: B. Kanishka
40. The main principle of Jainism emphasizes:
A. Conquest
B. Ahimsa
C. Imperialism
D. Ritual sacrifice
Answer: B. Ahimsa
Mahajanapadas and Mauryan Empire
41. How many Mahajanapadas are traditionally mentioned in Buddhist texts?
A. 12
B. 14
C. 16
D. 18
Answer: C. 16
42. Which Mahajanapada became the most powerful in northern India?
A. Magadha
B. Kuru
C. Panchala
D. Gandhara
Answer: A. Magadha
43. Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
A. Ashoka
B. Bindusara
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Pushyamitra Shunga
Answer: C. Chandragupta Maurya
44. Chandragupta Maurya was assisted by:
A. Kalidasa
B. Chanakya
C. Banabhatta
D. Patanjali
Answer: B. Chanakya
45. Chanakya is also known as:
A. Vishakhadatta
B. Kautilya
C. Panini
D. Charaka
Answer: B. Kautilya
46. The Arthashastra is traditionally attributed to:
A. Kautilya
B. Ashoka
C. Megasthenes
D. Patanjali
Answer: A. Kautilya
47. Megasthenes was an ambassador to the court of:
A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Samudragupta
D. Kanishka
Answer: B. Chandragupta Maurya
48. Megasthenes wrote:
A. Arthashastra
B. Indica
C. Rajatarangini
D. Buddhacharita
Answer: B. Indica
49. The capital of the Mauryan Empire was:
A. Taxila
B. Ujjain
C. Pataliputra
D. Vaishali
Answer: C. Pataliputra
50. Who succeeded Chandragupta Maurya?
A. Ashoka
B. Bindusara
C. Dasharatha
D. Brihadratha
Answer: B. Bindusara
51. Ashoka was the son of:
A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Bindusara
C. Bimbisara
D. Ajatashatru
Answer: B. Bindusara
52. Which war had a profound impact on Ashoka?
A. Battle of Hydaspes
B. Kalinga War
C. Battle of Ten Kings
D. First Battle of Panipat
Answer: B. Kalinga War
53. The Kalinga War took place approximately in:
A. 326 BCE
B. 305 BCE
C. 261 BCE
D. 185 BCE
Answer: C. 261 BCE
54. Ashoka’s inscriptions were mainly written in:
A. Greek only
B. Prakrit
C. Tamil only
D. Sanskrit only
Answer: B. Prakrit
55. Most of Ashoka’s inscriptions were written in which script?
A. Brahmi
B. Devanagari
C. Sharada
D. Grantha
Answer: A. Brahmi
56. The Lion Capital adopted as India’s national emblem was found at:
A. Sanchi
B. Sarnath
C. Bodh Gaya
D. Taxila
Answer: B. Sarnath
57. The Ashoka Chakra has how many spokes?
A. 18
B. 20
C. 24
D. 32
Answer: C. 24
58. Ashoka’s Dhamma emphasized:
A. Military expansion
B. Ethical and moral conduct
C. Caste warfare
D. Overseas conquest
Answer: B. Ethical and moral conduct
Post-Mauryan Period
59. Who founded the Shunga dynasty?
A. Pushyamitra Shunga
B. Kanishka
C. Menander
D. Simuka
Answer: A. Pushyamitra Shunga
60. The Indo-Greek ruler Menander is also known as:
A. Milinda
B. Devanampriya
C. Vikramaditya
D. Rudradaman
Answer: A. Milinda
61. The dialogue between Menander and Nagasena is recorded in:
A. Milindapanho
B. Arthashastra
C. Mudrarakshasa
D. Indica
Answer: A. Milindapanho
62. Kanishka belonged to which dynasty?
A. Gupta
B. Kushana
C. Maurya
D. Satavahana
Answer: B. Kushana
63. The capital of Kanishka’s empire was:
A. Pataliputra
B. Purushapura
C. Ujjain
D. Madurai
Answer: B. Purushapura
64. Kanishka is particularly associated with the spread of:
A. Theravada Buddhism only
B. Mahayana Buddhism
C. Jainism
D. Shaivism only
Answer: B. Mahayana Buddhism
65. Gandhara art developed mainly under the influence of:
A. Greek and Indian traditions
B. Chinese and Egyptian traditions
C. Persian and Japanese traditions
D. Roman and Egyptian traditions
Answer: A. Greek and Indian traditions
66. The Satavahanas mainly ruled parts of:
A. South and central India
B. Kashmir only
C. Bengal only
D. Punjab only
Answer: A. South and central India
67. The Satavahana ruler famous for defeating the Shakas was:
A. Gautamiputra Satakarni
B. Simuka
C. Yajna Sri Satakarni
D. Hala
Answer: A. Gautamiputra Satakarni
Sangam Age and South India
68. Sangam literature is primarily associated with:
A. Sanskrit
B. Tamil
C. Pali
D. Prakrit
Answer: B. Tamil
69. The three major Tamil dynasties of the Sangam Age were:
A. Chola, Chera and Pandya
B. Pallava, Chalukya and Rashtrakuta
C. Maurya, Gupta and Kushana
D. Shunga, Kanva and Satavahana
Answer: A. Chola, Chera and Pandya
70. Which dynasty had its early capital at Madurai?
A. Chola
B. Pandya
C. Chera
D. Pallava
Answer: B. Pandya
71. The famous ancient Tamil port of Puhar was associated with the:
A. Cheras
B. Cholas
C. Pandyas
D. Pallavas
Answer: B. Cholas
72. The Chera kingdom was mainly located in:
A. Present-day Kerala and adjoining areas
B. Bengal
C. Punjab
D. Rajasthan
Answer: A. Present-day Kerala and adjoining areas
Gupta Period
73. Who is generally regarded as the founder of the Gupta dynasty?
A. Sri Gupta
B. Chandragupta I
C. Samudragupta
D. Skandagupta
Answer: A. Sri Gupta
74. Chandragupta I assumed the title:
A. Maharajadhiraja
B. Devanampriya
C. Vikramaditya
D. Dharmashoka
Answer: A. Maharajadhiraja
75. The Gupta Era is generally considered to have begun in:
A. 78 CE
B. 120 CE
C. 320 CE
D. 550 CE
Answer: C. 320 CE
76. Who succeeded Chandragupta I?
A. Skandagupta
B. Samudragupta
C. Kumaragupta
D. Chandragupta II
Answer: B. Samudragupta
77. Samudragupta’s achievements are described in the:
A. Allahabad Pillar inscription
B. Junagadh inscription
C. Hathigumpha inscription
D. Aihole inscription
Answer: A. Allahabad Pillar inscription
78. The Allahabad Pillar inscription was composed by:
A. Harisena
B. Kalidasa
C. Banabhatta
D. Vishakhadatta
Answer: A. Harisena
79. Samudragupta is often described as a great:
A. Musician and conqueror
B. Sailor
C. Architect only
D. Buddhist monk
Answer: A. Musician and conqueror
80. Which Gupta ruler is associated with the title Vikramaditya?
A. Chandragupta I
B. Samudragupta
C. Chandragupta II
D. Kumaragupta I
Answer: C. Chandragupta II
81. Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of:
A. Ashoka
B. Chandragupta II
C. Harsha
D. Kanishka
Answer: B. Chandragupta II
82. Fa-Hien was a traveler from:
A. Greece
B. China
C. Persia
D. Arabia
Answer: B. China
83. Aryabhata was a famous:
A. Astronomer and mathematician
B. Military commander
C. Sculptor
D. King
Answer: A. Astronomer and mathematician
84. Aryabhata wrote:
A. Aryabhatiya
B. Brihat Samhita
C. Charaka Samhita
D. Ashtadhyayi
Answer: A. Aryabhatiya
85. Kalidasa was famous as a:
A. Sanskrit poet and dramatist
B. Buddhist monk
C. Physician
D. Political administrator
Answer: A. Sanskrit poet and dramatist
86. Which work was written by Kalidasa?
A. Abhijnanashakuntalam
B. Arthashastra
C. Indica
D. Milindapanho
Answer: A. Abhijnanashakuntalam
87. The Ajanta paintings largely flourished under the patronage of:
A. Vakatakas
B. Mauryas
C. Shungas
D. Pandyas
Answer: A. Vakatakas
Science, Literature, Art and Architecture
88. Charaka is traditionally associated with:
A. Medicine
B. Astronomy
C. Grammar
D. Architecture
Answer: A. Medicine
89. Sushruta is particularly associated with:
A. Surgery
B. Astronomy
C. Political science
D. Poetry
Answer: A. Surgery
90. Panini wrote:
A. Ashtadhyayi
B. Arthashastra
C. Buddhacharita
D. Rajatarangini
Answer: A. Ashtadhyayi
91. The study of ancient Indian grammar is especially associated with:
A. Panini
B. Charaka
C. Aryabhata
D. Kalidasa
Answer: A. Panini
92. The famous Iron Pillar is located at:
A. Sanchi
B. Mehrauli
C. Nalanda
D. Taxila
Answer: B. Mehrauli
93. The Iron Pillar is particularly noted for its:
A. Gold coating
B. Resistance to corrosion
C. Buddhist inscriptions
D. Underground location
Answer: B. Resistance to corrosion
94. The Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally commissioned by:
A. Ashoka
B. Kanishka
C. Chandragupta II
D. Harsha
Answer: A. Ashoka
95. Nalanda was famous in ancient India as a:
A. Military center
B. Centre of learning
C. Port city
D. Textile market
Answer: B. Centre of learning
96. The ancient university of Nalanda was located in present-day:
A. Bihar
B. Gujarat
C. Rajasthan
D. Odisha
Answer: A. Bihar
97. The famous mathematician Brahmagupta wrote:
A. Brahmasphutasiddhanta
B. Aryabhatiya
C. Charaka Samhita
D. Natyashastra
Answer: A. Brahmasphutasiddhanta
98. The Natyashastra is traditionally attributed to:
A. Bharata Muni
B. Kalidasa
C. Panini
D. Patanjali
Answer: A. Bharata Muni
99. The concept of zero as a number was significantly developed in ancient India, with major contributions by:
A. Brahmagupta
B. Megasthenes
C. Ashoka
D. Banabhatta
Answer: A. Brahmagupta
100. Which ancient Indian ruler is associated with the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)?
A. Harshavardhana
B. Chandragupta Maurya
C. Ashoka
D. Samudragupta
Answer: A. Harshavardhana
