Ancient History Question Bank

1- The Rigvedic deity not found in Avesta is:

(a) Indra

(b) Varuna

(c) Agni

(d) Mitra

 

2- The concept of ‘Brahma’ started with:

(a) Brahmanas

(b) Aranyakas

(c) Upanishads

(d) Vedas

  1. Who wrote ‘Natya Shashtra’?

(a) Bhavbhuti

(b) Matang

(c) Bharat Muni

(d) Bharavi

  1. Most of Smritis have been written in verse. Which of the following has been written in prose ?

(a)   Narad Smriti                         (b)   Brihaspati Smriti

(c)   Yajnavalakya Smriti                 (d)   Vishnu Smriti

  1. Which Mandal of the Rigveda is dedicated to ‘Soma’ ?

(a)   Eighth                               (b)   Ninth

(c)   Tenth                                (d)   Sixth

  1. To whom Gautam Buddha gave his last sermon at Kushinagar ?

(a)   Subhadd                             (b)   Anand

(c)   Sariputra                            (d)   Upali

  1. Read the statements (A) and (B) and choose the correct answer from the codes given below :

(A)  The sixth century B.C. was a period of great religious upheaval in all parts of the world.

(B)  The Vedic religion had become very complex.

Codes :

(a)   Both (A) and (B) are false.           (b)   Both (A) and (B) are true.

(c)   (A) is true, while (B) is false.         (d)   (A) is false, while (B) is true.

  1. The earliest known epigraphic evidence of Bhagvatism is :

(a)   Prayag Prashasti of Samudra Gupta   (b)   Nasik inscription of Gautami Balshri

(c)   Garuda column at Besnagar          (d)   Ayodhya inscription of Dhanadeva

 

  1. Buddhist text ‘Milindapanho’ throws light on which Indo-Greek ruler ?

(a)   Diodorus II                           (b)   Demetrius

(c)   Minender                            (d)   Strato I

  1. In which Vedic text the term ‘Varna’ is found referred for the first time ?

(a)   Rigveda                              (b)   Atharva veda

(c)   Sam veda                            (d)   Yajur veda

  1. There were different causes for the downfall of the Gupta empire. Which one was not the cause among the statements given below ?

(a)   Huna invasion

(b)   Feudal set-up of administration

(c)   Acceptance of Buddhism by the later Guptas

(d)   Arab invasion

  1. The first Christian missionary’ to come to India was :-

(a) St. Paul

(b) St. Thomas

(c) St. Augustine

(d) St. Francis

  1. Who was the author of the book ‘Natyashastra’*

(a) Bharatmuni

(b) Bhasa

(c) Vasumitra

(d) Nagarjuna

 

  1. “Saka Era” started from :-

(a)  78    A.D

(b)   320 A. D.

(c)   606   A.D.

(d    58 A.D.

  1. According to Milind Panho. who was the Buddhist monk to whom King Milind posed question?

(a) Anand (b) Ashvaghosh

(c) Nagasena (d) None of the above

  1. Who composed the Mandsaur Prasasti?

(a) Vasu                   (b)   Harisena

(c) Vats Bhatti                 (d    None

  1. ‘Yangana’ belongs to which Buddhist Pitaka?

(a) Sutla

(b) Vinaya

(c) Abhidhamma

(d) None of these

  1. At which of the following places Chandragupta Mauriya had received his higher education:-

(a) Takshila

(b) Vaishali

(c) Nalanda

(d) Vikramshila

  1. Which one of the following Gupta rulers is referred to as “Lichchhavi Dauhitra”?

(a) Chandragupta-I

(b) Chandragupta-II

(c) Skandgupta

(d) Samudragupta

  1. Which of the following inscriptions refers to the defeat of Hunas by Skandgupt?

(a) Gwalior Inscription

(b) Junagarh Inscription

(c) Mandsaur Inscription

(d) None of the above

  1. Kalibangan is in

(a)   Rajasthan     (b)   Punjab           (c)   Sind             (d)   Maharashtra

  1. Buddha attained Nirvana at

(a)   Taxila        (b)   Champa         (c)   Kausambi        (d)   Kushinagar

  1. Gupta Samvat started in

(a)   320 A.D.     (b)   319 A.D.        (c)   322 A.D.         (d)   321 A.D.

  1. Who among the following was also a poet and a musician who took delight in the title of ‘Kaviraja’ or king of poets ?

(a)   Chandra Gupta Maurya               (b)   Samudra Gupta

(c)   Skand Gupta                         (d)   None of these

  1. The founder of Sunga dynasty was

(a)   Agnimitra    (b)   Divakaramitra   (c)   Pushyamitra     (d)   Vasumitra

 

  1. Who were the originators of the Dravidian Style of architecture and sculpture in the South Indian peninsula ?

(a)   Cholas        (b)   Hoysalas        (c)   Pallavas         (d)   Pandyas

 

  1. The Italian traveller who left very praiseworthy account of the Vijayanagar Empire was

(a)   E. Barbosa    (b)   Manucci         (c)   Marco Polo      (d)   Nicolo Counti

 

  1. Gupta Empire declined in the fifth century A.D. as a consequence of

(a)   Chalukya invasions                  (b)   Greek invasions

(c)   Huna  invasions                      (d)   Pallava invasions

  1. Kanishka is associated with an era which is known as
  2. Saka-Shalivahan era
  3. Saka era
  4. Gupta era
  5. Vikram era
  6. In ancient India the name of Varahamihira was associated with
  7. Drama
  8. Astronomy
  9. Medicine
  10. Mathematics

 

31 Which was the oldest University ?

  1. Gandhara
  2. Kannauj
  3. Nalanda
  4. Vaishali
  5. Pre-Historic Paintings are present at-
  6. Son Valley
  7. Kashmir
  8. all the above
  9. Bhimbetka, Bhopal
  10. Ashtapradhan was a council of ministers –
  11. In the gupta administration
  12. In the chola administration
  13. In the vijaynagar administration
  14. In the Maratha administration
  15. Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city state of India in the 6th century B.C?
  16. Magadh
  17. Kamboj
  18. Kashi
  19. Gandhar
  20. Fourth buddhist council held in Kashmir under emperor:
  21. Ashoka
  22. Ajatshatru
  23. Kanishka
  24. Kala Ashok
  25. The wheel was an important discovery of :-
  26. palaeolithic age
  27. Neolithic age
  28. Mesolithic age
  29. chalcolithic age
  30. Mauryan officer responsible for the slaughter-house

 

  1. Durgyapal
  2. Dyutadhyaksha
  3. Sunadhyaksha
  4. Paliwal

 

  1. In Buddhism, what does Patiomokkha stands for?
  2. The rules of the sangha
  3. A description of Mahayana Buddhism
  4. The question of the king Menander
  5. A description of Hinayana Buddhism
  6. The vedas contain all the truth was interpreted by ?
  7. Swami Dayananda
  8. Raja Rammohan Roy
  9. Swami Vivekananda
  10. None
  11. Where is the famous Virupaksha Temple located
  12. Hampi
  13. Bhadrachalam
  14. Chidambaram
  15. Srikalahasti
  16. Which of the following works of Kalidasa gives information about the Andhras?
  17. Meghaduta
  18. Sakuntala
  19. Malavikagnimitra
  20. Kumarasambhava
  21. The important port of Indus Valley people is
  22. Lothal
  23. Mohenjadaro
  24. Harappa
  25. Kalibangan
  26. After attaining the enlightenment Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon in which language?
  27. Prakrit
  28. Sanskrit
  29. Pali
  30. Maithili
  31. In Sanskrit dramas, written during the Gupta period, women and Sudras spoke
  32. Sanskrit
  33. Sauraseni
  34. Prakrit
  35. Pali

 

 

  1. Consider the following statements-
  • The Ikshvaku rulers of southern India were antagonistic toward Buddhism.
  • The Pala rulers of eastern India were patrons of Budhism

which of the following is/are correct

  1. 2 only
  2. none
  3. both
  4. 1 only
  5. Which of the Vedas is the oldest?
  6. Sam Veda
  7. Yajur Veda
  8. Atharva Veda
  9. Rig Veda
  10. Arthasastra was written by
  11. Kalidasa
  12. Vishakadatta
  13. Kautilya
  14. Megasthanese
  15. The famous frog hymn in Rig Veda throws light to –
  16. Vedic Literature
  17. Vedic Rituals
  18. Vedic Custumes
  19. Vedic education
  20. The Nadistuti sukta hymn of the rig Veda mentions
  21. 15 rivers
  22. 20 rivers
  23. 21 rivers
  24. 12 rivers
  25. The Idol workship in India dates back to:
  26. The Mauryan Period
  27. The Gupta Period
  28. The Pre Aryan Period
  29. The Kushan Period

 

 

 

  1. The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in the
  2. Kenopanishad
  3. Mundakopanished
  4. Kathopanished
  5. Chhandogyopanishad
  6. Among the four dynasties listed below, which one minted coins made of lead ?
  7. Mauryas
  8. Satavahanas
  9. Western Kashatrapas
  10. Guptas
  11. The last great ruling dynasty of Magadha was
  12. Kanva
  13. Sunga
  14. Kusana
  15. Gupta
  16. The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to in his inscriptions is
  17. Dharmakirti
  18. Chakravarti
  19. Dharmadeva
  20. Priyadasi
  21. Which Chinese traveler visits Bhimnal:
  22. Whensang
  23. Sangyun
  24. Fahyan
  25. Issing
  26. The great silk-route to the Indians was opened by –
  27. Harsha
  28. Ashoka
  29. Fa-Hien
  30. Kanishka
  31. According to Buddha, the cause of all human sorrow is trishna which means
  32. Worldly attachment
  33. Desire for worldly things
  34. Desire for material enjoyments and worldly things
  35. Hyperactivity of mind

 

 

  1. Bhumisparsha mudra – hand position of Sarnath belogs to which of the following ages-
  2. Mauryan
  3. Gupta
  4. Sunga
  5. Kushan
  6. Bhrami Script of Ashoka was deciphered for first time by-
  7. V A Smith
  8. James Princep
  9. S R Goel
  10. William Jones
  11. Which one of the following sites excavated recently shows all the three stages of harappan occupation (pre-harappan, harappan, post-harappan).
  12. Desalpur
  13. All of these
  14. Rojdi
  15. Surkotda
  16. The word Hindu as reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by
  17. the Romans
  18. the Greeks
  19. the Chinese
  20. the Arabs
  21. Which of the scripts depicted on Dharamraj Rath in Mahabalipuram?
  22. Malyalam script
  23. Granth Script
  24. Telgu Script
  25. Tamil Script
  26. Maximum number of verses in Rig Veda are devoted to-
  27. Indra
  28. Agni
  29. Vishnu
  30. Rudra
  31. Who was Nagarjuna?
  32. Saint of jainism
  33. Vedic Saint
  34. Greek emperor
  35. Buddhist Philosopher

 

  1. Which of the following religions does not believe in Judgement Day or Destruction of Universe
  2. Islam
  3. Budhism
  4. Budhism
  5. Jainism

 

  1. Hathigumpha inscription is attributed to which of the following emperors?
  2. Samudragupta
  3. Ashoka
  4. Chandragupta II
  5. Kharavela
  6. Rig Veda is
  7. A Collection of songs
  8. A Collection of hymns
  9. A Collection of spell
  10. None
  11. Buddha attained mahaparinirvana in the republic of:-
  12. Sakyas
  13. Mallas
  14. Palas
  15. Lichivis
  16. After Hazarat Mohammad Saheb, the religious teacher was called—
  17. Kazi
  18. Imam
  19. Maulvi
  20. Khalifa

70.The language of Sangam Literature was

  1. Pali
  2. Sanskrit
  3. Prakrit
  4. Tamil

71.The Great Hindu law giver was

  1. Kapila
  2. Kautilya
  3. Manu
  4. Vatsayana

 

  1. Mahoday is an old name of which city?
  2. Udaipur
  3. Allahabad
  4. Jaisalmer
  5. Kanauj
  6. Regarding the Indus Valley Civilization, consider the following statements:(2011)
  7. It was predominantly a secular civilization and the religious element, though present, did not dominate the scene,
  8. During this period, cotton was used for manufacturing textiles in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 2 only
  2. 1 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
  5. The word ‘Sindhan’ used by the Indus people denoted –
  6. Cotton
  7. Mother Goddess
  8. Indus River
  9. cereals
  10. What does Korralai stand for Sangam social system
  11. Traders
  12. A marriage custom
  13. Goddess of victory
  14. Comunity of hunters

76 .Bull-Seal of Indus valley civilization was found at:

  1. Harappa
  2. Chanhudaro
  3. Lothal
  4. Mohenjodaro
  5. Which among the following places have given the earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian subcontinent?
  6. Pratapgarh
  7. Quetta
  8. Mehrgarh
  9. Kalat

 

 

  1. Kalsi rock inscriptions are related to
  2. Ashoka
  3. Bindusar
  4. Satvahana Kings
  5. Mugals
  6. Weapon never used by the Indus people
  7. stone
  8. none
  9. Sticks
  10. Sword

79.The system Governing villages through autonomous elected panchayats was evolved by:

  1. Mauryas
  2. Dravids
  3. Kushans
  4. Aryans
  5. Which one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
  6. A state of bliss and rest
  7. The complete annihilation of self
  8. The extinction of the flame of desire
  9. A mental stage beyond all comprehension
  10. The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by
  11. Mahayana Buddhism
  12. Hinayana Buddhism
  13. Jainism
  14. The Lokayata School
  15. Which of the following inscriptions mentioned the Sati practice for the first time
  16. Eran Inscription
  17. Sanchi Inscription
  18. Mandsaur Inscription
  19. Junagarh Inscription
  20. Buddhist Literature is written in which of the following language?
  21. Sanskrit
  22. Tamil
  23. Pali
  24. Prakrita

 

 

  1. The words Satyameva Jayata have been taken from the
  2. Mundaka Upanishad
  3. Tottreya Upanishad
  4. Kath Upanishad
  5. Ishovasya Upanishad
  6. Which of the followings were discused in”Kitabul Hind” by Al Beruni?
  7. Sculpture
  8. Astronomy
  9. Medicine
  10. All the above
  11. According to Buddha, the cause of all human sorrow is trishna which means
  12. Desire for material enjoyments and worldly things
  13. Desire for worldly things
  14. Worldly attachment
  15. Hyperactivity of mind
  16. ”The Wonder that was India” was written by
  17. James Prinsep
  18. L.Basham
  19. Arrian
  20. None
  21. The capital of Kalinga was
  22. Ujjain
  23. Suvarnagiri
  24. Taxila
  25. Toshali
  26. Which of the following is called as the Bible of Tamil Land
  27. Silppadikaran
  28. Tolkappiyam
  29. Kural
  30. Manimekalai

90.Gupta empire declined in the fifth century A. D. as a consequence of

  1. Greek invasion
  2. Pallava raids
  3. Chalukya raids
  4. Hun invasion

 

 

  1. The illustrious names of Aryabhatta and Varahamihir are associated with the age of the
  2. Guptas
  3. Mauryas
  4. Palas
  5. Kushanas
  6. “Tripitaka” Texts are related with which religion:
  7. Vedic Religion
  8. Shaivism
  9. Jainism
  10. Budhism
  11. Which of the following caves are famous for Trimurti
  12. Ellora
  13. Ajanta
  14. Elephanta
  15. None
  16. Mahajanpad situated on bank of river godawari was:
  17. Assaka
  18. Avanti
  19. Vatsa
  20. Kamboja
  21. First Murti-Pooja(idol worship) in India was done for:
  22. Vishnu
  23. Buddha
  24. Brahma
  25. Shiv
  26. In Buddhism, Bodhisattvas were
  27. statues of Buddha
  28. Chinese Buddist pilgrims
  29. persons who attained enlightenment
  30. Buddhist scholars
  31. Paintings inscribed on walls of Ajanta are related to
  32. Budhism
  33. Jainism
  34. Hinduism
  35. All the Above three

 

 

  1. There was a sharp class division at harappa and mohen-jodaro. this is clear from the?
  2. different types of dwellings excavated
  3. Indus seals excavated
  4. religious beliefs of the Harappans
  5. tools and implements used by the Harappans
  6. Which among the following kings was also known as Mamallan (great wrestler)?
  7. Narasimhavarman I
  8. Pulakesi II
  9. Mahendravarman I
  10. None of the above
  11. The term ‘yavanapriya’ mentioned in ancient sanskrit texts denoted?
  12. a fine variety of Indian muslin
  13. damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance
  14. pepper
  15. ivory
  16. Irrigation tax in ancient India was known as-
  17. Hirnaya
  18. Bidakbhagam
  19. Udrang
  20. Uparnika
  21. The craft of the famous blue pottery in rajasthan originated from:
  22. Sindh
  23. Afganistan
  24. Kashmir
  25. Persia
  26. After large scale destruction and death in the battle field angaist Sikander, womens of which of the following state raised arms-
  27. Kath
  28. Massang
  29. Galusai
  30. Abhisar
  31. Who among the following presided over the Buddhist council held during the region of kanishka at Kashmir
  32. Nagarjun
  33. Parvaska
  34. Sudraka
  35. Vasumitra

 

105.Which one of the following travelers visited India during the Gupta period?

  1. Marco Polo
  2. Hiuen-Tsang
  3. Nicolo Conti
  4. Fa- Hien

106 .Emperor harsha’s South ward march was stopped on the Narmada river by:-

  1. Vikramaditya 1
  2. pulkeshin 2
  3. Vikramaditya 2
  4. pulkeshin 1
  5. Which among the following is the correct set of the plays written by Harshavardhan in Sanskrit?
  6. Malavikagnimitram,Vikramorvashiiyam and Abhijñanasakuntalam
  7. Nagananda, Priyadarshika and Ratnavali.
  8. Svapna Vasavadattam, Pancharatra and Pratijna Yaugandharayaanam
  9. None of these.
  10. Which of the following historic places are not related to the life of Gautam Budha-
  11. Sanchi
  12. Kushinagar
  13. Sarnath
  14. Bodhgaya
  15. Which of the following dynasties was ruling over North India at the time of Alexander’s invasion?
  16. Nanda
  17. Maurya
  18. Sunga
  19. Kanva
  20. During Sangam period Kon, Ko and Mannan is synonyms of:
  21. Army Chief
  22. Finance Minister
  23. King
  24. Prime Minister
  25. During Mourya period the Tax on Land was collected by officer:
  26. Shulka-adhyaksha
  27. Aka-Adhyaksha
  28. Agronomai
  29. Sita- Adhyaksha

 

 

  1. The ancient Chola kingdom existed in the delta of the river
  2. Tungabhadra
  3. Cauvery
  4. Krishna
  5. Godavari
  6. The main source of Knowledge about the in habitants of indus Valley Civilization is the discovery there of:
  7. Remains of towns
  8. Utensils, Jewellary, Weapons, tools
  9. Seals
  10. Scripts
  11. The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by
  12. HinayanaBuddhism
  13. MahayanaBuddhism
  14. Jainism
  15. Lokayukta School
  16. The Harappan civilization was discovered in
  17. 1853-54
  18. 1891-92
  19. 1920-21
  20. 1864-65
  21. In the Gandhara sculptures the preaching mudra associated with the Buddha’s First Sermon at Sarnath is—
  22. Dhyana
  23. Abhaya
  24. Dharmachakra
  25. Bhumisparsa
  26. ___________is believed to mark the main site of Hastinapur, which was capital of Kauravas and Pandava The imperial gazetteer of India quotes about which of the following places?
  27. Meerut
  28. Ghaziabad
  29. Faridabad
  30. Delhi
  31. At which among the following sites the where first evidence of cultivation of cotton has been found?
  32. Hathonora
  33. Piklihal
  34. Ghaligai
  35. Nal

 

  1. Famous greek ambassador magasthenes visited court of:
  2. Chandragupta Maurya
  3. Ashoka
  4. Harsha Vardhan
  5. Hemu
  6. Which Inscription has “ASHOK” name:
  7. Thirteenth Inscription
  8. Maski, Small Inscription
  9. Bhabru Inscription
  10. Rummindei Inscription
  11. Zero was invented by—
  12. Bhaskara I
  13. Aryabhatta
  14. Varahamihira
  15. None
  16. The art style which combines indian and greek feature is called:
  17. Sikhar
  18. Verra
  19. Gandhar
  20. Nagar
  21. Which of the following four vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells
  22. Samaveda
  23. Yajurveda
  24. Rigveda
  25. Atharveda
  26. Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period
  27. sudraka
  28. shaunaka
  29. Saumimilla
  30. susrutha

125.Consider the following

  • God
  • soul
  • Rebirth
  • varna system

which of the above was not accepted by Buddhist religion choose answer from the given code

 

 

 

  1. 1,2,3&4
  2. 1,2&4
  3. 1,2&3
  4. 2,3&4
  5. Which one of the following usages was a post-Vedic development ?
  6. Brahmacharya-Grihasthashrama-Vanaprastha-Sanyasa
  7. Dharma-Artha-Kama-Moksha
  8. Brahmana-Kshatriya-Vaishya-Shudra
  9. Indra-Surya-Rudra-Marut
  10. Consider the following statements:-
  • The chinese pligrim Fa-Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council Held by Kanishka.
  • The Chinese pligrim Hiuen-Tsang met Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism.

which of the following given statements is/are correct:-

 

  1. 1 only
  2. both 1 and 2
  3. 2 only
  4. Niether 1 and 2

 

Volcanoes

 

 

Volcano is a  place on the earth’s surface (or any other planet) where molten rock and gases are erupted. or  hill or mountain built up by the eruption of molten rock.Volcanic eruptions are caused by magma (a mixture of liquid rock, crystals, and dissolved gas) expelled onto the Earth’s surface.

Basaltic magmas tend to be fairly fluid (low viscosity), Rhyolitic magmas tend to have even higher viscosity,Viscosity is an important property in determining the eruptive behavior of magmas.

Fissure Volcano
Fissure volcanoes have no central crater at all. Instead,giant cracks open in the ground and expel vast quantitiesof lava. This lava spreads far and wide to form huge poolsthat can cover almost everything around. Whenthese pools of lava cool and solidify, the surfaceremains mostly flat. Since the source cracksare usually buried, there is often nothing”volcano-like” to see – only a flat plain.
Cinder cones
Cinder cones are simple volcanoes which have a bowl-shaped crater at the summit and steep sides. They only grow to about a thousand feet, the size of a hill. They usually are created of eruptions from a single opening, unlike a strato-volcano or shield volcano which can erupt from many different openings. Cinder cones are typically are made of piles of lava, not ash. During the eruption, blobs (“cinders”) of lava are blown into the air and break into small fragments that fall around the opening of the volcano. The pile forms an oval-shaped smallvolcano.

Shield volcanoes
Shield volcanoes are the largest volcanoes. They have gentle, almost straight slopes and a wide, circular base.These volcanoes form when thin, running lava flows over a large area. Each time the volcano quietly erupts, thelayers of cooled lava build up.The lava that forms shield volcanoes contains a large volume of basalt. It has a very low viscosity. Basaltic lavacontains few gases, resulting in quiet, flowing eruptions. Mauna Loa, in Hawaii, is an example of a shield volcano.

Composite volcano.
A violent eruption occurs, forcing cinders and ash fromthe vent. This material settles around the vent, much like a cinder-cone volcano. This event is followed by a quieteruption. The lava flows over the cinders. It eventually cools and hardens. After many of these alternatingeruptions, a tall cone-shaped mountain forms.
The lava that forms composite volcanoes also has a low viscosity. It contains large amounts of silica, water, andgases. These violent volcanoes can be very dangerous. Mount Etna, in Italy, and Mount Saint Helens, in the UnitedStates, are two examples of composite volcanoes.