Ancient Indian History

1. Who among the following invented Zero?

[A] Aryabhatta
[B] Varahamihira
[C] Bhaskara I
[D] An unknown Indian
Answer: An unknown Indian
The most fundamental contribution of ancient India to the progress of
civilisation is the decimal system of numeration including the invention
of the number zero. This system uses 9 digits and a symbol for zero to
denote all integral numbers, by assigning a place value to the digits. This
system was used in Vedas and Valmiki Ramayana. Mohanjodaro and
Harappa civilisations (3000 B.C.) also used this system..So,we can say
Zero is invented by unknown Indian.
2.Which of the following musical instruments is / are composite or IndoIslamic in origin ?
1. Sitar
2. Shehnai
3. Tabla
4. Sarangi
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 1, 3 & 4 Only
[C] 1, 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Answer: 1, 3 & 4 Only
Shehnai is not composite or Indo-Islamic in origin.
3. Which among the following is known as the earliest example of
Panchayatana style of temple?
[A] Dashavatara temple at Deogarh
B] Temple at Pathari
[C] Shatrughneshwara temple at Bhubaneshwar
[D] Lakshmana temple at Sirpur
Answer: Dashavatara temple.Deogarh
The Dashavatara Temple or Vishnu Temple also called Gupta temple at
Deogarh. It was built in the Gupta Period (320 to c. 600 AD ).
Archaeologists have inferred that it is the earliest known Panchayatana
temple in North India. A hindu temple is a Panchayatana one when the
main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines.
4. Which among the following is the hallmark feature of the Dravida style
of temple architecture?
[A] Shikhara [B] Gopuram [C] Vimana
[D] Mandapa
Answer: Vimana
Vimana is a term for the tower above the Garbhagriha or Sanctum
sanctorum in a Hindu temple in Dravidian style.
5. Which among the following is / are works of Kalidasa?
1. Ritusamhara
2. Meghaduta
3. Dasakumarcharita 4. Kumarashambhava
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2, 3 &4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Answer: Only 1, 2 & 4
Dashakumaracharita (The narrative of ten young men) is a prose romance
in Sanskrit, attributed to Dandin in the 7th century CE. Dandin is a 6th7th century Sanskrit author of prose romances and expounder on poetics.
6. Which among the following is the most famous Bronze Image of Chola
Period?
[A] Murugan [B] Nataraja [C] Venkateshwar [D] Vishnu
Answer:Nataraja
Chola art:
The most famous of all the bronze icons is that of Nataraja, the Divine
Dancer. The symbolism presents Siva as lord of the cosmic dance of
creation and destruction.
7.Which among conclusions has been derived from the debasement of the
coins and gradual disappearance of gold coins during the post-Gupta
period?
[A] Commodities became cheap
[B] Gold Mining was stalled
[C] Money economy was gradually replaced by Barter Economy
[D] There was a decline in trade
Answer : There was a decline in trade
Debasement of the coins and gradual disappearance of gold coins during
the post-Gupta period indicates the Decline of Trade.
8. Which among the following ancient authors has complained of the
drain of gold to India (due to trade hegemony of ancient India)?
[A] Ptolemy [B] Nero [C] Strabo
[D] Pliny
Answer: Pliny

The lamentation of the Roman writer Pliny in the 1st century A.D refers
to heavy drain of Gold from Roman into India in payment of her imports
from India. He writes that the drain of Gold is in return for unproductive
luxuries. The Roman gold and silver were steadily drained into South
India in exchange not only for spices, but also muslin, silk and other
costly luxuries.
9. In the revenue department of Mauryas, who among the following was
in-charge of the collection of all revenues in the empire?
[A] Sannidhatri [B] Pradeshta [C] Yukta
[D] Samahatra
Answer : Samahatra
Mauryan administration: Samaharta chancellor of the exchequer;
responsible for the collection of revenue. The Revenue Department had
Samharta who was incharge of the collection of all revenues in the empire
10. The Pagodas at Mahabalipuram had been constructed by ___?
[A] Cholas [B] Chalukyas of Kalyani [C] Pallavas [D] Pandyas
Answer : Pallavas
Pallava dynasty: the reign of Narasimhavarman I : constructed five rath
temples at the port town of Mamllapuram (Mahabalipuram) These are
now known as seven raths or Pagodas.
11.Which among the following Kushana king adopted the
epithet Dharma-thida?
[A] Vima Kadaphises
[B] Kuzul Kadaphises
[C] Kanishka the Great
[D] Huvishka
Answer : Kuzul Kadaphises
Kuzul Kadaphises (or Kadphises I) was the founder of kushanas dynasty.
Kujula known to have assumed in his coins the epithets Dharmathida and Sacha-dharma-thita which evidently refer to his adherence to
the Buddhist and Saiva faiths.
12.Which among the following Gupta emperors called himself
Lichchhavi-dauhitra?
[A] Shrigupta
[B] Chandragupta I
[C] Chandragupta II
[D] Samudragupta
Answer : Samudragupta
Chandragupta-I married the daughter of Licchhavis, a royal influential
family .His son and successor Samudragupta calls himself Lichchavidauhitra the son of the daughter of the Lichchavis.
13. In Pali texts, who among the following is referred to as Nigantha
Ntaputta?
[A] Gautam Buddha [B] Mahavira [C] Parshvanatha [D] Rishabha
Answer : Mahavira
Nigantha Ntaputta refers to Mahavira. A Nirgrantha refers to Jains. A
person who has attained kevalya can be a nirgrantha.
14. At which among the following sites of Indus Valley Civilization, the
rows of distinctive fire altars with provision of ritual bathing have been
found ?
[A] Mohen-jo-daro [B] Harappa [C] Kalibangan
[D] Lothal
Answer : Kalibangan
Kalibangan is an archaeological site where Ploughed Field, Bones of
Camel, Circular and Rectangular Graves, distinctive fire (Vedic ) altars
with provision of ritual bathing have been found.
15. The earliest evidence of rice cultivation comes from which among the
following valleys?
[A] Central Ganga Valley
[B] Belan Valley
[C] Gomal Valley
[D] Bolan Valley
Answer : Belan Valley
Belan Valley, Allahabad is one of the regions the earliest evidence of rice
cultivation has come.
16. The inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script were deciphered by
___?
[A] Alexander Cunningham
[B] James Princep
[C] Max Muller
[D] Mortimer Wheeler
Answer : James Princep
James Princep (1799-1840) was an English scholar, orientalist and
antiquary. He was the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic
Society of Bengal and is best remembered for deciphering the Kharosthi
and Brahmi scripts of ancient India. He was the first to decipher the
inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi script.

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17. Which among the following is a Tamil grammatical treatise ?

[A] Pattupattu
[B] Ettutogai
[C] Silappadikaram
[D] Tolkappiam
Answer : Tolkappiam
The Tolkappiyam is a work on the grammar of the Tamil language It is
written in the form of short formulaic compositions and comprises three
books the Ezhuttadikaram, the Solladikaram and the Poruladikaram.It
deals with orthography, phonology, morphology, semantics, prosody and
the subject matter of literature.
18. Veda which is partly in prose and partly in verses is ___ ?
[A] Rigveda [B] Samaveda [C] Yajurveda [D] Atharvaveda
Answer : Yajurveda
Adhyayas of Yajur Veda, made up partly of verses and partly of prose,
contain a number of prayers and sacrificial formulae. Extensive details for
carrying out different sacrifices are given in the chapters of the Yajur
Veda.
19. Which of the following Chola kings was the first to capture Maldives
?
[A] Rajaraja [B] Rajendra I [C] Rajadhiraja [D] Rajendra II
Answer : Rajaraja
Rajaraja Chola I laid the foundation for the growth of the Chola kingdom
into an empire, by conquering the kingdoms of southern India and the
Chola Empire expanded as far as Sri Lanka in the south, and Kalinga
(Orissa) in the northeast. He conquered Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Sumatra
and other places in Malay Peninsula. The naval conquest of the old
islands of the sea numbering 12,000, the Maldives marked one of the
conquests of Rajaraja. Rajaraja I built a strong navy with the aim of
controlling the sea.
20. Who among the following authors is known for his satires exposing
the evils of contemporary society ?
[A] Ksemendra [B] Pravarsena [C] Sriharsa [D] Visakhadutta
Answer : Ksemendra
Kshemendra was a Kashmirian poet of the 11th century, writing in
Sanskrit.In his most of the works like Kalavilas, Narma Mala
describes the inner weakness of man and society and the corrupt official
machinery of those times.In his one of the work Samaya Matrika ,he
depicted super seductress Kankali character By depicting it ,he wishes
to reform the degradation in the society. In short Ksemendra had chosen
the vehicle of satire.
21. The king was the ruler of all except Brahamanas. This was the view
of __?
[A] Manu [B] Yajnavalkya [C] Apasthamba
[D] Gautama
Answer : Gautama-dharmasutra
The Dharmasutras: The Law Codes of Apastamba, Gautama,
Baudhayana, and Vasistha The Dharmasutras are the four surviving
written works of the ancient Indian tradition on the subject of dharma, or
the rules of behavior a community recognizes as binding on its members.
Gautama-dharmasutra is believed to be the oldest of the four Hindu
Dharmasastras, It survives as an independent treatise. According to
Gautama the ruler is the owner of everything in his realm except the
brahmanas
22. For which among the following offenses, Manu recommended higher
punishment to Brahamans than the persons of other varnas?
[A] Profanity
[B] Murder [C] Theft
[D] Treason
Answer : Theft
According to Manu, a Brahamana was to be awarded higher punishment
than the persons of other varnas for the offence of Theft.
23. Metronymics were borne by the later rulers of which among the
following dynasties?
[A] Maurya
[B] Sunga
[C] Kanva
[D] Satavahana
Answer : Satavahana
Metronymics: A name derived from the name of a mother or female
ancestor. The metronymics are borne by the later Satavahanas and not by
the early Satavahanas. It was mainly because Satavahanas had to establish
matrimonial alliance with maharathis. The metronymics of the
Satavahanas was the result of such alliances.

24. One of the writers of the Dharmashashtra disapproved the practice of

Sati declaring it as an act of suicide. Identify him from the given options:
[A] Angiras
[B] Medhatithi
[C] Usana
[D] Visnu
Answer : Medhatithi
Medhatithi is one of the oldest and most famous commentators on the
Manusmriti. He considered sati system identical to suicide, which was
forbidden by the Vedas. One shall not die before the span of ones life is
run out.
25. Vallabhi era is identical with which of the following era?
[A] The Vikrama era
[B] The Gupta era
[C] The Harsha era
[D] None of the above
Answer : The Gupta era
Vallabhi era is identical with Gupta era and Vallabhi era followed Gupta
era in A.D. 366.
26. The cotton cloth worn by Indians had a brighter white colour than any
cotton found elsewhere. This view was recorded by __?
[A] Alexander
[B] Megasthenes [C] Nearchus
[D] Pliny
Answer : Megasthenes
Megasthenes an ancient Greek historian and diplomat, author of an
account of India, the Indica, in four books. He was sent by the Hellenistic
king Seleucus I on embassies to the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta
Maurya. He wrote that the dress worn by the Indians was made of cotton
of a brighter white colour than any cotton found elsewhere.
27. Which among the following is / are the terms used for coins of the
Gupta period?
1. Dinara 2. Dramma
3. Rupaka
4. Suvarna
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] 4 only
[B] 2, 3
[C] 1, 4
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4
Answer : 1, 4
The gold coins of Gupta period were called Dinara inspired by the Roman
coins but later the coins were minted in the Indian style with the weight
standard of 9.2 gms of gold and called Suvarna.
28. The Kushans issues the coins made of __?
1. Gold
2. Silver
3. Copper
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2 [C] Only 1 & 3 [D] 1, 2 & 3
Answer : 1, 2 & 3
The Kushans issued coins of Gold, Silver and Copper .
29. The last Mauryan ruler, who was killed by his Commander-in-Chief
was __?
[A] Dasaratha [B] Kun-ala [C] Samprati [D] Brihadratha
Answer : Brihadratha
Maurya Emperor Brihadratha was killed by his senapati (Commander-inChief) Pushymitra Shunga . Pushymitra Shunga founded the Shunga
Dynasty in around 185-183 BC.
30. According to the beliefs of the Pasupata sect, Siva is the lord of Pasu.
Pasu here refers to __?
[A] Lion
[B] Bull
[C] Parvati
[D] Jiva
Answer : Jiva
The Pasupata was a Saivite sect associated with Siva in his aspect of the
Herdsman (pasu, animal and pati, lord). The devotees of Pashupati
Siva are called Pashupatas.
31. Who among the following was the author of Abhidhamma treatise
Kathavatthu?
[A] Mah-a kassapa
[B] Mahinda
[C] Milinda
[D] Moggaliputta Tissa.
Answer : Moggaliputta Tissa
The Abhidhamma treatise Kathavatthu was written by Moggaliputta
Tissa. He was a Buddhist monk and scholar who lived in the 3rd century
BC . Moggaliputta-Tissa was the spiritual teacher of the Mauryan
Emperor Ashoka, and his son Mahinda, who brought Buddhism to Sri
Lanka. He also presided over the Third Buddhist Council.
32. In which among the following sacrifices, the sacrificial materials used
was sura in Vedic Era?
[A] Agnistoma
[B] Rajasuya [C] Sautramani
[D] Vajapeya
Answer : Sautramani

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Sautramani was the sacrifice of the asuras and was adopted by the devas.
The sacrificial materials used was sura, wine. In the Sautramani sacrifice
the oblations of sura are prescribed.
33. In the Rigvedic Dasrajan Yudha (Battle of Ten Kings) the Bharatas
emerged winner at the bank of __?
[A] The Indus River
[B] The Saraswati River
[C] The Sutlej River
[D] The Parushni River
Answer : The Parushni River
According to Rigveda,the famous battle of ten kings ( or Dasrajan Yudha)
was between Sudas, a Bharata king of the Tritsu family and the
confederacy of ten well-known tribes- Puru, Yadu, Turvasa, Anu,
Druhyu, Alina, Paktha ,Bhalanas,Shiva and Vishanin.In the bloody and
decisive battle on the banks of River Parushni the Bharatas emerged
victorious.
34. The Boghazkoi inscription was discovered in __?
[A] India
[B] Iran
[C] Syria
[D] Turkey
Answer : Turkey
Homeland of Aryans : one of the inscription proves that the Aryans are
from Central Asia is Boghazkoi (Asia Minor ,Turkey ) Inscription.
35. The Aryans dedicated whole of a separate Mandala in Rig-Veda for
the hymns dedicated to __?
[A] Agni [B] Varuna
[C] Indra
[D] Soma
Answer : Soma
Soma & Haoma : (It is the 9th Mandal of Rigveda which contains 114
hymns ) The fermented juice of the plant called Soma appears to have
been the only intoxicating drink used in Vedic times. So much were the
ancient Aryans addicted to this drink, that Soma was soon worshipped as
a deity both in India and in Iran (under the name Haoma in the latter
country), and we find one entire Mandala, or Book, of the Rig-Veda,
dedicated to this deity.
36. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?
[A] Nagananda Harsha
[B] MudrarakshasaVisakhadatta
[C] Mrichchhakatika Sudraka
[D] Ratnavali Rajasekhara
Answer : Ratnavali .Rajasekhara
Mricchakatika, is a ten-act Sanskrit drama written by Sudraka.
Nagananda is one of the best Sanskrit dramas in five acts dealing with
the popular story of Jimutavahanas self-sacrifice to save the Nagas,
written by king Harsha(Vardhana Dynasty).
The Mudrarakshasa (The Signet of the Minister) is a historical play in
Sanskrit by Vishakhadatta that narrates the ascent of the king
Chandragupta Maurya to power in Northern India.
Ratnavali is a Sanskrit drama about a beautiful princess named
Ratnavali, and a great king named Udayana,written by Indian emperor
Harsha(Vardhana dynasty).
37.Who among the following was a lady Alvar Saint?
[A] Andal
[B] Madhura Kavi
[C] Perumal
[D] Tirupan
Answer : Andal
Andal was a 10th century Tamil poet who is revered as a saint in the
southern parts of India, the only woman Alvar (saint) of Vaishnavism (a
cult devoted to Lord Vishnu).
38. Parnadatta was appointed the Provincial Governor of Saurashtra by
__?
[A] Chandragupta Maurya
[B] Rudradaman
[C] Chandragupta II
[D] Skandagupta
Answer : Skandagupta
Skandguptas Junagarh Inscription: It states that Skandagupta appointed
Parnadatta as goptri (governor) of Surashtra (Saurashtra)
39. The title Paramasaugata was adopted by ___?
[A] Bhaskar Varman
[B] Shashanka
[C] Rajya Vardhana
[D] Harsha
Answer : Rajya Vardhana
Rajyavardhana has been mentioned as Parama- Saugata in Harshas
Madhuvana and Banskhera inscriptions
40. Garuda was adopted as dynastic emblem after the imperial Guptas by
___?
[A] Rashtrakutas
[B] Western Chalukyas
[C] Shilaharas
[D] Chedis
Answer : Rashtrakutas

Rashtrakutas adopted Garudaas dynastic emblem after the imperial

Guptas.
41. Among the five monolithic rathas of Pallavas at Mahabalipuram, the
largest is ___?
[A] Arjuna [B] Bhima
[C] Dharmaraja
[D] Draupadi
Answer : Dharmaraja
Mahabalipuram Temples: Pallava dynasty: The five monolithic rathas are
square or oblong in plan, pyramidal in elevation and varying in their
overall dimensions. the Dharmaraja ratha constructed in Pallava style is
the largest of all, having huge pillats in the portico with statue of lions,
pyramidal tower and turret roof.
42. Who among the following was the first Satavahana King to introduce
the Rulers head on the coins ?
[A] Satkarni I
[B] Gautamiputra Satkarni
[C] Vasishthiputra Pulumavi
[D] Yajna Satakarni
Answer : Satkarni I
Satavahana dynasty ruled from Pune in Maharastra to Coastal Andhra
Pradesh in the 2nd century BC onwards.The coins issued by Satavahanas
had Bilingual legends. The name of the Kings was mentioned in Prakrit as
well as some south Indian Language. Satavahana Kings promoted
Buddhism. Satkarni I was the first Satavahana King to introduce the
Rulers head on the coins.
43. Which of the following parts were situated on the west coast of South
India ?
1. Kaveripattanam 2. Korkai
3. Musiri
4. Tondi
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
[A] 1, 2
[B] 2, 3
[C] 3, 4
[D] 2, 3, 4
Answer : 3, 4
Musiri and Tondi were situated on the west coast of South India.
44. Which one of the following places was a mint centre of the
Yaudheyas ?
[A] Bayana
[B] Rohtak
[C] Bareilly
[D] Mathura
Answer : Rohtak
The sacred town of Rohtak, also called Rohtak or mint of the Yaudheyas .
Note : Karttikeya was the principal deity of the Yaudheyas.
45. Who among the following was the ruler of Kanchi during the time of
Samudragupta ?
[A] Hastivarman
[B] Mantaraja [C] Nilaraja [D] Vishnugopa
Answer : Vishnugopa
King Vishnugopa (Pallava dynasty ) of Kanchi is mentioned in the list of
rulers of the South defeated by Samudra Gupta. It is mentioned in the
Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta.
46. Who among the following is known to have performed four
Asvamedha sacrifices ?
[A] Pushyamitra Sunga
[B] Pravarasena I
[C] Samudragupta
[D] Nandivarman Pallavamalla
Answer : Pravarasena I
Vakataka Dynasty : 3rd Century -5th Century AD. They were the most
important after the fall of Satavahanas and before the rise of Chalukyas
and they ruled in Modern Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.power They
were contemporary of Guptas.The dynasty was founded by
Vindhyashakti. Pravarasena I was the real founder of Vakataka empire.He
performed four Asvamedha Yajnas.
47. In which of the following inscriptions Ashoka made his famous
declaration, All men are my children?
[A] Minor Rock Edict (Ahraura)
[B] Pillar Edict VII
[C] Lumbini Pillar Edict
[D] Separate Kalinga Rock Edict I
Answer : Separate Kalinga Rock Edict I
Separate Edicts:
They were found at sites in Kalinga
Separate Edict I : Asoka declared all people are my sons
Separate Edict II: proclamation of edicts even to a single person.
48. The beneficiaries of Asokas donations in the region of Barabar Hill
were__?
[A] Buddhists
[B] Ajivikas
[C] Svetambar Jains
[D] Digambar Jains
Answer : Ajivikas

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The Edicts of Asoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of

Asoka. The one of the Edict of Asoka is Barbara cave Inscription :
giving away the Barbara cave to Ajivika sect. Dasharataha is known to
have gifted the Nagarjuni hills to Ajivikas.
49.Who identified Sandrokottus of the Greco-Roman literature with
Chandragupta Maurya ?
[A] D. R. Bhandarkar
[B] Alexander Cunningham
[C] R. P. Chanda
[D] William Jones
Answer : William Jones
i. Maurya Empire was the first and one of the greatest empire to be
established in Indian history by Chandragupta Maurya.
ii. He dethronged the last Nanda ruler Dhananand and occupied Patliputra
in 322 BC with the help of Kautilya(Chankya).
iii. In 305 BC ,he defeated Selecus Nikator ,who was one of the generals
of Alexander The Great (Greek ruler).
iv. He is also well-known in the Greek texts as Sandro Kottus,
Androcottus, Sandokyptos.
50. Rulers of which of the following dynasties maintained diplomatic
relations with distant countries such as Syria in the West ?
[A] Maurya [B] Gupta
[C] Pallava
[D] Chola
Answer : Maurya
Mauryan Emperor Bindusara had friendly relations with the Greek King
Antiochos-I of Syria. Deimachos was a Syrian Ambassador who came in
the court of Bindusara.
Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great: In his rock edict 13th mentions the
names of 5 Hellenic kings Antiochus II of Syria, Ptolemy II of Egypt,
Antigonus of Messedonia, Magas of Syrina, Alexander of Epirus .He sent
missionaries to all of them.
This shows that Mauryan dynasty maintained the diplomatic relations
with distant countries like Syria in the West.
51. The rulers of which among the following dynasties adopted the title
Devaputra ?
[A] Maurya [B] Sunga [C] Kushana
[D] Saka-Kshatrapa
Answer : Kushana
Kushanas Empire: Kanishka (100 126 AD), a prominent ruler of the
Kushan Dynasty who achieved remarkable milestones in the state of
Jammu & Kashmir. His descendants called him as Devaputra which
means son of gods.
52. The Mahasamghika School arose at which among the following
places?
[A] Bodha Gaya [B] Rajagriha
[C] Sravasti
[D] Vaisali
Answer : Vaisali
Also known as Mahasamghika, Mahasanghika, or Mahasanghika.
Great monastic community.
One of first schools of Nikaya Buddhism
Result of (the first schism at) the Second Council at Vaishali where they
were outvoted and seceded.
The teachings of this school concerning the nature of Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas.
53. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?
Sakiyas Kapilvastu Koliyas Ramagrama
[A] Sakiyas Kapilvastu
[B] Koliyas Ramagrama
[C] Kalamas Allakappa
[D] Mallas Kusinagara
Answer : Kalamas Allakappa
All are related to Gautam Bhudha and Kautilya also mention many self
governing clans in which these exist.
Sakiyas of Kapilavastu : A republican clan with the capital at
Kapilavattu, was a vassal of King Prasenjit of Kosala It was a great center
of Buddhism.
Koliyas, a republican clan had 2 chief settlements in Ramagama and
Devadaha. Buddha was related to the Koliyans through his mother and
wife. After the demise of the Buddha, the Koliyans obtained a share of his
relics and erected a stupa over it.
Mallas had 2 confederacies; one at Kusinara and the other at Pava
Kusinara was famous as it was the site of Buddhas Mahaparinirvana.
Malla Roja initially opposed Buddhism, later accepted him after he heard
the Buddhas discourses.

Bulis of Allakappa, Moriyas of Pipphalivana and Kalamas of Kesaputta.

They were followers of the Buddha.
54. Who among the following laid down for punishment for a person
becoming mendicant without making adequate provision for dependent
wife and children?
[A] Manu [B] Yajnavalkya [C] Kautilya
[D] Narada
Answer : Kautilya
Chanakya : He is also known by Vishnugupta, Kautilya,was born around
350 BC and is known for his being the chief architect of Mauryan Empire
and writing the pioneering work in the Economics and Political Science
that is Arthashstra. He is known as Indian Machiavelli in the western
world.
55. With which among the following places, the twenty third Jain
Tirthankara was associated?
[A] Vaishali
[B] Kausambi
[C] Varanasi [D] Sravasti
Answer : Varanasi
Tirthankar Parshvanath was the son of king Ashvasena and queen Vama
of Varanasi. He achieved Nirvana on the Sammet Sikhar. He lived in
Varanasi around 800 BC. Parsvanatha is the 23rd Jain Tirthankar.
56. Which of the following Upanishads is written in prose ?
[A] Isa
[B] Katha [C] Brihadaranyaka [D] Svetasvatara
Answer : Brihadaranyaka
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad was first work to give the doctrine of
transmigration and deeds. It means the great forest of knowledge. .It
consists of three sections or kandas: the Madhu kanda, the Yajnavalkya or
the Muni kanda and the Khila kanda. Popular shloka:

1.3.28.
57. Who among the following were teachers of Gautama Buddha before
his enlightenment ?
1. Alara Kalama
2. Udraka Ramputra
3. Makkhali Gosala
4. Nigantha Nataputta
Indicate your answer from the codes given below.
[A] 1 and 4 [B] 4 and 2
[C] 2 and 3
[D] 1 and 2
Answer : 1 and 2
i. At Vaishali, Alara Kalama (Sankhya philosopher) taught the
techniques of meditation and the teaching of Upanishads to Gautam
Buddha.
ii. At Rajgriha, Udraka Ramputra taught him to achieve the highest level
of meditation.
iii. At last ,at the age of 35,Gautam Bhudha attained nirvana at Bodh
gaya in Bihar.
58. Which among the following is an extant Shaka of the Rigveda
Samhita?
[A] Saunaka [B] Ashvalayan [C] Shakala [D] Sankhayana
Answer : Shakala
Rigveda is the oldest Veda .In it,only two shakas of the Rig-Veda,
Shakala sakha and Baskala shaka, remain alive out of the 21 which
existed at one time.
59. Who was the priest of the Bharatas in the battle of Ten Kings ?
[A] Visvamitra [B] Vasishtha [C] Atri
[D] Bhrigu
Answer : Vasishtha
The battle of ten kings was fought between Sudas, a Bharata king of the
Tritsu family and the confederacy of ten well-known tribes- Puru, Yadu,
Turvasa, Anu, Druhyu, Alina, Paktha ,Bhalanas,Shiva and Vishanin. In
the bloody and decisive battle on the banks of River Purushni, the
Bharatas emerged victorious. The reason behind the war is the rivalry
between Vishwamitra and Vasishtha.
60. That the homeland of the Aryans was Arctic Region, was propounded
by ___?
[A] Max Muller
[B] Edward Meyer
[C] Bal Gangadhar Tilak
[D] Herzefeld
Answer : Bal Gangadhar Tilak

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The Arctic Home in the Vedas is a book on the origin of Aryans by

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak The book was written at the end of 1898,
but was first published in March 1903 in Pune .It propounded the theory
that the North Pole was the original home of Aryans during pre-glacial
period which they had to leave due to the ice deluge around 8000 B.C.
and had to migrate to the Northern parts of Europe and Asia in search of
lands for new settlements. In support to his theory , Tilak has presented
certain Vedic hymns, East Iranian passages, Ved
61. King Ashvapati of the Upanishadic Age was the ruler of which among
the following Kingdoms?
[A] Kekaya
[B] Matsya
[C] Panchala
[D] Sursena
Answer : Kekaya
LATER VEDIC AGE The Kekaya kingdom was situated on the bank of
River Beas, east of Gandhar kingdom. King Aswapati ruled Kekaya when
Janak was the king of Videha.
62. With which among the following Vedas, the Shatapatha Brahmana is
related to___?
[A] Rigveda [B] Yajurveda
[C] Samaveda [D] Atharvaveda
Answer : Yajurveda
Yajurveda is the book of sacrificial prayers.The worlds 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.
63. Which of the following was not a diety of the Harappans?
[A] Shiva
[B] Mother Goddess [C] Peepal Tree [D] Vishnu
Answer : Vishnu
Mother Goddess, Pashupati Shiva, Peepal, Pigeon, Swastik were
worshipped by the Harappans.
64. Which among the following places has given the earliest evidence of
agriculture in Indian Subcontinent?
[A] Brahmagiri [B] Chirand [C] Mehrgarh [D] Burzahom
Answer : Mehrgarh
The site of Mehrgarh is located near the Bolan Pass, in the region of
Baluchistan, to the west of the Indus River valley. In 1974, Mehrgarh
excavated by the French Archaeologist Jean Francois Jarrige.
65. Robert Bruce Foote, who discovered first Palaeolithic tools in India,
was originally ___?
[A] Palaeobotanist [B] Geologist [C] Archaeologist [D] Historian
Answer : Geologist
Robert Bruce Foote Father of Indian Pre-history. He was a geologist of
the Geological Survey of India, brought out publications on the tools
found in the laterite formations in the then Madras and South Arcot
districts, documented the antiquities of the Neolithic and Iron Age in
Salem district in Tamil Nadu, wrote memoirs on the geology of the south
Maharatta country and neighbouring districts, collected antiquities,
painted landscape such as View of Cape Comorin, the Kumla Kumari
Pagoda and skilfully handled his finances.
66. Which of the following is the most common motif of the Indus Seals ?
[A] Unicorn
[B] Bull
[C] Rhinoceros
[D] Elephant
Answer : Unicorn
The unicorn is the most common motif on Indus seals and appears to
represent a mythical animal that Greek and Roman sources trace back to
the Indian subcontinent.
67. Which of the following Harappan towns is divided into three parts ?
[A] Kalibanga
[B] Lothal
[C] Chanhudaro [D] Dholavira
Answer : Dholavira
The Dholavira is the largest Indus Valley Site in independent India. It is
located on Khadir Beyt, an island in the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.It
has been excavated by R S Bisht team of ASI. It had three citadels. Each
of these three citadels of Dholavira was improved than Harappa and
Mohen-jo-Daro and had an inner closure as well.
68. Which among the following was a water tax for supply of water for
irrigation during the ancient India ?
[A] Udakabhaga [B]Udbali [C]Uparikara
[D]Udranga
Answer : Udakabhaga

Udakabhaga was the water tax that was levied on irrigation during the
ancient India during the Maurya Empire
69. The last ruler of the Mauryan Dynasty, who was assassinated by
Pushyamitra Sunga, his commander-in-chief was __ ?
[A]Bindusara [B]Chandragupta [C]Brihadrata [D]Ashokavardhan
Answer :Brihadrata
Brihadrata was assassinated in 185 BCE during a military parade, by the
commander-in-chief of his guard, the Brahmin general Pusyamitra Sunga,
who then took over the throne and established the Sunga dynasty.
Brihadrata, the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty, held territories that had
shrunk considerably from the time of emperor Ashoka, although he still
upheld the Buddhist faith.
70. Buddhacharita, the epic biography of Gautama Buddha in Sanskrit
was written by__:
[A] Avaghoa
[B]Indrabhuti [C]Asanga
[D]Bodhisena
Answer : Avaghoa
The Buddha Charita was the biography of Buddha which was penned by
Ashvaghosha probably in the first century C.E. He was a renowned
Sanskrit poet. The Buddha Charita is made up of 28 songs recounting
events in Shakyamuni Buddhas life up to the time of his great
awakening.
71. Which among the following kings was also known as Mamallan
(great wrestler)?
[A] Pulakesi II
[B] Mahendravarman I
[C]Narasimhavarman I
[D]None of the above
Answer :Narasimhavarman I
72. Which among the following is the correct set of the plays written by
Harshavardhan in Sanskrit?
[A]Malavikagnimitram,Vikramorvashiiyam and Abhijanasakuntalam
[B]Svapna Vasavadattam, Pancharatra and Pratijna Yaugandharayaanam
[C]Nagananda, Priyadarshika and Ratnavali.
[D]None of these.
Answer :Nagananda, Priyadarshika and Ratnavali.
73. Where and when was the second Buddhist council held?
[A]Patliputra in 250 B.C.
[B]Sri Lanka in 1st century B.C.
[C]Vaishali in 383 B.C.
[D]Mandalay in 1871 A.D.
Answer :Vaishali in 383 B.C.
74. Who among the following succeeded Samudragupta as the next ruler
of Gupta Dynasty ?
[A]Chandragupta II
[B]Chandragupta I
[C]Vishnugupta
[D]Mahendra
Answer :Chandragupta II
75. As per Asokas inscriptions, which among the following place was
declared tax free and proclaimed only 1/8th part as taxable?
[A]Kushinagar [B]Lumbini [C]Kathmandu
[D]Sarnath
Answer :Lumbini
76. Which among the following places have given the earliest evidence of
agriculture in Indian subcontinent?
[A]Pratapgarh [B]Mehrgarh
[C]Quetta
[D]Kalat
Answer :Mehrgarh
77. Which among the following Vakataka ruler performed all the seven
sacrifices viz. Agnishtoma, Aptoryama, Ukthya, Shodasin, Atiratra,
Vajapeya, Brihaspatisava, Sadyaskra and four Asvamedhas ?
[A]Rudrasena-I [B]Pravarsena-I [C]Prithvisena-I [D]Narendrasena-I
Answer :Pravarsena 1
78. Who among the following was the 23rd Jain Tirthankara ?
[A]Nemi Natha [B]Mahavira [C]Parshvanath [D]Malinath
Answer :Parshvanath
79. The Satapatha Brahmana and Taitriya Brahmana are the Brahmana
texts of ___:
[A]Rigveda [B]Yajurveda [C]Samaveda
[D]Atharavaveda
Answer :Yajurveda
80. Which among the following is the most unique feature of Dholavira
site of the Indus Valley Civilization?
[A]Its cities were horizontally divided in multiple parts
[B]Its cities were unevenly divided
[C]Its cities were divided into 2 parts
[D]None of these
Answer :Its cities were divided into 2 parts

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