Ancient Indian History GK Quiz
1. Which period of the Stone Age developed in the Pleistocene period or the Ice Age?
Correct Answer: C. Palaeolithic Age
The Palaeolithic Age is the earliest period of the Stone Age, which developed in the Pleistocene period or the Ice Age.
2. What were Palaeolithic men in India also called due to their stone tools being made of 'quartzite'?
Correct Answer: B. Quartzite men
Since the stone tools were made of a hard rock called 'quartzite', Palaeolithic men are therefore also called 'Quartzite men' in India.
3. In which phase of the Palaeolithic Age did Homo sapiens first appear?
Correct Answer: C. Late or Upper Palaeolithic
Homo sapiens first appeared at the end of the Late or Upper Palaeolithic phase.
4. What is the characteristic tool of the Mesolithic Age?
Correct Answer: C. Microliths
The characteristic tools of the Mesolithic Age were microliths (miniature stone tools).
5. Where were the first rock paintings in India discovered in 1867?
Correct Answer: B. Sohagighat (Kaimur Hills, UP)
In 1867, the first rock paintings in India were discovered at Sohagighat (Kaimur Hills, UP).
6. Which Mesolithic site provides the earliest evidence for the domestication of animals along with Adamgarh, M.P.?
Correct Answer: C. Bagor, Rajasthan
Both Adamgarh, M.P. and Bagor provide the earliest evidence for the domestication of animals.
7. V. Gordon Childe termed which phase as the "Neolithic Revolution"?
Correct Answer: C. Neolithic Age
V. Gordon Childe termed the Neolithic phase as Neolithic Revolution due to its significance in pre-history.
8. Which Neolithic site is famous for pit dwelling, stone tools, and graveyards located within households in Jammu and Kashmir?
Correct Answer: A. Gufkraal
Gufkraal in Jammu and Kashmir is famous for pit dwelling, stone tools, and graveyards located within households.
9. What was the first metal to be used in the Chalcolithic age?
Correct Answer: C. Copper
The Chalcolithic age marked the emergence of the use of metal along with stone tools, and the first metal to be used was copper.
10. Which type of pottery was most popular during the Chalcolithic period?
Correct Answer: B. Black and red pottery
They used different types of pottery, of which black and red pottery was the most popular.
11. Which animal was probably the symbol of the religious cult of the Chalcolithic people, based on stylized terracottas from Malwa and Rajasthan?
Correct Answer: C. Bull
The bull was probably the symbol of their religious cult (based on stylised bull terracottas of Malwa and Rajasthan).
12. Which Harappan city is known for being divided into two parts: Citadel/Raised Part and Lower Part?
Correct Answer: D. Mohenjo-Daro
In most cases the Harappan city was divided into two parts: Citadel/Raised Part and Lower Part.
13. What was the unique ratio of burnt bricks used across all Harappan structures?
Correct Answer: B. 1:2:4
They used burnt bricks of good quality and the unique feature of this brick was its identical ratio of 1:2:4 in terms of thickness:width:length across all Harappan structures.
14. Which metal was NOT known or used by Harappans?
Correct Answer: D. Iron
Copper, bronze, silver, and gold were metals known and used by Harappans, but iron was not.
15. What was the Harappan script referred to as, based on its writing direction?
Correct Answer: C. Boustrophedon
Harappan writing was boustrophedon, that is to say, right to left and left to right in alternate lines.
16. What did the Mesopotamians call the Indus Region?
Correct Answer: C. Meluhha
The Mesopotamians called the Indus Region ‘Meluhha’.
17. Which Harappan site had bead-making factories?
Correct Answer: C. Chanhudaro and Lothal
There were bead-making factories at Chanhudaro and Lothal.
18. Where has a dockyard been excavated in a Harappan site?
Correct Answer: D. Lothal
A dockyard has been excavated in Lothal and sea ports have been found at Rangpur, Somnath and Balakot.
19. What was the primary deity of the Harappan people, depicted on seals in a yogic posture and surrounded by animals?
Correct Answer: C. Pashupati Mahadeva (proto-Shiva)
The Harappan people generally worshipped Mother goddess and Pashupati Mahadeva or proto-Shiva (mostly an upper class preference, seals depict him in a yogic posture).
20. Which Harappan site has yielded evidence of a wooden plough and furrowed land?
Correct Answer: C. Kalibangan
Ploughed fields, possibly with the help of wooden ploughs, have been discovered at Kalibangan.
21. Which Harappan site is unique for having no citadel?
Correct Answer: C. Chanhudaro
Chanhudaro is the only city without a citadel.
22. Which Harappan site is known for its exclusive water management system, including a giant water reservoir and dams?
Correct Answer: D. Dholavira
Dholavira is known for its exclusive water management, giant water reservoir, and dams.
23. What is the Rig Veda word for kinship units?
Correct Answer: C. Gotra
In the Later Vedic culture, the institution of gotra appeared, meaning descent from a common ancestor.
24. Who was the first Indian king known to have a regular and standing army, and was also known as Seniya?
Correct Answer: B. Bimbisara
Bimbisara was known as Seniya and was the first Indian king who had a regular and standing army.
25. Which Nanda ruler is often described as ‘the first empire builder of Indian history’?
Correct Answer: B. Mahapadmananda
Mahapadmananda is often described as ‘the first empire builder of Indian history’.
26. During which Nanda ruler's reign did Alexander's invasion of north-west India take place?
Correct Answer: B. Dhanananda
It was during the rule of Dhanananda that the invasion of Alexander took place in north – west India in 326 BC.
27. Who founded the Mauryan Empire by defeating the Nanda ruler Dhanananda?
Correct Answer: C. Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya defeated Nanda ruler (Dhanananda) and founded the Mauryan Empire.
28. What was the primary reason for the decline of the Mauryan Empire, which created financial crisis?
Correct Answer: B. Large army and bureaucracy requiring regular payments
Large army and Bureaucracy required to be paid regularly which created financial crisis, further aggravated by large grants by Ashoka to Buddhist monks and monasteries.
29. Which native dynasty ruled in eastern India, central India, and the Deccan region during the Post-Mauryan period?
Correct Answer: C. Shungas
The native dynasties like Shungas, Satavahanas, and the Kanvas ruled in eastern India, central India and the Deccan region.
30. Which Satavahana king was known for being named after his mother, as seen in "Gautamiputra Satakarni"?
Correct Answer: C. Both A and B
Being matrilineal most of the kings are named after their mother- Gautamiputra Satakarni, Vasisthiputra Pulumayi, Yagnasri Satakarni.
31. What was the Buddhist temple known as during the Satavahana phase, often cut out of solid rock?
Correct Answer: C. Chaitya
Chaityas were Buddhist temples and monasteries were known as Vihara. The most famous Chaitya is located in Karle in the western Deccan.
32. Who was the most famous Shaka ruler, whose achievements are known through the Girnar or Junagarh inscription, composed in chaste Sanskrit?
Correct Answer: C. Rudradaman
The most famous of all the Shaka rulers was Rudradaman who ruled in the middle of second century AD. His achievements are known through the only inscription that he got engraved on a boulder at Girnar or Junagarh.
33. Which Kushana ruler started a new era, now known as the Shaka era, probably ascending the throne in AD 78?
Correct Answer: C. Kanishka
Kanishka probably ascended the throne in AD 78, and started a new era, now known as the Shaka era.
34. Where did Kanishka convene the Fourth Buddhist Council, where Buddhism split into Hinayana and Mahayana?
Correct Answer: C. Kundalavana (Kashmir)
Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana (present day Harwan near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir) in which a large number of Buddhist scholars took part. It was in this council that Buddhism got split into two schools – Hinayana and Mahayana.
35. Which rock-cut caves in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, were patronized by the Kalinga king Kharavela and are known for the Hathigumpha inscription?
Correct Answer: C. Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha were patronized by the Kalinga king Kharavela and are also known for the Hathigumpha inscription (in Brahmi script).
36. The Sangam period in South India is roughly dated between which centuries?
Correct Answer: B. 3rd century BC and 3rd century AD
The period roughly between the 3rd century B.C. and 3rd century A.D. in South India (the area lying to the south of river Krishna and Tungabhadra) is known as Sangam Period.
37. Which dynasty provided royal patronage to the Sangam academies?
Correct Answer: C. Pandya
The Sangam academies flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
38. What was the primary deity of the Sangam period, hailed as the Tamil God?
Correct Answer: C. Murugan
The primary deity of the Sangam period was Murugan, who is hailed as Tamil God.
39. Which Sangam epic, composed by Ilango Adigal, tells the story of Kannagi seeking revenge?
Correct Answer: B. Silappadikaram
Silappadikaram, composed by Ilango Adigal, has a chief character Kannagi, who seeks revenge on the Pandya kingdom for her husband who was wrongly put to death.
40. Which Sangam epic was composed by Chithalai Chathanar and aimed to propagate Buddhism in South India?
Correct Answer: B. Manimekalai
Manimekalai, composed by Chithalai Chathanar, is a sequel to Silappadikaram and its author's aim was to propagate Buddhism in South India.
41. Which empire is often considered the ‘golden age’ of India’s past due to political unification, exceptional Sanskrit works, and developments in science and technology?
Correct Answer: C. Gupta Empire
Historians often consider the Gupta period as the ‘golden age’ of India’s past due to various classical features.
42. Who was the first important king of the Gupta Dynasty to lay its foundations and claim the title of maharajadhiraja?
Correct Answer: C. Chandragupta I
Chandragupta I was the first important king of the Gupta Dynasty and laid the foundations of the Gupta empire, claiming the title of maharajadhiraja.
43. Who was known as the "Napoleon of India" due to his military conquests, recorded in the Allahabad Pillar inscription?
Correct Answer: B. Samudragupta
Samudragupta's military achievements earned him the title "Napoleon of India" from V.A. Smith, and these are recorded in the Allahabad Pillar inscription.
44. Which Chinese traveler visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II?
Correct Answer: C. Fa Hien/Faxian
Fa Hien/Faxian, the famous Chinese traveler, visited India during Chandragupta II's reign.
45. Who was the renowned classical Sanskrit poet and playwright among Chandragupta II's Navaratnas?
Correct Answer: B. Kalidasa
Kalidasa, a renowned classical Sanskrit poet and playwright, was one of the Navaratnas in Chandragupta II's court.
46. According to Fa Hien, what was the common punishment during the Gupta administration?
Correct Answer: C. Imposing a fine
Punishments were not severe, and imposing a fine was a common punishment during the Gupta administration as observed by Fahien.
47. Which religious practices flourished during the Gupta period, with most Gupta kings being their followers?
Correct Answer: B. Vaishnavism and Saivism
In the sphere of religion, Brahmanism reigned supreme during the Gupta period. It had two branches – Vaishnavism and Saivism. Most of the Gupta kings were Vaishnavaites.
48. Which Chalukya king was the son of Pulakesin II and plundered Kanchi?
Correct Answer: C. Vikramaditya I
Vikramaditya I was the son of Pulakesin II who plundered Kanchi, the capital of the Pallavas.
49. Which language was mentioned as the language of the elite in a 7th-century Chalukya inscription, contrasting with Kannada as the language of the masses?
Correct Answer: C. Sanskrit
An inscription dated 7th century mentions Sanskrit as the language of the elite whereas Kannada was the language of the masses.
50. Who translated the Mahabharata as Bharathavenba in Tamil and was patronized by Nandivarman II during the Pallava period?
Correct Answer: C. Perundevanar
Perundevanar was patronized by Nandivarman II and he translated the Mahabharata as Bharathavenba in Tamil.
