Ancient Indian History Quiz: SSC CGL July 2023

Saptanga Theory

• 'Amatya' represents the council of ministers in Kautilya's Saptanga theory.

Mahajanapadas

• The Magadha Mahajanapada was surrounded by the rivers Ganges and Son.
• Kosala Mahajanapada was situated in the modern-day state of Uttar Pradesh in the 6th century BCE.
• The capital of Vajji Mahajanapada was Vaishali.
• The last ruler of the Nanda dynasty was Dhana Nanda.
• The first ruler of Magadha from the Haryanka dynasty was Bimbisara.

Philosophy and Texts

• The Samkhya school of philosophy was founded by Kapila.
• The Rajatarangini text provides a detailed description of the kings of Kashmir.

Archaeology

• Evidence of pit dwellings has been found in the archaeology of Mehrgarh.
• A 'Homo erectus' skull was found in the prehistoric Indian site of Narmada Valley.
• Megaliths with stone pieces set in a circular shape around the tomb are known as Cairn Circles.

Ancient Indian Rulers

• Kautilya is traditionally credited as the author of an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy written in Sanskrit.
• The last king of the Shunga dynasty was Devabhuti.
• Ashoka conquered Kalinga and later renounced war.
• Ashoka sent a mission to spread the doctrine of Dhamma, led by his son and daughter, to Sri Lanka.
• Ashoka was appointed as the viceroy to solve social problems in his area.

Battles and Wars

• The battle of the Hydaspes was fought between Alexander the Great and Porus.
• Ashoka's mission was sent to Sri Lanka after the battle of Kalinga.

Geography and History

• The iron implement site of Hastinapur is located in the present-day state of Uttar Pradesh.
• During the Rigvedic or early Vedic period, the Saraswati was considered a river goddess.
• The Dharmasutras include rules and regulations for the Vedic period.

Vedas

• The Samaveda is related to music.
• The Rigveda is considered the oldest among the Vedas.
• 30 Rig Veda manuscripts dating from 1800 to 1500 BCE were included in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in the year 2007.

Medieval India

• Ghurid general Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud defeated Mahmud of Ghazni in his first invasion in the year 1001 AD.
• Ashoka was known as 'Devanam Piya'.
• The Bahmani Sultanate was established by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah.
• The Chandela dynasty built the Khajuraho temples in Central India between 950 and 1050 AD.
• The Kadamba dynasty was an ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka.

Test your knowledge on ancient Indian history with this SSC CGL July 2023 quiz. Questions include topics such as Kautilya's Saptanga theory, Magadha Mahajanapada, Kosala Mahajanapada, and Vajji. See how well you know the historical facts!