Indian History Objective Practice Questions - PDF

1500+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS ON INDIAN HISTORY For All Competitive Exams ________________________________ © Copyright reserved in ________________________________ p. Contents re Click the...

1500+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS ON INDIAN HISTORY For All Competitive Exams ________________________________ © Copyright reserved in ________________________________ p. Contents re Click the below headings for fast travel ________________________________ tP ar INDIAN HISTORY Sm QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS ANCIENT INDIA : QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS MEDIEVAL INDIA : QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS MODERN INDIA : QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS SmartPrep.in  QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS _________________________________________ ANCIENT INDIA : QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS _________________________________________ 1. Which of the following Vedas deals with magic spells and witchcraft? (a) Rigveda (b) Samaveda (c) Yajurveda (d) Atharvaveda in Ans: (d) p. 2. The later Vedic Age means the age of the compilation of (a) Samhitas (b) Brahmanas re (c) Aranyakas (d) All the above tP Ans: (d) 3. The Vedic religion along with its Later (Vedic) developments is actually known as ar (a) Hinduism (b) Brahmanism (c) Bhagavatism Sm (d) Vedic Dharma Ans: (b) 4. The Vedic Aryans first settled in the region of (a) Central India (b) Gangetic Doab (c) Saptasindhu (d) Kashmir and Punjab Ans: (c) 5. Which of the following contains the famous Gayatrimantra? (a) Rigveda (b) Samaveda (c) Kathopanishad (d) Aitareya Brahmana SmartPrep.in Ans: (a) 6. The famous Gayatrimantra is addressed to (a) Indra (b) Varuna (c) Pashupati (d) Savita Ans: (d) 7. Two highest ,gods in the Vedic religion were (a) Agni and Savitri (b) Vishnu and Mitra (c) Indra and Varuna (d) Surya and Pushan Ans: (c) in 8. Division of the Vedic society into four classes is clearly mentioned in the (a) Yajurveda p. (b) Purusa-sukta of Rigveda (c) Upanishads re (d) Shatapatha Brahmana Ans: (b) tP 9. This Vedic God was 'a breaker of the forts' and also a 'war god' (a) Indra (b) Yama ar (c) Marut (d) Varuna Sm Ans: (a) 10. The Harappan or Indus Valley Civilisation flourished during the ____ age. (a) Megalithic (b) Paleolithic (c) Neolithic (d) Chalcolithic Ans: (d) 11. The first metal to be extensively used by the people in India was (a) Bronze (b) Copper (c) Iron (d) Tin Ans: (b) SmartPrep.in  12. Which of the following civilisations is net associated with the Harappan Civilisation? (a) Mesopotamian (b) Egyptian (c) Sumerian (d) Chinese Ans: (d) 13. Of the following scholars who was the first to discover the traces of the Harappan Civilisation? (a) Sir John Marshall (b) RD Banerji (c) A Cunningham (d) Daya Ram Sahani Ans: (d) in 14. The Harappan Civilisation achieved far greater advancement than Sumer, Elam etc. on account of its p. (a) town planning (b) metal working (c) weights and measures (d) seals and figures re Ans: (a) tP 15. The town planning in the Harappan Civilisation was inspired by a regard for (a) beauty and utility ar (b) uniformity (c) sanitation and public health (d) demographic factor Sm Ans: (c) 16. The Indus or Harappan Civilisation is distinguished from the other contemporary civilisations by its (a) town planning (b) underground drainage system (c) uniformity of weights and measures (d) large agricultural surplus Ans: (b) 17. Match the location of the following Harappan sites: List-1 List-2 (Sites) (States) SmartPrep.in  A. Ropar (i) Uttar Pradesh B. Alamgirpur (ii) Punjab C. Kalibangan (iii) Gujarat D. Dholavira (iv) Rajasthan E. Banawali (v) Haryana Codes: A B C D E (a) ii i iv iii v (b) i ii iii iv v (c) ii i iii iv v (d) ii iii I v iv in Ans: (a) 18. The date of the Harappan Civilisation (2300-1750 BC) has been fixed on the basis of p. (a) Pottery design (b) Stratification (c) Aryan invasion re (d) Radio Carbon-14 dating Ans: (d) tP 19. Most of the large Harappan towns had for fortifications which served the purpose of (a) safety from robbers ar (b) protection against cattle raiders (c) protection against floods Sm (d) All the above Ans: (d) 20. Cereal(s) grown by the people of the Harappan Civilisation was/were (a) Wheat (b) Rice (c) Millet (d) All the above Ans: (d) 21. The utensils of the Indus Valley people were mainly made of (a) clay (b) copper (c) bronze (d) brass SmartPrep.in Ans: (a) 22. Which of the following metals was not known to the Indus valley people? (a) gold (b) silver (c) copper (d) iron Ans: (d) 23. Which of the following objects was not worshipped by the Indus valley people (a) Mother Goddess (b) Pashupati Shiva (c) Trees such as Peepal and Acacia (d) Trimurti Ans: (d) in 24. At which of the following Harappan sites has a supposed dockyard been found? (a) Kalibangan p. (b) Lothal (c) Suktagendor re (d) Sotka Koli Ans: (b) tP 25. The economy of the Indus Valley people was based on? (a) Agriculture (b) Trade and Commerce ar (c) Crafts (d) All the above Sm Ans: (d) 26. The Harappan Civilisation declined as a result of (a) Aryan invasion (b) Decline in foreign trade (c) Ecological factors (d) Not definitely known factors Ans: (d) 27. The most common animal figure found at all the Harappan sites is (a) unihorn bull (b) cow (c) bull (d) tiger Ans: (a) SmartPrep.in  28. The term Aryan, Indo-Aryan or Indo-European denotes a _____concept? (a) Linguistic (b) Racial (c) Religious (d) Cultural Ans: (a) 29. According to the most widely accepted view, the Aryans originally came from (a) India (b) Central Asia (c) Central Europe (d) Steppes of Russia Ans: (b) 30. Which of the following Vedas was compiled first? in (a) Rigveda (b) Samaveda p. (c) Yajurveda (d) Atharvaveda re Ans: (a) 31. The Vedic economy was based on tP (a) trade and commerce (b) crafts and industries (c) agriculture and cattle rearing ar (d) all the above Ans: (c) Sm 32. The normal form of government during the Vedic period was (a) democracy (b) republics (c) oligarchy (d) monarchy Ans: (d) 33. Two popular Assemblies of the Vedic period were (a) Sabha and Mahasabha (b) Mahasabha and Ganasabha (c) Sabha and Samiti (d) Ur and Kula Ans: (c) 34. The Indo-Greek Kingdom set up in north Afghanistan in the beginning of the second SmartPrep.in  century BC was (a) Scythia (b) Zedrasia (c) Bactria (d) Aria Ans: (a) 35. The beat specimens of Mauryan art are represented by their (a) Stupas (b) Pillars (c) Chaityas (d) Caves Ans: (b) 36. Which of the following does not represent an important source material for the in Mauryan period? (a) Literary works p. (b) Foreign accounts (c) Numismatic evidence (d) Epigraphic sources re Ans: (c) tP 37. According to Strabo, the Tamil kingdom to first send emissaries to meet Augustin in Athens in 20 BC, was (a) Pallava ar (b) Chola (c) Pandya (d) Chera Sm Ans: (c) 38. Who among the following was the founder of the Nanda dynasty? (a) Mahapadma Nanda (b) Ashoka Nanda (c) Dhana Nanda (d) None of the above Ans: (a) 39. The word 'Veda' has been derived from the root word 'Vid' which means (a) Divinity (b) Sacredness (c) Doctrine (d) Knowledge SmartPrep.in Ans: (d) 40. The Kushan rule was brought to an end by (a) The Nagas (b) The Britishers (c) Samudragupta (d) The Hindu Shahi Dynasty Ans: (d) 41. Ashoka has been particularly Influenced by the Buddhist monk (a) Ambhi (b) Upagupta (c) Asvaghosha (d) Vasubandhu Ans: (b) in 42. During Kanishka's reign, the centre of political activity shifted from Magadha to (a) Delhi p. (b) Ayodhya (c) Kannauj re (d) Purushapura (Peshawar) Ans: (d) tP 43. Which of the following Sanskrit language? (a) Kushanas (b) Mauryas ar (c) Guptas (d) Indo-Greeks Sm Ans: (c) 44. Who had got the Konark Sun Temple constructed? (a) Kanishka (b) Ashoka (c) Narasimha Deva II (d) Rajendra Chola Ans: (c) 45. Which one of the following sculptures invariably used green schist as the medium? (a) Maurya sculptures (b) Mathura sculptures (c) Bharhut sculptures (d) Gandhara sculptures Ans: (c) SmartPrep.in  46. Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period? (a) Saumilla (b) Sudraka (c) Shaunaka (d) Susrutha Ans: (d) 47. In the context of ancient Indian society, which one of the following terms does not belong to the category of the other three? (a) Kula (b) Vamsa (c) Kosa (d) Gotra Ans: (c) in 48. Who wrote Mrichchhakatika (Clay Cart)? (a) Akbar p. (b) Kalidas (c) Sudraka (d) Dandin re Ans: (c) tP 49. After the partition of India, the largest number of Harappan towns and settlements have been found In (a) Punjab ar (b) Haryana (c) Gujarat (d) Uttar Pradesh Sm Ans: (c) 50. The Indus Valley civilisation can be said to belong to the (a) Paleolithic age (b) Primitive age (c) Neolithic age (d) Bronze age Ans: (d) 51. Who among the following used to hold a religious assembly at Prayag every five year? (a) Ashoka (b) Harshvardhana (c) Kanishka (d) Chandragupta Vikramaditya SmartPrep.in Ans: (b) 52. Gautam Buddha as a prince was known as (a) Gautam (b) Siddhartha (c) Rahul (d) Suddhodhana Ans: (b) 53. The Jatakas are a collection of stories (a) Meant for children (b) Based on pet Hindu myths (c) About Jains saints (d) Pertaining to several different earlier births of the Buddha Ans: (d) in 54. Architectural developments In India manifested themselves In their full glory during the period of the p. (a) Guptas (b) Nandas re (c) Mauryas (d) Cholas tP Ans: (a) 55. The deep transforming effect that the Kalinga War had on Ashoka has been described in ar (a) Archaeological excavations (b) Rock edicts Sm (c) Coins (d) Pillar edicts Ans: (b) 56. The proud title of 'Vikramaditya' had been assumed by (a) Harsha (b) Chandragupta II (c) Kanishka (d) Samudragupta Ans: (b) 57. In which region was the first metallic coin used In India? (a) The Indo-Gangetic plain of central India (b) The Himalayas (c) Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh SmartPrep.in  (d) The Deccan Plateau Ans: (a) 58. Which of the following was the first metal to be discovered and used as tools by humans? (a) Iron (b) Gold (c) Tin (d) Copper Ans: (d) 59. The philosophy propounded in the Upanishads is known as (a) Advaita (b) Vedanta (c) Yoga in (d) Samkhya Ans: (b) p. 60. After the growth of the Vedic religion the most important development in the history of the so-called Hinduism was the development of re (a) Shaivism (b) Saktism tP (c) Bhagavatism (d) Tantricism ar Ans: (c) 61. Bhagavatiam refers to worship of (a) Vasudeva Krishna Sm (b) Brahma (c) Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva (d) Durga as Shakti Ans: (a) 62. Vaishnavism, a later development of Bhagavatism, advocates the worship of (a) Vishnu (b) Ram and Krishna (c) Vishnu and his incarnations (d) Vishnu and Lakshmi Ans: (c) 63. The Hindu social sacraments such as marriage etc. are performed on the basis of the rituals described in the (a) Rigveda SmartPrep.in  (b) Yajurveda (c) Grihyasutras (d) Upanishad Ans: (c) 64. The founder of Jainism was (a) Rishbha (b) Neminath (c) Parsvanatha (d) Vardhaman Mahavira Ans: (c) 65. Vardhamana Mahavira the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism was born at ____ and died at ____. (a) Vaishali and Rajagriha in (b) Kusinara and Pava (c) Kundagrama and Pava p. (d) Kashi and Champa Ans: (c) re 66. The 'Three Jewels' (Triratnas) of Jainism are (a) right faith or intentions, right knowledge and right conduct tP (b) right action, right livelihood and right effort (c) right thoughts, non-violence and non-attachment (d) right speech, right thinking and right behaviour ar Ans: (a) 67. Of the five vows (Panch Anuvratas) of Jainism, four existed before Mahavira. The one Sm which he added was (a) not to kill (non-injury) (b) not to steal (c) non-attachment to worldly things (d) celibacy Ans: (d) 68. In Jainism the aim of life is to attain Nirvana or Moksha for which one has to (a) follow three jewels and five vows (b) practice, non-violence and non-injury to all living beings (c) renounce the world and attain right knowledge (d) believe in the Jains and absolute non-violence Ans: (a) 69. Jainism was divided into two sects - Swetambaras (White-clad) and Digambaras (Sky- SmartPrep.in  clad or naked) - During the reign of the (a) Nandas (b) Mauryas (c) Kusanas (d) Shungas Ans: (b) 70. The name Buddha means (a) enlightened (b) learned (c) divine (d) sacred Ans: (a) 71. Match the events of the Buddha's life with the place a of their occurrence: in List-1 List-2 p. A. Birth (i) Kusinagar B. Attainment of knowledge (ii) Sarnath re C. First Sermon (iii) Bodh-Gaya D. Death (iv) Lumbini tP Codes: A B C D ar (a) i ii iii iv (b) ii i iv iii Sm (c) iii ii i iv (d) iv iii ii i Ans: (d) 72. Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana during the reign of (a) Asoka (b) Kanishka (c) Menander (d) Harsha Ans: (b) 73. The great exponent of Mahayana Buddhism was (a) Ashvaghosa (b) Vasubandhu (c) Nagarjuna SmartPrep.in  (d) Nagasena Ans: (c) 74. Jatakas are the stories of (a) Buddha's life (b) Buddha's previous lives (c) The lives of the future Buddhas (d) Great saints of Buddhism Ans: (b) 75. Outside India, Buddhism was first accepted in (a) China (b) Japan (c) Sri Lanka (d) Tibet in Ans: (c) p. 76. In the sixth century BC northern India was divided into (a) sixteen great states (b) eight republican states re (c) both (a) and (b) above (d) Anga and Magadha tP Ans: (c) 77. Of all the states in northern India in 6th century BC which of the following states ar emerged as the most powerful? (a) Anga (b) Magadha Sm (c) Kashi (d) Kosala Ans: (b) 78. When Alexander invaded India, Magadha was being ruled by the (a) Haryankas (b) Sisunagas (c) Nandas (d) Mauryas Ans: (c) 79. Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya decided to overthrow the Nandas because (a) Chanakya had been humiliated by the Nandas (b) the Nandas were low-born SmartPrep.in  (c) the Nandas had accumulated a great deal of wealth by extortion and oppression of the people (d) Chanakya wanted to restore the ideal of Kshatriya rule Ans: (c) 80. The decline of the Nandas at the hands of Kautilya and Chandragupta Maurya has been vividly portrayed in the Sanakrit play written by Kalidasa (a) Mudrarakshas (b) Devichandragupta (c) Malavikagnimitram (d) Mrichhakatika Ans: (c) 81. Kautilya (also known as Vishnugupta and Chanakya) is the author of Arthasastra which has been compared with in (a) Plato's State (b) Machiavelli's Prince p. (c) Karl Marx's Das Kapital (d) Hitler's Mein Kampf re Ans: (b) 82. Megasthanes, the ambassador of Selucus at the Mauryan court in Pataliputra, wrote tP an account of the period in his book (a) Travels of Megasthanes (b) Indika ar (c) Indicoplecusts (d) Both (b) and (c) Sm Ans: (b) 83. Which of the following is the single most important source of the history of Ashoka? (a) Sri Lankan chronicles Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa (b) Buddhist works Divyavadana and Ashokavadana (c) Inscriptions of Ashoka (d) Archaeological Sources and the Puranas Ans: (c) 84. After the Kalinga War, Ashoka decided never to wage any war because? (a) After the conquest of Kalinga the political unity of Mauryan India had been achieved (b) Ashoka felt apologetic about the destruction of men and material on both sides in the war (c) He was moved by the violence, slaughter and sufferings to the combatants and non- combatants in the war SmartPrep.in  (d) Shortly after the war he adopted Buddhism which was opposed to violence Ans: (c) 85. In his inscriptions Ashoka called himself (a) Devanampriya Priyadarshi King (b) Ashoka Priyadarshi (c) Dhammasoka (Dharmasoka) (d) Daivaputra Ans: (a) 86. Ashoka’s claim to be one of the greatest rulers in world history life in the fact that (a) his aims covered both the religious and secular aspects of life (b) he worked for the material moral and spiritual uplift of the people (c) after a single conquest he dedicated himself completely to the cause of peace (d) he attempted to unify the people of different castes and communities into a bound of in common moral ideal Ans: (c) p. 87. The moat important official post with vast responsibilities created by Asoka was (a) Rajuka re (b) Yukta (c) Dharamamahamatya tP (d) Prativedaka Ans: (c) ar 88. The Mauryan sculptors had attained the highest perfection in the carving of (a) floral designs (b) pillars Sm (c) animal figures (d) yaksha figures Ans: (c) 89. The most striking feature of the Ashokan pillars is their (a) monolithic structure (b) carving (c) polish (d) uniformity of workmanship Ans: (c) 90. Which of the following was not one of the actual cause for the decline of the Mauryan empire? (a) Ashoka's pacifist policies (b) Division of the empire after Ashoka SmartPrep.in  (c) Foreign aggressions particularly Greek (d) Economic and financial crisis Ans: (a) 91. Who usurped power from the Mauryas after killing the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha? (a) Pushyamitra Sunga (b) Agnimitra (c) Vasumitra (d) Jyesthamitra Ans: (a) 92. The most famous Indo-Greek ruler of India, famous for his sense of Justice and dialogues with a Buddhist monk Nagasena (as described in the Buddhist work Milinda Panho) was in (a) Demetrius (b) Menander p. (c) Eukratises (d) Heliocles re Ans: (b) 93. The first great empire to the south of the Vindhayas was of the tP (a) Cholas (b) Cheras (c) Pandyas ar (d) Satavahanas Ans: (d) Sm 94. The greatest claim to fame of the Satavahanas is on account of (a) Pursuing a tolerant religious policy and giving common patronage to Buddhism and Brahmanism (b) Adoption of Prakrit as their court language in preference to Sanskrit (c) Great economic prosperity and brisk inland and foreign trade (d) Great contribution to Indian art as evident from the art of Amravati and Nagarjunakonda Ans: (c) 95. Mohenjo-Daro is situated in (a) Montgomery district (b) Larkana district (c) Chandigarh area (d) Gujarat SmartPrep.in Ans: (b) 96. Which of the following is the oldest of the Vedas? (a) Sama Veda (b) Atharva Veda (c) Yajur Veda (d) Rig Veda Ans: (d) 97. The family of the Rig Vedic Aryans was (a) Patrilineal (b) Patriarchal (c) Matriarchal (d) Matrilineal Ans: (b) in 98. Gautama Buddha was brought up by (a) Mahaprajapati p. (b) Mayadevi (c) Kundavi re (d) Sangamitra Ans: (a) tP 99. Mahavira was (a) the 20th Tirthankara (b) the 21st Tirthankara ar (c) the 23rd Tirthankara (d) the 24th Tirthankara Sm Ans: (d) 100. The Phrsae the 'Light of Asia' is applied to (a) Alexander (b) Chandragupta Maurya (c) Mahavira (d) The Buddha Ans: (d) 101. The Eight-fold path was enunciated by (a) The Buddha (b) Mahavira (c) Nehru (d) Mahatma Gandhi Ans: (a) SmartPrep.in  102. The Svetambara Jains were (a) clad in white (b) clad in black (c) clad in red (d) saffron clad Ans: (a) 103. The Buddha (a) rejected the theory of Karma (b) was non-committal on the theory of Karma (c) believed in the theory of Karma (d) suggested an alternative to the theory of Karma Ans: (c) 104. The Buddhist Doctrines were written in in (a) Sanskrit (b) Pali p. (c) Tibetan (d) Not written in any language but orally transmitted re Ans: (b) 105. The first Buddhist Council was held at tP (a) Lumbini (b) Kapilavastu (c) Rajagriha ar (d) Avanti Ans: (c) Sm 106. Ashoka was much influenced by Buddhist monk called (a) Upagupta (b) Vasubandhu (c) Ambhi (d) Asvagosha Ans: (a) 107. Megasthanes visited India during the period of (a) Chandragupta II (b) Ashoka (c) Chandragupta Maurya (d) Harsha Ans: (c) 108. Megasthanes was the Ambassador of SmartPrep.in  (a) Selukos Nikator (b) Alexander (c) Darius (d) The Persians Ans: (a) 109. “The Indica" was written by (a) Kautilya (b) Patanjali (c) Megasthanes (d) Panini Ans: (c) 110. Mauryan Dynasty was founded by (a) Ashoka in (b) Chandragupta Maurya (c) Pushyamitra p. (d) Ajatasatru Ans: (b) re 111. The main occupation of the Aryans was (a) Weaving tP (b) Agriculture (c) Trade (d) Seafaring ar Ans: (b) 112. The Rig Veda consists of Sm (a) 1000 hymns (b) 1028 hymns (c) 500 hymns (d) 2000 hymns Ans: (b) 113. The Yueh-Chi were driven out from western China by the (a) Hunas (b) Rashtrika (c) Mangols (d) Bhojakas Ans: (a) 114. Which of the following explains the duties of Dharmamahamatras? (a) The Minor Rock Edicts SmartPrep.in  (b) The two Kalinga Edicts (c) Arthasastra (d) Indica Ans: (a) 115. During the Mauryan period was In the hands of (a) three boards (b) four boards (c) five boards (d) six boards Ans: (d) 116. Which of the following Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka describes the Conquest of Kalinga by Ashoka? (a) No. XIII in (b) No. X (c) No. XI p. (d) No. XII Ans: (a) re 117. Which of the following Vedas is rendered musically? (a) Rig Veda tP (b) Yajur Veda (c) Sama Veda (d) Atharva Veda ar Ans: (c) 118. Of the following who was the hero of a famous drama Malvlkagnimitra written by Sm Kalidasa? (a) Vasumitra (b) Vajramitra (c) Pushyamitra (d) Agnimitra Ans: (d) 119. The duties of Dharmamahamatras are explained in the Minor Rock Edict No___. (a) X (b) IV (c) XII (d) V Ans: (d) 120. Which of the following subjects is not dealt with in the Puranas? SmartPrep.in  (a) Primary creation (b) Secondary creation (c) Genealogies of gods (d) Arithmetic Ans: (d) 121. The Vishnu Purana, gives an account of _____. (a) Mauryan Dynasty (b) The Andhras (c) The Vardhanas (d) Life in Indus Valley Ans: (a) 122. A well-organised State machinery was Introduced for the first time by (a) the Vedic Aryans in (b) Alexander (c) the Guptas p. (d) the Mauryas Ans: (d) re 123. The last Mauryan king was (a) Pushyamitra Sunga tP (b) Ashoka (c) Harsha (d) Brihadratha ar Ans: (d) 124. Bimbisara was succeeded by Sm (a) Ashoka (b) Ajatasatru (c) Vesudeva (d) Chandragupta Maurya Ans: (b) 125. The Upanishads are separated from the Brahmanas by treatises called _______. (a) Vedas (b) Aranyakas (c) Epics (d) Puranas Ans: (b) 126. The religious movements of Buddhism and Jainism were led by (a) Sudras SmartPrep.in  (b) Kshatriya Princes (c) Vaisyas (d) Brahmins Ans: (b) 127. Whom can we call the first national ruler of India? (a) Chandragupta Maurya (b) Kanishka (c) Harsha (d) Ajatasatru Ans: (a) 128. The salient feature of the Rig Vedic religion was worship of (a) Nature (b) Pasupatbi in (c) Trimurti (d) Mother Goddess p. Ans: (a) 129. The 'Brahmanas' deals with re (a) The Bhakti Theory (b) Yoga tP (c) Ritualism (d) Meditation ar Ans: (c) 130. Which of the following Gods lost his importance as the first deity during the later Vedic period? Sm (a) Varuna (b) Agni (c) Vishnu (d) Rudra Ans: (a) 131. Which of the following was the God of Animal during the later Vedic period? (a) Indra (b) Rudra (c) Vishnu (d) Prajapatbi Ans: (b) 132. Which of the following animals was not known to the people of Indus Valley Civilisation? SmartPrep.in  (a) Horse (b) Cow (c) Goat (d) Elephant Ans: (a) 133. When Alexander invaded India, Taxila was ruled by (a) Ambhi (b) Porus (c) Ashoka (d) Bimbisara Ans: (a) 134. There are similarities between the seals found at Mohenjo-Daro and ______. (a) Egypt in (b) China (c) Sumeria p. (d) Afghanistan Ans: (c) re 135. The Harappas had commercial relations with _____. (a) China tP (b) Jawa (c) Mesopotamia (d) Burma (Now, Myanmar) ar Ans: (c) 136. Megasthanese was a Greek Ambassador sent to the court of ______. Sm (a) Ashoka (b) Chandragupta Maurya (c) Kanishka (d) Porus Ans: (b) 137. Mudra Rakahasa was written by (a) Kalidasa (b) Visakadatta (c) Bana (d) Bharavi Ans: (b) 138. The Indus Civilisation is noted for its (a) Art SmartPrep.in  (b) Scientific Advance (c) Town Planning (d) Military Organisation Ans: (c) 139. The language which contributed to the spread of Buddhism was (a) Sanskrit (b) Pali (c) Tamil (d) Greek Ans: (b) 140. Which of the following was the cause of the decline of Buddhism? (a) Buddhism was founded by a prince (b) Corruption crept into Buddhist monasteries in (c) Buddha and Mahavira were contemporaries (d) Buddha preached non-violence p. Ans: (b) 141. Which of the following is not included in triratna of Jainism? re (a) Right Knowledge (b) Right Conduct tP (c) Right Faith (d) Creator ar Ans: (d) 142. The Harappans did not know the use of (a) Copper Sm (b) Bronze (c) Gold (d) Iron Ans: (d) 143. Ajivikas were _____. (a) A monastic sect (b) A sect to Barbarians (c) Soldiers (d) Spies Ans: (a) 144. Dharmamahamatras were ______ during the Mauryans. (a) Officials (b) Buddhist Monks SmartPrep.in  (c) Jain Monks (d) Soldiers Ans: (a) 145. During the period of Sungas there was a revival of ______. (a) Jainism (b) Buddhism (c) Brahminism (d) Zoroastrianism Ans: (c) 146. Of the following who has been considered as a grammarian? (a) Kautilya (b) Megasthanes (c) Patanjali in (d) Kanishka Ans: (c) p. 147. Agnimitra was the hero of Kalidas's (a) Sakuntala re (b) Malavikagnimitra (c) Megadutta tP (d) Mrichhakatikam Ans: (b) ar 148. Kanva dynasty was established by (a) Rudradaman (b) Vasudeva Sm (c) Nagarjuna (d) Kadphises Ans: (b) 149. Kharavela of Kalinga was a follower of (a) Jainism (b) Buddhism (c) Hinduism (d) Confuciounism Ans: (a) 150. The capital of the king Kharavela of Kalinga was (a) Taxila (b) Pataliputra (c) Kalinganagara SmartPrep.in  (d) Pushpapura Ans: (c) 151. Under Mauryas each province was placed under a__. (a) Prince (b) Commander (c) Council (d) Minister Ans: (a) 152. Chandragupta Maurya was__. (a) A benevolent despot (b) Autocrat (c) Democrat (d) A pious ruler in Ans: (a) p. 153. The mother of Vardhamana Mahavira was a (a) Lichavi Princess (b) Maurya Princess re (c) Saka Princess (d) Not a member of the royal family tP Ans: (a) 154. Buddha delivered his first sermon at ______. ar (a) Sanchi (b) Sarnath (c) Kapilvastu Sm (d) Vaisali Ans: (b) 155. The Buddha attained nirvana at ______. (a) Bodh Gaya (b) Sarnath (c) Sanchi (d) Kusinagara Ans: (d) 156. The proceedings of the Third Buddhist Council led to the issue of Edict? (a) Sanchi (b) Sarnath (c) Bhabra (d) Kalinga SmartPrep.in Ans: (b) 157. Which of the following is not the name of Kautilya? (a) Chanakya (b) Vishnugupta (c) Dramindacharya (d) Devaputra Ans: (d) 158. Kautilya hailed from ______. (a) Taxila (b) Srinagar (c) Pataliputra (d) Nepal Ans: (a) in 159. Buddha has been described as 'an ocean of wisdom and compassion' In (a) The Light of Asia p. (b) Amarakosa (c) Buddhacharita re (d) Jatak Tales Ans: (b) tP 160. The most important Pahlava ruler was ______. (a) Mues (b) Gondophemes ar (c) Menander (d) Darius Sm Ans: (b) 161. St Thomas died a martyr at _______. (a) Madras (b) Bombay (c) Goa (d) Surat Ans: (a) 162. Of the following Kushan Kings who assumed the title "the Lord of the Whole World"? (a) Kadphises I (b) Kadphises II (c) Kanishka (d) Huvishka Ans: (b) SmartPrep.in  163. The Capital of Kanishka Empire was _______. (a) Pataliputra (b) Peshawar (c) Kabul (d) Taxila Ans: (b) 164. The fourth Buddhist Council was held at _______. (a) Pataliputra (b) Vaisali (c) Kundalavana (d) Bodh Gaya Ans: (c) 165. Alexander was the son of Philip II of ______. in (a) Sparta (b) Athens p. (c) Macedonia (d) Carthage re Ans: (c) 166. Porus was defeated by Alexander at the battle of ______. tP (a) Herat (b) Kabul (c) Hydaspes ar (d) Arbela Ans: (c) Sm 167. Alexander the Great died at ______. (a) Susa (b) Babylon (c) Macedonia (d) Kabul Ans: (b) 168. The monolithic image of Jain Saint 'Gomatiswara' is at ______. (a) Mount Abu (b) Saravanabelgola (c) Kusinagara (d) Kalinga Ans: (b) 169. Which of the following is known as the Jain Temple City? SmartPrep.in  (a) Girnar (b) Allahabad (c) Rajagriha (d) Varanasi Ans: (a) 170. ___was the mother of Vardhamana Mahavira. (a) Yasodhara (b) Kundhavi (c) Trisala (d) Mayadevi Ans: (c) 171. Bhasa was the author of _______. (a) Mahavamsa in (b) Svapnavasavadatta (c) Sakunthala p. (d) Buddha Charita Ans: (b) re 172. The Monk whom Chandragupta Maurya accompanied to South India was _______. (a) Asvaghosa tP (b) Vasumitra (c) Upagupta (d) Bhadrabahu ar Ans: (d) 173. Who among the following is not associated with medicine In ancient India? Sm (a) Dhanvantri (b) Susruta (c) Bhaskaracharya (d) Charaka Ans: (c) 174. Megasthanes was succeeded by _______ as ambassador? (a) Darius (b) Demetrios (c) Deimachos (d) Philip Ans: (c) 175. The Saka Era was founded by (a) Kadphises I SmartPrep.in  (b) Kanishka (c) Alexander (d) Menander Ans: (b) 176. The famous Indo-Greek Kin, who embraced Buddhism was _______. (a) Strato I (b) Menander (c) Demetrios (d) Alexander Ans: (b) 177. Kanlshka was the follower of (a) Hinduism (b) Jainism in (c) Hinayanism (d) Mahayanism p. Ans: (d) 178. The Sunga ruler Bhaga erected a monolithic 'Garuda' at _______. re (a) Varanasi (b) Besnagar tP (c) Rajagriha (d) Pataliputra ar Ans: (b) 179. Match the following: Sm List-I List-II A. Kautilya 1. Magadha King B. Megasthanes 2. Ashoka C. Bimbisara 3. Arthasastra D. Upagupta 4. Ambassador Codes: A B C D (a) 3 4 1 2 (b) 2 1 4 3 (c) 1 2 3 4 (d) 4 3 2 1 Ans: (a) SmartPrep.in  180. Match the following: List-1 List-2 1. Sama Veda 1. Kali Age 2. Atharva Veda 2. Philosophical Treatises 3. Puranas 3. Musically rendered 4. Upanishads 4. Magic and spells Codes: A B C D (a) 3 4 1 2 (b) 2 1 4 3 (c) 1 2 3 4 (d) 4 3 2 1 Ans: (a) in 181. Vardhamana Mahavira died at (a) Pavapuri p. (b) Kundagrama (c) Pataliputra re (d) Taxila Ans: (a) tP 182. The city of Pataliputra was founded at the junction of the Ganges and the ______. (a) Sone (b) Brahmaputra ar (c) Yamuna (d) Gomati Sm Ans: (a) 183. The Nanda dynasty was established by (a) Vasudeva (b) Kharavela (c) Mahapadma (d) Pushyamitra Ans: (c) 184. Alexander was trained by (a) Socrates (b) Aristotle (c) Plato (d) Homer Ans: (b) SmartPrep.in  185. Of the following who is called India's Machiavelli? (a) Asvaghosha (b) Patanjali (c) Kautilya (d) Bana Ans: (c) 186. Which of the following was the main port for the Indus people? (a) Lothal (b) Harappa (c) Kalibangan (d) Mohenjodaro Ans: (a) 187. The Indus people were worshippers of in (a) Mothers Goddess (b) Indra p. (c) Rudra (d) Varuna re Ans: (a) 188. Vardhamana Mahavira was born at _____. tP (a) Bodh-Gaya (b) Kundagrama (c) Samath ar (d) Benaras Ans: (b) Sm 189. Bimbisara was succeeded by _____. (a) Ashoka (b) Ajatasatru (c) Vasudeva (d) Chandragupta Maurya Ans: (b) 190. The term 'Aryan' denotes (a) a speech group (b) an ethnic group (c) a nomadic group (d) a supporter race Ans: (a) 191. Alexander sent back home a portion of his army under an admiral called ______. SmartPrep.in  (a) Ptolemy (b) Nearchos (c) Menander (d) Porus Ans: (b) 192. Pushyamitra Sunga was a staunch ______. (a) Buddhist (b) Jain (c) Hindu (d) Atheist Ans: (c) 193. The earliest 'evidence of silver in India is found in the (a) Harappan culture in (b) Chalcolitchic cultures of western India (c) Vedic Texts p. (d) Silver punchmarked coins Ans: (b) re 194. Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city state of India in the 6th century BC? tP (a) Gandhar (b) Kamboj (c) Kashi ar (d) Magadh Ans: (c) Sm 195. Which of the following was another name of Pataliputra? (a) Purushapura (b) Kusinagara (c) Kusumapura (d) Huvishkapura Ans: (c) 196. Who was referred to as Amitraghata by the Greeks? (a) Chandragupta Maurya (b) Bimbisara (c) Bindusara (d) Vasudeva Ans: (c) 197. The founder of the Achaemenian Empire was SmartPrep.in  (a) Cyrus (b) Darius (c) Xerxes (d) Cambyses Ans: (a) 198. Which of the following was the characteristic feature of the religion of the ancient Tamils? (a) Worship of Nature (b) Worship of Mother Goddess (c) Worship of Murugan (d) Worship of Sun Ans: (c) 199. The most powerful ruler of the Cheras was in (a) Udiyanjeral (b) Nedunjeraladan p. (c) Senguttuvan re tP ar Sm SmartPrep.in  (d) Sengannan Ans: (c) 200. A temple for 'Patini devi' was constructed by (a) Karikala (b) Paranar (c) Senguttuvan (d) Udiyanjeral Ans: (c) 201. Which of the following was not the port of the Satavahanas? (a) Barukkacha (b) Kalyan (c) Sopra (d) Puhar in Ans: (d) p. 202. Which of the following was the centre of inland trade of the Satavahanas? (a) Nasik (b) Srikakulam re (c) Tagara (d) Surat tP Ans: (c) 203. Karikala was the centre of many legends found in ar (a) Manimekalai (b) Silappadhikaram (c) Purananuru Sm (d) Kuruntokai Ans: (b) 204. During the 4th century AD the Western Satraps were conquered by (a) Sassanian rulers (b) Afghan rulers (c) Satavahanas (d) Kadambas Ans: (a) 205. Sudarsana lake was reconstructed by (a) Nahapana (b) Chashtana (c) Rudradaman I (d) Harsha SmartPrep.in Ans: (c) 206. The first ruler of the Satavahanas was (a) Simuka (b) Govinda (c) Sri Satakarni (d) Nahapana Ans: (a) 207. Naganib was a ___Queen. (a) Gupta (b) Andhra (c) Saka (d) Pallava Ans: (b) in 208. Which of the following works of Kalidasa gives information about the Andhras? (a) Sakuntala p. (b) Malavikagnimitra (c) Meghaduta re (d) Kumarasambhava Ans: (b) tP 209. Satavahana rule was extended to the Coromandal Coast by (a) Sri Yajna Satakarni (b) Pulumayi II ar (c) Sri Satakarni (d) Simuka Sm Ans: (b) 210. Chashtana was the Satraps of (a) Gujarat (b) Malwa (c) Kathiawar (d) Kashmir Ans: (b) 211. Srikakulam was the capital of (a) Sakas (b) Pahlavas (c) Andhras (d) Ashoka Ans: (c) SmartPrep.in  212. In whose court did Asvaghosa live? (a) Harsha (b) Samudra Gupta (c) Kanishka (d) Ashoka Ans: (c) 213. The Sunga period saw the growth of one of the following religions. Identify. (a) Brahmanism (b) Saivism (c) Buddhism (d) Nature worship Ans: (a) 214. Whose general was Appolodotus? in (a) Euthydemus (b) Demetrius p. (c) Diodotus (d) Antichos re Ans: (b) 215. Who erected the Garuda pillar at Besnagar? tP (a) Bhagabhadra (b) Heliodorus (c) Menander ar (d) Antialkidas Ans: (a) Sm 216. During the pre-Gupta age the foreign trade was most extensive with (a) South East Asian Countries (b) China (c) Central Asia (d) Roman Empire Ans: (d) 217. Which among the following was not affected by the invasion of the Persians on India? (a) Script in the North-West (b) Coinage (c) Court Ceremonies (d) Sculpture Ans: (d) 218. Gandhara School of Art was deeply influenced by SmartPrep.in  (a) Chinese (Mongolian) art (b) Hellenic art (c) Ranion (Persian) art (d) Local (Indian) art Ans: (b) 219. Which one of the following was not a characteristic of society in Mauryan times? (a) Slavery (b) Rigidity of Caste (c) Prostitution (d) Widow remarriage Ans: (d) 220. The ancient Chola kingdom existed in the delta of the river (a) Tungabhadra in (b) Cauvery (c) Krishna p. (d) Godavari Ans: (b) re 221. Which of the following statements about Arthasastra is not true? (a) It prescribes the duty of a king tP (b) It describes the then economic life of the country (c) It lays down the principles of politics (d) It highlights the need for financial reforms ar Ans: (d) 222. What is said to be the original home of the Sungas? Sm (a) Kalinga (b) Vidisa (c) Berar (d) Bharhut Ans: (b) 223. Milindapanho is a (a) History of a dynasty (b) Prakrit drama (c) Sanskrit play (d) Religious conversation Ans: (d) 224. Who wrote Ashtadhyayi? (a) Panini SmartPrep.in  (b) Katyayana (c) Jayadeva (d) Bharatha Ans: (a) 225. The first Persian ruler who occupied part of Indian territory was (a) Cyrus (b) Cambyses (c) Darius (d) Xerxes Ans: (a) 226. Alexander the great, was obliged to go back because (a) he fell ill (b) he suffered defeat in India in (c) his forces refused to go further (d) he did not like India p. Ans: (c) 227. The one most important feature of the Mauryan Administration was re (a) wide powers enjoyed by the provincial governors (b) the presence of a 'council of ministers' tP (c) the presence of vast, numerous powers of the bureaucracy (d) an extensive network of spy-system ar Ans: (c) 228. The principles of Ashoka's Dharma (Dhamma) were taken from (a) Buddhism Sm (b) Jainism (c) Brahmanism (d) The moral virtues of all Indian religions of that period Ans: (d) 229. Which social evil was conspicuously absent in ancient India? (a) Polygamy (b) Sati system (c) Devadasi system (d) Purdah system Ans: (d) 230. The greatest Saka ruler of India, who was a great conqueror, is said to have gained fame by being well-versed in grammar, polity, logic, music etc. and had taken a vow not to kill men except in battle. Who was he? SmartPrep.in  (a) Chastana (b) Nahapana (c) Rudrasimha (d) Rudradaman Ans: (b) 231. The greatest Kushana ruler whose contribution to Buddhism was even greater than that of Ashoka, was (a) Kadphises (b) Kanishka I (c) Vasishka (d) Huvishka Ans: (b) 232. The fourth and the last Buddhist Council was convened by in (a) Ashoka (b) Menander p. (c) Kanishka (d) Huvishka re Ans: (c) 233. The first image of the Buddha-was carved out during the reign of tP (a) Ashoka (b) Pusyamitra Shunga (c) Kanishka I ar (d) Menander Ans: (c) Sm 234. The Gandhara-Mathura School of Art, which flourished during the Kushana period and the foreign influence of (a) Greece (b) Rome (c) Both (a) and (b) above (d) China Ans: (c) 235. During the reign of Kanishka, Buddhism for the first time went to China and from China it went to (a) Burma and Tibet (b) Thailand and Cambodia (c) Korea and Japan (d) Indonesia and Vietnam SmartPrep.in Ans: (c) 236. Who of the following was the personal physician of Kanishka and also the author of a famous treatise on the Indian system of medicine? (a) Charaka (b) Susruta (c) Nagarjuna (d) Jevaka Ans: (a) 237. The worship of images (of Buddha) in India began during the period (a) Mauryan (b) Sunga (c) Kushana (d) Gupta in Ans: (c) 238. The earliest stratum of the history of the Tamils is known as p. (a) Chola Age (b) Pandyan Age re (c) Sangam Age (d) Pallava Age tP Ans: (c) 239. The Sangam Age in the history of South India represents (a) The period of Aryanisation of South India ar (b) A period when an assembly of a college of Tamil poets was held at Madurai (c) A literary-cultural phase of the Tamilham during the first three centuries of the Sm Christian era (d) Both (b) and (c) above Ans: (d) 240. During the Sangam Age brisk and nourishing foreign trade was conducted from the south Indian ports of Muziris, Kaveripattnam or Poom-Puhar and Arikamedu to (a) West Asia (b) South East Asia (c) Roman World (d) Central Europe Ans: (c) 241. Which of the following was not one of the ruling dynasties of South India in the Sangam Age? (a) Chola SmartPrep.in  (b) Chera (c) Pandya (d) Pallava Ans: (d) 242. Which of the following is one of the greatest classics of the Sangam literature? (a) Tikappiyam (b) Kural (c) Pattuppattu (d) Silapadikaram or Manimekalai Ans: (d) 243. Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the ruling dynasties of northern India, from the decline of the Mauryas to the rise of the imperial Guptas? (a) Sungas, Indo-Greeks, Kushans, Sakas and Guptas in (b) Sungas, Kushans, Parthians, Sakas and Guptas (c) Sungas, Kanvas, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians and Guptas p. (d) Kanvas, Sungas, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians and Guptas Ans: (c) re 244. The last great ruling dynasty of Magadha was (a) Sunga tP (b) Kanva (c) Kusana (d) Gupta ar Ans: (d) 245. Kanishka is associated with an era which is known as Sm (a) Vikram era (b) Saka-Shalivahan era (c) Saka era (d) Gupta era Ans: (c) 246. The greatest conqueror among the Gupta rulers was (a) Samudragupta (b) Chandragupta II (c) Kumargupta (d) Skandagupta Ans: (a) 247. A Gupta king has been called an Indian Napoleon and he was also an accomplished poet and musician (player of Veena) who was he? SmartPrep.in  (a) Samudragupta (b) Kumargupta (c) Chandragupta II (d) Skandagupta Ans: (a) 248. The famous Mehrauli Iron Pillar inscription describes the conquest of (a) Samudragupta (b) Chandragupta II (c) Chandragupta Maurya (d) Chandra of Indraprastha Ans: (b) 249. The Gupta king who is known in the Indian legends as Vikramaditya was (a) Chandragupta I in (b) Samudragupta (c) Chandragupta II p. (d) Skandagupta Ans: (c) re 250. The Chinese traveller Fa-hien visited India and left a detailed account of the reign of (a) Samudragupta tP (b) Chandragupta II (c) Kumargupta I (d) Skandagupta ar Ans: (b) 251. The foremost astronomer and mathematician of the Gupta period was Sm (a) Aryabhatta (b) Varahamihira (c) Brahmagupta (d) Vanabhata Ans: (a) 252. The Gupta artists had attained the highest perfection in (a) architecture (b) sculpture (c) terracotas (d) painting Ans: (b) 253. The most important reason(s) for the decline of the Gupta empire was/were (a) invasions of the Hunas SmartPrep.in  (b) weak later Gupta rulers (c) independence of the later Gupta rulers (d) (a) (b) and (c) above Ans: (d) 254. After the decline of the Guptas, which of the following cities of North India emerged as the centre of political gravity of North India? (a) Ajmer (b) Kannauj (c) Dhara (d) Delhi Ans: (b) 255. Match the following rulers/ruling dynasties of North India with the centres of their power: in List-I List-II p. A. Maukharis (i) Thaneshvar B. Pusyabhuti or Vardhans (ii] Kannauj re C. Sasanka (ill) Valabhi Gujarat D. Maitrakas (iv) Bengal Gauda tP Codes: A B C D ar (a) I ii iii iv (b) Ii I iv iii Sm (c) I iii ii iv (d) Iv iii ii i Ans: (b) 256. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, called the Prince of Pilgrims visited India during the reign of (a) Harsha (b) Chandragupta II (c) Dharampala (d) Devapala Ans: (a) 257. Harshacharita the biography of Harsha, was written by (a) Banabhatta (b) Sudraka SmartPrep.in  (c) Sri Harsha (d) Gunadhva Ans: (a) 258. Harsha was defeated by (a) Sasanka (b) King of Valabhi (c) Bhaskarvarman (d) Pulkesin II Ans: (d) 259. Harsha was the last great royal patron of (a) Jainism (b) Buddhism (c) Shaivism in (d) Bhagavatism Ans: (b) p. 260. After the death of Harsha, a tripartite struggle ensued between the three contemporary powers for the supremacy of Kannauj. Which of the following was not a re party in the struggle? (a) Gurjar Partiharas tP (b) Rastrakutas (c) Palas (d) Paramaras ar Ans: (d) 261. What was Chandragupta-II also known as? Sm (a) Samudragupta (b) Vikramaditya (c) Skandagupta (d) Raanagupta Ans: (b) 262. That the Rig Vedic Aryana were a pastoral people is borne out by the fact that (a) there are many references to the cow in the Rig Veda (b) Most of the wars were fought for the sake of cows (c) Gifts made to priests were usually cows and not land (d) All of the above Ans: (d) 263. The Aryans succeeded in their conflicts with the pre-Aryans because (a) they used chariots driven by horses SmartPrep.in  (b) they were from an advanced urban culture (c) they were taller and stronger (d) they used elephants on a large scale Ans: (a) 264. Coins made of metal first appeared in (a) Harappan Civilisation (b) Later Vedic Age (c) Age of the Buddha (d) Age of the Mauryas Ans: (c) 265. In the early Vedic-period, Varna system was based on (a) Education (b) Birth in (c) Occupation (d) Talen p. Ans: (c) 266. Arrange the following Magadhan dynasties in chronological order: re 1. Nandas 2. Sisunagas tP 3. Mauryas 4. Haryankas (a) IV, II, III and I ar (b) II, I, IV and III (c) IV, II, I and III (d) III, I, IV and II Sm Ans: (c) 267. Which of the following are beliefs of Buddhism? (i) The world is full of sorrows. (ii) People suffer on account of desire. (iii) If desires are conquered, nirvana will be attained. (iv) The existence of God and soul must be recognised. (a) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) (b) (ii) and (iii) (c) (i), (ii) and (iii) (d) (ii), (iii) and (iv) Ans: (c) 268. The Greeks were driven out of India by (a) Bindusara SmartPrep.in  (b) Ashoka (c) Chandragupta Vikramaditya (d) Chandragupta Maurya Ans: (d) 269. The Great Bath of Indus Valley civilisation is found at (a) Harappa (b) Mohenjo-Daro (c) Ropar (d) Kalibangan Ans: (b) 270. Who was the court poet of Harsha-vardhana? (a) Bhani (b) Ravi Kirti in (c) Bana (d) Vishnu Sharma p. Ans: (c) 271. 'Prince of Pilgrims' was the name attributed to re (a) Fa-Hien (b) I-tsing tP (c) Hiuen Tsang (d) Megasthenese ar Ans: (c) 272. The coins of which of the following reveal their love for music? (a) Maurya Sm (b) Nandas (c) Guptas (d) Cholas Ans: (c) 273. The year of accession of Kanishka to throne was (a) 108 AD (b) 58 AD (c) 128 AD (d) 78 AD Ans: (d) 274. Kalinga was took place in the year (a) 263 BC (b) 240 BC SmartPrep.in  (c) 261 BC (d) 232 BC Ans: (c) 275. The first Grammarian of the Sanakrit language was (a) Kalhana (b) Panini (c) Maitreyi (d) Kalidasa Ans: (b) 276. The famous poet Kalidasa lived in the court of (a) Chandragupta (b) Chandragupta-II (c) Samudragupta in (d) Kumaragupta Ans: (b) p. 277. Which one of the following vedas contains sacrificial formulae? (a) Sama Veda re (b) Yajur Veda (c) Rig Veda tP (d) Athrva Veda Ans: (b) ar 278. When did the best productions of Gandhara sculpture appear? (a) Mauryan Period (b) Gupta Period Sm (c) Kushana Period (d) Harsha Period Ans: (c) 279. The caves of Ajanta and EIlora belonged to (a) Jains (b) Hindus (c) Buddhists (d) Sikhs Ans: (c) 280. Name the temple in Indonesia where scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata are depicted? (a) Brihadeshwara (b) Angkor Wat SmartPrep.in  (c) Kailashnath (d) Borobudur Ans: (d) 281. The greatest Kushana ruler whose contribution to Buddhism was even greater than that of Ashoka was (a) Kadphises (b) Kanishka I (c) Vaishka (d) Huvishka Ans: (b) 282. The worship of images in India began during the _____ period. (a) Mauryan (b) Sunga in (c) Kusana (d) Gupta p. Ans: (c) 283. The concept of Eight-Cold Path forms the theme of re (a) Dipavamsa (b) Divyavadana tP (c) Mahaparinibban Sutta (d) Dharmachakrapravartana Sutta ar Ans: (d) 284. The Camoua ruler of ancient India who is said to have been converted to Jainism, towards the end of his life, is Sm (a) Bindusara (b) Samudragupta (c) Chandragupta (d) Ashoka Ans: (c) 285. The harappan economy was primarily___ in nature. (a) Rural (b) Industrial (c) Urban (d) Capitalist Ans: (c) 286. The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by (a) Mahayana Buddhism SmartPrep.in  (b) Jainism (c) Lokayata School (d) Hinayana Buddhism Ans: (b) 287. Who, from among the following rulers, had ruled over the largest part of India? (a) Kanishka (b) Chandragupta I (c) Chandragupta Maurya (d) Ashoka Ans: (c) 288. The Upanishads are a series of books devoted to (a) Yoga (b) Social law in (c) Religious rituals (d) Philosophy p. Ans: (d) 289. Which of the following temples has acquired the name of the Black Pagoda? re (a) Sun Temple (b) Lingaraj Temple tP (c) Bhuvaneshwari Temple (d) Jagannathdeva Temple ar Ans: (a) 290. Whom was Ashvaghosha a contemporary of? (a) Menander Sm (b) Harsha (c) Kanishka (d) Ashoka Ans: (c) 291. Name the later Gupta ruler who had performed the Ashvaghosha Yajna (Horse Sacrifice) and assumed the Imperial title of Maharajadhiraj? (a) Kamarupa (b) Mahasena Gupta (c) Adityasen (d) Kumaragupta III Ans: (c) 292. With what subject does the Mitakshara deal? (a) Law SmartPrep.in  (b) Grammar (c) Medicine (d) Theology Ans: (a) 293. The Mauryan administration was highly (a) Decentralized (b) Bureaucratic (c) Centralized (d) Despotic Ans: (c) 294. Emperor Harsha's southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by (a) Pulakesin-I (b) Pulakesin-Il in (c) Vikramaditya-I (d) Vikramaditya-II p. Ans: (b) 295. The Buddha's Eight Fold Path did not include re (a) Right Resolve (b) Right Views tP (c) Right Speech (d) Right Table Manners ar Ans: (d) 296. The aim of Ashoka's Dhamma was (a) Subtle conquest Sm (b) Religious domination (c) A casteless society (d) Non-violence and peace Ans: (d) 297. By whom had the stupa at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh been built? (a) Ashoka (b) Harshavardhana (c) Kanishka (d) Chandragupta Ans: (a) 298. The author of Ashtadhyayai is (a) Charaka (b) Panini SmartPrep.in  (c) AIyabhatta (d) Chanakya Ans: (b) 299. In the Rigvedic period, after the king the next most Important functionary of the State was the (a) Senani (b) Revenue collector (c) Magician-doctor (d) Purohita Ans: (d) 300. The Indus Valley Civilization has been assigned the period 2500-1800 BC on the basis of (a) Mystical insight by modern seers in (b) Markings on seals (c) Radio carbon dating p. (d) Travellers written accounts Ans: (c) re 301. Which of the following are essentially books of rituals? (a) The Vedas tP (b) The Upanishads (c) The Aranyakas (d) The Brahmanas ar Ans: (d) 302. The concluding portions of the Brahmanas are called the Sm (a) Vedas (b) Agamas (c) Tantras (d) Satpathas Ans: (d) 303. What does the Yajur Veda contain? (a) Only hymns (b) Spells and charms (c) Hymns and rituals (d) Commentaries on society Ans: (c) 304. The Mahajanapada that acquired prominence to become an empire was that of (a) Magadha SmartPrep.in  (b) Kasi (c) Kosala (d) Avanti Ans: (a) 305. Which of the following forms of land tenure denoted an entire village being donated to Brahmins? (a) Jagir (b) Zamindari (c) Brahmadeya (d) Devadana Ans: (c) 306. What did the Devadana type of a land tenure signify? (a) Villages donated to Brahmins in (b) Villages donated to the King (c) Villages donated to the gods p. (d) Villages not normally lived in Ans: (c) re 307. Which of the following is not famous for temples marked by erotic sculptures? (a) Khajuraho tP (b) madhurai (c) Halebid (d) Konark ar Ans: (c) 308. What was the extent of Harsha's empire? Sm (a) The entire Indian subcontinent (b) The whole of India (c) The entire Deccan region (d) A part of northern India Ans: (d) 309. The Rigvedic Aryans were governed by a (a) Tribal republic (b) Form of democracy (c) Monarchical government (d) Rule by elders Ans: (c) 310. The most Important cause of the downfall of the Gupta empire was/were (a) Muslim invasions SmartPrep.in  (b) The pacifist influence of the Buddha's teachings (c) Frequent wars of succession (d) Revolt and declaration of independence by principal chiefs Ans: (d) 311. What is the present name of Dwara Samudra, the ancient capital of the Hoysalas? (a) Mathura (b) Halebid (c) Raourkela (d) Belur Ans: (b) 312. In which century did the first movement against vedic ritualistic practices start? (a) 19th century BC (b) 14th century BC in (c) 5th century AD (d) 600 BC p. Ans: (d) 313. The Ajanta cave paintings mostly belong to the period of the re (a) Mughals (b) Mauryas tP (c) Chalukyas (d) Guptas ar Ans: (d) 314. Which of the following rulers had reigned in the third century BC? (a) Jehangir Sm (b) Ashoka (c) Samudragupta (d) Akbar Ans: (b) 315. Who was the founder of the Sankhya School of philosophy? (a) Ramanuja (b) Manu (c) Swami Vivekananda (d) Kapila Ans: (d) 316. Which of the following is regarded by historians as a crucial stage In describing the progress of civilization? (a) Writing SmartPrep.in  (b) The discovery of fire (c) Agriculture (d) The use of internet Ans: (c) 317. Where in India have traces of megalithic culture predominantly been found? (a) Southern India (b) Northeastern India (c) Central India (d) Northern India Ans: (a) 318. Who is credited with having written the immortal classic treatise Raja Yoga Sutras (Aphorisms on Meditation)? (a) Panini in (b) Kapila (c) Patanjali p. (d) Manu Ans: (c) re 319. The earlier Buddhist sculptures had shied away from depicting the image of the Buddha, except through such symbols as tP (a) Footprints (b) The Bodhi Tree (c) Stupas ar (d) All of the above Ans: (d) Sm 320. Of the following dynasties, only the dynasty was not a patron of temple architecture? (a) Paramar (b) Yadava (c) Chalukya (d) Chandella Ans: (b) 321. Which of the following is not an important work of Kalidasa? (a) Shakuntala (b) Kumarasambhava (c) Gita Govinda (d) Meghadoot Ans: (c) 322. Who was not among the scholars patronized by Kanishka? SmartPrep.in  (a) Parsva (b) Birbal (c) Ashvaghosha (d) Nagarjuna Ans: (b) 323. Which of the following is not a category into which Ashoka's monuments may be grouped? (a) Stupas (b) Pillars (c) Viharas (d) Caves Ans: (c) 324. Which important industry show signs of having thrived in Lothal? in (a) Pottery (b) Shipbuilding p. (c) Terracota toys (d) Aircraft manufacture re Ans: (b) 325. The archaeologist to initially discover the Mohenjo-Daro site of the Indus Valley tP Civilization was (a) Sir John Marshall (b) Daya Ram Sahni ar (c) Sir Martimir Wheeler (d) Rakhal Das Banerji Sm Ans: (d) 326. Which of the following Indus Valley sites is presently in Pakistan? (a) Kalibangan (b) Harappa (c) Alamgirpur (d) Lethal Ans: (b) 327. The Harappan site that had a dock is (a) Alamgirpur (b) Harappa (c) Lothal (d) Mohenjo-Daro Ans: (c) SmartPrep.in  328. Which one of the Chola Kings conquered Ceylon? (a) Aditya I (b) Rajendra (c) Rajaraja I (d) Vijayalaya Ans: (d) 329. Which of the following was not an Indus Valley site? (a) Pataliputra (b) Rangpur (c) Sukatagendor (d) Lothal Ans: (a) 330. The Vedic deity Indra was the god of in (a) Fire (b) Rain and Thunder p. (c) Eternity (d) Wind re Ans: (b) 331. The Atharva Veda does not discuss the ideal of tP (a) Karma (b) Jnana (c) Upasana ar (d) Moksha Ans: (d) Sm 332. The institution of varna appeared in the (a) Rigvedic period (b) Later vedic period (c) Period of the Manava Dharm Shastra (d) Period of consolidation of text of the Mahabharata Ans: (a) 333. The Aryans did not practise the craftsmanship of (a) Blacksmithry (b) Pottery (c) Jewellery (d) Carpentry Ans: (c) 334. The only Veda to have been rendered musically is SmartPrep.in  (a) The Rig Veda (b) The Sama Veda (c) The Yajur Veda (d) The Atharva Veda Ans: (b) 335. What is the first discourse that the Buddha had delivered at the Deer Park in Sarnath called? (a) Mahaparinirvana (b) Mahamastabhisheka (c) Mahabhiniskraman (d) Dharmachakrapravartan Ans: (d) 336. Name the ruler whose patronage had been enjoyed by Jainism. in (a) Kanishka (b) Kharavela p. (c) Pushyamitra Sunga (d) Samudragupta re Ans: (b) 337. The famous Indo-Greek king to embrace Buddhism was tP (a) Alexander (b) Strato I (c) Menander ar (d) Democritus Ans: (c) Sm 338. To whom is the introduction of Buddhism into China traditionally attributed? (a) Nagarjuna (b) Samprati (c) Vasubandhu (d) Kashyapa Matanga Ans: (d) 339. Name the ruler whose reign was a witness to both Vardhaman Mahavira and the Buddha preaching their respective doctrines? (a) Udayin (b) Bimbisara (c) Ajatashatru (d) Harshvardhana Ans: (b) SmartPrep.in  340. Where was Mahavira born? (a) Sravasti (b) Vaishali (c) Rajagriha (d) Pataliputra Ans: (b) 341. The oldest Jain scriptures are regarded to be the (a) Fourteen Purvas (b) Twelve Upangas (c) Twelve Angas (d) Fourteen Uparvas Ans: (c) 342. Who among the following rulers had embraced Jainism? in (a) Chandragupta Maurya (b) Bindusara p. (c) Ajatashatru (d) Pulakesin re Ans: (a) 343. The original teachings of Mahavira are contained in the tP (a) Jatakas (b) Tripitakas (c) Purvas ar (d) Angas Ans: (c) Sm 344. Which of the following rulers did not enter the Buddhist Cold? (a) Harsha (b) Samudragupta (c) Kanishka (d) Ashoka Ans: (b) 345. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period, women and Sudras speak (a) Sanskrit (b) Pali (c) Prakrit (d) Sauraseni Ans: (c) 346. According to tradition, a mighty king In India in the fourth century BC had been raised SmartPrep.in  to power by a Taxila brahmin, named (a) Chanakya (b) Patanjali (c) Pushyamitra (d) Manu Ans: (a) 347. Who had established the four Mathas or Monastic seats in the four corners of India? (a) Madhavacharya (b) Shankaracharya (c) Bhaskaracharya (d) Ramanujacharya Ans: (b) 348. The term used to denote a group of families in the vedic society was in (a) Vish (b) Jana p. (c) Grama (d) Gotra re Ans: (b) 349. The Svetambaras and Digambaras refer to two sects of tP (a) Saivism (b) Buddhism (c) Vaishnavism ar (d) Jainism Ans: (d) Sm 350. According to the Mimansa School of Philosophy, liberation is possible through (a) Yoga (b) Bhakti (c) Karma (d) Jnana Ans: (c) 351. The great Hindu law giver was (a) Manu (b) Banabhatta (c) Kapil (d) Kautilya Ans: (a) 352. During whose reign did Buddhism become the state religion? SmartPrep.in  (a) Chandragupta Maurya (b) Skandagupta I (c) Samudragupta (d) Ashoka Ans: (d) 353. The correct chronological order of the four Buddhist councils held Is (a) Rajagriha, Kashmir or Jullandhar, Pataliputra, Vaishali (b) Vaishali, Rajagriha, Kashmir or Jullandhar, Pataliputra (c) Rajagriha, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Kashmir or Jullandhar (d) Pataliputra, Rajagriha, Kashmir or Jullandhar, Vaishali Ans: (c) 354. The fourth Buddhist council had compiled an encyclopaedia of Buddhist philosophy, called in (a) Sutralankara (b) Madhyamika Sutra p. (c) Jatakas (d) Mahavibhasha Sutra re Ans: (d) 355. Who had converted Kanishka to Buddhism? tP (a) Parsva (b) Nagarjuna (c) Asvaghosha ar (d) Vasumitra Ans: (c) Sm 356. Buddhism was first propagated outside India In (a) China (b) Cambodia (c) Thailand (d) Ceylon Ans: (d) 357. The language adopted for preaching In Mahayana Buddhism was (a) Pali (b) Brahmi (c) Sanskrit (d) Prakrit Ans: (c) 358. Who is said to have both been born and shed his body on the Vaishakha Purnima day? SmartPrep.in  (a) Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (b) Mahavira (c) Shankaracharya (d) The Buddha Ans: (d) 359. The Indus Valley civilisation was discovered in the year (a) 1917 (b) 1921 (c) 1927 (d) 1932 Ans: (b) 360. During the Gupta period, the village affairs were managed by the village headman with the assistance of the in (a) Amatya (b) Mahattara p. (c) Vishyapati (d) Gopa re Ans: (c) 361. An important part of the eastern court during the Gupta period was tP (a) Kalyan (b) Tamralipti (c) Broach ar (d) Sopara Ans: (b) Sm 362. The Sunga dynasty had made ____ the official religion of their kingdom. (a) Buddhism (b) The Ajivika Sect (c) Jainism (d) Brahmanism Ans: (d) 363. Most of the Hindu colonies in South East Asia had been found during the reign of the (a) Mauryas (b) Rajputas (c) Guptas (d) Cholas Ans: (d) 364. The Saka era started from the year SmartPrep.in  (a) 124 BC (b) 78 BC (c) 78 AD (d) 124 AD Ans: (c) 365. Which Gupta ruler had led a campaign to the south, besides being an accomplished veena player? (a) Skandagupta (b) Samudragupta (c) Chandragupta I (d) Chandragupta Vikramaditya Ans: (b) 366. Who among the following has been called the 'Napoleon of India'? in (a) Samudragupta (b) Harshavardhana p. (c) Chandragupta Maurya (d) Ashoka re Ans: (a) 367. Ashoka's prime claim to greatness lay in tP (a) His extensive conquests (b) The promotion of people's welfare by him (c) His marathon army ar (d) His exclusive patronage of Buddhism Ans: (b) Sm 368. The achievements of Samudragupta have been chronicled in the (a) Hathigumpha inscription (b) Sarnath inscription (c) Girnar inscription (d) Allahabad pillar inscription Ans: (d) 369. The sage who is considered to have Aryanised southern India was (a) Vasishta (b) Vishwamitra (c) Agastya (d) Yagnavalkya Ans: (c) 370. The Chola ruler who had subdued the Ganges and obtained the title 'Gangai Konda SmartPrep.in  Cholan' was (a) Rajaraja Chola (b) Rajendra Chola I (c) Rajadhiraja Chola (d) Kulattunga Ans: (b) 371. The dynasty that excelled itself as a naval power was that of the (a) Hoysalas (b) Cheras (c) Cholas (d) Pallavas Ans: (c) 372. Which Chola ruler had conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka and made it a in province of his empire? (a) Rajindra Chola I p. (b) Adhirajindra Chola (c) Parantaka Chola I (d) Rajaraja Chola I re Ans: (d) tP 373. The ancient, medical treatise, Charaka Samhita is attributed to Charaka, who was a contemporary of (a) Kanishka ar (b) Chandragupta Maurya (c) Ashoka (d) Samudragupta Sm Ans: (a) 374. Who among the following are credited with having built the famous Ellora Caves? (a) The Cholas (b) The Satavahanas (c) The Rashtrakutas (d) The Cheras Ans: (c) 375. The caves and rock cut temples at Ellora pertain to (a) Hinduism (b) Buddhism (c) Jainism (d) All of the above SmartPrep.in Ans: (d) 376. The cult of Krishna is primarily exhibited through the (a) Ancient art (b) Rajasthani school of art (c) Mughal school of art (d) Bengal school of art Ans: (b) 377. In which of the following caves have 28 new caves been further discovered? (a) Ajanta Caves (b) Ellora Caves (c) Elephanta Caves (d) None of the above Ans: (c) in 378. The Pallava kings were the makers of the rock-cut temples at (a) Thanjavur p. (b) Mahabalipuram (c) Khajuraho re (d) Rameswaram Ans: (b) tP 379. The Cresco paintings of Ajanta caves illustrate the art of the (a) Guptas (b) Mauryas ar (c) Kushanas (d) Rashtrakutas Sm Ans: (a) 380. Which is the oldest Indian linguistic text? (a) Nirukta (b) Mahabhashya (c) Ashtadhyayi (d) Kasikavritti Ans: (c) 381. Which of the following is the oldest seat of learning? (a) Nalanda (b) Vikramshila (c) Taxila (d) Ujjain Ans: (c) SmartPrep.in  382. The Shrimad Bhagvata Gita contains ______ chapters and ______Sanskrit slokas or couplets. (a) 14,500 (b) 16,600 (c) 18,700 (d) 20,800 Ans: (c) 383. The Ramayana narrates events believed to have taken place in the ______ Yuga or age. (a) Sat (b) Dwapar (c) Kal (d) Treta in Ans: (d) 384. Who among the following anticipated Newton by affirming that all things tended to p. gravitate to the earth? (a) Aryabhatta (b) Brahmagupta (c) Varahamihira re (d) Buddhagupta tP Ans: (b) 385. In ancient India, Nalanda University represented a great centre for the study of ar (a) Mahayana Buddhism (b) Hinduism (c) Hinayana Buddhism Sm (d) Jainism Ans: (a) 386. Who is the author of Kadambari, from among the following? (a) Kalidas (b) Panini (c) Kautilya (d) Bana Ans: (d) 387. Which sage or scholar had recast the original single Veda into four distinct Vedas? (a) Patanjali (b) Kapila (c) Vyasa (d)