Ancient Indian History : General Knowledge for Competitive Exam

1. "The Wonder that was India" was written by
A.  James Prinsep B.  A.L.Basham  C.  Arrian D.  None

Answer: Option 'B'

2. No other ancient law giver proclaimed noble ideals of fair play in battle as ......... did


A.  Manu B.  Panini C.  Kautilya D.  Brihaspati

Answer: Option 'A'

3. Which of the following book advises the king to devote a part of his time everyday for hearing the narrations of History?

A.  Atharvaveda B.  Brahmanas C.  Upanishads D.  Arthashastra

Answer: Option 'D'

4. What is the number of main Puranas?

A.  14 B.  16  C.  18 D.  20

Answer: Option 'C'

5. According to many scholars the Puranas were completed during the reign of

A.  Parishit B.  Mahapadma Nanda  C.  Uday D.  All the above

Answer: Option 'B'

6. The Greek ambassador Megasthenes came in the court of

A.  Ajatasatru B.  Udayi  C.  Mahapadma Nanda D.  Chandragupta Maurya

Answer: Option 'D'

7. The book ‘Rajatarangini’ was written by

A.  Al-beruni B.  Kalhan C.  Kalidas D.  Rajshekhar

Answer: Option 'B'

8. Who wrote extensively about India in a book called ‘Indica’?

A.  Kautilya B.  Arrian   C.  Diodorus D.  Megasthenes

Answer: Option 'D'

9. The Harappan civilization was discovered in

A.   1864-65 B.  1920-21 C.  1853-54 D.  1891-92

Answer: Option 'B'

10. The most important site was excavated by

A.  H.C.Raychaudhury B.  John Marshal  C.  P.V.Kane D.  R.D.Banerjee

Answer: Option 'D'

11. The relics of this civilization were first noticed at

A.  Mohenjodaro B.  Harappa   C.  Rojdi D.  Kalibangan

Answer: Option 'B'

12. The important site of Harappa was excavated by

A.  R.D.Banerjee B.  John Marshal  C.  D.R.Sahni D.  R.S.Sharma

Answer: Option 'C'

13. The Harappan civilization’s known extent in the west is up to

A.  Sotka koh B.  Nausharo   C.  Dabarkot D.  Sutkagan Dor

Answer: Option 'D'

14. The Harappan civilization’s known extent in the east was up to

A.  Chirand B.  Mitathal  C.  Rakhigarhi D.  Alamgirpur

Answer: Option 'D'

15. Which conclusions have been derived from the debasement of the coins and gradual disappearance of  gold coins during the post-Gupta period?

A.  Gold Mining was stalled B.  Commodities became cheap
C.  Money economy was gradually replaced by Barter Economy D.  There was a decline in trade

Answer: Option 'D'

16. The most famous Bronze image of Chola Period is

A.  Vishnu B.  Nataraja  C.  Murugan D.  Venkateshwar

Answer: Option 'B'

17. The ancient author who complained of the drain of gold to India (due to trade hegemony of ancient India) is

A.  Strabo B.  Ptolemy C.  Nero D.  Pliny

Answer: Option 'D'

18. ……… constructed the Pagodas at Mahabalipuram.


A.  Pandyas B.  Cholas C.  Pallavas D.  Chalukyas of Kalyani

Answer: Option 'C'

19. The first Satavahana King to introduce the Ruler’s head on the coins was …….

A.  Gautamiputra Satkarni B.  Yajna Satakarni C.  Satkarni I D.  Vasishthiputra Pulumavi

Answer: Option 'C'