Ancient History MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Ancient History - Download Free PDF

The prosperity of Mahajanapadas during the Vedic period was largely due to their location in fertile river valleys, such as those of the Ganges and Yamuna. These valleys provided rich alluvial soil, which supported agriculture and enabled large populations to thrive. The agricultural surplus facilitated trade and commerce, contributing to the economic strength of these kingdoms. In contrast, coastal plains and desert regions lacked the same agricultural potential, while mountain ranges posed challenges for settlement and trade. Thus, river valleys were pivotal in the development and prosperity of Mahajanapadas.

The correct answer is '1) Emergence of the caste system'. During the Vedic Age, society was organized into a hierarchical structure known as the caste system, which divided people into four main varnas: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. This division was based on occupational roles and social functions, significantly influencing the social fabric of ancient India. Unlike centralized monarchies or democratic governance, which were not characteristic of this period, the caste system was a defining aspect of Vedic society.

The correct answer is '1) Existence of powerful monarchies'. The Mahajanapadas were characterized by a range of political structures, with many states being ruled by powerful kings or monarchies. These monarchies often engaged in warfare to expand their territories and consolidate power, making them a significant feature of the political landscape during this period. In contrast, options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect, as the Mahajanapadas did not strictly adhere to Vedic rituals, had vibrant trade networks, and developed urban centers that contributed to their economies.

The correct answer is 1) Harappa. Harappa is one of the major urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization, noted for its advanced urban planning, including a grid layout, sophisticated drainage systems, and standardized brick construction. Unlike Varanasi, Pataliputra, and Ayodhya, which are associated with later periods in Indian history, Harappa was a key city during the height of the Indus Valley Civilization, showcasing the civilization's architectural and cultural achievements.

Agni, the fire god, was a central figure in the Vedic religion and is often referred to in the hymns of the Rig Veda. He was invoked in various rituals and sacrifices, which were crucial for maintaining the relationship between humans and the divine. The fire was considered a purifying element, and Agni served as a mediator between the gods and humans, carrying offerings to the deities. Thus, among the options provided, Agni is the correct answer as the deity primarily associated with fire rituals during the Early Vedic period.

The correct answer is Rakhigarhi.

Key Points

• Rakhigarhi site of Indus valley civilisation situated at Rakhigarhi village in Hisar district.
• The site is located in the Sarasvati river plain, some 27 km from the seasonal Ghaggar river.
• The Global Heritage Fund declared Rakhigarhi one of the 10 most endangered heritage sites in Asia.
•  A team of Indian and South Korean researchers carried out excavations in Rakhigarhi.
• The team unearthed a fire altar, parts of a city wall, drainage structures as well as a hoard of semi-precious beads.

Additional Information

Important Sites of Harappan Civilization:

The correct answer is Harishen.

Key Points

• Harishena was the court poet of the Gupta Emperor, Samudragupta.
• Allahabad Pillar inscription is also known as Prayag Prashasti consists of 33 lines composed by Harishena. 
• Prayag Prashasti is one of the important epigraphic sources to know about the political history of the Gupta dynasty.
• Samudragupta was a patron of many poets and scholars, one of whom was Harishena.
• Samudragupta was the son and successor of Chandragupta I and was the greatest ruler of the Gupta dynasty.
• He conquered the Kushans and other small kingdoms and greatly expanded the Gupta empire.
• He had been termed as the Nepolean of India by V. A. Smith.
• He annexed the territories after defeating the monarchs of North India but did not annex south India.
• His authority over Java, Sumatra, and Malaya Island prove that he maintained a strong navy.
• He is said to have composed numerous poems.
• Some of his coins present him playing Veena. 
• He also performed Ashvamedha sacrifices.
• According to Chinese sources, Meghaverma, the ruler of Srilanka, sent a missionary to him for permission to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya.
• The Allahabad pillar inscription mentions the title Dharma Prachar Bandhu i.e. he was the upholder of Brahmanical religion.

Additional Information

• Banabhatta was the court poet of King Harsha Vardhana.
• Chand Bardai was the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan.
• Bhavabhuti was the court poet of the King of Kannauj, Yashovarman.

The correct answer is Lothal.

Key Points

• In Lothal Dockyard was found.
• List of Important sites with their features:

Additional Information

• The Indus Valley Civilization was spread from present-day North-East Afghanistan to Pakistan and North-West India.
• The civilization flourished in the river basins of the Ghaggar-Hakra river and the Indus.
• Indus valley civilization is one of the four oldest civilizations in the world.
• It is also known as Harappan Civilization and is well-known for its organized planning based on the grid system.

Important facts to be remembered.

• Social features:-
  • Indus valley civilization is the first urbanization in India.
  • It has a well-planned drainage system, grid pattern, and town planning.
  • They have possessed equality in society.

• Religious Facts:-
  • Matridevi or Shakti is the Mother goddess.
  • Yoni worship and Nature worship existed.
  • They worshipped trees like Peepal.
  • They also worshipped Fire worship called Havan Kund.
  • Pashupati Mahadeva is known as the lord of Animals.
  • The people of the Indus Valley Civilization worshipped Animal worship like unicorns and ox.
• Economic facts:-
  • Indus valley civilization is based on agriculture.
  • Trade and commerce flourished in this period.
  • A dockyard has been found at Lothal.
  • There were export and import.
  • Production of cotton was there.
  • At Lothal, weights and measures of truth existed in Harappan culture was seen.
  • The weights and were usually cubical in shape and were made of limestone, steatite, etc

The correct answer is Mehrgarh

Key Points:

• Mehrgarh is a neolithic site located near the Bolan pass on the Kacchi Plain of Balochistan, Pakistan, to the west of the Indus River Valley.
• It is the earliest known neolithic site in the Northwest Indian sub-continent, with early evidence of farming (wheat and barley), herding (cattle, sheep, and goats), and metallurgy.
• The oldest known example of the wax-lost techniques comes from a 6000-year-old wheel-shaped copper amulet found at Mehrgarh.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Rig Veda

Key Points

• The Rig-Veda is the oldest of the four collections of hymns and other sacred texts known as the Vedas.
• It contains most of the information about the religious and social life of the early Vedic period.
• These works are considered the "sacred knowledge" of the Aryans.
• The Rig-Veda also contains ideas that served as the basis for India's system of castes(Varna).
• According to Brahminic ideology, Varṇa means hierarchizing society into classes.

Additional Information

• Associated information with different Veda.

The correct answer is Ropar.

Key Points

Given below is the list of Important Indus Valley civilization sites, year of excavation and River associated-

The Correct Answer is 1921.
Key Points

• Harappa was an Indus civilization urban centre.
• It lies in Punjab Province, Pakistan, on an old bank/bed of the River Ravi.
• Harappa was the first site of the civilization to be excavated in 1921.
• The excavation team was led by Daya Ram Sahni.

 Important Points

• Mohenjo-Daro was discovered in 1922 by R. D. Banerji.

Rishabhdev was the first Tirthankara of the Jains.

• He was born to King Nabhi Raja and Queen Marudevi at Ayodhya in the Ikshvaku clan.
• Mahavira (6th century bce) was the last Tirthankara to appear.

The correct answer is Buddha, dhamma(dharma), sangha.

Key Points

Triratna in Sanskrit means 'Three Jewels'

• The Buddha
• Dhamma(dharma): his teaching
• Sangha: the community of all those who follow his teachings.

​Buddhism

• It is faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama("the Buddha").
• Siddhartha Gautam, the Lord Buddha was born in 563 B.C at Lumbini in Nepal.
• Attained Nirvana under a Pipal tree at Bodh Gaya & henceforth known as Buddha(The enlightened one).
• Delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (Banaras) know called the Dhammacakkappavattana.
• Died at the age of 80 at Kushinagar (U.P).

Noble truth by Buddha

• The world is full of sorrow.
• People suffer on account of desires
• If desires are conqueredNirvana can be achieved i.e., free from the cycle of birth and death can be achieved by following 8 fold path(ashtangika marga)
  • Right Understanding
  • Right Determination
  • Right Speech
  • Right Action
  • Right Livelihood
  • Right Exercise
  • Right Mindfulness
  • Right Medication

Teaching by Buddha

• Buddha was a practical reformer and did not believe in the soul or God or the metaphysical world and concerned himself with worldly problems.
• Suggested that a person should avoid an excess of both luxury & austerity and prescribed a middle path.
• Laid great emphasis on Karma(Varna based on action not on birth) & Ahimsa.
• Opposed the varna system and laid down the principle of social equality.
• Buddhist Text
  • Tripitaka's: All written in Pali Language
  • Sutta-Pitaka
  • Vinaya-Pitaka
  • Abhidhamma-Pitaka
• Buddhist Councils

• John Marshall was the first scholar who used the term 'Indus Civilization' for the Harappa Civilization. 
• The time period of this civilization was 2500 BC - 1750 BC. 
• This civilization was mainly known for its great urban planning and sewage system. 
• Rakhaldas Bandopadhyay was known for discovering the site of Mohenjodaro whereas Dayaram Sahni was known for his discovery of Harappa. 
• RS Bisht discovered the Indus Valley Civilization site Banawali in 1973.