The Ellora caves contain monuments of which three religious traditions?
Correct answer B. Buddhist, Hindu and Jain
Topic / 50 questions
Ancient India MCQs
Ancient India MCQs cover Indian history from the Harappan civilisation and the Vedic period to the Mahajanapadas, Mauryas, Kushanas, Guptas, Harsha and the early southern kingdoms. Each question on MCQs360 shows the correct answer instantly, helping UPSC, SSC and state PSC candidates revise sites, rulers, texts and art.
Who is the author of the Tamil epic ‘Silappadikaram’?
Correct answer A. Ilango Adigal
The Shore Temple at Mamallapuram was built during the reign of which Pallava king?
Correct answer D. Narasimhavarman II
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The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur was built by which Chola ruler?
Correct answer A. Rajaraja I
Which Chola king took the title ‘Gangaikonda Chola’ after his northern campaign?
Correct answer A. Rajendra I
The Uttaramerur inscriptions, describing elections to village assemblies, belong to the reign of which Chola king?
Correct answer C. Parantaka I
The Kailasa temple at Ellora was carved under which dynasty?
Correct answer B. Rashtrakuta
The Ajanta caves are carved into a horseshoe-shaped gorge of which river?
Correct answer B. Waghora
The Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally commissioned by which ruler?
Correct answer B. Ashoka
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The ‘Arthashastra’, a treatise on statecraft, is attributed to whom?
Correct answer A. Kautilya
Which minor rock edict in Karnataka was the first discovered inscription to refer to the emperor by the name ‘Ashoka’?
Correct answer D. Maski
In Kautilya’s Arthashastra, the ‘Saptanga’ theory describes what?
Correct answer A. Seven elements of the state
India’s national emblem is adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka found at which site?
Correct answer D. Sarnath
The Saka era, used in India’s national calendar, begins in which year?
Correct answer D. 78 CE
Which city was the capital of the Kushana ruler Kanishka?
Correct answer D. Purushapura
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Which school of art used spotted red sandstone and developed largely free of Greek influence?
Correct answer A. Mathura school
The Nasik inscription of Gautami Balashri praises which Satavahana ruler?
Correct answer D. Gautamiputra Satakarni
The Gupta era, beginning in 319-320 CE, is generally linked with the accession of which ruler?
Correct answer B. Chandragupta I
The Prayaga Prashasti on the Allahabad Pillar, praising Samudragupta, was composed by whom?
Correct answer A. Harisena
The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Faxian (Fa-Hien) visited India during the reign of which Gupta ruler?
Correct answer B. Chandragupta II
About Ancient India MCQs
Harappan questions cover sites such as Mohenjo-daro, Kalibangan and Dholavira, their distinctive finds and the direction of the script. Vedic questions cover the four Vedas and their content. The early historic period is tested through the sixteen Mahajanapadas, the lives of the Buddha and Mahavira, and the Arthashastra attributed to Kautilya, including its Saptanga theory of the seven elements of the state. Many questions name a site or text and ask for the matching ruler, region or find.
Later questions cover the Mauryas and Ashoka's edicts and stupas, the Kushanas under Kanishka and the Gandhara and Mathura schools of art, the Guptas and the Prayaga Prashasti of Samudragupta, Harsha and the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, and southern dynasties such as the Pallavas and Cholas with their temples and conquests, including the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram and Rajendra Chola's northern campaign.
Key facts to remember
- The Great Bath was found at Mohenjo-daro, and evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan.
- The Samaveda is chiefly a collection of verses arranged for chanting.
- Buddhist texts such as the Anguttara Nikaya list sixteen Mahajanapadas; Assaka (Ashmaka) was the only one south of the Vindhyas.
- The Prayaga Prashasti praising Samudragupta was composed by his court poet Harisena.
- Banabhatta wrote the Harshacharita, and Xuanzang visited India and studied at Nalanda during Harsha's reign.
- Kanishka's capital was Purushapura, present-day Peshawar.
Exams that include Ancient India MCQs
India
- UPSC CSE Prelims
- SSC CGL
- SSC CHSL
- State PSCs
- RRB NTPC
- CTET
How to prepare for Ancient India MCQs
- Make a table of Harappan sites with their present-day location and the main find at each.
- Pair every ruler with a court poet, inscription or foreign visitor linked to him.
- Learn the differences between the Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati schools of art.
- Revise Buddhism and Jainism together: founders, places of birth, enlightenment and death, councils and texts.
Frequently asked questions
Where did Mahavira and the Buddha attain nirvana?
Vardhamana Mahavira attained nirvana at Pawapuri in present-day Bihar. Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, gave his first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi and attained parinirvana at Kushinagar in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
Who commissioned the Great Stupa at Sanchi?
The Great Stupa at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh was originally commissioned by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the third century BCE. It was enlarged later, and its carved stone gateways were added in the following centuries.
Which exams ask Ancient India MCQs?
Ancient India is tested in the UPSC Civil Services prelims, particularly through art and culture, as well as in SSC CGL and CHSL, state PSC exams, RRB NTPC and CTET social studies.
Last reviewed October 2026