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MAHAJANAPADAS AND MAGADHA EMPIRE – MCQs

1. How many Mahajanapadas are mentioned in ancient Buddhist texts?
   a) 12
   b) 16
   c) 24
   d) 32
   Answer: b) 16
2. Which text mentions the names of the 16 Mahajanapadas?
   a) Mahabharata
   b) Digha Nikaya
   c) Arthashastra
   d) Manu Smriti
   Answer: b) Digha Nikaya
3. Which Mahajanapada was located in present-day Bihar?
   a) Gandhara
   b) Avanti
   c) Magadha
   d) Kamboja
   Answer: c) Magadha
4. Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Taxila?
   a) Gandhara
   b) Kashi
   c) Kuru
   d) Kosala
   Answer: a) Gandhara
5. The capital of Vajji Mahajanapada was:
   a) Vaishali
   b) Rajagriha
   c) Pataliputra
   d) Champa
   Answer: a) Vaishali
6. Who was the founder of the Magadha Empire?
   a) Ajatashatru
   b) Bimbisara
   c) Mahapadma Nanda
   d) Chandragupta Maurya
   Answer: b) Bimbisara
7. Bimbisara belonged to which dynasty?
   a) Haryanka
   b) Shishunaga
   c) Nanda
   d) Maurya
   Answer: a) Haryanka
8. Who shifted the capital of Magadha from Rajagriha to Pataliputra?
   a) Udayin
   b) Ajatashatru
   c) Bimbisara
   d) Mahapadma Nanda
   Answer: a) Udayin
9. The first capital of Magadha was:
   a) Vaishali
   b) Rajagriha
   c) Pataliputra
   d) Champa
   Answer: b) Rajagriha
10. The famous ruler who used a war engine called ‘Mahashilakantaka’ was:
    a) Chandragupta Maurya
    b) Bimbisara
    c) Ajatashatru
    d) Ashoka
    Answer: c) Ajatashatru
11. Who among the following conquered Anga and annexed it to Magadha?
    a) Bimbisara
    b) Ajatashatru
    c) Udayin
    d) Mahapadma Nanda
    Answer: a) Bimbisara
12. The Magadhan dynasty founded immediately after the Haryanka dynasty was:
    a) Shishunaga dynasty
    b) Nanda dynasty
    c) Maurya dynasty
    d) Gupta dynasty
    Answer: a) Shishunaga dynasty
13. The last ruler of Haryanka dynasty was:
    a) Bimbisara
    b) Ajatashatru
    c) Nagadasaka
    d) Udayin
    Answer: c) Nagadasaka
14. Which dynasty was overthrown by Mahapadma Nanda?
    a) Shishunaga dynasty
    b) Haryanka dynasty
    c) Maurya dynasty
    d) Gupta dynasty
    Answer: a) Shishunaga dynasty
15. Who was called the “Destroyer of all Kshatriyas”?
    a) Bimbisara
    b) Chandragupta Maurya
    c) Mahapadma Nanda
    d) Ashoka
    Answer: c) Mahapadma Nanda
16. The Nanda dynasty was succeeded by:
    a) Shunga dynasty
    b) Maurya dynasty
    c) Kanva dynasty
    d) Gupta dynasty
    Answer: b) Maurya dynasty
17. Which famous king founded the Maurya Empire?
    a) Ashoka
    b) Chandragupta Maurya
    c) Bindusara
    d) Mahapadma Nanda
    Answer: b) Chandragupta Maurya
18. Which Mahajanapada was known for its republican form of government?
    a) Avanti
    b) Vajji
    c) Kashi
    d) Gandhara
    Answer: b) Vajji
19. Which of the following rulers was contemporary to Gautama Buddha?
    a) Bimbisara
    b) Mahapadma Nanda
    c) Ashoka
    d) Chandragupta Maurya
    Answer: a) Bimbisara
20. Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Ujjain?
    a) Avanti
    b) Malla
    c) Vatsa
    d) Surasena
    Answer: a) Avanti
21. Which river is associated with the city of Pataliputra?
    a) Yamuna
    b) Ganga
    c) Saraswati
    d) Godavari
    Answer: b) Ganga
22. The Jain Tirthankara Mahavira belonged to which Mahajanapada?
    a) Kashi
    b) Vajji
    c) Kosala
    d) Anga
    Answer: b) Vajji
23. Ajatashatru fought a war against which confederacy?
    a) Vajji Confederacy
    b) Kuru Confederacy
    c) Gandhara Confederacy
    d) Surasena Confederacy
    Answer: a) Vajji Confederacy
24. The famous University of Taxila was situated in which Mahajanapada?
    a) Avanti
    b) Gandhara
    c) Kosala
    d) Kashi
    Answer: b) Gandhara
25. In which Mahajanapada was the city of Kashi located?
    a) Kashi
    b) Vatsa
    c) Avanti
    d) Surasena
    Answer: a) Kashi
26. Who was the founder of the Nanda dynasty?
    a) Dhana Nanda
    b) Mahapadma Nanda
    c) Bindusara
    d) Pushyamitra
    Answer: b) Mahapadma Nanda
27. Which ruler was defeated by Alexander’s general Seleucus Nikator?
    a) Chandragupta Maurya
    b) Ashoka
    c) Bimbisara
    d) Ajatashatru
    Answer: a) Chandragupta Maurya
28. The capital of Surasena Mahajanapada was:
    a) Ujjain
    b) Mathura
    c) Vaishali
    d) Varanasi
    Answer: b) Mathura
29. Which Mahajanapada is associated with the river Yamuna?
    a) Surasena
    b) Avanti
    c) Gandhara
    d) Kamboja
    Answer: a) Surasena
30. Malla Mahajanapada was known for:
    a) Monarchy
    b) Oligarchy
    c) Democracy
    d) Republic
    Answer: d) Republic
31. The famous city of Mathura was the capital of which Mahajanapada?
    a) Vatsa
    b) Avanti
    c) Surasena
    d) Kosala
    Answer: c) Surasena
32. The founder of the Shishunaga dynasty was:
    a) Kalashoka
    b) Shishunaga
    c) Udayin
    d) Ajatashatru
    Answer: b) Shishunaga
33. Which Mahajanapada had its capital at Kaushambi?
    a) Avanti
    b) Vatsa
    c) Kashi
    d) Kosala
    Answer: b) Vatsa
34. The city of Champa was the capital of:
    a) Anga
    b) Vajji
    c) Malla
    d) Kuru
    Answer: a) Anga
35. Who was the last Nanda ruler?
    a) Mahapadma Nanda
    b) Dhana Nanda
    c) Bindusara
    d) Udayin
    Answer: b) Dhana Nanda
36. Which empire succeeded the Magadha empire after the fall of Nandas?
    a) Maurya Empire
    b) Gupta Empire
    c) Kushan Empire
    d) Satavahana Empire
    Answer: a) Maurya Empire
37. Which Mahajanapada was associated with the river Sarayu?
    a) Kosala
    b) Kuru
    c) Panchala
    d) Avanti
    Answer: a) Kosala
38. Which Mahajanapada was known for the republican rule along with Vajji?
    a) Malla
    b) Avanti
    c) Kashi
    d) Gandhara
    Answer: a) Malla
39. The king who shifted his capital to Pataliputra was:
    a) Ajatashatru
    b) Chandragupta Maurya
    c) Udayin
    d) Mahapadma Nanda
    Answer: c) Udayin
40. Which dynasty ruled Magadha after the Shishunagas?
    a) Nanda
    b) Maurya
    c) Gupta
    d) Kushan
    Answer: a) Nanda
41. The term ‘Mahajanapada’ literally means:
    a) Great Kingship
    b) Great Kingdom
    c) Big Fort
    d) Great Assembly
    Answer: b) Great Kingdom
42. Who killed Bimbisara?
    a) Ajatashatru
    b) Mahapadma Nanda
    c) Udayin
    d) Dhana Nanda
    Answer: a) Ajatashatru
43. Rajagriha is located in which present-day state?
    a) Uttar Pradesh
    b) Bihar
    c) Madhya Pradesh
    d) Rajasthan
    Answer: b) Bihar
44. Ajatashatru strengthened the defenses of:
    a) Vaishali
    b) Pataliputra
    c) Rajagriha
    d) Taxila
    Answer: c) Rajagriha
45. The Buddhist Council during the reign of Ajatashatru was held at:
    a) Rajagriha
    b) Pataliputra
    c) Vaishali
    d) Ujjain
    Answer: a) Rajagriha
46. Who was known as ‘Second Parasurama’?
    a) Chandragupta Maurya
    b) Mahapadma Nanda
    c) Ashoka
    d) Bimbisara
    Answer: b) Mahapadma Nanda
47. Which Mahajanapada was ruled by Pradyota dynasty?
    a) Kuru
    b) Avanti
    c) Panchala
    d) Surasena
    Answer: b) Avanti
48. The earliest form of government practiced in Vajji Mahajanapada was:
    a) Monarchy
    b) Republic
    c) Confederacy
    d) Oligarchy
    Answer: b) Republic
49. Which Mahajanapada was located in the northwest frontier of India?
    a) Gandhara
    b) Avanti
    c) Kosala
    d) Vatsa
    Answer: a) Gandhara
50. Which Mahajanapada’s rulers patronized Jainism and Buddhism extensively?
    a) Magadha
    b) Kamboja
    c) Gandhara
    d) Panchala
    Answer: a) Magadha

Vedic Society MCQs

1. Which river is most associated with the Vedic civilization?
   A) Ganga
   B) Yamuna
   C) Saraswati
   D) Godavari
   Answer: C) Saraswati
2. The main occupation of the early Vedic people was:
   A) Agriculture
   B) Trade
   C) Cattle rearing
   D) Handicrafts
   Answer: C) Cattle rearing
3. The term ‘Aryan’ means:
   A) Nomad
   B) Warrior
   C) Noble
   D) Farmer
   Answer: C) Noble
4. The collection of hymns, prayers, and liturgical formulas of the Vedic period is called:
   A) Upanishad
   B) Brahmana
   C) Aranyaka
   D) Samhita
   Answer: D) Samhita
5. Which Veda is the oldest?
   A) Sama Veda
   B) Rigveda
   C) Yajurveda
   D) Atharvaveda
   Answer: B) Rigveda
6. Who among the following was not part of the ‘Chaturvarna’ system?
   A) Brahmin
   B) Kshatriya
   C) Shudra
   D) Vaisya
   Answer: None (all are part)
7. The Vedic society was initially:
   A) Matriarchal
   B) Patriarchal
   C) Democratic
   D) Oligarchic
   Answer: B) Patriarchal
8. What was the unit of family called in Vedic period?
   A) Gram
   B) Griha
   C) Kula
   D) Sabha
   Answer: C) Kula
9. Who performed the administrative work in early Vedic society?
   A) Sabha
   B) Samiti
   C) Both A and B
   D) King alone
   Answer: C) Both A and B
10. The term ‘Sabha’ and ‘Samiti’ are related to:
    A) Judicial system
    B) Religious practices
    C) Political assemblies
    D) Military organizations
    Answer: C) Political assemblies
11. Which animal was considered sacred in Vedic culture?
    A) Horse
    B) Dog
    C) Cow
    D) Elephant
    Answer: C) Cow
12. Which ceremony was performed during the coronation of kings?
    A) Ashvamedha
    B) Rajasuya
    C) Vajapeya
    D) Agnihotra
    Answer: B) Rajasuya
13. The language of the Vedic people was:
    A) Prakrit
    B) Sanskrit
    C) Pali
    D) Apabhramsa
    Answer: B) Sanskrit
14. Who among the following was a prominent female philosopher in Vedic age?
    A) Maitreyi
    B) Gargi
    C) Lopamudra
    D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
15. The Upanishads are books of:
    A) Rituals
    B) Philosophy
    C) Law
    D) Medicine
    Answer: B) Philosophy
16. Which was NOT a type of marriage mentioned in Vedic society?
    A) Gandharva
    B) Rakshasa
    C) Brahma
    D) Polygamy
    Answer: D) Polygamy
17. The word ‘Veda’ literally means:
    A) Power
    B) Wisdom
    C) Knowledge
    D) Sacredness
    Answer: C) Knowledge
18. The Varna system was based on:
    A) Birth
    B) Profession
    C) Wealth
    D) Power
    Answer: B) Profession (Early Vedic)
19. Which among the following was the war hymn mentioned in Rigveda?
    A) Purusha Sukta
    B) Nasadiya Sukta
    C) Battle of Ten Kings
    D) Gayatri Mantra
    Answer: C) Battle of Ten Kings
20. Which Veda deals with melodies and chants?
    A) Rigveda
    B) Samaveda
    C) Yajurveda
    D) Atharvaveda
    Answer: B) Samaveda
21. Which Vedic text mainly deals with sacrifices and rituals?
    A) Rigveda
    B) Samaveda
    C) Yajurveda
    D) Atharvaveda
    Answer: C) Yajurveda
22. Who among the following composed Gayatri Mantra?
    A) Vishwamitra
    B) Vashishtha
    C) Bharadwaja
    D) Agastya
    Answer: A) Vishwamitra
23. Which king is associated with the famous ‘Battle of Ten Kings’?
    A) Bharata
    B) Sudas
    C) Puru
    D) Vishwamitra
    Answer: B) Sudas
24. Which river is mentioned the most in Rigveda after Saraswati?
    A) Ganga
    B) Yamuna
    C) Sindhu (Indus)
    D) Godavari
    Answer: C) Sindhu (Indus)
25. The people of Vedic period primarily worshipped:
    A) Nature
    B) Animals
    C) Statues
    D) None
    Answer: A) Nature
26. Agni was the god of:
    A) Fire
    B) Water
    C) Rain
    D) Earth
    Answer: A) Fire
27. Which Vedic deity is regarded as the ‘destroyer of enemies’?
    A) Indra
    B) Varuna
    C) Agni
    D) Mitra
    Answer: A) Indra
28. Varuna was regarded as the god of:
    A) Fire
    B) Waters and Cosmic Order
    C) Wealth
    D) Love
    Answer: B) Waters and Cosmic Order
29. Which among the following was not a social class during the Vedic period?
    A) Brahmin
    B) Vaisya
    C) Kshatriya
    D) Zamindar
    Answer: D) Zamindar
30. Who among the following Vedic gods was the most powerful?
    A) Indra
    B) Agni
    C) Soma
    D) Varuna
    Answer: A) Indra
31. What is ‘Dasyu’ in Rigveda?
    A) A priest
    B) An enemy tribe
    C) A king
    D) A sage
    Answer: B) An enemy tribe
32. In Vedic society, a group of families was known as:
    A) Vis
    B) Jana
    C) Grama
    D) Samiti
    Answer: A) Vis
33. The Vedic king was assisted by which high official?
    A) Purohita
    B) Senani
    C) Both A and B
    D) None
    Answer: C) Both A and B
34. The Vedic Aryans first settled in:
    A) Gujarat
    B) Punjab
    C) Rajasthan
    D) Ganga valley
    Answer: B) Punjab
35. The Vedic Aryans were familiar with:
    A) Iron
    B) Copper
    C) Gold
    D) Both B and C
    Answer: D) Both B and C
36. The Iron Age in India began with:
    A) Rigvedic period
    B) Later Vedic period
    C) Mauryan period
    D) Gupta period
    Answer: B) Later Vedic period
37. Who was considered the intermediary between gods and humans?
    A) King
    B) Purohita (Priest)
    C) Senani
    D) Vispati
    Answer: B) Purohita (Priest)
38. Which among the following was not a later Vedic text?
    A) Samhitas
    B) Brahmanas
    C) Aranyakas
    D) Kalidasa’s works
    Answer: D) Kalidasa’s works
39. Which yajna involved horse sacrifice?
    A) Rajasuya
    B) Ashvamedha
    C) Vajapeya
    D) Agnihotra
    Answer: B) Ashvamedha
40. Which mantra is dedicated to Savitri (Sun God)?
    A) Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
    B) Gayatri Mantra
    C) Purusha Sukta
    D) Nasadiya Sukta
    Answer: B) Gayatri Mantra
41. The most important contribution of Vedic culture to Indian civilization is:
    A) Temple architecture
    B) Philosophy of life
    C) Caste system
    D) City planning
    Answer: B) Philosophy of life
42. Who wrote the Rigveda?
    A) Single author
    B) Multiple sages
    C) Vishwamitra
    D) Vashishtha
    Answer: B) Multiple sages
43. The Vedic river ‘Sindhu’ is now known as:
    A) Ganga
    B) Indus
    C) Brahmaputra
    D) Yamuna
    Answer: B) Indus
44. What was the name of the teacher in the Vedic period?
    A) Acharya
    B) Guru
    C) Maharishi
    D) Upadhyaya
    Answer: B) Guru
45. Vedic literature is mainly composed in which language?
    A) Classical Sanskrit
    B) Vedic Sanskrit
    C) Prakrit
    D) Pali
    Answer: B) Vedic Sanskrit
46. In Vedic society, which body elected or confirmed the king?
    A) Sabha
    B) Samiti
    C) Both A and B
    D) None
    Answer: C) Both A and B
47. Which deity was associated with rain and thunder?
    A) Varuna
    B) Indra
    C) Agni
    D) Soma
    Answer: B) Indra
48. Which one of the following was the smallest unit of Vedic society?
    A) Vis
    B) Grama
    C) Kula
    D) Jana
    Answer: C) Kula
49. The education in the Vedic period was imparted in:
    A) Universities
    B) Gurukulas
    C) Temples
    D) Libraries
    Answer: B) Gurukulas
50. The religious texts of Vedic age are collectively known as:
    A) Shruti
    B) Smriti
    C) Itihasa
    D) Puranas
    Answer: A) Shruti

1. The Indus Valley Civilization belonged to which age?
   A) Stone Age
   B) Bronze Age
   C) Iron Age
   D) Copper Age
   Answer: B) Bronze Age
2. Which was the largest site of Indus Valley Civilization?
   A) Harappa
   B) Mohenjodaro
   C) Dholavira
   D) Rakhigarhi
   Answer: D) Rakhigarhi
3. Mohenjodaro is situated on the banks of which river?
   A) Ravi
   B) Sutlej
   C) Indus
   D) Ghaggar
   Answer: C) Indus
4. Which site is famous for a dockyard in the Indus Valley Civilization?
   A) Harappa
   B) Mohenjodaro
   C) Lothal
   D) Kalibangan
   Answer: C) Lothal
5. Which of the following animals was not known to the Indus Valley people?
   A) Horse
   B) Elephant
   C) Dog
   D) Bull
   Answer: A) Horse
6. The script of the Indus Valley Civilization was:
   A) Devanagari
   B) Brahmi
   C) Pictographic
   D) Hieroglyphic
   Answer: C) Pictographic
7. The “Great Bath” has been found at:
   A) Lothal
   B) Harappa
   C) Mohenjodaro
   D) Kalibangan
   Answer: C) Mohenjodaro
8. Which metal was not used by the Indus Valley people?
   A) Copper
   B) Bronze
   C) Iron
   D) Gold
   Answer: C) Iron
9. Which among the following cities had evidence of a fire altar?
   A) Harappa
   B) Lothal
   C) Kalibangan
   D) Mohenjodaro
   Answer: C) Kalibangan
10. The famous statue of a bearded man was found at:
    A) Harappa
    B) Mohenjodaro
    C) Dholavira
    D) Lothal
    Answer: B) Mohenjodaro

11. Which Indus Valley site shows evidence of a stadium?
    A) Lothal
    B) Mohenjodaro
    C) Dholavira
    D) Kalibangan
    Answer: C) Dholavira
12. The Indus Valley houses were made of:
    A) Mud bricks
    B) Stone blocks
    C) Sun-baked bricks
    D) Burnt bricks
    Answer: D) Burnt bricks
13. Which deity is believed to have been worshipped in the Indus Valley Civilization?
    A) Indra
    B) Varuna
    C) Shiva (Pashupati)
    D) Vishnu
    Answer: C) Shiva (Pashupati)
14. Which of the following was a port city of the Indus Civilization?
    A) Harappa
    B) Mohenjodaro
    C) Lothal
    D) Kalibangan
    Answer: C) Lothal
15. The evidence of a ploughed field has been found at:
    A) Harappa
    B) Mohenjodaro
    C) Kalibangan
    D) Banawali
    Answer: C) Kalibangan
16. The staple food of Indus Valley people was:
    A) Wheat and barley
    B) Rice and fish
    C) Maize and pulses
    D) Rice and barley
    Answer: A) Wheat and barley
17. Which of the following objects was used for weighing and measurement?
    A) Cylindrical stone
    B) Steatite weights
    C) Copper sticks
    D) Shell discs
    Answer: B) Steatite weights
18. Which Indus site is located in present-day Gujarat?
    A) Mohenjodaro
    B) Lothal
    C) Harappa
    D) Chanhudaro
    Answer: B) Lothal
19. The most common material used for making Indus Valley seals was:
    A) Terracotta
    B) Bronze
    C) Steatite
    D) Copper
    Answer: C) Steatite
20. The people of Indus Valley Civilization mainly worshipped:
    A) Trees and animals
    B) Sun and Moon
    C) Fire and Water
    D) Planets and Stars
    Answer: A) Trees and animals

21. The economy of Indus Valley Civilization was based on:
    A) Agriculture and trade
    B) Hunting and gathering
    C) Pastoralism
    D) Mining
    Answer: A) Agriculture and trade
22. The remains of horse bones were found at which site?
    A) Lothal
    B) Surkotada
    C) Dholavira
    D) Rakhigarhi
    Answer: B) Surkotada
23. Which craft was not practiced by the Indus people?
    A) Pottery
    B) Weaving
    C) Metal craft
    D) Glass making
    Answer: D) Glass making
24. Which river is associated with Harappa?
    A) Ganga
    B) Yamuna
    C) Ravi
    D) Saraswati
    Answer: C) Ravi
25. Which site shows evidence of both Harappan and later cultures?
    A) Lothal
    B) Kalibangan
    C) Banawali
    D) Daimabad
    Answer: D) Daimabad
26. The Indus Valley Civilization was first discovered in:
    A) 1826
    B) 1853
    C) 1921
    D) 1947
    Answer: C) 1921
27. The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as:
    A) Harappan Civilization
    B) Aryan Civilization
    C) Vedic Civilization
    D) Mesopotamian Civilization
    Answer: A) Harappan Civilization
28. Which structure proves that Mohenjodaro was a well-planned city?
    A) Citadel
    B) Drainage system
    C) Great Bath
    D) Granary
    Answer: B) Drainage system
29. Which item was imported by Indus Valley people?
    A) Gold
    B) Silver
    C) Tin
    D) All of these
    Answer: D) All of these
30. Chanhudaro was mainly famous for:
    A) Port activities
    B) Fire altars
    C) Bead making
    D) Great Bath
    Answer: C) Bead making

31. The Indus Valley Civilization was discovered by:
    A) Alexander Cunningham
    B) John Marshall
    C) Mortimer Wheeler
    D) R.D. Banerjee
    Answer: D) R.D. Banerjee
32. Which type of government is suggested by the uniformity in Indus Valley sites?
    A) Monarchy
    B) Democracy
    C) Theocracy
    D) Centralized authority
    Answer: D) Centralized authority
33. Which tree appears on Indus seals indicating its religious significance?
    A) Banyan
    B) Peepal
    C) Neem
    D) Mango
    Answer: B) Peepal
34. What was the main occupation of the Indus Valley people?
    A) Fishing
    B) Agriculture
    C) Mining
    D) Carpentry
    Answer: B) Agriculture
35. Which among the following animals was depicted in seals but not domesticated?
    A) Dog
    B) Elephant
    C) Tiger
    D) Unicorn (mythical)
    Answer: D) Unicorn (mythical)
36. The Granary excavated at Harappa suggests:
    A) Industrial activity
    B) Religious activity
    C) Storage of surplus food
    D) Art and craft center
    Answer: C) Storage of surplus food
37. What kind of jewelry did the Indus people make?
    A) Gold jewelry
    B) Silver jewelry
    C) Semi-precious stone jewelry
    D) All of these
    Answer: D) All of these
38. The weights used by Indus people were generally made of:
    A) Gold
    B) Terracotta
    C) Stone
    D) Copper
    Answer: C) Stone
39. Which material was predominantly used in Indus Valley pottery?
    A) Red clay
    B) Black clay
    C) Grey clay
    D) White clay
    Answer: A) Red clay
40. Who called the Indus Valley Civilization “The culture of the Great Bath”?
    A) John Marshall
    B) Mortimer Wheeler
    C) Mackay
    D) Stuart Piggott
    Answer: A) John Marshall

41. The painted pottery of the Harappan Civilization is known as:
    A) Red and Black pottery
    B) Black-on-Red pottery
    C) Grey ware pottery
    D) Painted grey ware
    Answer: B) Black-on-Red pottery
42. Which Indus Valley site is known for its water reservoir?
    A) Harappa
    B) Mohenjodaro
    C) Dholavira
    D) Lothal
    Answer: C) Dholavira
43. Which Harappan city had no citadel?
    A) Mohenjodaro
    B) Kalibangan
    C) Lothal
    D) Chanhudaro
    Answer: D) Chanhudaro
44. Terracotta figurines of the Mother Goddess have been found mainly at:
    A) Mohenjodaro
    B) Harappa
    C) Dholavira
    D) Kalibangan
    Answer: A) Mohenjodaro
45. Which Indus Valley site is considered the Manchester of the Harappan Civilization?
    A) Harappa
    B) Lothal
    C) Mohenjodaro
    D) Chanhudaro
    Answer: D) Chanhudaro
46. Which site provides the earliest evidence of Earthquake?
    A) Harappa
    B) Kalibangan
    C) Dholavira
    D) Lothal
    Answer: B) Kalibangan
47. Evidence of rice husk has been found at which site?
    A) Lothal
    B) Mohenjodaro
    C) Harappa
    D) Rangpur
    Answer: D) Rangpur
48. The evidence of the burial practice has been found at:
    A) Lothal
    B) Harappa
    C) Kalibangan
    D) Both B and C
    Answer: D) Both B and C
49. Which Indus city was divided into three parts instead of two?
    A) Harappa
    B) Lothal
    C) Dholavira
    D) Kalibangan
    Answer: C) Dholavira
50. Which Indus Valley site shows evidence of a ship dockyard?
    A) Dholavira
    B) Lothal
    C) Chanhudaro
    D) Surkotada
    Answer: B) Lothal

1. Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire?
   a) Ashoka
   b) Chandragupta Maurya
   c) Bindusara
   d) Bimbisara
   Answer: b) Chandragupta Maurya
2. The famous Buddhist council held during the reign of Ashoka was the:
   a) First
   b) Second
   c) Third
   d) Fourth
   Answer: c) Third
3. Who composed the Sanskrit grammar ‘Ashtadhyayi’?
   a) Panini
   b) Patanjali
   c) Kalidasa
   d) Bharavi
   Answer: a) Panini
4. The Great Bath is located in which site of the Indus Valley Civilization?
   a) Mohenjodaro
   b) Harappa
   c) Lothal
   d) Kalibangan
   Answer: a) Mohenjodaro
5. Which ruler is associated with the title “Devanampiya Piyadasi”?
   a) Chandragupta Maurya
   b) Ashoka
   c) Harshavardhana
   d) Samudragupta
   Answer: b) Ashoka
6. Which dynasty was known for the construction of rock-cut caves at Ellora and Ajanta?
   a) Maurya
   b) Chola
   c) Rashtrakuta
   d) Gupta
   Answer: c) Rashtrakuta
7. The Rigveda is a collection of:
   a) Prayers
   b) Hymns
   c) Rituals
   d) Philosophical discussions
   Answer: b) Hymns
8. The capital city of Kanishka was at:
   a) Mathura
   b) Pataliputra
   c) Purushapura
   d) Taxila
   Answer: c) Purushapura
9. Which ancient university was known for Buddhist learning?
   a) Nalanda
   b) Takshashila
   c) Vikramashila
   d) Vallabhi
   Answer: a) Nalanda
10. Who was the last ruler of the Maurya dynasty?
    a) Brihadratha
    b) Ashoka
    c) Bindusara
    d) Dasharatha
    Answer: a) Brihadratha
11. The famous poet Kalidasa belonged to which ruler’s court?
    a) Chandragupta II
    b) Harsha
    c) Kanishka
    d) Samudragupta
    Answer: a) Chandragupta II
12. Who was the Greek ambassador at Chandragupta Maurya’s court?
    a) Megasthenes
    b) Ptolemy
    c) Pliny
    d) Strabo
    Answer: a) Megasthenes
13. Which was the main occupation of the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?
    a) Trade
    b) Agriculture
    c) Fishing
    d) Pottery
    Answer: b) Agriculture
14. Who was known as the ‘Napoleon of India’?
    a) Harsha
    b) Chandragupta Maurya
    c) Samudragupta
    d) Ashoka
    Answer: c) Samudragupta
15. The term “Veda” means:
    a) Knowledge
    b) Wisdom
    c) Power
    d) Science
    Answer: a) Knowledge
16. Harshavardhana’s capital was:
    a) Kannauj
    b) Ujjain
    c) Pataliputra
    d) Thanesar
    Answer: d) Thanesar
17. The ‘Tripitaka’ is the sacred book of:
    a) Hindus
    b) Buddhists
    c) Jains
    d) Parsis
    Answer: b) Buddhists
18. The first Jain Tirthankara was:
    a) Mahavira
    b) Rishabhanatha
    c) Parshvanatha
    d) Bahubali
    Answer: b) Rishabhanatha
19. The Indus Valley Civilization script is:
    a) Alphabetic
    b) Pictographic
    c) Syllabic
    d) None of these
    Answer: b) Pictographic
20. Ashoka’s inscriptions were written mostly in which language?
    a) Sanskrit
    b) Pali
    c) Prakrit
    d) Aramaic
    Answer: c) Prakrit
21. The Upanishads are books on:
    a) Law
    b) Philosophy
    c) Medicine
    d) Social life
    Answer: b) Philosophy
22. Which river is associated with the Rigvedic civilization?
    a) Ganga
    b) Saraswati
    c) Yamuna
    d) Sindhu (Indus)
    Answer: d) Sindhu (Indus)
23. Who is known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”?
    a) John Marshall
    b) Alexander Cunningham
    c) Mortimer Wheeler
    d) James Prinsep
    Answer: b) Alexander Cunningham
24. Who was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty?
    a) Simuka
    b) Gautamiputra Satakarni
    c) Vasishthiputra Pulumavi
    d) Hala
    Answer: a) Simuka
25. What was the main occupation of the Aryans?
    a) Fishing
    b) Agriculture
    c) Cattle rearing
    d) Hunting
    Answer: c) Cattle rearing
26. The Battle of Kalinga was fought in the year:
    a) 261 BCE
    b) 232 BCE
    c) 273 BCE
    d) 321 BCE
    Answer: a) 261 BCE
27. The earliest evidence of the practice of agriculture in the Indian subcontinent has been found at:
    a) Harappa
    b) Lothal
    c) Mehrgarh
    d) Kalibangan
    Answer: c) Mehrgarh
28. The Harappan civilization was discovered in which year?
    a) 1921
    b) 1935
    c) 1942
    d) 1953
    Answer: a) 1921
29. Which Gupta emperor adopted the title ‘Vikramaditya’?
    a) Chandragupta I
    b) Samudragupta
    c) Chandragupta II
    d) Skandagupta
    Answer: c) Chandragupta II
30. The Jains believed that Mahavira attained Nirvana at:
    a) Rajagriha
    b) Pavapuri
    c) Vaishali
    d) Pataliputra
    Answer: b) Pavapuri
31. Of course! Here’s 20 more Ancient History MCQs along with their answers for you:
    
    More Ancient History MCQs (with Answers)
    
32. The Indus Valley people worshipped:
    a) Vishnu
    b) Pashupati
    c) Indra
    d) Agni
    Answer: b) Pashupati
    
33. Which Mauryan ruler was known for his policy of Dhamma?
    a) Chandragupta Maurya
    b) Ashoka
    c) Bindusara
    d) Dasharatha
    Answer: b) Ashoka
    
34. Which Veda contains the famous Gayatri Mantra?
    a) Rigveda
    b) Samaveda
    c) Yajurveda
    d) Atharvaveda
    Answer: a) Rigveda
    
35. The famous bull-seal was found at:
    a) Lothal
    b) Mohenjodaro
    c) Kalibangan
    d) Harappa
    Answer: b) Mohenjodaro
    
36. Which was the first metal used by man?
    a) Iron
    b) Bronze
    c) Copper
    d) Gold
    Answer: c) Copper
    
37. Which was the main port of the Indus Valley Civilization?
    a) Harappa
    b) Mohenjodaro
    c) Lothal
    d) Kalibangan
    Answer: c) Lothal
    
38. The famous “Sarnath Lion Capital” is associated with which emperor?
    a) Chandragupta Maurya
    b) Ashoka
    c) Kanishka
    d) Harsha
    Answer: b) Ashoka
    
39. The earliest evidence of Silver in India is found at:
    a) Harappa
    b) Mohenjodaro
    c) Kunal
    d) Lothal
    Answer: c) Kunal
    
40. The author of Arthashastra was:
    a) Kalidasa
    b) Panini
    c) Kautilya
    d) Patanjali
    Answer: c) Kautilya
    
41. Ashoka sent his son Mahinda to which country for the spread of Buddhism?
    a) China
    b) Burma
    c) Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
    d) Tibet
    Answer: c) Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
    
42. Which inscription mentions the achievements of Samudragupta?
    a) Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription
    b) Prayaga Prashasti
    c) Allahabad Pillar Inscription
    d) Nasik Inscription
    Answer: c) Allahabad Pillar Inscription
    
43. The term “Varnas” in Vedic society refers to:
    a) Tribes
    b) Clans
    c) Castes
    d) Families
    Answer: c) Castes
    
44. The oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India are at:
    a) Ajanta
    b) Ellora
    c) Barabar
    d) Udayagiri
    Answer: c) Barabar
    
45. The capital of Magadha during the time of Bimbisara was:
    a) Rajagriha
    b) Pataliputra
    c) Champa
    d) Ujjain
    Answer: a) Rajagriha
    
46. Who among the following is known for propagating the concept of Ahimsa?
    a) Ashoka
    b) Mahavira
    c) Buddha
    d) All of the above
    Answer: d) All of the above
    
47. The famous book ‘Milinda Panha’ is a dialogue between King Menander and:
    a) Nagasena
    b) Kautilya
    c) Patanjali
    d) Panini
    Answer: a) Nagasena
    
48. The Battle of Hydaspes was fought between Alexander and:
    a) Darius III
    b) Porus
    c) Chandragupta Maurya
    d) Ambhi
    Answer: b) Porus
    
49. Which of the following was NOT a feature of the Indus Valley Civilization?
    a) Planned cities
    b) Fire altars
    c) Use of iron
    d) Great Granary
    Answer: c) Use of iron
    
50. The Lothal site is known for which significant structure?
    a) Dockyard
    b) Observatory
    c) Fort
    d) Temple
    Answer: a) Dockyard
    
51. The first Buddhist council was held at:
    a) Rajagriha
    b) Vaishali
    c) Pataliputra
    d) Kashmir
    Answer: a) Rajagriha