Q. Who is credited with deciphering the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts?
A) Max Muller
B) Sir William Jones
C) James Prinsep
D) Alexander Cunningham
Answer: C) James Prinsep (1938)
Q. The Mahajanapadas consisted of how many states?
A) 12
B) 16
C) 18
D) 22
Answer: B) 16
Q. The Dharmasutras are primarily concerned with:
A). Political governance
B). Social laws and ethics
C). Religious rituals
D). Historical narratives
Answer: B). Social laws and ethics
Explanation: The Dharmasutras are ancient texts that focus on the rules of moral and social conduct, the duties of individuals, and the principles of justice and law in society.
Q. Which of the following Mahajanapadas was considered the most powerful?
A). Kosala
B). Magadha
C). Vatsa
D). Avanti
Answer: B). Magadha
Q. What was the initial capital of Magadha?
A). Pataliputra
B). Rajagaha
C). Ujjain
D). Varanasi
Answer: B). Rajagaha (Rajgir)
Q. The capital of Magadha was shifted from Rajgir to which city?
A). Pataliputra
B). Ujjain
C). Vaishali
D). Taxila
Answer: A). Pataliputra
Q. Who was the first ruler to inscribe his messages on stone pillars and rocks in ancient India?
A). Chandragupta Maurya
B). Ashoka
C). Harsha
D). Samudragupta
Answer: B). Ashoka
Q. Who is credited with founding the Mauryan Empire?
A). Ashoka
B). Samudragupta
C). Bindusara
D). Chandragupta Maurya
Answer: D). Chandragupta Maurya
Q. Ashoka’s famous Dhamma was primarily focused on which of the following?
A). Religious intolerance
B). Non-violence and moral conduct
C). Expanding the empire
D). Military victories
Answer: B). Non-violence and moral conduct
Explanation: Ashoka’s concept of Dhamma focused on non-violence, tolerance, respect for all life, and moral behaviour. He encouraged the practice of kindness, truthfulness, and respect for elders through his edicts.
Q. Ashoka appointed __________ for the propagation of Dhamma across his empire.
A). Governors
B). Brahmins
C). Ministers
D). Dhamma Mahamatras
Answer: D). Dhamma Mahamatras
Q. The Shakas, originally came from which region?
A). Central Asia
B). Persia
C). Greece
D). Egypt
Answer: A). Central Asia
Q. Silappadikaram, an ancient Tamil epic, was written in which language?
A). Sanskrit
B). Tamil
C). Prakrit
D). Pali
Answer: B). Tamil
Explanation: Silappadikaram was written in Tamil by Ilango.
Q. The title Devaputra (Son of God) was adopted by which dynasty’s rulers?
A). Maurya Dynasty
B). Gupta Dynasty
C). Kushana Dynasty
D). Nanda Dynasty
Answer: C). Kushana Dynasty
Q. Who wrote the Prayag Prashasti?
A). Kalidasa
B). Harisena
C). Banabhatta
D). Aryabhata
Answer: B). Harisena
Explanation: The Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscriptiom) is an inscription written by Harisena in Sanskrit, the court poet of the Gupta Emperor Samudragupta.
Q. The Jatakas were written in which language?
A). Sanskrit
B). Tamil
C). Prakrit
D). Pali
Answer: D). Pali
Q. Match the following terms with their correct descriptions:
1. Uzhavar a). Large landowners
2. Vellalar b). Ploughmen
3. Adimai c). Slave
Options:
A). 1–b, 2–a, 3–c
B). 1–c, 2–b, 3–a
C). 1–a, 2–b, 3–c
D). 1–b, 2–c, 3–a
Answer: C). 1–a, 2–b, 3–c
Q. In which empire were the first gold coins issued in India?
A). Gupta Empire
B). Maurya Empire
C). Kushana Empire
D). Satavahana Empire
Answer: C). Kushana Empire
Q. What was the Greek name for the Red Sea?
A). Erythraean Sea
B). Aegean Sea
C). Ionian Sea
D). Mediterranean Sea
Answer: A). Erythraean Sea
Q. Who is an epigraphist?
A). A person who studies ancient coins
B). A person who studies ancient inscriptions
C). A person who studies ancient manuscripts
D). A person who studies ancient architecture
Answer: B). A person who studies ancient inscriptions