Ancient History

10 questions loaded

These are sample questions with their answers. Log in to attempt them, track your accuracy, earn coins and save every session to your history.

Sample questions

A free sample. Log in for your full daily practice.

1.The script used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization is:

AFully deciphered and understood
BPartially deciphered, with about 30% meanings known
CCompletely undeciphered with no consensus on its language
DOnly numeric symbols have been decoded

Explanation

Despite many attempts, the Indus script remains undeciphered. No universally accepted reading exists, and its linguistic affiliation is still unknown. Only a few symbols have been linked to possible numerals, but the script as a whole is not understood.

2.Consider the following pairs of Harappan sites and their major archaeological findings: 1. Lothal : Artificial Dockyard 2. Kalibangan : Ploughed field 3. Banawali : Terracotta model of a plough Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

All three pairs are correctly matched. Lothal is famous for its massive tidal dockyard. Kalibangan (Rajasthan) shows evidence of a pre-Harappan ploughed field. Banawali (Haryana) has yielded high-quality barley seeds and a toy terracotta replica of a plough.

3.With reference to the Harappan script and language, consider the following statements: 1. The script is pictographic and was written in a boustrophedon style (alternating directions from right-to-left and left-to-right). 2. The Harappan script has been fully deciphered by modern historians, establishing its link to the Dravidian language family. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Harappan script is pictographic (using symbols representing ideas/objects) and was written in a boustrophedon style. Statement 2 is incorrect: Despite numerous attempts, the Harappan script remains undeciphered to this day, although several scholars have hypothesized its connection to proto-Dravidian or Sanskrit.

4.The biography ‘Harshacharita’, an important source for Harshavardhana’s life, was authored by:

ABanabhatta
BKalidasa
CBhatta Narayana
DBhavabhuti

Explanation

‘Harshacharita’ was written by Banabhatta (also called Banabhatta), the court poet of Harshavardhana. It provides a semi‑legendary account of the king’s deeds and the cultural milieu of his time.

5.The Kalabhra interregnum (3rd–6th century CE) is noted for which characteristic in South Indian history?

AEstablishment of maritime trade with Rome
BSpread of Buddhism and Jainism
CIntroduction of Tamil script
DConstruction of massive rock‑cut temples

Explanation

The Kalabhra rulers, who displaced the traditional Tamil dynasties for about three centuries, were patrons of heterodox religions, especially Buddhism and Jainism. Their reign is associated with the flourishing of Jain and Buddhist monastic institutions, while the patronage of Hindu temple architecture revived only after their decline.

Consider the following statements regarding the content found in Ashoka's inscriptions:

1. They include accounts of the Kalinga war andAshoka's resulting remorse.

2. They include instructions addressed directly to his oﬃcials regarding treatment of the population.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

A
1 only
B
2 only
C
Both 1 and 2
D
Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Both statements are correct, as Ashoka's inscriptions cover accounts of the Kalinga war along with instructions to oﬃcials regarding fair treatment of the population under their administration.

Option A is incorrect as it wrongly excludes the correct second statement.

Option B is incorrect as it wrongly excludes the correct first statement.

Option D is incorrect since both statements are accurate.

7.The Jain principle of Ahimsa (non‑violence) is primarily directed towards:

AAnimals only
BHumans only
CAll living beings
DDeities

Explanation

Jainism extends ahimsa to every form of life—micro‑organisms, plants, animals and humans—making it a universal ethic of non‑violence.

8.Which Mauryan emperor convened the Third Buddhist Council and promoted Buddhism throughout his empire?

AChandragupta Maurya
BBindusara
CAshoka
DSamudragupta

Explanation

Emperor Ashoka (r. 268–232 BCE) embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga war, sent missionaries abroad and convened the Third Buddhist Council at Pataliputra to codify Buddhist doctrines.

9.The inscription of Rudradaman I of the Western Kshatrapas (c. 150 CE) is notable for being composed in which language and script?

ASanskrit in Gupta script
BPrakrit in Brahmi script
CGreek in Kharosthi script
DSanskrit in Devanagari script

Explanation

Rudradaman’s Junagadh rock inscription is the earliest long inscription in Classical Sanskrit, but it is actually written in a highly refined form of Prakrit using the Brahmi script. It marks a turning point in Indian epigraphy toward more elaborate language and script usage.

10.Archaeological finds of which material provide the strongest evidence for long‑distance trade between the Indus Valley Civilization and Mesopotamia?

ACopper ingots
BLapis lazuli beads
CTin artifacts
DGold ornaments

Explanation

Lapis lazuli, sourced from the Badakhshan region (present‑day Afghanistan), has been found at both Harappa‑Mohenjo‑daro sites and in Mesopotamian contexts, indicating a trade network linking the two regions. Copper and tin were also traded, but lapis lazuli is the hallmark of the Indus‑Mesopotamia exchange.

These are sample questions with their answers. Log in to attempt them, track your accuracy, earn coins and save every session to your history.