Studying the rich past of India can be both fascinating and challenging, and one of the best ways to test your knowledge is through ancient history MCQ exercises. These multiple-choice questions cover key topics, including the Maurya and Gupta empires, the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic texts, and famous rulers like Ashoka and Chandragupta Maurya. By practicing these questions, you can strengthen your understanding of historical events, cultural achievements, and significant personalities. Whether you are preparing for competitive exams, school tests, or simply want to enhance your knowledge, these ancient history MCQs provide a quick, effective, and engaging way to learn and revise.
Ancient History MCQs
1. Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire?
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Ashoka
C) Bindusara
D) Bimbisara
Answer: A) Chandragupta Maurya
2. The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as:
A) Vedic Civilization
B) Harappan Civilization
C) Mauryan Civilization
D) Gupta Civilization
Answer: B) Harappan Civilization
3. The ancient city of Pataliputra is located in present-day:
A) Uttar Pradesh
B) Bihar
C) Madhya Pradesh
D) West Bengal
Answer: B) Bihar
4. Which of the following texts is associated with the Vedic period?
A) Ramayana
B) Mahabharata
C) Rigveda
D) Arthashastra
Answer: C) Rigveda
5. The Great Bath is located in which Indus Valley site?
A) Harappa
B) Mohenjo-Daro
C) Lothal
D) Dholavira
Answer: B) Mohenjo-Daro
6. The Mauryan emperor who embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War was:
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Ashoka
C) Bindusara
D) Bimbisara
Answer: B) Ashoka
7. The Gupta period is often referred to as the:
A) Dark Age of India
B) Golden Age of India
C) Age of Reforms
D) Age of Invasions
Answer: B) Golden Age of India
8. The famous iron pillar of Delhi was erected during the reign of:
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Samudragupta
C) Chandragupta II
D) Harsha
Answer: C) Chandragupta II
9. The capital of the Maurya Empire was:
A) Ujjain
B) Pataliputra
C) Mathura
D) Takshashila
Answer: B) Pataliputra
10. The first emperor of the Gupta dynasty was:
A) Chandragupta I
B) Samudragupta
C) Chandragupta II
D) Skandagupta
Answer: A) Chandragupta I
11. The famous battle of Kalinga was fought between:
A) Alexander and Porus
B) Ashoka and the Kalinga Kingdom
C) Harsha and the Huns
D) Chandragupta Maurya and Seleucus
Answer: B) Ashoka and the Kalinga Kingdom
12. The concept of ‘Dhamma’ was introduced by:
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Ashoka
C) Samudragupta
D) Harsha
Answer: B) Ashoka
13. The term ‘Aryan’ refers to:
A) A specific tribe
B) A linguistic group
C) A religious community
D) A geographical region
Answer: B) A linguistic group
14. The Indus Valley Civilization was primarily located in present-day:
A) India
B) Pakistan
C) Afghanistan
D) Bangladesh
Answer: B) Pakistan
15. The earliest known script used in the Indus Valley Civilization is:
A) Brahmi
B) Kharosthi
C) Indus Script
D) Devanagari
Answer: C) Indus Script
16. The Vedic texts were composed in which language?
A) Sanskrit
B) Prakrit
C) Tamil
D) Pali
Answer: A) Sanskrit
17. The Mahajanapadas were:
A) Religious texts
B) Tribal groups
C) Kingdoms
D) Languages
Answer: C) Kingdoms
18. The famous battle of Panipat was fought in:
A) 1526
B) 1556
C) 1761
D) 1857
Answer: A) 1526
19. The first woman ruler of India was:
A) Razia Sultana
B) Indira Gandhi
C) Lakshmi Bai
D) Begum Hazrat Mahal
Answer: A) Razia Sultana
20. The ‘Sage of the Sakyas’ refers to:
A) Buddha
B) Mahavira
C) Patanjali
D) Vyasa
Answer: A) Buddha
21. The ‘Arthashastra’ was written by:
A) Kautilya (Chanakya)
B) Kalidasa
C) Banabhatta
D) Bhasa
Answer: A) Kautilya (Chanakya)
22. The ‘Ashvamedha’ sacrifice was performed by:
A) Kings to assert authority
B) Priests for religious purposes
C) Merchants for prosperity
D) Farmers for good harvest
Answer: A) Kings to assert authority
23. The ‘Brahmanas’ are:
A) Philosophical texts
B) Ritualistic texts
C) Historical texts
D) Legal texts
Answer: B) Ritualistic texts
24. The ‘Upanishads’ primarily deal with:
A) Rituals
B) Philosophy and metaphysics
C) Law and governance
D) Poetry and drama
Answer: B) Philosophy and metaphysics
25. The ‘Mahabharata’ was composed by:
A) Valmiki
B) Vyasa
C) Kalidasa
D) Bhasa
Answer: B) Vyasa
26. The ‘Ramayana’ was composed by:
A) Vyasa
B) Kalidasa
C) Bhasa
D) Valmiki
Answer: D) Valmiki
27. The ‘Sangam Literature’ is associated with:
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Kerala
C) Karnataka
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: A) Tamil Nadu
28. The ‘Chola Dynasty’ is known for:
A) Maritime trade and naval power
B) Agricultural reforms
C) Religious tolerance
D) Literary contributions
Answer: A) Maritime trade and naval power
29. The ‘Chalukya Dynasty’ is known for:
A) Architectural achievements
B) Military conquests
C) Religious reforms
D) Agricultural innovations
Answer: A) Architectural achievements
30. The ‘Mauryan Empire’ reached its peak under the rule of:
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Bindusara
C) Ashoka
D) Bimbisara
Answer: C) Ashoka
31. The ‘Gupta Empire’ was founded by:
A) Chandragupta I
B) Samudragupta
C) Chandragupta II
D) Skandagupta
Answer: A) Chandragupta I
32. The ‘Harsha Empire’ was located in:
A) Northern India
B) Southern India
C) Eastern India
D) Western India
Answer: A) Northern India
33. The ‘Vardhana Dynasty’ is associated with:
A) Harsha
B) Chandragupta Maurya
C) Samudragupta
D) Ashoka
Answer: A) Harsha
34. The ‘Satavahana Dynasty’ ruled over:
A) Deccan Plateau
B) Gangetic Plains
C) Northern India
D) Southern India
Answer: A) Deccan Plateau
35. The ‘Kushan Empire’ is known for:
A) Trade and cultural exchanges
B) Military conquests
C) Religious reforms
D) Agricultural innovations
Answer: A) Trade and cultural exchanges
36. The ‘Shunga Dynasty’ was established after the decline of:
A) Mauryan Empire
B) Gupta Empire
C) Kushan Empire
D) Satavahana Empire
Answer: A) Mauryan Empire
37. The ‘Kanva Dynasty’ succeeded the:
A) Mauryan Empire
B) Gupta Empire
C) Shunga Dynasty
D) Kushan Empire
Answer: C) Shunga Dynasty
38. The ‘Chola Dynasty’ is known for its:
A) Maritime trade and naval power
B) Agricultural reforms
C) Religious tolerance
D) Literary contributions
Answer: A) Maritime trade and naval power
39. The ‘Chalukya Dynasty’ is known for its:
A) Architectural achievements
B) Military conquests
C) Religious reforms
D) Agricultural innovations
Answer: A) Architectural achievements
40. The ‘Mauryan Empire’ reached its peak under the rule of:
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Bindusara
C) Ashoka
D) Bimbisara
Answer: C) Ashoka
41. The ‘Gupta Empire’ was founded by:
A) Chandragupta I
B) Samudragupta
C) Chandragupta II
D) Skandagupta
Answer: A) Chandragupta I
42. The ‘Harsha Empire’ was located in:
A) Northern India
B) Southern India
C) Eastern India
D) Western India
Answer: A) Northern India
43. The famous rock edicts of Ashoka were written in:
A) Sanskrit
B) Prakrit
C) Pali
D) Tamil
Answer: B) Prakrit
44. The famous city of Lothal in the Indus Valley Civilization is known for:
A) Dockyard and trade
B) Temples
C) Fortifications
D) Monuments
Answer: A) Dockyard and trade
45. The earliest Vedic texts were:
A) Samhitas
B) Brahmanas
C) Upanishads
D) Puranas
Answer: A) Samhitas
46. The religion founded by Mahavira is called:
A) Buddhism
B) Jainism
C) Hinduism
D) Sikhism
Answer: B) Jainism
47. The term “Mahajanapadas” refers to:
A) Village councils
B) Large kingdoms
C) Religious assemblies
D) Trade guilds
Answer: B) Large kingdoms
48. The famous Nalanda University existed during the reign of:
A) Maurya Dynasty
B) Gupta Dynasty
C) Harsha Dynasty
D) Shunga Dynasty
Answer: B) Gupta Dynasty
49. The ‘Puranas’ are mainly:
A) Historical and religious texts
B) Philosophical treatises
C) Poetry
D) Law books
Answer: A) Historical and religious texts
50. The famous Ajanta caves were carved during the rule of:
A) Mauryas
B) Guptas
C) Satavahanas
D) Chalukyas
Answer: B) Guptas
51. The Chandragupta Maurya defeated which Greek ruler to consolidate his empire?
A) Alexander the Great
B) Seleucus I Nicator
C) Antiochus I
D) Ptolemy I
Answer: B) Seleucus I Nicator
52. The famous Sanchi Stupa was built during the reign of:
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Ashoka
C) Samudragupta
D) Harsha
Answer: B) Ashoka
53. Who composed the ‘Meghaduta’?
A) Vyasa
B) Kalidasa
C) Bana Bhatta
D) Valmiki
Answer: B) Kalidasa
54. The earliest known coins in India were issued by:
A) Mauryas
B) Satavahanas
C) Magadha
D) Indo-Greeks
Answer: D) Indo-Greeks
55. The capital of the Kushan Empire was:
A) Pataliputra
B) Mathura
C) Taxila
D) Ujjain
Answer: C) Taxila
56. The famous rock-cut temples at Ellora belong to:
A) Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions
B) Only Hindu tradition
C) Only Buddhist tradition
D) Only Jain tradition
Answer: A) Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions
57. The ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro was discovered in:
A) 1820
B) 1922
C) 1947
D) 1901
Answer: B) 1922
58. The ‘Kalinga War’ led to:
A) Expansion of Mauryan Empire
B) Conversion of Ashoka to Buddhism
C) Decline of Mauryan Empire
D) Rise of Gupta Empire
Answer: B) Conversion of Ashoka to Buddhism
59. Who is considered the “Indian Napoleon”?
A) Ashoka
B) Chandragupta Maurya
C) Samudragupta
D) Harsha
Answer: B) Chandragupta Maurya
60. The Vedic period is divided into:
A) Early and Later Vedic Periods
B) Mauryan and Gupta Periods
C) Harsha and Post-Harsha Periods
D) Shunga and Satavahana Periods
Answer: A) Early and Later Vedic Periods
61. The famous iron pillar of Delhi demonstrates:
A) Advanced metallurgy without rusting
B) Buddhist inscriptions
C) Mauryan art
D) Gupta coins
Answer: A) Advanced metallurgy without rusting
62. Who is considered the founder of Buddhism?
A) Mahavira
B) Ashoka
C) Gautama Buddha
D) Chandragupta Maurya
Answer: C) Gautama Buddha
63. The Nalanda University primarily taught:
A) Medicine
B) Philosophy, Grammar, and Logic
C) Military strategy
D) Astronomy only
Answer: B) Philosophy, Grammar, and Logic
64. The ancient text ‘Arthashastra’ focuses on:
A) Religion
B) Politics, Economics, and Administration
C) Poetry
D) Philosophy
Answer: B) Politics, Economics, and Administration
65. Which dynasty is known for temple architecture in South India?
A) Maurya
B) Gupta
C) Chola
D) Kushan
Answer: C) Chola
66. The famous Indus Valley seal depicts:
A) Horses
B) Unicorn-like animal
C) Lions
D) Elephants
Answer: B) Unicorn-like animal
67. The Vedic period is characterized by:
A) Urbanization and trade
B) Pastoralism and rituals
C) Buddhism and Jainism
D) Temple architecture
Answer: B) Pastoralism and rituals
68. The Satavahana dynasty is also known for:
A) Rock-cut caves at Ajanta
B) Iron Pillar of Delhi
C) Ashoka’s edicts
D) Harappan trade
Answer: A) Rock-cut caves at Ajanta
69. Which Mauryan emperor expanded the empire to its greatest extent?
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Bindusara
C) Ashoka
D) Bimbisara
Answer: C) Ashoka
70. The Gupta period is famous for:
A) Scientific, literary, and artistic achievements
B) Mauryan administration
C) Buddhist expansion
D) Harappan city planning
Answer: A) Scientific, literary, and artistic achievements
71. The Pataliputra capital had:
A) Wooden and brick structures
B) Only wooden structures
C) Stone fortifications
D) Cave temples
Answer: A) Wooden and brick structures
72. Who wrote the ‘Meghaduta’?
A) Kalidasa
B) Vyasa
C) Valmiki
D) Bana Bhatta
Answer: A) Kalidasa
73. The Kushan Empire promoted:
A) Silk Road trade
B) Local village trade only
C) No trade
D) Only agriculture
Answer: A) Silk Road trade
74. Ashoka’s Dhamma policy emphasized:
A) Violence
B) Tolerance, moral governance, and welfare
C) Tax collection
D) Conquest of neighboring kingdoms
Answer: B) Tolerance, moral governance, and welfare
75. The Shunga dynasty is known for:
A) Supporting Buddhism
B) Hindu revival after Mauryas
C) Gupta-style administration
D) Trade with Greeks
Answer: B) Hindu revival after Mauryas
76. The Kanva dynasty ruled after:
A) Mauryas
B) Shungas
C) Guptas
D) Kushans
Answer: B) Shungas
77. The Sangam literature is primarily in:
A) Sanskrit
B) Prakrit
C) Tamil
D) Pali
Answer: C) Tamil
78. The rock-cut caves at Ajanta are mainly:
A) Buddhist monasteries
B) Hindu temples
C) Jain monasteries
D) Mauryan forts
Answer: A) Buddhist monasteries
79. The Harappan civilization mainly traded with:
A) Mesopotamia
B) Rome
C) China
D) Greece
Answer: A) Mesopotamia
80. The early Gupta rulers were primarily:
A) Warriors
B) Administrators and patrons of art
C) Merchants
D) Priests
Answer: B) Administrators and patrons of art
Wrapping Up
Practicing ancient history MCQ is an excellent way to reinforce your knowledge of India’s rich past. From the Indus Valley Civilization to the Mauryan and Gupta empires, these questions cover major events, rulers, cultural developments, and philosophical texts. Regular practice not only helps in exam preparation but also enhances your understanding of historical patterns, governance, and social structures. By revisiting these MCQs, you can identify strengths, work on weak areas, and build confidence. Whether for competitive exams or general learning, these ancient history MCQs provide an interactive and effective method to retain information and appreciate India’s glorious heritage.
