Pariksha SaathiGeneral Studies
Ancient and Medieval Indian History: Practice Questions with Answers
233 practice questions on Ancient and Medieval Indian History, with answers; most also have an explanation or a worked solution. Try each one before you open its answer.
Read the lesson on this topic →
Page 1 / 5 Next →
-
Q.1
Consider the following statements about the Mughal mansabdari system:
1. Under Akbar, a mansabdar's jagir was hereditary and could not be transferred.
2. Mansabdars were often paid through jagirs, which were assignments of revenue.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A Only 1
- B Only 2
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Only 2
Mansabdars were paid in cash or through jagirs, which gave them only the right to collect revenue. Neither mansabs nor jagirs were hereditary, and jagirs were transferred from time to time, so statement 1 is wrong.
-
Q.2
Which of the following pairs of Mahajanapada and its capital is correctly matched?
- A Kosala - Ujjayini
- B Avanti - Shravasti
- C Gandhara - Kampilya
- D Anga - Champa
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Anga - Champa
Anga, in present-day eastern Bihar, had its capital at Champa near Bhagalpur and was annexed by Magadha. Kosala's capital was Shravasti, Avanti's was Ujjayini and Gandhara's was Taxila; Kampilya was a capital of Panchala.
-
Q.3
The tomb of Sher Shah Suri, which stands in the middle of a large artificial lake, is located at which place?
- A Chunar
- B Agra
- C Delhi
- D Sasaram
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Sasaram
Sher Shah's tomb stands in a lake at Sasaram in Bihar, the jagir once held by his father Hasan Khan Sur. Chunar was an important fort he acquired during his rise to power.
-
Q.4
The Heliodorus pillar at Besnagar (Vidisha), erected by a Greek ambassador in the second century BC, is a Garuda pillar dedicated to which deity?
- A Shiva
- B Buddha
- C Surya
- D Vasudeva
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Vasudeva
Heliodorus, ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas to the Shunga king Bhagabhadra, set up the Garuda pillar in honour of Vasudeva (Vishnu), showing early Greek adoption of the Bhagavata cult.
-
Q.5
The detailed account of Alauddin Khalji's market control measures, including fixed prices and the office of Shahna-i-Mandi, comes mainly from which chronicler?
- A Amir Khusrau
- B Minhaj-us-Siraj
- C Ziauddin Barani
- D Isami
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Ziauddin Barani
Ziauddin Barani's Tarikh-i-Firozshahi is the chief source for Alauddin's market regulations. Minhaj-us-Siraj wrote Tabaqat-i-Nasiri on the early Sultanate and Amir Khusrau was Alauddin's court poet.
-
Q.6
In the Vijayanagara empire, military commanders who were given territories to govern by the raya and had to maintain a fixed contingent of horses and elephants were called what?
- A Mansabdars
- B Amara-nayakas
- C Iqtadars
- D Deshmukhs
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Amara-nayakas
The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of Vijayanagara: the nayakas collected revenue from their territories, kept troops for the king and paid him tribute. It probably drew on the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.
-
Q.7
The Purusha Sukta, which gives the earliest description of the origin of the four varnas, is found in which text?
- A Yajurveda
- B Atharvaveda
- C Samaveda
- D Tenth mandala of the Rigveda
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Tenth mandala of the Rigveda
The Purusha Sukta (hymn 10.90) is in the tenth mandala of the Rigveda, which is considered a later addition. It describes Brahmana, Rajanya, Vaishya and Shudra arising from the cosmic Purusha.
-
Q.8
Which Marathi saint-poet, known for his abhangas, lived at Dehu near Pune and was a contemporary of Shivaji?
- A Jnaneshwar
- B Tukaram
- C Namdev
- D Eknath
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Tukaram
Tukaram lived at Dehu in the 17th century and composed thousands of abhangas in Marathi. Jnaneshwar belongs to the 13th century, Namdev to the 13th-14th and Eknath to the 16th.
-
Q.9
Which type of pottery is characteristically associated with the later Vedic settlements of the upper Ganga valley?
- A Northern Black Polished Ware
- B Black-and-Red Ware
- C Painted Grey Ware
- D Ochre Coloured Pottery
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Painted Grey Ware
Painted Grey Ware (about 1000 to 600 BC), found at sites such as Hastinapur and Ahichchhatra, matches the area and period of the later Vedic texts. Northern Black Polished Ware belongs to the later age of the Mahajanapadas and the Mauryas.
-
Q.10
Who deciphered the Brahmi script of Ashoka's inscriptions in 1837?
- A William Jones
- B James Prinsep
- C Alexander Cunningham
- D John Marshall
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) James Prinsep
James Prinsep, secretary of the Asiatic Society, deciphered Brahmi in 1837. Alexander Cunningham was the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, founded in 1861.
-
Q.11
Mitakshara, the commentary on the Yajnavalkya Smriti that became the basis of Hindu inheritance law in most of India, was written by Vijnaneshwara at the court of which ruler?
- A Vikramaditya VI of the Chalukyas of Kalyani
- B Rajaraja I Chola
- C Bhoja Paramara
- D Vishnuvardhana Hoysala
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Vikramaditya VI of the Chalukyas of Kalyani
Vijnaneshwara lived at the court of Vikramaditya VI, whose life was also celebrated by the poet Bilhana in the Vikramankadevacharita. Bengal followed the rival Dayabhaga school of Jimutavahana.
-
Q.12
Arrange the following eras in the chronological order of their starting years: 1. Saka era 2. Vikram Samvat 3. Harsha era 4. Gupta era
- A 2, 1, 4, 3
- B 1, 2, 4, 3
- C 2, 1, 3, 4
- D 1, 2, 3, 4
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) 2, 1, 4, 3
Vikram Samvat begins in 57 BC, the Saka era in 78 AD, the Gupta era in 319-20 AD and the Harsha era in 606 AD.
-
Q.13
In Akbar's mansabdari system, what did the 'sawar' rank of a mansabdar indicate?
- A His personal status and salary
- B The number of horsemen he had to maintain
- C The area of land assigned to him
- D His share of the jizya collected
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) The number of horsemen he had to maintain
The zat rank fixed personal status and pay, while the sawar rank fixed the number of cavalrymen the mansabdar had to maintain. Land (jagir) was given only to pay the salary, not as part of the rank.
-
Q.14
The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of which Gupta ruler?
- A Samudragupta
- B Kumaragupta I
- C Chandragupta II
- D Skandagupta
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Chandragupta II
Fa-Hien travelled in India between about 399 and 414 AD during the reign of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya and praised the peace and prosperity of the Madhyadesha. Hiuen Tsang came much later under Harsha.
-
Q.15
The Persian poet Firdausi, author of the epic Shahnama, is associated with the court of which ruler?
- A Mahmud of Ghazni
- B Muhammad Ghori
- C Iltutmish
- D Alauddin Khalji
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Mahmud of Ghazni
Firdausi completed the Shahnama during the reign of Mahmud of Ghazni and dedicated it to him; the scholar Al-Biruni was also linked with Mahmud's court. Muhammad Ghori came to power more than a century later.
-
Q.16
The city of Amritsar, originally known as Ramdaspur, was founded by which Sikh Guru?
- A Guru Amar Das
- B Guru Arjan Dev
- C Guru Ram Das
- D Guru Hargobind
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das, the fourth Guru, founded Ramdaspur and began the sacred tank; his son and successor Guru Arjan Dev built the Harmandir Sahib in its midst.
-
Q.17
In the Rigvedic period, the terms Sabha and Samiti referred to what?
- A Two land taxes of the later Vedic age
- B Two classes of Vedic priests
- C Two royal sacrifices
- D Tribal assemblies of the Rigvedic age
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Tribal assemblies of the Rigvedic age
Sabha and Samiti were popular tribal assemblies that advised and even checked the king (rajan). Land taxes and elaborate royal sacrifices like Rajasuya belong to the later Vedic period.
-
Q.18
Jnaneshwari (Bhavartha Dipika), the Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, was written by which Maharashtra Bhakti saint?
- A Namdev
- B Jnaneshwar
- C Tukaram
- D Eknath
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Jnaneshwar
Jnaneshwar (Dnyaneshwar), a thirteenth-century saint of the Varkari tradition, wrote the Jnaneshwari. Namdev, Eknath and Tukaram were later saints of the same tradition devoted to Vithoba of Pandharpur.
-
Q.19
Which small Harappan settlement in Sindh was devoted almost entirely to craft production such as bead-making, shell-cutting, metal-working and seal-making?
- A Chanhudaro
- B Amri
- C Mohenjo-daro
- D Kot Diji
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Chanhudaro
Chanhudaro, covering only a few hectares, was a craft centre where bead-making and other workshops have been found. Mohenjo-daro, far larger, was a full city with a citadel and a lower town.
-
Q.20
Which Chola ruler sent a naval expedition against the Srivijaya kingdom of South-East Asia and built the new capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram?
- A Rajaraja I
- B Aditya I
- C Vijayalaya
- D Rajendra I
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Rajendra I
Rajendra I (1014-1044) took the title Gangaikonda after his Ganga expedition and sent a fleet against Srivijaya (Sumatra-Malaya). His father Rajaraja I had conquered northern Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
-
Q.21
Who founded the Sayyid dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate in 1414?
- A Mubarak Shah
- B Alauddin Alam Shah
- C Bahlol Lodi
- D Khizr Khan
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Khizr Khan
Khizr Khan, earlier Timur's governor of Multan, captured Delhi in 1414 and founded the Sayyid dynasty. Alam Shah was the last Sayyid ruler.
-
Q.22
Mudrarakshasa, a Sanskrit play describing how Chanakya helped Chandragupta Maurya overthrow the Nandas, was written by whom?
- A Kalidasa
- B Vishakhadatta
- C Banabhatta
- D Bhasa
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Vishakhadatta
Vishakhadatta wrote Mudrarakshasa, as well as Devichandraguptam about Chandragupta II. Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari.
-
Q.23
According to Megasthenes, the city of Pataliputra was administered by thirty officials divided into how many committees?
- A Four
- B Five
- C Six
- D Seven
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Six
Megasthenes describes six committees of five members each, looking after matters such as industries, foreigners, registration of births and deaths, trade, manufactured goods and the tax on sales. He also divided Indian society into seven classes.
-
Q.24
The Allahabad pillar inscription (Prayag Prashasti), which lists the conquests of Samudragupta, was composed by which court poet?
- A Harisena
- B Kalidasa
- C Ravikirti
- D Vishakhadatta
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Harisena
Harisena, Samudragupta's court poet and minister, composed the Prayag Prashasti in Sanskrit on an Ashokan pillar. Ravikirti wrote the Aihole inscription of Pulakeshin II.
-
Q.25
Which of the following is NOT one of the six Vedangas?
- A Shiksha
- B Aranyaka
- C Nirukta
- D Jyotisha
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Aranyaka
The six Vedangas are Shiksha (phonetics), Kalpa (ritual), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (etymology), Chhanda (metre) and Jyotisha (astronomy). The Aranyakas, or forest texts, are part of the Vedic literature itself, not Vedangas.
-
Q.26
The list of the sixteen Mahajanapadas of the sixth century BC is found in which Buddhist text?
- A Digha Nikaya
- B Vinaya Pitaka
- C Mahavamsa
- D Anguttara Nikaya
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Anguttara Nikaya
The Anguttara Nikaya of the Sutta Pitaka lists the sixteen Mahajanapadas; the Jain Bhagavati Sutra gives a slightly different list. The Mahavamsa is a Sri Lankan chronicle.
-
Q.27
The Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur (now in Bangladesh), one of the great Buddhist monasteries of eastern India, was built by which Pala king?
- A Gopala
- B Dharmapala
- C Devapala
- D Mahipala I
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Dharmapala
Dharmapala, the second Pala king, built the Somapura Mahavihara and also founded Vikramashila; the ruins at Paharpur are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seals found at the site name Dharmapala as its builder, though the later Tibetan historian Taranatha credited his son Devapala.
-
Q.28
The National Emblem of India, adopted on 26 January 1950, is an adaptation of Ashoka's Lion Capital found at which place?
- A Sanchi
- B Rampurva
- C Lauriya Nandangarh
- D Sarnath
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Sarnath
The Lion Capital from Sarnath, near Varanasi, shows four lions standing back to back on an abacus carved with an elephant, a bull, a horse and a lion separated by wheels. Rampurva in Bihar yielded a famous bull capital.
-
Q.29
In Shivaji's Ashtapradhan council, which minister was in charge of foreign affairs?
- A Sumant
- B Amatya
- C Sachiv
- D Panditrao
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Sumant
The Sumant (Dabir) handled foreign affairs. The Amatya was the finance minister, the Sachiv (Surnis) looked after correspondence, and the Panditrao was in charge of religious matters.
-
Q.30
The first Buddhist council, held soon after the Buddha's death under the patronage of Ajatashatru, met at which place?
- A Vaishali
- B Pataliputra
- C Rajgir
- D Kundalvana
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Rajgir
The first council met at Rajgir (Rajagriha) around 483 BC, presided over by Mahakassapa, where the Vinaya and Sutta Pitakas were compiled. The second council was held at Vaishali.
-
Q.31
Which part of the Tripitaka contains the rules of discipline for Buddhist monks and nuns?
- A Sutta Pitaka
- B Abhidhamma Pitaka
- C Jataka tales
- D Vinaya Pitaka
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Vinaya Pitaka
The Vinaya Pitaka lays down monastic rules. The Sutta Pitaka contains the Buddha's sermons and the Abhidhamma Pitaka deals with philosophy; the Jatakas are stories of the Buddha's previous births.
-
Q.32
Which Lodi Sultan founded the city of Agra in 1504 and introduced the Gaz-i-Sikandari as a unit of measurement?
- A Bahlol Lodi
- B Ibrahim Lodi
- C Khizr Khan
- D Sikandar Lodi
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Sikandar Lodi
Sikandar Lodi founded Agra and moved his court there. Bahlol Lodi founded the Lodi dynasty, Ibrahim Lodi was its last ruler, and Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid dynasty.
-
Q.33
The Pali text Milinda Panho records a dialogue between the monk Nagasena and which Indo-Greek king?
- A Demetrius
- B Antialcidas
- C Menander
- D Eucratides
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Menander
Menander (Milinda), who ruled from Sakala (Sialkot), questioned Nagasena on Buddhism and is said to have become a Buddhist. Antialcidas sent Heliodorus to the Shunga court.
-
Q.34
Who excavated Harappa in 1921, the discovery that revealed the Indus Valley Civilisation?
- A R.D. Banerji
- B John Marshall
- C Mortimer Wheeler
- D Daya Ram Sahni
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Daya Ram Sahni
Daya Ram Sahni excavated Harappa in 1921; R.D. Banerji excavated Mohenjo-daro in 1922. John Marshall was the Director-General of the ASI who announced the discovery.
-
Q.35
The tripartite struggle of the eighth to tenth centuries among the Palas, the Gurjara-Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas was fought mainly for control of which city?
- A Pataliputra
- B Ujjain
- C Thanesar
- D Kannauj
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Kannauj
Kannauj in the Ganga valley, once Harsha's capital, was the symbol of supremacy in north India, so the three powers fought over it for about two centuries. The Gurjara-Pratiharas finally held it as their capital.
-
Q.36
The Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas, is divided into how many mandalas (books)?
- A Ten
- B Eight
- C Twelve
- D Fourteen
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Ten
The Rigveda has 10 mandalas containing 1,028 hymns. Mandalas II to VII, linked with particular families of seers, are regarded as the oldest part, while the tenth is a later addition.
-
Q.37
How many Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka are there in the standard series found at sites such as Girnar, Kalsi and Shahbazgarhi?
- A Seven
- B Ten
- C Fourteen
- D Sixteen
Show answer
Correct answer: (C) Fourteen
Ashoka issued a series of fourteen Major Rock Edicts, copies of which are found at Girnar, Kalsi, Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra and other places. His Pillar Edicts number seven.
-
Q.38
Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi, known as 'Mujaddid Alf-i-Sani' and a critic of Akbar's religious policies, belonged to which Sufi order?
- A Chishti
- B Suhrawardi
- C Qadiri
- D Naqshbandi
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Naqshbandi
The Naqshbandi order was brought to India by Khwaja Baqi Billah in Akbar's time, and his disciple Ahmad Sirhindi stressed strict observance of the sharia. Dara Shikoh was drawn to the Qadiri order.
-
Q.39
In the Second Battle of Panipat (1556), the Mughal army under Bairam Khan defeated which opponent, securing the throne for the young Akbar?
- A Hemu
- B Rana Pratap
- C Bahadur Shah of Gujarat
- D Adil Shah Suri
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Hemu
Hemu (Hemchandra Vikramaditya), the general of Adil Shah Suri, had captured Delhi and was defeated and killed at Panipat in 1556. Adil Shah himself did not fight the battle.
-
Q.40
In later Vedic texts, iron is referred to by which term?
- A Hiranya
- B Rajata
- C Lohitayas
- D Shyama ayas
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Shyama ayas
Later Vedic texts call iron shyama ayas or krishna ayas, the 'dark metal', while copper was lohitayas, the 'red metal'. Hiranya meant gold and rajata silver.
-
Q.41
Ashoka's conquest of Kalinga and his remorse at the bloodshed are described in which of his edicts?
- A Rock Edict I
- B Pillar Edict VII
- C Minor Rock Edict at Maski
- D Rock Edict XIII
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Rock Edict XIII
Rock Edict XIII describes the Kalinga war fought in Ashoka's eighth regnal year (about 261 BC). Rock Edict I prohibits animal sacrifice and Pillar Edict VII summarises his Dhamma work.
-
Q.42
Prabhavatigupta, daughter of Chandragupta II, was married into which ruling dynasty?
- A Kadambas
- B Vakatakas
- C Maukharis
- D Pallavas
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Vakatakas
Prabhavatigupta married the Vakataka king Rudrasena II and ruled as regent after his death, bringing the Vakataka kingdom under strong Gupta influence. The Maukharis of Kannauj rose later.
-
Q.43
Mattavilasa Prahasana, a Sanskrit satirical play, was written by which Pallava king?
- A Simhavishnu
- B Mahendravarman I
- C Narasimhavarman I
- D Narasimhavarman II
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Mahendravarman I
Mahendravarman I, who also began rock-cut temple architecture in the Tamil country, wrote Mattavilasa Prahasana. Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) built the Mahabalipuram rathas and Narasimhavarman II the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchi.
-
Q.44
Dholavira, a Harappan city known for its elaborate water reservoirs and its division into a citadel, a middle town and a lower town, is located in which district?
- A Ahmedabad district, Gujarat
- B Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan
- C Rupnagar district, Punjab
- D Kutch district, Gujarat
Show answer
Correct answer: (D) Kutch district, Gujarat
Dholavira stands on Khadir Bet island in the Rann of Kutch and was excavated by R.S. Bisht. Lothal lies in Ahmedabad district, Kalibangan in Hanumangarh district and Ropar in Rupnagar district.
-
Q.45
The verses of which Chishti Sufi saint, whose shrine is at Pakpattan, are included in the Guru Granth Sahib?
- A Baba Farid (Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar)
- B Nizamuddin Auliya
- C Sheikh Salim Chishti
- D Bahauddin Zakariya
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Baba Farid (Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar)
Baba Farid's Punjabi verses (shaloks) form part of the Guru Granth Sahib; he was the teacher of Nizamuddin Auliya. Bahauddin Zakariya was a Suhrawardi saint of Multan.
-
Q.46
Consider the following statements: 1. Varahamihira wrote the Aryabhatiya. 2. Aryabhata held that the Earth rotates on its own axis. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A Only 1
- B Only 2
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Only 2
The Aryabhatiya (499 AD) is Aryabhata's own work; in it he stated that the Earth rotates on its axis and explained eclipses scientifically. Varahamihira wrote the Pancha Siddhantika and the Brihat Samhita.
-
Q.47
Which Nanda ruler is described in the Puranas as 'Ekarat' (sole sovereign) and 'Sarvakshatrantaka' (destroyer of all Kshatriyas)?
- A Mahapadma Nanda
- B Dhana Nanda
- C Kalashoka
- D Nandivardhana
Show answer
Correct answer: (A) Mahapadma Nanda
Mahapadma Nanda, founder of the Nanda dynasty, is said to have uprooted many older ruling houses, hence these titles. Kalashoka belonged to the Shishunaga dynasty.
-
Q.48
Who presided over the third Buddhist council held at Pataliputra during the reign of Ashoka?
- A Mahakassapa
- B Moggaliputta Tissa
- C Vasumitra
- D Sabakami
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Moggaliputta Tissa
Moggaliputta Tissa presided over the third council, where the Kathavatthu, a part of the Abhidhamma Pitaka, is traditionally said to have been compiled. Mahakassapa presided over the first council and Vasumitra over the fourth.
-
Q.49
Which Sultan of Delhi introduced token currency of bronze and copper coins that were meant to be equal in value to silver coins?
- A Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
- B Muhammad bin Tughlaq
- C Firoz Shah Tughlaq
- D Sikandar Lodi
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Muhammad bin Tughlaq's token currency (about 1330) failed because of large-scale forgery. He is also known for shifting the capital to Daulatabad and raising taxes in the Doab.
-
Q.50
The Junagadh rock inscription of about 150 AD, the earliest long inscription in chaste Sanskrit, records the repair of the Sudarshana lake by which Shaka ruler?
- A Nahapana
- B Rudradaman I
- C Chashtana
- D Kanishka
Show answer
Correct answer: (B) Rudradaman I
Rudradaman I of the Western Kshatrapas issued the Junagadh (Girnar) inscription, which also mentions that the lake was originally built under Chandragupta Maurya. Kanishka was a Kushana, not a Shaka Kshatrapa.
Page 1 / 5 Next →
How these questions were made
Authored by an AI assistant (Claude) from its own general knowledge of stable, well-established facts (no live lookup) - not reviewed by a subject-matter expert; verify against an official source before relying on any fact.