NWT 1 Ancient India Part I 8 Mar
1. The worship of idols started in India in
(a) Pre-Aryan period
(b) Gupta period
(c) Mauryan period
(d) Kushan period
Ans b
2. The sculpture with the three faces of Brahma, Vishnu
and Mahesh known as "Trimurti" appears in
(a) Ajanta caves
(b) Ellora caves
(c) Kalva caves
(d) Elephanta caves
Ans d
3 Which of the following throws light on Harappan Culture
(a)Archaeological excavations
(b) The script on copper sheets
(c) Rock edicts
(d) All of the above
Ans .A
Qts.4 Who is regarded as the greatest law giver of ancient India?
(a) Megasthanese
(b) Panini
(c) Manu
(d) Kautilya
Ans c
Qts. 5 which place Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon?
(a) Sarnath
(b) Lumbini
(c) Bodh Gaya
(d) Vaishali
Ans a
Qts.6 Neolithic period of age is not characterized by
(a) Agriculture
(b) Use of copper
(c) Domestication of animals
(d) Fishing
Ans b
Qts. 7 Name the God who lost his importance in the beginning of Christian era?
(a) Indra
( b) Brahma veda
(c) Vishnu
(d) Mahesh
Ans a
Qts 8 We can know about early Vedic period from
(a) Archaeological excavations
(b) Contemporary cultures
(c) Rigveda
(d) Jataka Katha
Ans c
Qts9. Upanishads are
(a) Religious books of Hindus
(b) books dealing with ancient hindu laws
(c) books on social behavior of man
(d) prayers to god
Ans a
Qts 10. Who among the following was not sent to Lanka for the propagation of Buddhism?
(a) Rashtriya
(b) Bhadrasaro
(c) Uttriya
(d) Sona
Ans.d
Qts 11. The Lingayat movement owes its origin to
(a) Vidyaranya
(b) Purandharadasa
(c) Appar
(d) Basava
Ans.d
Qts 12. The earliest evidence of a in India is provided by Jewish community settling a charter of a
(a) Chola king
(b) Pandya king
(c) Chera king
(d) Vianagara king
Ans. d
Qts 13 . Match the columns:
List-I List -ll
A. Rig Veda 1. Musical hymns
B. Yajur Veda. 2. Hymns and rituals
C. Sama Veda. 3. Charms and spells
D. Atharva Veda. 4. Hymns and prayers
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
A. B. C. D
(a) 4. 2. 1. 3
(b) 3. 2. 4. 1
(c) 4. 1 2. 3
(d) 2. 3. 1. 4
Ans.a
Qts 14. Match the columns:
List-l. List-II
A. Amaravati. 1. Hoysalas
B. Aihole. 2. Cholas
C. Thanjavur. 3. Satavahanas
D. Halebid. 4. Chalukyas
5. Pandyas
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
A. B. C. D
(a). 2 4. 5. 1
(b). 3. 1. 4. 2
(c) 3. 4. 2. 1
(d). 4 5. 2. 3
Ans.c
Qts 15. Assertion (A) In the ancient period of Indian history, urbanisation was followed by pastoral life.
Reason (R): The Harappan Culture was an urban one.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and Rare true but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans.b
Qts 16. The original name of Mahabharata was
(a) Brihit Katha
(b) Sahastra Samhita
(c) Jaya Samhita
(d) Rajatarangini
Ans.c
Qts 17. The ancient Indian coins were introduced during the
(a) 3rd century AD
(b) Kanishka's period
(c) 3rd century BC
(d) Ashoka's reign
Ans b
Qts 18. Arrange the following Buddhist councils in a chronological order
1. Vaishali
2. Rajagraha
3. Patliputra
4. Sreenagar
The correct order is
(a) 1, 4, 3, 2
(b) 3, 2, 1, 4
(c) 4, 1, 2, 3
(d) 2, 1, 3, 4
Ans.d
Qts 19. Metals known to Indus Valley Civilisation were
(a) Gold, copper, silver but not iron
(b) Silver, iron, bronze but not gold
(c) Iron, copper, gold but not silver
(d) Zinc, silver, iron but not gold
Ans a
Qts 20.Man passed from the food gathering stage to the food producing stage in the
(a) Neolithic Age
(b) Mesolithic Age
(c) Chalcolithic Age
(d) Palaeolithic Age
Ans a
Qts 21. The oldest hindu epic is
(a) Mahabhashya
(b) Ramayana
(c) Ashtadhyayi
(d) Mahabharata
Ans b
Qts 22. Near the banks of which one of the following rivers, the excavation has brought to light that Indus Valley Civilization percolated to far south?
(a) Mahanadi
(b) Cauvery
(c) Krishna
(d) Godavari
Ans c
Qts 23. Sculptures of the Mathura School of Art, which flourished in the early centuries of the Christian Era, are made out of
(a) Marble
(b) Slate stone
(c) Granite
(d) Red sandstone
Ans d
Qts 24. Ajanta paintings depict
(a) Ramayana
(b) Mahabharata
(c) Jatakas
(d) Panchatantra
Ans c
Qts 25. Which of the following civilisatie most significant features of Indus Valley
(a) Buildings with perfect arches
(b)Use of burnt mud bricks
(c) Use of sun dried mud bricks
(d) None of these
Ans b
Qts 26. What was the main feature of Maurya dynasty in India?
(a) Education was widespread
(b) Terrorists were driven out of Sind and Punjab
(c) Removal of land tax for the first time
(d)Decentralisation of administration
Ans.d
Qts 27. Indus Valley Civilisation was spread over
(a) Baluchistan, Sind, Punjab and Rajasthan
(b) Sind, Punjab and Kashmir
(c) Afghanistan, Sind, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarath and Kashmir
(d) None of these
Ans a
Qts 28. Main preachings of Buddha were in regard to
(a) Right faith and conduct
(b) Love of God
(c) Practice of rituals
(d) Idol worship
ans a
Qts 29. Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana at
(a) Bodh Gaya
(b) Kushi Nagar
(c) Sarnath
(d) Lumbini
Ans a
Qts 30. Which of the following can be regarded as the chief contribution of Buddhism to India?
(a) Art and literature
(b) Architecture
(c) Ahimsa and self-purification
(d) Rituals
Ans c
Qts 31. Which of the following statements is incorrect?
(a) Chandragupta Vikramaditya killed the Saka
(b) Samudragupta is known as Indian Napolean
(c) Skandagupta defeated Huns
(d) Kumaragupta restored the embankment of Sundarsana Lake
Ans d
Qts 32The Indus Valley people had contacts with
(a) Egyptians
(b) Chinese
(c) Sumerians
(d) Mesopotamia
Ans d
Qts 33. In which way Sarnath is associated with Lord Buddha?
(a) He resided there
(b) He was born there
(c) He ruled there
(d) He preached his first Sermon there
Ans d
Qts 34. Lothal is connected as excavation site of the civilisation of
a) Indus Valley Civilisation
(b)Sumerians
(c)Mesopotamians
(d) Vedic Aryan
Ans a
Qts 35. Which of the following is not related to the Gandhara School of Art?
(a) Ellora
(b) Ajantanance
(c) Khajuraho
(d) Elephanta
Ans c
Qts 36. Which of the following is the most important cause for the decline of Buddhism after Ashoka?
(a) Non-patronage by the kings
(b) Condemnation of animal sacrifices
(c) Growth of licentious practices in Buddhist centres
(d) Allegiance to the middle path
Ans a
Qts 37. Saka era commenced from
(a)78 AD
(b) 1000 AD
(c) 120 AD
(d) 1953 AD
Ans a
Qts 38. Which of the following was the most important characteristic of Kanishka's rule?
(a) Expansion of Buddhism outside India
(b) Re-emergence of Jainism
(c) Fourth Buddhist Council at Srinagar
(d) Gandhara School of Art
Ans c
Qts 39. Megasthenes visited the court of
(a) Ashoka
(b)Chandragupta Maurya
(c) Harsha
(d) Vikramaditya
Ans b
Qts 40. Earliest Indian coins belonged to which period?
(a) 5th century B.C.
(b)1st century A.D.
(c) Ashoka's reign
(d) 3rd century A.D.
Ans b
Qts41. Out of the following the oldest dynasty is
(a) Mauryas
b) Nandas
(c) Pallavas
(d) Guptas
Ans b
Qts42. Lothal is
(a) A closed water system
(b) A poisonous gas
(c)A place in Gujarat where excavations have established a link with the Indus Valley civilisation
(d) Legal action taken against defectors
Ans c
Qts43. The script of Indus Valley civilisation was
(a) Persian
(b) Dravidian
(c) Sanskrit
(d) Undecipher
Ans d
Qts44. Saka era was introduced by
(a) Ashoka
(b) Kanishka
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Harsha Vardhana
Ans b
Qts45. The philosophical systems of the Hindus were propounded and properly codified in the
(a) Vedic age
(b) Maurya age
(c) Kanishka age
(d) Gupta age
Ans a
Qts46. Which of the following statements is not correct about Nalanda University?
(a) it was an ancient Buddhist leaming centre
(b) A Chinese Hiuen Tsang studied here
(c)We came to know about it only through the writings of Chinese pilgrims
(d) It was mainly responsible for spreading Buddhism to China, Japan and South East Asia
Ans c
Qts47. Ancient Indian art and architecture reached its zenith during the period of
(a) Rajputs
(b) mauryas
(c) Guptas
(d) none
Ans c
Qts 48. The following were famous scholars in ancient India
1. Ashvaghosh
2. Nagarjuna
3. Vasumitra
4.Buddhaghosa
Which of them was/were contemporary of Kanishka?
(a) 1,2,3 and 4
(b) 1,3 and 4
(c) 1,2
(d)1,2 and 3
Ans d
Qts49 . Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas, chiefly contains
(a) Collection of hymns to gods
(b) Methods of Vedic yagnas
(c) Early Aryan culture
(d) Origin and works of Hindu gods
Ans a
Qts50. Major difference between 'Varna' and 'Jati', is that
(a) Jatis are limited whereas Varnas are unlimited
(b) Jatis are only four whereas Varnas are many
(c) Varnas are only four whereas Jatis are many
(d) Jati is decided by birth but not Varna
Ans c
Qts51. Lineagr is
(a) A straight line joining any two points on the globe
(b) The line of descendants of a particular ancestor
(c) The Paleolithic age
(d) The linking of genes
Ans b
Qts52. Which of the following was the principal article of food of the Indus Valley people?
(a) Fish
(b) Palm-date
(c) Eggs
(d) Wheat
Ans d
Qts53. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
(a) Their chief deities were Mother Goddess and Shiva
(b) They worshipped bulls
(c) They had all amenities of a developed city life
(d) They did not know of iron
Ans a
Qts54. Gandhara School of Art was developed during the reign of
(a) Ashoka
(b) Kanishka
(c) Chandragupta
(d) Bindusara
Ans b
Qts55.Which of the following was the main reason of the downfall of Mauryan empire?
(a) Weak successors of Ashoka who could not control the empire properly
(b) Religious policy of Ashoka
(c) Ashoka maintained friendly relations with his neighbours
(d) None of the above
Ans a
Qts56. Arrange the following in proper sequence :
1. Vinayapitaka
2. Gita Govinda
3. Raghuvamsha
4. Atharvaveda
The correct sequence is
(a) 3 2 1 4
(b) 4 3 2 1
(c) 4 1 3 2
(d) 2 4 3 1
Ans c
Qts57. Which of the following is not a feature of Gandhara School of Art?
(a) It was patronised by Sakas and Kushanas
(b) It has Indian and Greek influence
(c) It resulted in the origination of Hinayanism
(d) It portrayed human figures exactly
Ans c
Qts58. The Prakrit text "Gathasaptasati" is attributed to the Satavahana
(a) Vasishtiputra Pulumavi
(b) Hala
(c) Gautamiputra Satkarni
(d) Amaru
Ans b
Qts59. "Mitakshara" is associated with
(a) Yajnawalkya
(b) Poetics
(c) Drama
(d) Grammar
Ans a
Qts60. 'Mattavilasa'is written by
(a) Harsha
(b) Rajashekhara
(c) Somadeva
(d) Mahendravarman I
Ans d
Qts61. Assertion (A): The form of government in Rig vedic period was monarchy
Reason (R): Priest enjoyed both social and political status and influenced administration
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans b
Qts62. Which one of the following was the contemporary Bengal king during the time of Harsha of Kannauj?
(a) Bhaskaravarman
(b) Divakaramitra
(c) Devagupta
(d) Sasanka
Ans d
Qts63. It is said that of the five doctrines taught by Jainism four were taken over by Mahavira from previous teachers and only one was added by him. Which one of the following was the doctrine added by him?
(a) Do not commit violence
(b) Observe continence
(c) Do not acquire property
(d) Do not speak a lie
Ans b
Qts64. Indus valley civilisation is also known as the Harappan culture because
(a) The site of Harappa is six times larger than Mohenjodaro site
(b) The Indus valley civilisation is considered the elementary/initial stage of the Vedic culture and Harappa is believed to be the same as Harappa mentioned in the Vedas
(c)Harappa was the first site to be excavated in the Indus valley
(d) The most important/significant evidence of the achievements of this civilisation have been
excavated from Harappa
Ans c
Qts65. Which one of the following does not indicate the difference between Mahayanism and Hinayanism?
(a) Belief in the Bodhisattvas
(b)Worship of the image of Buddha
(c)Use of the Sanskrit language
(d) Admission of women into the monasteries
Ans d
Qts66. Which one of the following archaeologists initially discovered the Mohanjedaro site of the Indus valley civilisation?
(a) Sujohu Marshall
(b) Daya Ram Sahni
(c) Rakhal Das Banerji
(d) Sir Mortimer Wheeler
Ans c
Qts67.The Upanishads are collectively known as
(a) Vedangas
(b) Vedanta
(c) Sruthi
(d) Smriti
Ans b
Qts68 The Buddhist sect Mahayana formally came into existence during the reign of
(b) Ashoka
(d) Kanishka
(c) darmapala
(d) kanishka
Ans d
Qts.69 In jainism' perfect knowledge' is referred to as
(a) Jina
(b) ratna
(c) kaivalya
(d) nirvana
Ans c
Qts 70. Chanakya, was also known as
(a) Bhattasvamin
(b) Rajasekhara
(c) Vishnugupta
(d) Visakhadatta
Ans c
Qts 71. A lot of details, regarding the village administration under the Cholas is provided by the Inscriptions at
(a) Thanjavur
(b) Uraiyur
(c) Kanchipuram
(d) Uttaramerur
Ans d
Qts72. Ashokan inscriptions were first deciphered by
(a) Buhler
(b) Robert Sewell
(c) James Prinsep
(d) Codpington
Ans c
Qts73. Among the four works mentioned below which one is encyclopedic in nature?
(a) Amarakosa
(b) Siddhantasiromani
(c) Brihat Samhita
(d) Ashtangahrdaya
Ans a
Qts74. Who among the following is NOT associated with medicine in India?
(a) Dhanvantri
(b) Bhaskaracharya
(c) Charaka
(d) Susruta
Ans b
Qts75. The earliest evidence of silver in India is found in the
(a) Harappan culture
(b) Chalcolithic cultures of Western India
(c) Vedic texts
(d) Silver punch-marked coins
Ans a
Qts76. Which one of the following is the most fundamental difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism?
(a) Emphasis on ahimsa
(b) Casteless society
(c) Worship of gods and goddesses
(d) Worship of stupa
Ans c
Qts77. Which one of the following usages was a post-Vedic development?
(a) Dharma-Artha-Kama-Moksha
(b)Brahmana-Kshatriya-Vaishya-Shudri
(c) Brahmacharya-Grihastashrama-Vanaprastha-Sanyasa
(d) Indra-Surva-Rudra-Marut
Ans c
Qts78. In ancient Indian historical geography the name 'Ratnakara' denoted
(a) the Arabian Sea
(b) the Bay of Bengal
(c) the Indian Ocean
(d) the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati at Prayaga
Ans c
Qts79. Who among the following was a writer of legal texts?
(a) Yajnavalkya
(b) Manu
(c) Narada
(d) Bharavi
Ans b
Qts 80. The Harappans did not know the use of
(a) Bronze
(b) Gold
(c) Iron
(d) Silver
Ans c
Qts 81. The First Buddhist Council met at
(a) Rajagriha
(b) Kashmir
(c) Jalandhara
(d) Pataliputra
Ans a
Qts 82. In which one of the following inscriptions is Ashoka mentioned by name?
(a) Major Rock edict at Girnar
(b) Minor Rock inscription at Maski
(c) Bairat inscription
(d) Lamghan inscription
Ans b
Qts83. The Stone Age people had the first domestic
(a) Asses
(b) Horses
(c) Dogs
(d) Sheep
Ans d
Qts 84. Which one of the following can be classified as a "Pratiloma Marriage"?
(a) A Brahmin girl marrying a Sudra boy
(b) A Sudra girl marrying a Brahmin boy
(c) A Brahmin girl marrying a Brahmin boy
(d) None of these
Ans d
Qts 85. Consider the following statements regarding Kautilya's Arthshastra :
1. It places morality higher than political expediency.
2. It argues the case for a fully-centralised government for the empire
3. It deals with problems of administration as well as laws of property and crime.
4. It includes section on government of the State and diplomatic relations with other States.
Of these statements
(a) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
(b) 2 and 3 are correct
(c) 3 and 4 are correct
(d) 1,2 and 4 are correct
Ans b
Qts 86. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called chaityas while the others viharas. What is the difference between the two?
(a) Chaityas is a place of worship while vihara is the dwelling place of the monks
(b) Chaityas is the stupa at the far end of the cave while vihara is the hall axial to it
(c) There is no material difference between the two
(d) Vihara is a place of worship while chaityas is the dwelling place of the monks
Ans a
Qts 87. Which one of the following does not constitute part of the Veda?
(a) Nirukta
(b) Upanishad
(c) Brahmana
(d) Samhita
Qts 88. In ancient India the territorial name Tosali referred to
(a) The region between the rivers Jhelum and Chenab
(b) The basin of the river Son
(c) The delta of the river Cauvery
(d) The area of the river Mahanadi
Ans: d
Qts 89. Which one of the following was worshipped as a heavenly God by ancient Indians?
(a) Surya
(b) Angaraka (Mangala)
(c) Sukra
(d) Sani
Ans a
Qts 90. In which one of the following the Gandhara sculptures of the Buddha are typically Indian and not Greek or Roman?
(a) In the treatment of the robe
(b) In the rendering of the physiognomy
(c) In the iconography
(d) In the style
Ans c
Qts 91. Fresco paintings in the Ajanta Caves were done, while which of the following dynasties was flourishing?
(a) Guptas
(b) Sungas
(c) Kanvas
(d) Mauryas
Ans a
Qts 92. Which one of the following is a Vedanga?
(a) Sruti
(b) Smriti
(c) Nirukta
(d) Samhita
Ans c
Qts93. Burma was known to ancient Indians as
(a) Suvarnabhumi
(b) Suvarnadvipa
c) Yavadvipa
(d) Malayamandala
Ans a
Qts 94. The last in the succession of Jaina Tirthankaras was
(a) Parsvanatha
(b) Rishabha
(c) Mahavira
(d) Manisubrata
Ans c
Qts 95. The term nishka, which meant an ornament in the Vedic period, was used in later times to denote a/an
(a) weapon
(b) agricultural implement
(c) script
(d) coin
Ans d
Qts 96. In the Gandhara sculptures the preaching Mudra associated with the Buddha's First Sermon at Sarnat is
(a) abhaya
(b) dhyana
(c) dharmachakra
(d) bhumisparsa
Ans c
Qts 97. The name of the poet Kalidasa is mentioned in the
(a) Allahabad pillar inscription
(b) Aihole inscription
(c) Alapadu grant
(d) Hanumakonda inscription
Ans b
Qts 98. Which one of the following important trade centres of ancient India was on the trade route connecting Kalyana with Vengi?
(a) Tagara
(c) Tripuri
(b) Sripura
(d) Tamralipti
Ans a
Qts 99. Toramana belonged to the ethnic horde of the
(a) Scythians
(b) Hunas
(c) Yue-chis
(d) Sakas
Ans b
Qts100. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer
using the codes given below them:
List I (Works) List II (Authors)
A. Dayabhaga 1. Harsha
B. Mitakshara 2. Jimutavahana
C. Nagananda 3. Krittivasa
D. Ramayana 4. Vijnanesvara
Select the correct answer from the codes given below :
A B C D
a. 2 3 1 4
b. 2 4 1 3
c. 4 2 3 1
d. 4 1 2 3
Ans b
Qts101. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I List II
A. Chandragupta Maurya 1. The great council of Prayag
B. Samudragupta 2. Jainism
C. Harsha Vardhan 3. Gangaikonda Cholapuram
D. Rajendra Chola 4. Allahabad Pillar
Select the correct answer from the codes given below
A B. C. D
(a) 1. 4. 2. 3
(b) 2. 3. 4. 1
(c) 3. 2. 1. 4
(d)2. 4. 1. 3
Ans d
Qts102. Match the following:
A. Chaitya. :1. Amaravati
B. Stupa. : 2. Besnagar
C. Pillar. : 3. Karle
D. Brick Temples. :4. Bhitragaon
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
A. B. C. D
(a). 1. 3. 4. 2
(b) 2. 3. 4. 1
(c) 3. 1. 2. 4
(d) 3. 1. 4. 2
Ans c
Qts103. Match the following:
A. Charak. : 1. Samkhya
B. Nagarjuna. : 2. Sanskrit author
C. Kapila. :3. Ayurveda
D. Gorakhnath. :4. Rasaratnakara
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
A. B. C. D
(a) 1. 2. 3. 4
(b) 2. 1. 3. 4
(c). 4. 2. 1. 3
(d) 3. 4. 1. 2
Ans d