Here are 10 unique MCQs (1-10) on Ancient Indian History with answers and explanations:
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Vedic Period:
- The Rig Veda is the oldest of the four Vedas.
- The Later Vedic Period saw the emergence of Janapadas and Mahajanapadas.
- The term ‘Dasa’ in the Rig Veda refers to Aryans.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Tap here for Answer
✅
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
📖 Explanation:
- The Rig Veda is the oldest Veda, composed around 1500 BCE (✔).
- During the Later Vedic Period, Janapadas and Mahajanapadas emerged (✔).
- The term ‘Dasa’ in the Rig Veda refers to non-Aryans (Dravidians or indigenous people), not Aryans (✘).
2. Which one of the following is NOT correctly matched?
(a) Harappa – Punjab, Pakistan
(b) Mohenjo-Daro – Sindh, Pakistan
(c) Lothal – Rajasthan, India
(d) Dholavira – Gujarat, India
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✅
Answer: (c) Lothal – Rajasthan, India
📖 Explanation:
- Lothal is located in Gujarat, not Rajasthan (✘).
- Harappa is in Punjab, Pakistan (✔), Mohenjo-Daro in Sindh, Pakistan (✔), and Dholavira in Gujarat, India (✔).
3. Consider the following statements regarding the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC):
- It was primarily an urban civilization.
- The people of the IVC worshipped a Mother Goddess.
- No evidence of iron tools has been found in IVC sites.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Tap here for Answer
✅
Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3
📖 Explanation:
- IVC was an urban civilization with well-planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (✔).
- Evidence of the worship of a Mother Goddess has been found, suggesting a fertility cult (✔).
- Iron was unknown to the IVC people, as they primarily used copper and bronze tools (✔).
4. Which one of the following rivers is NOT associated with the Indus Valley Civilization?
(a) Indus
(b) Ghaggar-Hakra
(c) Yamuna
(d) Saraswati
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✅
Answer: (c) Yamuna
📖 Explanation:
- Indus, Ghaggar-Hakra (possibly Saraswati), and Saraswati were major rivers associated with IVC (✔).
- Yamuna is not directly associated with IVC; it was significant in the later Vedic period (✘).
5. The term ‘Upanishad’ literally means:
(a) Sacred hymns
(b) Ultimate knowledge
(c) Sitting near the teacher
(d) Cosmic law
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✅
Answer: (c) Sitting near the teacher
📖 Explanation:
- ‘Upanishad’ means ‘sitting near the teacher’, symbolizing spiritual learning from a guru (✔).
- They deal with philosophical and metaphysical concepts of Hinduism.
6. Which among the following texts is considered the earliest known text of India?
(a) Bhagavad Gita
(b) Rig Veda
(c) Arthashastra
(d) Manusmriti
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✅
Answer: (b) Rig Veda
📖 Explanation:
- The Rig Veda is the oldest text in India, composed around 1500-1000 BCE (✔).
- It is a collection of hymns in Sanskrit dedicated to various deities.
7. Which of the following Harappan sites is famous for its dockyard?
(a) Kalibangan
(b) Lothal
(c) Harappa
(d) Mohenjo-Daro
Tap here for Answer
✅
Answer: (b) Lothal
📖 Explanation:
- Lothal, located in Gujarat, is famous for its dockyard, indicating active maritime trade (✔).
- It also had a warehouse, bead-making industry, and advanced drainage systems.
8. The Great Bath, an important structure of the Indus Valley Civilization, was discovered at:
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjo-Daro
(c) Dholavira
(d) Kalibangan
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✅
Answer: (b) Mohenjo-Daro
📖 Explanation:
- The Great Bath was found at Mohenjo-Daro, indicating ritualistic bathing or religious ceremonies (✔).
- It was a large, water-tight pool with steps leading down on both sides.
9. The Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture is associated with which period of Indian history?
(a) Harappan Civilization
(b) Vedic Period
(c) Maurya Empire
(d) Gupta Empire
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✅
Answer: (b) Vedic Period
📖 Explanation:
- The Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture is linked with the Later Vedic Period (1000-600 BCE) (✔).
- It was found in Hastinapur, Mathura, and other sites related to the Mahabharata era.
10. The ‘Trimurti’ concept in Hinduism represents which three gods?
(a) Brahma, Vishnu, and Indra
(b) Vishnu, Shiva, and Agni
(c) Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
(d) Indra, Agni, and Varuna
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✅
Answer: (c) Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva
📖 Explanation:
- The Trimurti concept represents Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer) (✔).
- It symbolizes the cyclical nature of existence in Hindu philosophy.
These 10 MCQs cover essential Ancient Indian History topics, ensuring a solid foundation for UPSC aspirants.
Let me know if you need the next set (11-20)!
