(Paper) MCQ Quiz: Indian History Question for IAS Exams (Solved)

Which one of the following is correctly matched?

Bhavabbuti - Kiratarjuneeya
Bharavi - Malatimadhava
Answer is: Bana- Harshacharita
Bhartruhari - Gita Govinda

In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period, women & sudras speak

Pali
Answer is: Prakrit
Sanskrit
Sauraseni

Which of the following statements are associated with the Sangam Age in South Indian history?
1. The whole of South India was politically unified.
2. Successive assemblies-of the Tamil poets were held at Madurai.
3. Several anthologies of Tamil poems were compiled.
4. Buddhism rose to the position of pre-eminence in South India.

1 and 2
Answer is: 2 and 3
1,3 and 4
2,3 and 4

What is the correct chronological order of the following foreign writers on India?
1. Megasthenes 2. Fahien 3. Ptolemy 4. Pliny

1,4,2,3
1,4,3,2
2,3,4,1
Answer is: 3,4,1,2

The words ‘Satyameva Jayate’ inscribed below the base plate of the emblem of India are taken from

Rigveda
Satpath Brahmana
Ramayana
Answer is: Mundak Upanishad

In his works, Kalidasa exhibits a particular leaning towards the worship of

Vishnu
Shiva
Answer is: Durga
Ganesha

Name the source which is silent about trade routes of ancient India.

Milinda Panho
Answer is: Jataka stories
Sangam literature
All of these

Who among the following anticipated Newton by declaring that all things gravitate to the earth?

Answer is: Brahmagupta
Aryabhatta
Varahamihira
="answer">Buddhagupta

Purusha-sukta is a part of ?

Answer is: Rigveda
Yoga-sutra
Ramayana
Bhagvadgita

Explanation:
The Purusha Sukta is a most commonly used Vedic Sanskrit hymn. It is recited in almost all Vedic rituals and ceremonies. It is often used during the worship of the Deity of Vishnu or Narayana in the temple, installation and fire ceremonies, or during the daily recitation of Sanskrit literature or for one's meditation. The Purusha Sukta is an important part of the Rig-veda (10.7.90.1-16). It also appears in the Taittiriya Aranyaka (3.12,13), the Vajasaneyi Samhita (31.1-6), the Sama-veda Samhita (6.4), and the Atharva-veda Samhita (19.6). An explanation of parts of it can also be found in the Shatapatha Brahman, the Taittiriya Brahmana, and the Shvetashvatara Upanishad. The Mudgalopanishad gives a nice summary of the entire Purusha Sukta. The contents of the Sukta have also been reflected and elaborated in the Bhagavata Purana (2.5.35 to 2.6.1-29) and in the Mahabharata (Mokshadharma Parva 351 and 352).
Source: http://www.stephen-knapp.com/purusha_sukta.htm

The Upanishads were translated into Persian by the orders of

Humayun
Akbar
Jahangir
Answer is: Dara Shikoh

The Hathigumpha inscription describes the achievements of ?

Harsha
Ashoka
Samudragupta
Answer is: Kharvela

Explanation:
The Hathigumpha inscription("Elephant Cave" inscription), from Udayagiri, near Bhubaneshwar in Orissa, was written by Kharavela, the king of Kalinga in India, during the 2nd century BCE. Hathigumpha inscription consists of seventeen lines incised in deep cut Brahmi letters on the overhanging brow of a natural cavern called Hathigumpha in the southern side of the Udayagiri hill near Bhubaneswar in Orissa. It faces straight towards the rock Edicts of Asoka at Dhauli situated at a distance of about six miles. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hathigumpha_inscription

The inscription which proves Chandragupta’s sway over western India is

Answer is: Kalinga Rock Edict
Girnar Rock Edict of Ashoka
Junagarh Rock Edict of Rudradaman
Sopara - Rock Edict of Ashoka

Kalinga Rock-edict: This inscription proves Chandragupta's sway over western India. The famous book Geet Govind was written by

Mirabai
Kalidas
Banabhatta
Answer is: Jayadev

Consider the following statements regarding Kautilya’s Arthashastra
I. 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, the correct ones are

1,2 and 3
Answer is: 2 and 3
1,2 and 4
3 and 4

The Panchatantra was written during the

Later Vedic period
Sultanate period
Answer is: Maurya period
Gupta period

Arrange the following in the chronological order in which they were composed and select the correct answer. I. Gita Govinda
2. Vinayapitaka
3. Atharva veda
4. Raghuvamsa

1,3,4,2
Answer is: 3,2,4,1
3,4,1,2
4,1,2,3

Who among the following was a lexicographer?

Banabhatta
Dandin
Answer is: Amarasimha
Panini

Nine gems during the reign of Vikramaditya: * Dhanvantari(Aayur veda) * Kshapanaka * Amarasimha(lexicographer) * Sankabhata * Vetalabhatta * Ghatakharpara * Varahamithira * Vararuchi * Kalidasa, lexicography is the art or craft of compiling, writing and editing dictionaries Names of sixteen Mahajanapadas were found in ?

lndica
Answer is: Anguttara Nikaya
Kalpa Sutra
Harshacharita

Ancient Buddhist texts like Anguttara Nikaya make frequent reference to sixteen great kingdoms and republics (Solas Mahajanapadas) which had evolved and flourished in the northern/north-western parts of the Indian subcontinent prior to the rise of Buddhism in India. Source: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Mahajanapadas Harsha wrote ?

Raghuvamsa
Kadambari
Meghasandesam
Answer is: Ratnavali

Explanation:
Besides being a great conqueror and a religious minded and generous king, Harshavardhan was also a great lover of education and learning. He is supposed to be the author of `Ratnavali`, `Priyadarshika` and `Nagananda`. Historians say "Harsha was not a mere detached patron of letters he himself appears to have wielded the pen with no less dexterity and effect than the sword. There are three plays, viz., the `Ratnavali`, `Priyadarsika` and the `Nagananda`, which are said to have been composed by a king named Harsadeva. This royal author has been identified with Harsha of Kannauj, since it is contended that no other sovereign of this name can meet the requirements of the case. Source:http://www.indianetzone.com/25/literary_achievement_harsha_vardhan.htm Zero was invented by ?