Q.1) The word ‘Hindu’ as reference to the people of Hind (India) was first used by:
(a) The Greeks
(b) The Romans
(c) The Chinese
d) The Arabs
Q.2) Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas?
(a) Lopamudra
(b) Gargi
(c) Leelavati
(d) Savitri
Q.3) Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer (using codes given below the lists)
List-I (Eras)
A. Vikrama era
B. Saka era
C. Gupta era
D. Kali era
List-II (Reckoned from)
1. 3102 B.C.
2. 320 A.D.
3. 78 A.D.
4. 58 B.C.
5. 248 A.D.
Codes:
(a) A – 2; B – 4; C – 5; D – 1
(b) A – 1; B – 3; C – 2; D – 4
(c) A – 4; B – 5; C – 2; D – 3
(d) A – 4; B – 3; C – 2; D – 1
Q.4) In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period women and Sudras speak:
(a) Sanskrit
(b) Prakrit
(c) Pali
(d) Sauraseni
Q.5) The name by which Ashoka is generally referred to his inscriptions is:
(a) Chakravarti
(b) Dharmadeva
(c) Dharmakirti
(d) Priyadarsi
Q.6) The term ‘Yavanapriya’ mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts denoted:
(a) A fine variety of Indian Muslim
(b) Ivory
(c) Damsels sent to the Greek court for dance performance
(d) Pepper
Q.7) The concept of Anuvrata was advocated by:
(a) Mahayana Buddhism
(b) Hinayana Buddhism
(c) Jainism
(d) The Lokayata school
Q.8) According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas the sequential order of the cycle of four acons (yugas) is:
(a) Dvapara, Krita, Treta and Kali
(b) Krita, Dvapara, Treta and Kali
(c) Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali
(d) Treta, Dvapara, Kali and Krita
Q.9) Which one of the following temples figured in the news regarding the institution of the Devadasi?
(a) Jagannath temple, Puri
(b) Pashupatinath temple, Kathmandu
(c) Kandariya Mahadev temple, Khajuraho
(d) Chausath Yogini temple, Bhedaghat
Q.10) The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is :
(a) Sindhu
(b) Sutudri
(c) Sarasvati
(d) Ganga
Q.11) Which one of the following is not a part of early Jains literature?
(a) Therigatha
(b) Acarangasutra
(c) Sutrakritanga
(d) Brihatkalpasutra
Q.12) Which of the following were common to both Buddhism and Jainism?
1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment
2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas
3. Denial of efficacy of rituals
4. Non-injury to animal life
Select the answer using the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3, and 4
(d) 1 and 2
Q.13) In the context of ancient Indian society which one of the following terms does not belong to the category of the other three?
(a) Kula
(b) Vamsa
(c) Kosa
(d) Gotra
Q.14) Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period?
(a) Saumilla
(b) Sudraka
(c) Shaunaka
(d) Susrutha
Q.15) Which one of the following sculptures was invariably used green schist as the medium?
(a) Maurya sculptures
(b) Mathura sculptures
(c) Bharhut sculptures
(d) Gandhara sculptures
Q.16) The term ‘Apabhramsa’ was used in medieval Sanskrit texts to denote:
(a) Outcastes among the Rajputs
(b) Deviations from Vedic rituals
(c) Early forms of some of the modem Indian language
(d) Non-Sanskrit verse metres
Q.17) Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer:
List-I
A. Vishakhadatta
B. Varahamihira
C. Charaka
D. Brahmagupta
List-II
1. Medicine
2. Drama
3. Astronomy
4. Mathematics
Codes:
(a) A – 1; B – 3; C – 4; D – 2
(b) A – 2; B – 1; C – 3; D – 4
(c) A – 2; B – 3; C – 1; D – 4
(d) A – 3; B – 4; C – 1; D – 2
Q.18) Which one of the following texts of ancient India allows divorce to a wife deserted by her husband?
(a) Kamasutra
(b) Manava Dharma Shastra
(c) Sukra Nitisara
(d) Arthashastra
Q.19) Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I
A. Gupta
B. Chandella
C. Chalukya
D. Pallava
List-II
1. Badami
2. Panamalai
3. Khajuraho
4. Deogarh
Codes:
(a) A – 4; B – 3; C – 1; D – 2
(b) A – 4; B – 2; C – 3; D – 1
(c) A – 2; B – 3; C – 4; D – 1
(d) A – 3; B – 4; C – 1; D – 2
Q.20) Which one of the following statements regarding Ashoka stone pillars is incorrect?
(a) These are highly polished
(b) These are monolithic
(c) The shaft of pillars is tapering in shape
(d) These are parts of architectural structures
Q.21) Which one of the following scripts of ancient India was written from right to left?
(a) Brahmi
(b) Nandnagari
(c) Sharada
(d) Kharosthi
Q.22) The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in the:
(a) Chhandogyopanishad
(b) Mundakopanishad
(c) Kathopanishad
(d) Kenopanishad
Q.23) Milindapanho is in the form of a dialogue between the king Menander and Buddhist monk:
(a) Nagasena
(b) Nagarjuna
(c) Nagabhatta
(d) Kumarilabhatta
Q.24) Which one of the following edicts mentions the personal name of Ashoka?
(a) Kalsi
(b) Rummindei
(c) Special Kalinga Edict
(d) Maski
Q.25) Which one of the following dynasties was ruling over North India at the time of Alexander’s invasion?
(a) Nanda
(b) Maurya
(c) Sunga
(d) Kanva
Q.26) In the Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisatya Avalokitesvara was also known as:
(a) Vajrapani
(b) Manjusri
(c) Padmapani
(d) Maitreya
Q.27) The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called:
(a) Rupaka
(b) Karshapana
(c) Dinara
(d) Pana
Q.28) Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Author)
A. Varahamihira
B. Vishakhadatta
C. Sudraka
D. Bilhana
List-II (Text)
1. Prabandha Chintamani
2. Mrichchha-Katikam
3. Brihat-Samhita
4. Devi-Chandraguptam
5. Vikramankadeva-Charita
Codes:
(a) A – 3; B – 4; C – 5; D – 2
(b) A – 3; B – 4; C – 2; D – 5
(c) A – 5; B – 3; C – 4; D – 1
(d) A – 1; B – 3; C – 5; D – 2
Q.29) Which one of the following was a corporation of merchants in ancient India?
(a) Chaturvedimangalam
(b) Parishad
(c) Ashtadikgaja
(d) Manigrama
Q.30) The Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year 465. If the same were to be dated in Vikrama Samvat, the year would be:
(a) 601
(b) 300
(c) 330
(d) 407
Q.31) Many of the Greeks, Kushanas and Shakas embraced Buddhism rather than Hinduism because:
(a) Buddhism was in the ascendant at that time
(b) they had renounced the policy of war and violence
(c) caste-ridden Hinduism did not attract them
(d) Buddhism provided easier access to Indian society
Q.32) The Ashoka major rock edicts which tell us about the Sangam Kingdom include rock edicts:
(a) I and X
(b) I and XI
(c) II and XIII
(d) II and XIV
Q.33) Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
1. Mrichchakatikam–Shudraka
2. Buddhacharita–Vasuvandhu
3. Mudrarakshasha–Vishakadatta
4. Harshacharita–Banabhatta
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3
Q.34) What is the correct chronological order in which the following appeared in India?
1. Gold coins
2. Punch marked silver coins
3. Iron plough
4. Urban culture
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 3, 4, 1, 2
(b) 3, 4, 2, 1
(c) 4, 3, 1, 2
(d) 4, 3, 2, 1
Q.35) Assertion (A): According to Ashoka’s edicts social harmony among the people was more important than religious devotion.
Reason (R): He spread ideas of equity instead of promotion of religion.
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are 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
Q.36) Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?
1. Lothal : Ancient dockyard
2. Sarnath : First Sermon of Buddha
3. Rajgir : Lion capital of Ashoka
4. Nalanda : Great seat of Buddhist learning
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 1 and 2
Q.37) Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve food-grains to be utilised during the crises in the country?
(a) Sohgaura Copper-plate
(b) Rummindei Pillar-edict of Ashoka
(c) Prayaga-prasasti
(d) Mehrauli Pillar inscription of Chandra
Q.38) The concept of Eight fold path forms the theme of:
(a) Dipavamsa
(b) Divyavadana
(c) Mahaparinibban
(d) Dharma Chakara Pravartana Sutta
Q.39) The given map relates to :
(a) Kanishka at the time of his death.
(b) Samudragupta after the close of his South Indian campaign.
(c) Ashoka towards close of his reign.
(d) Empire of Thaneswar on the eve of Harsha’s accession.
Q.40) From the third century AD when the Hun invasion ended the Roman Empire, the Indian merchants relied more and more on the:
(a) African trade
(b) West-European trade
(c) South-East Asian trade
(d) Middle-Eastern trade
Q.41) The following persons came to India at one time or another:
1. Fa-Hien
2. I-Tsing
3. Megasthanese
4. Hieun-Tsang
The correct chronological sequence of their visits is:
(a) 3, 1, 2, 4
(b) 3, 1, 4, 2
(c) 1, 3, 2, 4
(d) 1, 3, 4, 2
Q.42) Which one of the following was initially the most powerful city state of India in the 6th century B.C. ?
(a) Gandhar
(b) Kamboj
(c) Kashi
(d) Magadh
Q.43) The Indo-Laws Kingdom set up in north Afghanistan in the beginning of the second century B.C. was:
(a) Bacteria
(b) Scythia
(c) Zedrasia
(d) Aria
Q.44) The term ‘Aryan’ denotes:
(a) an ethnic group
(b) a nomadic people
(c) a speech group
(d) a superior race
Q.45) Which one of the following ports handled the North Indian trade during the Gupta period?
(a) Tamralipti
(b) Broach
(c) Kalyan
(d) Cambray
Q.46) Assertion (A): The Aham and Puram poems of the Padinen Kilukanakku group formed a continuation of the Sangam composition.
Reason (R): They were included under the post- Sangam works as against the Sangam works proper.
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are 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
Q.47) Assertion (A): The emphasis of Jainism on nonviolence (ahimsa) prevented agriculturalists from embracing Jainism.
Reason (R): Cultivation involved killing of insects and pests.
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are 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
Q.48) Assertion (A): The origin of feudal system in ancient India can be traced to military campaigns.
Reason (R): There was considerable expansion of the feudal system during the Gupta period.
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are 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
Q.49) Assertion (A): Ashoka annexed Kalinga to the Mauryan Empire.
Reason (R): Kalinga controlled the land and sea routes to South India.
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are 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
Q.50) The practice of military governorship was first introduced in India by the:
(a) Greeks
(b) Shakas
(c) Parthians
(d) Mughals