Welcome to the inaugural set of our brand-new “Indian History – UPSC MCQ Series”! This comprehensive collection of high-level multiple-choice questions is designed to challenge your understanding of Indian history, from the prehistoric eras and the fascinating Indus Valley Civilization to the Vedic period, the rise of Buddhism and Jainism, and the glorious Mauryan Empire. Each question is accompanied by a detailed explanation to deepen your knowledge and aid in your UPSC and other competitive exam preparations.
Set 1
1. The Narmada Man discovered at Hathnora is dated to which prehistoric period?
A. Lower Paleolithic
B. Middle Paleolithic
C. Upper Paleolithic
D. Mesolithic
Answer: B
Explanation: The Narmada Man, representing the earliest human fossil remains found in India (discovered at Hathnora in the Narmada Valley), is dated to the Middle Paleolithic period. This discovery provides crucial evidence for early human presence in the Indian subcontinent.
2. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Mesolithic culture?
A. Microlithic tools
B. Domestication of animals
C. Iron usage
D. Rock paintings
Answer: C
Explanation: The Mesolithic period (Middle Stone Age) is characterized by the use of microlithic (small stone) tools, the incipient domestication of animals, and widespread rock paintings (like those at Bhimbetka). Iron usage (Option C) began much later, during the Iron Age, which followed the Chalcolithic (Copper Age).
3. The site of Mehrgarh is most important for showing the:
A. Beginning of iron smelting
B. First urban center of India
C. Early Neolithic agriculture
D. Earliest coinage system
Answer: C
Explanation: Mehrgarh, located in present-day Balochistan, Pakistan, is one of the most significant Neolithic sites in South Asia. It provides compelling evidence of early Neolithic agriculture and settled village life, showcasing the transition from hunting-gathering to food production, dating back to around 7000 BCE.
4. The earliest known use of the wheel is associated with which age?
A. Neolithic
B. Chalcolithic
C. Iron Age
D. Bronze Age
Answer: B
Explanation: While rudimentary forms of the wheel might have existed earlier, its earliest substantial and known use, particularly for pottery and later for carts, is associated with the Chalcolithic Age (Copper Age), notably with the innovations of the Harappan Civilization.
5. Which of the following features is not typical of the Harappan culture?
A. Grid pattern of city planning
B. Use of iron tools
C. Standardized weights and measures
D. Underground drainage
Answer: B
Explanation: The Harappan Civilization (Indus Valley Civilization) was a Bronze Age culture. Its people were adept at working with copper and bronze but had no knowledge of iron. Therefore, the use of iron tools (Option B) is not a characteristic feature of the Harappan culture.
6. Lothal was an important site of the Harappan civilization because of its:
A. Fire altars
B. Dockyard
C. Buddhist monasteries
D. Great Bath
Answer: B
Explanation: Lothal, a prominent Harappan site in Gujarat, India, is archaeologically significant for its well-planned dockyard. This feature strongly suggests its role as a major maritime trade center for the Indus Valley Civilization, facilitating trade with Mesopotamia and other regions.
7. Which of the following Indus Valley sites is in present-day Pakistan?
A. Kalibangan
B. Rakhigarhi
C. Dholavira
D. Mohenjodaro
Answer: D
Explanation: Among the given options, Mohenjodaro is a major Indus Valley Civilization site located in present-day Sindh, Pakistan. Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Rakhigarhi (Haryana), and Dholavira (Gujarat) are significant Harappan sites located in India.
8. Painted Grey Ware culture is associated with which age?
A. Paleolithic
B. Neolithic
C. Iron Age
D. Chalcolithic
Answer: C
Explanation: The Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture is an archaeological culture of the northern Indian subcontinent, typically associated with the early Iron Age (c. 1200-600 BCE). It is often linked to the later Vedic period and the emergence of the Mahajanapadas.
9. Which text contains hymns in praise of natural forces?
A. Rig Veda
B. Yajur Veda
C. Atharva Veda
D. Sama Veda
Answer: A
Explanation: The Rig Veda is the oldest of the four Vedas and is primarily a collection of hymns (suktas) that invoke and praise various natural deities such as Indra (god of thunder and rain), Agni (fire god), Surya (sun god), and Vayu (wind god).
10. Sabha and Samiti were:
A. Rigvedic tribal assemblies
B. Later Vedic taxes
C. Mauryan officers
D. Harappan trade guilds
Answer: A
Explanation: In the early Rigvedic period, the Sabha and Samiti were important democratic tribal assemblies. The Samiti was a larger, general assembly of the people, while the Sabha was a smaller, more exclusive body, possibly of elders or nobles, dealing with judicial and administrative matters.
11. The term ‘Arya’ in the Vedic context refers to:
A. An ethnic group
B. A linguistic race
C. A cultural elite
D. Agricultural communities
Answer: C
Explanation: In the Vedic context, the term ‘Arya’ (meaning noble or respectable) primarily referred to a cultural elite or group of people who adhered to the Vedic way of life, spoke the Vedic language (Sanskrit), and followed its religious practices. It was not used to denote a specific ethnic or racial group.
12. The Battle of Ten Kings (Dasarajna) is described in the:
A. Atharva Veda
B. Rig Veda
C. Ramayana
D. Mahabharata
Answer: B
Explanation: The famous Battle of Ten Kings (Dasarajna Yuddha), a significant event in early Vedic history, is vividly described in the seventh mandala of the Rig Veda. It depicts a conflict between the Bharata king Sudas and a confederation of ten other tribes.
13. The Purusha Sukta is important for understanding the:
A. Creation of Universe
B. Evolution of Varna System
C. Spread of Buddhism
D. Agricultural rites
Answer: B
Explanation: The Purusha Sukta, a hymn found in the tenth mandala of the Rig Veda, is crucial for understanding the evolution of the Varna System. It provides one of the earliest textual foundations for the hierarchical division of society into four varnas (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra).
14. The transition from Rig Vedic to Later Vedic society marked a shift toward:
A. Tribal egalitarianism
B. Pastoralism
C. Agriculture and monarchy
D. Republics and Buddhism
Answer: C
Explanation: The Later Vedic period (c. 1000-600 BCE) witnessed a significant transformation from the semi-nomadic, pastoral, and largely egalitarian tribal society of the Rig Vedic era. This period saw the increasing importance of settled agriculture and the emergence of larger territorial states ruled by powerful monarchs.
15. Who was the founder of Jainism?
A. Rishabha
B. Parsvanatha
C. Mahavira
D. Bharata
Answer: A
Explanation: Traditionally, Rishabhanatha (or Adinatha) is revered as the first Tirthankara and the founder of Jainism. While Mahavira (the 24th and last Tirthankara) systematized and widely propagated the Jain doctrine, he is not considered the original founder.
16. The Tirthankara who immediately preceded Mahavira was:
A. Rishabha
B. Neminatha
C. Ajitanatha
D. Parsvanatha
Answer: D
Explanation: Parsvanatha was the 23rd Tirthankara in the Jain tradition, preceding Mahavira (the 24th Tirthankara). He is credited with preaching the four core vows of Jainism: non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, and non-possession.
17. The Buddhist council which marked the division into Hinayana and Mahayana was the:
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: D
Explanation: The Fourth Buddhist Council, held under the patronage of Emperor Kanishka in Kashmir (or Jalandhar) around the 1st century CE, is widely considered to be the pivotal council where Buddhism officially split into two major schools: Hinayana (or Theravada) and Mahayana.
18. Which of the following does not belong to the Six Schools of Indian Philosophy?
A. Nyaya
B. Samkhya
C. Vedanta
D. Lokayata
Answer: D
Explanation: The six orthodox (Astika) schools of Hindu philosophy are Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta. Lokayata (or Charvaka) is a heterodox (Nastika) and materialistic school that rejects the authority of the Vedas and the concepts of karma, rebirth, and a transcendent soul.
19. Ashoka’s inscriptions were first deciphered by:
A. James Princep
B. Alexander Cunningham
C. Max Müller
D. H.H. Wilson
Answer: A
Explanation: The credit for successfully deciphering the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts, which were used in most of Emperor Ashoka’s inscriptions, goes to James Princep in the 1830s. His work was pivotal in understanding Mauryan history.
20. The edict which mentions Ashoka’s remorse after the Kalinga War is:
A. Rock Edict XIII
B. Rock Edict I
C. Pillar Edict V
D. Minor Rock Edict
Answer: A
Explanation: Ashoka’s Rock Edict XIII is arguably the most famous of his edicts. In this inscription, Ashoka explicitly expresses his profound remorse and regret over the immense suffering and bloodshed caused by his conquest of Kalinga, which led to his deep commitment to Dhamma.
21. The earliest coins in India were:
A. Punch-marked coins
B. Satavahana lead coins
C. Indo-Greek gold coins
D. Gupta silver coins
Answer: A
Explanation: The earliest known indigenous coins in India were punch-marked coins, dating back to around the 6th century BCE, corresponding to the period of the Mahajanapadas. These were primarily silver coins, bearing various symbols punched onto them.
22. The Arthashastra was authored by:
A. Chanakya
B. Kalidasa
C. Megasthenes
D. Patanjali
Answer: A
Explanation: The Arthashastra, a classical Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy, is traditionally attributed to Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta), who served as the chief minister and advisor to Chandragupta Maurya.
23. The capital of the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka was:
A. Taxila
B. Rajagriha
C. Pataliputra
D. Ujjain
Answer: C
Explanation: The sprawling capital of the vast Mauryan Empire, throughout its duration including during Emperor Ashoka’s reign, was Pataliputra (modern-day Patna), located in the ancient region of Magadha.
24. The Greek ambassador at Chandragupta’s court was:
A. Ptolemy
B. Alexander
C. Megasthenes
D. Seleucus
Answer: C
Explanation: Megasthenes was an ancient Greek historian and diplomat who was sent as an ambassador by Seleucus I Nicator (a Hellenistic king and former general of Alexander the Great) to the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra.
25. Megasthenes wrote the famous book:
A. Indika
B. Naturalis Historia
C. Periplus
D. Rajatarangini
Answer: A
Explanation: Megasthenes is renowned for his work titled “Indika”, which, despite being lost in its original form, provides one of the most important surviving early Western accounts of ancient India and the Mauryan Empire, cited by later Greek and Roman authors.
26. The Mauryan economy was based mainly on:
A. Slave labor
B. Maritime trade
C. Agriculture and land revenue
D. Guilds and artisans
Answer: C
Explanation: The Mauryan economy was primarily agrarian. Agriculture was the backbone, and land revenue (bhaga), typically collected as one-sixth of the produce, constituted the largest source of income for the highly centralized Mauryan state.
27. Ashoka’s Dhamma aimed at:
A. Expanding Buddhism
B. Promoting administrative reforms
C. Social harmony and moral values
D. Military conquest
Answer: C
Explanation: Ashoka’s Dhamma was a practical code of conduct and a set of ethical principles rather than a religious doctrine. It primarily aimed at fostering social harmony, religious tolerance, and moral values among all his subjects, advocating for peace and non-violence.
28. The pillar inscriptions of Ashoka were mostly written in:
A. Sanskrit
B. Prakrit in Brahmi script
C. Pali in Kharosthi script
D. Aramaic
Answer: B
Explanation: Most of Ashoka’s pillar and rock edicts were inscribed in various local dialects of Prakrit language using the Brahmi script. In the northwestern parts of his empire, some inscriptions were also found in Kharosthi, Greek, and Aramaic scripts.
29. The Mauryan administration was based on the principles outlined in:
A. Manusmriti
B. Rig Veda
C. Arthashastra
D. Ashoka’s edicts
Answer: C
Explanation: The highly centralized and efficient Mauryan administration, particularly its governmental structure, economic policies, and spy system, is widely believed to have been designed and implemented based on the principles of statecraft detailed in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
30. The Mauryan army was controlled by:
A. The Emperor himself
B. The Mantri Parishad
C. A Board of 6 Committees
D. Provincial Governors
Answer: C
Explanation: According to Megasthenes’ account in “Indika,” the Mauryan military administration was remarkably organized. It was managed by a Board of 6 Committees, each consisting of five members, responsible for different branches of the army: infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots, navy, and transport.
31. The city of Taxila was famous for:
A. Buddhist pilgrimages
B. A large library
C. A renowned university
D. Rock-cut architecture
Answer: C
Explanation: Taxila, an ancient city in present-day Pakistan, was a pre-eminent center of learning and a renowned university that attracted students and scholars from across ancient India and beyond, including legendary figures like Chanakya and Panini.
32. Which of the following is true about the Mauryan taxation system?
A. Flat tax rate for all
B. Voluntary donations
C. One-sixth of produce as tax
D. Property tax only
Answer: C
Explanation: In the Mauryan taxation system, the main land tax (bhaga) was generally fixed at one-sixth of the produce from the land. Other taxes and levies also existed, but this was the standard rate for agricultural produce.
33. Ashoka’s inscriptions have been found in which foreign language and script?
A. Greek and Aramaic
B. Persian and Arabic
C. Chinese and Brahmi
D. None of the above
Answer: A
Explanation: Ashoka’s inscriptions, particularly those found in the northwestern regions of his empire (e.g., Kandahar in Afghanistan), were bilingual and biscriptal, written in both Greek and Aramaic to cater to the diverse linguistic populations in those areas.
34. The Mauryan dynasty lasted approximately from:
A. 400–100 BCE
B. 350–250 BCE
C. 321–185 BCE
D. 270–180 BCE
Answer: C
Explanation: The Mauryan dynasty was founded by Chandragupta Maurya around 321 BCE and ruled for approximately 137 years, ending around 185 BCE with the assassination of the last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha.
35. The famous lion capital of Ashoka is found at:
A. Sanchi
B. Lumbini
C. Sarnath
D. Ujjain
Answer: C
Explanation: The iconic Lion Capital of Ashoka, which serves as India’s national emblem, was originally found atop an Ashokan pillar at Sarnath, near Varanasi. This pillar commemorated the spot where the Buddha first taught the Dhamma.
36. Who was Ashoka’s father?
A. Chandragupta
B. Bindusara
C. Dasaratha
D. Susima
Answer: B
Explanation: Emperor Ashoka the Great was the son of Bindusara, the second Mauryan emperor. Bindusara, in turn, was the son of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the dynasty.
37. The last ruler of the Maurya dynasty was:
A. Brihadratha
B. Dasaratha
C. Bindusara
D. Ashoka
Answer: A
Explanation: Brihadratha was the last emperor of the Mauryan dynasty. His assassination by his commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Shunga, in 185 BCE marked the end of the Mauryan Empire and the rise of the Sunga dynasty.
38. The Sunga dynasty replaced the Mauryas after the assassination of:
A. Chandragupta
B. Ashoka
C. Bindusara
D. Brihadratha
Answer: D
Explanation: The Sunga dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra Shunga, a Brahmin general, who seized power after assassinating the last Mauryan emperor, Brihadratha, in 185 BCE during a military parade.
39. Which of the following statements is true about the Indus script?
A. It has been deciphered fully
B. It is mostly written in Sanskrit
C. It remains undeciphered
D. It is found only in seals of Mohenjodaro
Answer: C
Explanation: The Indus script, found on thousands of seals and other artifacts from the Harappan Civilization, remains undeciphered to this day. Its language and grammatical structure are unknown, and there is no consensus on how to read it.
40. The Great Bath was discovered at:
A. Harappa
B. Lothal
C. Kalibangan
D. Mohenjodaro
Answer: D
Explanation: The Great Bath is one of the most well-known and impressive structures discovered at the major Indus Valley Civilization site of Mohenjodaro in present-day Sindh, Pakistan. It is believed to have served a public ritualistic purpose.
41. The staple crop of the Indus Valley people was:
A. Wheat and barley
B. Rice and jowar
C. Maize
D. Millets
Answer: A
Explanation: Archaeological evidence, including the discovery of grains, suggests that wheat and barley were the primary and staple crops cultivated by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization, forming the basis of their agricultural economy.
42. Which Harappan site is located in Gujarat?
A. Mohenjodaro
B. Harappa
C. Lothal
D. Ropar
Answer: C
Explanation: Lothal is a prominent Harappan site located in the Indian state of Gujarat. Other important Harappan sites in Gujarat include Dholavira, Rangpur, and Surkotada.
43. The most commonly used material for Indus seals was:
A. Bronze
B. Copper
C. Steatite
D. Terracotta
Answer: C
Explanation: The majority of the thousands of seals discovered from the Indus Valley Civilization sites are made of steatite, a soft, easily carved stone. These seals often feature animal motifs and undeciphered script.
44. Who among the following did not belong to the Mauryan dynasty?
A. Ashoka
B. Bindusara
C. Chandragupta
D. Harshavardhana
Answer: D
Explanation: Harshavardhana was a powerful emperor of the Pushyabhuti dynasty who ruled large parts of northern India in the 7th century CE. Ashoka, Bindusara, and Chandragupta were all successive emperors of the Mauryan dynasty.
45. Which site provides evidence of the earliest ploughed field in India?
A. Kalibangan
B. Lothal
C. Ropar
D. Mohenjodaro
Answer: A
Explanation: The archaeological site of Kalibangan in Rajasthan, India, has yielded unique evidence of a ploughed field dating back to the Early Harappan period (around 2800 BCE), making it the earliest known such evidence in India.
46. The Vedic tribe was known as:
A. Janapada
B. Jana
C. Gram
D. Pura
Answer: B
Explanation: In the early Vedic period, the basic unit of political and social organization was the tribe, referred to as Jana. Several Janas living together formed a Vis, and several Vis formed a Grama. Later, Janas evolved into territorial Janapadas.
47. Which text lays the basis for sacrificial rituals in Brahmanism?
A. Samhitas
B. Brahmanas
C. Aranyakas
D. Upanishads
Answer: B
Explanation: The Brahmanas are prose texts appended to the Vedic Samhitas. They are primarily concerned with elaborating on the meaning, proper performance, and purpose of various Vedic sacrificial rituals (yajnas), thus forming the basis for elaborate Brahmanical rituals.
48. Upanishads mainly deal with:
A. Vedic sacrifices
B. Astronomy
C. Metaphysical questions
D. Law and order
Answer: C
Explanation: The Upanishads, part of the later Vedic literature, are philosophical treatises that delve into metaphysical questions concerning the nature of reality, the ultimate truth (Brahman), the individual soul (Atman), and the relationship between them. They mark a shift from ritualism to philosophical inquiry.
49. Who introduced coinage in India?
A. Indo-Greeks
B. Mauryas
C. Mahajanapadas
D. Harappans
Answer: C
Explanation: The earliest indigenous form of coinage in India, the punch-marked coins, emerged during the period of the Mahajanapadas (c. 6th century BCE). These early coins were issued by various Janapadas, indicating nascent state formation.
50. The capital of Kalinga during the Mauryan period was:
A. Tosali
B. Pataliputra
C. Ujjain
D. Tamralipti
Answer: A
Explanation: After Emperor Ashoka conquered Kalinga (modern-day Odisha) in a devastating war, he incorporated it into the Mauryan Empire. Tosali (near modern Dhauli) was established as the provincial capital of Kalinga under Mauryan rule.