Foreign Invasions MCQ Practice Test: Ancient Indian History - Exam Scorer

Ancient Indian History: Foreign Invasions MCQ Online Test

Q1. Who constructed the famous 'Garuda Pillar' at Besnagar near Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh?

Correct Answer: Option A (Heliodorus)

Detailed Explanation: Heliodorus, an Indo-Greek ambassador sent by King Antialcidas of Taxila to the court of Bhagabhadra, embraced Bhagavatism and erected the stone Garuda pillar dedicated to Lord Vasudeva at Besnagar (Vidisha).

Q2. Which foreign invaders were the first to refer to the Indian subcontinent as 'Indica' or 'Indoi'?

Correct Answer: Option A (Greeks (Yunani))

Detailed Explanation: The ancient Greeks referred to the region beyond the Indus (Indos) River as 'Indica' or 'India', popularized by Megasthenes' celebrated work Indica.

Q3. The Indo-Greek ruler who issued lead coins in India was:

Correct Answer: Option A (Strato II)

Detailed Explanation: Strato II, one of the last Indo-Greek kings ruling in Eastern Punjab (Sakala), issued debased silver and lead coins due to economic constraints towards the end of Indo-Greek rule.

Q4. The credit for issuing gold coins for the first time on a regular, large scale in India goes to:

Correct Answer: Option A (Vima Kadphises)

Detailed Explanation: Kushana Emperor Vima Kadphises introduced high-purity gold coins (Dinaras) in India to facilitate long-distance trade along the Silk Route.

Q5. The brave Indian king who fought fiercely against Alexander the Great on the banks of the Jhelum river was:

Correct Answer: Option A (Puru (Porus))

Detailed Explanation: King Porus (Puru), ruler of the Paurava kingdom between Jhelum (Hydaspes) and Chenab (Acesines), offered valiant resistance to Alexander in 326 BCE during the Battle of the Hydaspes.

Q6. The women of which Indian city/state took up arms against Alexander after a large number of their soldiers fell in battle?

Correct Answer: Option A (Massaga (Masagavati))

Detailed Explanation: At Massaga (fortress of the Assakenoi tribe), after King Assakenos was killed, the women joined the resistance and fought Alexander's army to defend their stronghold.

Q7. Which foreign Seleucid ruler handed over his eastern territories (Aria, Arachosia, Gedrosia) to Chandragupta Maurya after a peace treaty?

Correct Answer: Option A (Seleucus Nicator)

Detailed Explanation: After his defeat around 305 BCE, Seleucus I Nicator concluded a treaty with Chandragupta Maurya, ceding modern Herat, Kandahar, Balochistan, and Kabul in exchange for 500 war elephants.

Q8. The prominent Western Satrap (Shaka) ruler in Western India during 130–150 CE was:

Correct Answer: Option A (Rudradaman I)

Detailed Explanation: Rudradaman I of the Kardamaka dynasty ruled Malwa and Gujarat (130–150 CE), famous for his Junagarh Rock Inscription composed in Sanskrit.

Q9. Alexander defeated King Porus in 326 BCE in the historic battle known as the:

Correct Answer: Option A (Battle of Hydaspes)

Detailed Explanation: The Battle of the Hydaspes River (Jhelum) was fought in 326 BCE between Alexander the Great and King Porus. Impressed by Porus' bravery, Alexander restored his kingdom.

Q10. The first recorded Huna invasion of India occurred during the reign of Skandagupta in the year:

Correct Answer: Option A (458 AD)

Detailed Explanation: The White Huns (Hunas) invaded India around 455–458 CE during the reign of Gupta Emperor Skandagupta, who successfully repulsed them as mentioned in the Bhitari Pillar Inscription.

Q11. Which Kushana ruler fought a war against Chinese General Ban Chao / King Han Ho-ti of the Han Dynasty and defeated them in his second attempt?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kanishka I)

Detailed Explanation: Kanishka I fought against the Han Dynasty of China to secure control over Silk Route territories (Kashgar, Yarkand, Khotan), succeeding in his second campaign.

Test Result Performance Summary

Correct Answers 0

Incorrect Answers 0

Not Answered 11

Total Questions 11

Score Scored 0.00%

Percentile 0.00