Post-Mauryan Period MCQ Online Practice Test: Ancient Indian History - Exam Scorer

Ancient Indian History: Post-Mauryan Period MCQ Online Test

Q1. In the Post-Mauryan period, land grants were primarily given to which group associated with the Royal Court?

Correct Answer: Option A (Brahmins (Brahmanas))

Detailed Explanation: The practice of granting tax-free land grants (Agrahara / Brahmadeya) to Brahmins and religious institutions gained prominent traction under the Satavahana dynasty in the Post-Mauryan period.

Q2. Gold coins in India were first issued by which rulers?

Correct Answer: Option A (Indo-Greek Rulers)

Detailed Explanation: Indo-Greeks (Hind-Yavanas) were the first rulers in India to issue gold coins bearing portraits and legends of kings, while Vima Kadphises (Kushana) issued gold coins on a large regular scale.

Q3. Which ancient source/text is silent on the specific trade routes of ancient India?

Correct Answer: Option A (Milindapanho)

Detailed Explanation: Milindapanho is a Buddhist philosophical dialogue between Indo-Greek King Menander and monk Nagasena, and does not deal with commercial geography or trade routes.

Q4. Who was the founder of the Kardamaka branch of the Shaka Western Satraps?

Correct Answer: Option A (Chashtana)

Detailed Explanation: Chashtana (son of Ysamatika) founded the Kardamaka dynasty of Western Satraps in Ujjain, Gujarat/Malwa region.

Q5. Gautamiputra Satakarni was the most celebrated ruler of which dynasty?

Correct Answer: Option A (Satavahana Dynasty)

Detailed Explanation: Gautamiputra Satakarni (23rd ruler) revived Satavahana power by defeating the Shaka ruler Nahapana, as praised in the Nashik Prashasti inscription of his mother Gautami Balashri.

Q6. Which dynasty succeeded the Shunga dynasty in ruling over Magadha and Central India?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kanva Dynasty)

Detailed Explanation: Around 73 BCE, Vasudeva Kanva assassinated the last Shunga king Devabhuti and established the Kanva dynasty.

Q7. The name of King Kharavela is associated with which famous rock inscription in Odisha?

Correct Answer: Option A (Hathigumpha Inscription (Udayagiri))

Detailed Explanation: The Hathigumpha inscription in Udayagiri hills near Bhubaneswar gives a year-by-year account of the reign of Kalinga ruler Kharavela.

Q8. The Hathigumpha inscription of Kalinga King Kharavela is written in which ancient language?

Correct Answer: Option A (Prakrit language)

Detailed Explanation: The inscription is written in the Prakrit language using a Brahmi script variant.

Q9. The Shaka Era (Shaka Samvat) commenced in which year?

Correct Answer: Option A (78 AD)

Detailed Explanation: The Shaka Era began in 78 CE, associated with the accession of Kushana Emperor Kanishka I. It is used as the Indian National Calendar.

Q10. Which dynasty is credited with the establishment of the Shaka Samvat in 78 AD?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kushanas (Kanishka))

Detailed Explanation: Most historians attribute the founding of the 78 CE calendar era to Kushana King Kanishka I upon his ascension.

Q11. During the reign of which king did Gautam Buddha attain divine status on coins and sculptures?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kanishka I)

Detailed Explanation: Under Kanishka, Mahayana Buddhism elevated Buddha as a deity, depicting him on gold coins inscribed as 'BODDO'.

Q12. First of all, gold coins were circulated on a large regular scale in India by:

Correct Answer: Option A (Vima Kadphises)

Detailed Explanation: Kushana ruler Vima Kadphises introduced high-purity gold coinage (Dinaras) on a regular scale in India.

Q13. The famous Greco-Buddhist Gandhara school of art flourished during the time of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Kushanas)

Detailed Explanation: Gandhara art developed in the North-West frontier combining Greek artistic form with Indian Buddhist themes during Kushana rule.

Q14. The Fourth Buddhist Council was convened in Kashmir during the reign of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Kanishka)

Detailed Explanation: Held at Kundalvana in Kashmir, presided over by Vasumitra with Ashvaghosha as vice-president.

Q15. The Great Stupa at Sanchi originally belongs to the architectural era of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Mauryas (Ashoka))

Detailed Explanation: Sanchi Stupa 1 was established by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BCE and expanded during Shunga/Satavahana times.

Q16. The author of the political drama 'Mudrarakshasa' was:

Correct Answer: Option A (Vishakhadatta)

Detailed Explanation: Vishakhadatta composed Mudrarakshasa detailing Chanakya's political maneuvers against Nanda ministers.

Q17. Which inscription proves that Chandragupta Maurya's empire extended to Western India (Gujarat)?

Correct Answer: Option A (Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman)

Detailed Explanation: Rudradaman's inscription records that Sudarshana Lake was originally constructed by Pushyagupta, governor of Chandragupta Maurya.

Q18. According to a 2nd century Sanskrit inscription, who repaired the Sudarshana Lake without forced labor (Vishti)?

Correct Answer: Option A (Rudradaman I)

Detailed Explanation: Saka ruler Rudradaman I repaired the dam of Sudarshana Lake in 150 CE using his personal treasury without imposing forced labor (Begar).

Q19. The legendary Ayurveda physician Charaka was the court doctor of which Kushana King?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kanishka I)

Detailed Explanation: Charaka, author of Charaka Samhita (foundational text of Ayurveda), resided at the court of Kanishka.

Q20. Maharishi Patanjali was the famous compiler and exponent of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Yoga Darshan)

Detailed Explanation: Patanjali compiled the Yoga Sutras and also authored the Mahabhashya on Panini's Sanskrit grammar.

Q21. The Kushana tribe originally migrated to India from:

Correct Answer: Option A (Chinese Turkestan / Central Asia (Yuezhi Clan))

Detailed Explanation: Kushanas were a branch of the nomadic Yuezhi tribe driven out from the borders of China towards Bactria and India.

Q22. The Vikram Samvat era started in which year?

Correct Answer: Option A (57 BC / 58 BC)

Detailed Explanation: Vikram Samvat was founded in 57/58 BCE, traditionally attributed to King Vikramaditya of Ujjain following his victory over the Shakas.

Q23. Which South Indian dynasty was the first to issue coins featuring portrait busts of their rulers?

Correct Answer: Option A (Satavahana Dynasty)

Detailed Explanation: Gautamiputra Satakarni and Vashishtiputra Pulumavi issued silver coins featuring royal portraits inspired by Western Satraps.

Q24. Kanishka was the third and most famous ruler belonging to which dynasty?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kushana Dynasty)

Detailed Explanation: Kanishka I (succeeding Kujula and Vima Kadphises) ruled from Purushapura (Peshawar) and Mathura.

Q25. Agnimitra, the hero of Kalidasa's famous play 'Malavikagnimitram', was the son of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Pushyamitra Shunga)

Detailed Explanation: Agnimitra succeeded his father Pushyamitra Shunga as the second ruler of the Shunga dynasty in Vidisha.

Q26. Who was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty in the Deccan?

Correct Answer: Option A (Simuka)

Detailed Explanation: Simuka (c. 1st century BCE) established Satavahana rule in the Deccan after Kanva decline.

Q27. The Kardamaka Western Satraps issued extremely rare coinage made of which metal?

Correct Answer: Option A (Copper metal (Tamra))

Detailed Explanation: While Western Satraps primarily minted silver Drachms, their copper coins are exceptionally rare.

Q28. There is NO mention of which dynasty in the Major Rock Edict II of Emperor Ashoka?

Correct Answer: Option A (Satavahanas)

Detailed Explanation: Rock Edict 2 names southern border states: Cholas, Pandyas, Keralaputras, Satiyaputras, and Tamraparni (Sri Lanka). Satavahanas are absent.

Q29. What was the oldest and most influential regional dynasty in the Deccan after Mauryas?

Correct Answer: Option A (Satavahana Dynasty)

Detailed Explanation: Satavahanas (Andhras) stabilized the Deccan for over 400 years with capitals at Pratishthana (Paithan) and Amaravati.

Q30. The capital cities of the Satavahana dynasty were:

Correct Answer: Option A (Pratishthana (Paithan) and Amaravati)

Detailed Explanation: Pratishthana (Maharashtra) was western capital; Amaravati/Dharanikota (Andhra Pradesh) was eastern capital.

Q31. The inscription date of Kanishka's Sarnath Buddhist image inscription is:

Correct Answer: Option A (Year 3 of Kanishka (81 AD))

Detailed Explanation: The Sarnath Bodhisattva image erected by Friar Bala is dated in Year 3 of Kanishka (81 CE).

Q32. Depiction of Lord Buddha on gold and bronze coins first occurred during the reign of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Kanishka I)

Detailed Explanation: Kanishka minted gold coins showing standing/seated Buddha with Greek legend 'BODDO' or 'METRAGO BODDO' (Maitreya).

Q33. In North and North-Western India, copper coins were issued in the largest number by:

Correct Answer: Option A (The Kushanas)

Detailed Explanation: Kushanas circulated extensive copper coinage for daily public commercial transactions.

Q34. The earliest inscription composed in pure classical Kavya Sanskrit style is:

Correct Answer: Option A (Junagarh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman I)

Detailed Explanation: Composed in 150 CE, Rudradaman's Junagarh Prashasti is the first long, unbroken Sanskrit inscription in ornate Chhanda prose.

Q35. Panini (author of Ashtadhyayi) and Patanjali (author of Mahabhashya) flourished during the era of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Shunga Dynasty (Patanjali contemporary to Pushyamitra))

Detailed Explanation: Patanjali was the priest at Pushyamitra Shunga's Ashvamedha Yajna in the 2nd century BCE.

Q36. What is the difference in years between Vikram Samvat (57 BC) and Shaka Samvat (78 AD)?

Correct Answer: Option A (135 Years (57 + 78 = 135))

Detailed Explanation: Vikram Samvat (-57) to Shaka Samvat (+78) calculation yields a difference of 135 calendar years.

Q37. Which state in North-East India was historically ruled by the Ningthouja Dynasty?

Correct Answer: Option A (Manipur)

Detailed Explanation: Ningthouja dynasty ruled Meitei kingdom of Manipur founded by Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in 33 CE.

Q38. Who was the founder of the Shunga Dynasty after Mauryan collapse?

Correct Answer: Option A (Pushyamitra Shunga)

Detailed Explanation: Pushyamitra Shunga established Shunga rule in 185 BCE after slaying Brihadratha.

Q39. What unique honorific title was used specifically for Gautamiputra Satakarni in Nasik Prashasti?

Correct Answer: Option A (Eka Brahmana (Unique Brahman))

Detailed Explanation: Nasik inscription addresses Gautamiputra Satakarni as 'Eka-Brahmana' (peerless Brahmin/protector of Varna order) and 'Khatiyadapa-manamada' (destroyer of Kshatriya pride).

Q40. Match the Indo-Greek Ruler Demetrius to his correct Dynasty / Tribe:

Correct Answer: Option A (Indo-Greek (Hind-Yunani))

Detailed Explanation: Demetrius I was a Greco-Bactrian/Indo-Greek king who invaded NW India around 180 BCE.

Q41. Match the Western Satrap Ruler Rudradaman to his correct Dynasty / Tribe:

Correct Answer: Option A (Shaka)

Detailed Explanation: Rudradaman I was a prominent Western Satrap ruler belonging to the Kardamaka Shaka dynasty.

Q42. Match Gondophernes to his correct Dynasty / Tribe:

Correct Answer: Option A (Pahlava (Indo-Parthian))

Detailed Explanation: Gondophares was the founder of the Indo-Parthian (Pahlava) Kingdom in Takshashila (Takht-i-Bahi inscription).

Q43. Match Vima Kadphises to his correct Dynasty / Tribe:

Correct Answer: Option A (Kushan)

Detailed Explanation: Vima Kadphises was a major Kushana emperor (father of Kanishka I).

Q44. What was the name of the Indo-Greek ruler who established capital at Sakala (Sialkot)?

Correct Answer: Option A (Menander I (Milinda))

Detailed Explanation: Menander I ruled a vast Indo-Greek territory from Sakala (modern Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan).

Q45. The Mathura school of art flourished primarily during the reign of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Kushanas)

Detailed Explanation: Mathura art developed indigenously using spotted red sandstone under Kushana emperors like Kanishka and Huvishka.

Q46. Heliodorus, who set up the Garuda Pillar at Besnagar, was an ambassador of which Indo-Greek king?

Correct Answer: Option A (Antialcidas)

Detailed Explanation: Heliodorus was dispatched by Taxila's Indo-Greek King Antialcidas to Shunga King Bhagabhadra's court at Vidisha.

Q47. What was the capital city of the Kanva Dynasty?

Correct Answer: Option A (Pataliputra)

Detailed Explanation: Vasudeva Kanva founded Kanva rule at Pataliputra after overthrowing the Shungas in 73 BCE.

Q48. Who was the Christian apostle reported to have visited the court of Indo-Parthian King Gondophares?

Correct Answer: Option A (Saint Thomas)

Detailed Explanation: According to the 'Acts of Thomas', St. Thomas visited Gondophares' court in Taxila around 46 CE before traveling to South India.

Q49. What type of coins were issued by Satavahanas due to copper/silver scarcity in Deccan?

Correct Answer: Option A (Lead and Potin coins)

Detailed Explanation: Satavahanas extensively issued lead, potin (copper alloy), bronze, and copper currency.

Q50. The Gatha Saptashati (Gaha Sattasai), an ancient Prakrit love poetry anthology, was authored by:

Correct Answer: Option A (King Hala (Satavahana ruler))

Detailed Explanation: Satavahana King Hala (17th ruler) compiled 700 Maharashtri Prakrit verses in Gatha Saptashati.

Q51. What ancient Prakrit work 'Brihatkatha' was composed by Gunadhya in the Satavahana court?

Correct Answer: Option A (Brihatkatha (in Paisaci language))

Detailed Explanation: Gunadhya wrote Brihatkatha in Paisaci Prakrit dialect during Satavahana rule.

Q52. The Rabatak inscription discovered in Afghanistan provides key genealogical information about which ruler?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kanishka I)

Detailed Explanation: Discovered in 1993 in Bactrian language, Rabatak inscription establishes Kanishka's lineage: Kujula Kadphises $\rightarrow$ Vima Taktu $\rightarrow$ Vima Kadphises $\rightarrow$ Kanishka.

Q53. What Kushana ruler first adopted the title 'Devaputra' (Son of Heaven) under Chinese influence?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kanishka I)

Detailed Explanation: Kushana emperors adopted 'Devaputra' (Son of God/Heaven) alongside 'Shahanushahi' (King of Kings).

Q54. Which Satavahana king issued coins depicting double-masted ships showing maritime trade strength?

Correct Answer: Option A (Yajna Sri Satakarni)

Detailed Explanation: Yajna Sri Satakarni minted lead coins featuring dual-masted ocean ships, reflecting trade with Roman Empire.

Q55. Who was the Sanskrit scholar who authored 'Saundarananda' and 'Shariputra-Prakarana'?

Correct Answer: Option A (Ashvaghosha)

Detailed Explanation: Ashvaghosha (Kanishka's court poet) authored Saundarananda, Shariputra-Prakarana (first Sanskrit drama), and Buddhacharita.

Q56. What foreign invasion sequence occurred in Post-Mauryan North-West India?

Correct Answer: Option A (Indo-Greeks $\rightarrow$ Shakas $\rightarrow$ Pahlavas $\rightarrow$ Kushanas)

Detailed Explanation: Chronological invasion order: 1. Indo-Greeks (2nd century BCE) $\rightarrow$ 2. Shakas/Scythians (1st century BCE) $\rightarrow$ 3. Pahlavas/Parthians (1st century CE) $\rightarrow$ 4. Kushanas (1st–2nd century CE).

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