Question 1

Which ancient Indian script was used in the Indus Valley Civilization and remains largely undeciphered?

Accepted Answer

The Indus Valley Civilization used a script known as the Indus script (or Harappan script), which appears on seals, pottery, and other artifacts. Despite numerous attempts by scholars, this script has not been definitively deciphered, making it one of archaeology's greatest unsolved mysteries.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of the Indus Valley Civilization?

Accepted Answer

The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE) is known for its planned cities, standardized weights and measures, advanced drainage systems, and undeciphered script. However, it is NOT characterized by the presence of large temples or palaces, monumental religious structures, or evidence of a centralized political authority like later civilizations. The civilization appears to have been primarily mercantile and egalitarian.

Question 3

The Vedic period in ancient India is traditionally divided into two main phases. Which of the following correctly identifies these phases?

Accepted Answer

The Vedic period (c. 1500–500 BCE) is divided into the Early Vedic Period (c. 1500–1000 BCE), characterized by the composition of the Rigveda and pastoral society, and the Later Vedic Period (c. 1000–500 BCE), marked by the composition of other Vedas, the emergence of kingdoms, and the development of the varna system.

Question 4

The Vedic period in ancient India is traditionally divided into two phases. Which of the following correctly identifies these two phases?

Accepted Answer

The Vedic period (c. 1500–500 BCE) is divided into the Rigvedic or Early Vedic period (c. 1500–1200 BCE) and the Later Vedic period (c. 1200–500 BCE). The Early Vedic period is marked by the composition of the Rigveda, while the Later Vedic period saw the composition of the other three Vedas and the emergence of the varna system.

Question 5

The Indus Valley Civilization was primarily located in which geographical region?

Accepted Answer

The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE) was centered in the Indus River valley, spanning present-day Pakistan and northwestern India (Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab). Major sites include Harappa and Mohenjo-daro in Pakistan, and Dholavira in Gujarat, India.

Question 6

Which Gupta emperor is known as 'Vikramaditya' and is credited with significant military conquests and the patronage of Sanskrit literature?

Accepted Answer

Chandragupta II (r. 375–415 CE), also known as Vikramaditya, was one of the greatest Gupta emperors. He expanded the empire through military conquests, defeated the Shakas, and was a major patron of arts, literature, and Sanskrit scholarship. The court poet Kalidasa flourished during his reign.

Question 7

The Indus Valley Civilization is also known by which other name, derived from the two major cities excavated in this region?

Accepted Answer

The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE) is also called the Harappan Civilization, named after Harappa, one of the two largest cities discovered. The other major city was Mohenjo-daro. Both cities show sophisticated urban planning and drainage systems.

Question 8

Which Gupta emperor is known as 'Vikramaditya' and is credited with the greatest territorial expansion of the Gupta Empire?

Accepted Answer

Chandragupta II (ruled c. 375–415 CE), also known as Vikramaditya, expanded the Gupta Empire to its greatest territorial extent, conquering the Malwa region and parts of western India. His reign is considered the golden age of the Gupta Empire, marked by cultural and scientific achievements.

Question 9

Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire?

Accepted Answer

Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire around 321 BCE after defeating the Nanda dynasty with the strategic guidance of Chanakya (Kautilya). He established one of the largest empires in ancient India.

Question 10

Which Mauryan emperor is credited with the conquest of Kalinga and subsequently embraced Buddhism after witnessing the bloodshed of war?

Accepted Answer

Ashoka the Great conquered Kalinga (modern-day Odisha) around 261 BCE. The massive casualties in this war—estimated at over 100,000 deaths—deeply affected Ashoka, leading him to renounce violence and convert to Buddhism. He then spread Buddhism across Asia and erected the famous Ashoka Pillars with edicts.

Question 11

Which Mauryan emperor issued the 'Edict of Kalinga' after being deeply moved by the devastation of the Kalinga War (approximately 261 BCE)?

Accepted Answer

Ashoka, the third Mauryan emperor, fought the Kalinga War around 261 BCE. Witnessing the massive loss of life (~100,000 killed, ~150,000 deported), he was so remorseful that he converted to Buddhism and issued the Kalinga Edict (Rock Edict XIII), renouncing war and adopting the policy of 'Dhamma Vijaya' (conquest through righteousness) over 'Bherighosha' (conquest by war).

Question 12

The Indus Valley Civilization is primarily dated to which period?

Accepted Answer

The Indus Valley Civilization (also called Harappan Civilization) flourished during approximately 2300–1750 BCE, with its mature phase lasting from 2600–1900 BCE. Archaeological evidence from sites like Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira confirms this Bronze Age dating.

Question 13

Which Gupta emperor is known for his military conquests and is often called the 'Napoleon of India'?

Accepted Answer

Samudragupta (ruled 335–375 CE) is historically recognized as the greatest military conqueror of the Gupta Empire. His extensive conquests across northern and central India, documented in the Allahabad Pillar inscription, earned him the epithet 'Napoleon of India' by modern historians.

Question 14

Which Mauryan emperor is credited with the construction of the famous Sanchi Stupa and the spread of Buddhism across the Indian subcontinent?

Accepted Answer

Ashoka the Great (ruled 268–232 BCE) commissioned the construction of the Sanchi Stupa in present-day Madhya Pradesh and erected numerous rock edicts promoting Buddhist dharma. He is historically recognized as the ruler who transformed the Mauryan Empire into a Buddhist state and sent missionary missions across Asia.

Question 15

Which ancient Indian text, composed during the Vedic period, is the oldest and contains hymns dedicated to various deities and is considered the foundation of Hindu philosophy?

Accepted Answer

The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas and is one of the oldest religious texts in the world, composed between 1500–1200 BCE during the early Vedic period. It contains 1,028 hymns (suktas) organized into 10 books (mandalas) and is dedicated to various Vedic deities such as Indra, Agni, and Soma. It forms the foundation of Vedic religion and Hindu philosophy.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT one of the four Vedas of ancient India?

Accepted Answer

The four Vedas are the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. These are the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, composed during the Vedic period. The Upanishads are philosophical texts that came later and are not classified as Vedas themselves, though they are considered Vedantic literature.

Question 17

The Vedic period in ancient India is traditionally divided into how many phases?

Accepted Answer

The Vedic period (c. 1500–500 BCE) is conventionally divided into two main phases: the Early Vedic Period (1500–1000 BCE) and the Later Vedic Period (1000–500 BCE). This division is based on linguistic, cultural, and social changes reflected in the Vedic texts themselves.

Question 18

Which Gupta emperor is known as 'Vikramaditya' and is credited with major military victories and the patronage of Sanskrit literature and the arts?

Accepted Answer

Chandragupta II (r. 375–415 CE), also known as Vikramaditya, was one of the greatest Gupta emperors. He expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent, defeated the Shakas (Western Satraps), and was a major patron of Sanskrit literature, mathematics, and astronomy. The court poet Kalidasa flourished during his reign.

Question 19

The Indus Valley Civilization is also known by which other name, derived from the location of one of its major excavation sites?

Accepted Answer

The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE) is also called the Harappan Civilization, named after the town of Harappa in present-day Punjab, Pakistan, where major archaeological excavations were conducted. Other significant sites include Mohenjo-daro ('Mound of the Dead' in Sindhi), but Harappa is the namesake civilization.

Question 20

Which Mauryan emperor is credited with the conquest of Kalinga in 261 BCE, an event that profoundly changed his outlook and led him to embrace Buddhism and non-violence (Ahimsa)?

Accepted Answer

Ashoka the Great conquered Kalinga (modern-day Odisha) in 261 BCE. The massive bloodshed and suffering caused during this conquest deeply affected him, leading to his conversion to Buddhism and adoption of Dhamma (righteous conduct). He subsequently renounced military conquest and became a patron of Buddhism, spreading it across Asia through missionary efforts and edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks.

SSC CGL Ancient India

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