Best SSC Preparation Guide: Ancient History MCQs + Online Test
Looking for the best way to prepare for the SSC Exam 2025?
This guide brings you a powerful combo of Ancient History MCQs and a free online mock test to sharpen your skills and boost your confidence.
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- Carefully selected Ancient Indian History MCQs based on previous SSC exams
- Questions tailored for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD, and other government job aspirants
- Ideal for quick revision and last-minute preparation
After reviewing the MCQs, take a free online test to evaluate your preparation level and improve accuracy under exam conditions.
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Best SSC Preparation Guide: Ancient History MCQs
- Q1: Which of the following is an example of a Chola empire temple?
- a) Shore Temple
- b) Brihadeshwara Temple
- c) Kailasa Temple
- d) Lingaraja Temple
- Explanation: The Brihadeshwara Temple (also known as Brihadishvara or Peruvudaiyar Koyil) at Thanjavur is a prime example of Chola architecture, built by Rajaraja I. The Shore Temple is Pallava, Kailasa Temple (Ellora) is Rashtrakuta, and Lingaraja Temple is Kalinga style (Odisha).
- Q2: Where is the famous rust–resistant iron pillar located?
- a) Agra
- b) Fatehpur Sikri
- c) Red Fort Complex
- d) Qutub Minar Complex
- Explanation: The famous rust-resistant Iron Pillar is located within the Qutub Minar Complex in Delhi.
- Q3: The Iron Pillar is located in?
- a) Mumbai
- b) Kolkata
- c) Delhi
- d) Chennai
- Explanation: The Iron Pillar is located in Delhi, specifically within the Qutub Minar Complex.
- Q4: Which of the following Jyotirlingas is in Maharashtra ?
- a) Kedarnath
- b) Somnath
- c) Bhimashankar
- d) Mahakaleshwar
- Explanation: Bhimashankar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is located in Maharashtra. Kedarnath is in Uttarakhand, Somnath in Gujarat, and Mahakaleshwar in Madhya Pradesh.
- Q5: The popular rock-cut sculpture, the ‘Descent of the Ganga’ is found in which of the following places of India?
- a) Ellora
- b) Ajanta
- c) Mahabalipuram
- d) Elephanta
- Explanation: The magnificent rock-cut sculpture depicting the ‘Descent of the Ganga’ (or Arjuna’s Penance) is a prominent feature at Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) in Tamil Nadu.
- Q6: Rajrappa is the location of a Shaktipeeth as well as the confluence of the rivers Damodar and Vera. Which state is it located in?
- a) West Bengal
- b) Jharkhand
- c) Bihar
- d) Odisha
- Explanation: Rajrappa, known for its Maa Chhinnamasta Temple (a Shaktipeeth) and the confluence of the Damodar and Bhera rivers, is located in Jharkhand.
- Q7: Which dynasty had developed the Gandhara School of Art in ancient India ?
- a) Maurya
- b) Gupta
- c) Kushan
- d) Satavahana
- Explanation: The Gandhara School of Art, characterized by its Greco-Roman influence, flourished primarily under the patronage of the Kushan dynasty, particularly during the reign of Kanishka.
- Q8: Who built the group of monuments at Mahabalipuram?
- a) Cholas
- b) Pallavas
- c) Pandyas
- d) Chalukyas
- Explanation: The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, including the rock-cut rathas and mandapas, were primarily built by the Pallava kings, especially Narasimhavarman I.
- Q9: Where is the Brihadeshwar temple, built during the Chola period, is located?
- a) Madurai
- b) Kancheepuram
- c) Thanjavur (Tanjore)
- d) Gangaikondacholapuram
- Explanation: The Brihadeshwara Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Thanjavur (Tanjore) in Tamil Nadu.
- Q10: The famous Brihadeshwara Temple is located in
- a) Madurai
- b) Kanchipuram
- c) Thanjavur
- d) Rameswaram
- Explanation: The Brihadeshwara Temple is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
- Q11: A pillar containing inscriptions from three different periods, i.e. the Mauryan period, Gupta period and Mughal period, is located at:
- a) Sarnath
- b) Sanchi
- c) Allahabad (Prayagraj)
- d) Delhi (Iron Pillar)
- Explanation: The Allahabad Pillar (now in Prayagraj) has inscriptions from Emperor Ashoka (Mauryan), Samudragupta (Gupta), and Jahangir (Mughal), making it unique.
- Q12: Which temple complex is in the shape of a gigantic chariot, having elaborately carved stone wheels, pillars and walls ?
- a) Meenakshi Temple
- b) Brihadeshwara Temple
- c) Konark Sun Temple
- d) Somnath Temple
- Explanation: The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha is famously designed in the shape of a colossal chariot, with twelve pairs of intricately carved wheels.
- Q13: ‘Sun Temple’ is situated in the state of————
- a) Gujarat
- b) Rajasthan
- c) Odisha
- d) Madhya Pradesh
- Explanation: The famous Konark Sun Temple is located in Odisha. (There is also a Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarat, but Konark is the most prominent when referred to simply as “Sun Temple”).
- Q14: Odisha’s World famous Konark Sun Temple was built by___.
- a) Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva
- b) Narasimhadeva I
- c) Kapilendradeva
- d) Purushottamadeva
- Explanation: The Konark Sun Temple was built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
- Q15: Which temple is built in the form of the chariot of Surya, the Sun God with 24 wheels?
- a) Modhera Sun Temple
- b) Konark Sun Temple
- c) Martand Sun Temple
- d) Dakshinaarka Temple
- Explanation: The Konark Sun Temple is designed as a colossal chariot with 24 wheels, pulled by seven horses, dedicated to the Sun God, Surya.
- Q16: What is the popular name of Monolithic rock shrines at Mahabalipuram?
- a) Caves
- b) Temples
- c) Rathas
- d) Stupas
- Explanation: The monolithic rock-cut shrines at Mahabalipuram are popularly known as ‘Rathas’ (chariots), as they resemble chariots.
- Q17: The Rath temples at Mahabalipuram were built by ………….
- a) Cholas
- b) Pallavas
- c) Pandyas
- d) Chalukyas
- Explanation: The Rath temples at Mahabalipuram were built by the Pallava dynasty, particularly during the reign of Narasimhavarman I.
- Q18: Chalukya temples (Jain temples) at Dilwara are situated in
- a) Karnataka
- b) Maharashtra
- c) Rajasthan
- d) Gujarat
- Explanation: The Dilwara Temples, though primarily Jain, show some Chalukya influence in their patronage and style, and are located in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
- Q19: Which of the following place is nearest to Hemish Math?
- a) Gangtok
- b) Dharamshala
- c) Leh
- d) Manali
- Explanation: Hemis Monastery (Hemis Math) is located near Leh, in the Ladakh region.
- Q20: What is the Mehrauli Pillar in the complex of Qutub Minar primarily famous for?
- a) Its height
- b) Its intricate carvings
- c) Its remarkable resistance to rust
- d) Its historical inscriptions
- Explanation: The Mehrauli Iron Pillar (within the Qutub Minar complex) is renowned for its extraordinary corrosion resistance, an unsolved metallurgical marvel.
- Q21: Which of the following is not correctly matched?
- a) Konark Sun Temple – Odisha
- b) Brihadeeswara Temple – Tamil Nadu
- c) Dilwara Temples – Rajasthan
- d) Ajanta Caves – Madhya Pradesh
- Explanation: Ajanta Caves are located in Maharashtra, not Madhya Pradesh. All other pairs are correctly matched.
- Q22: Shiva cave is located in………..
- a) Ajanta Caves
- b) Ellora Caves
- c) Elephanta Caves
- d) Badami Caves
- Explanation: The Elephanta Caves, located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai Harbour, are predominantly dedicated to Lord Shiva and house magnificent sculptures of him.
- Q23: ………..comprises the archaeological remains of a monastic and scholastic institution.
- a) Sanchi Stupa
- b) Ajanta Caves
- c) Nalanda Mahavihara
- d) Elephanta Caves
- Explanation: Nalanda Mahavihara was a renowned Buddhist monastery and a major international center of learning and scholarship.
- Q24: Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi is in……………
- a) Uttar Pradesh
- b) Madhya Pradesh
- c) Bihar
- d) Maharashtra
- Explanation: The Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, including the Great Stupa, are located in Madhya Pradesh.
- Q25: Nalanda Mahavihara site is in
- a) Uttar Pradesh
- b) Bihar
- c) West Bengal
- d) Odisha
- Explanation: The ancient site of Nalanda Mahavihara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Bihar.
- Q26: Group of Monuments at Pattadakal is in
- a) Andhra Pradesh
- b) Karnataka
- c) Maharashtra
- d) Tamil Nadu
- Explanation: The Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, famous for their Chalukyan architecture, are located in Karnataka.
- Q27: Who built the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal?
- a) Pallavas
- b) Cholas
- c) Chalukyas
- d) Rashtrakutas
- Explanation: The temples at Pattadakal were built by the Chalukya dynasty, particularly the Badami Chalukyas.
- Q28: The oldest rock-cut architecture is found in…….
- a) Ajanta Caves
- b) Ellora Caves
- c) Barabar Caves
- d) Bhaja Caves
- Explanation: The Barabar Caves in Bihar, dating back to the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE), are considered the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India.
- Q29: Ellora Caves is in_____.
- a) Karnataka
- b) Maharashtra
- c) Madhya Pradesh
- d) Gujarat
- Explanation: The Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain rock-cut architecture, are located in Maharashtra.
- Q30: Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka is located in the foothills of?
- a) Aravalli Range
- b) Vindhya Range
- c) Satpura Range
- d) Western Ghats
- Explanation: The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, famous for their prehistoric cave paintings, are located in the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh.
- Q31: Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka is in………..
- a) Uttar Pradesh
- b) Madhya Pradesh
- c) Rajasthan
- d) Bihar
- Explanation: The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are located in Madhya Pradesh.
- Q32: Which is representative of Dravida style of temple architecture?
- a) Shikhara
- b) Vimana
- c) Anda
- d) Kalasha
- Explanation: ‘Vimana’ is the pyramidal tower over the sanctum in Dravidian style temple architecture. ‘Shikhara’ is its North Indian (Nagara) counterpart. ‘Anda’ is for stupas.
- Q33: Elephanata Caves is in
- a) Pune
- b) Mumbai
- c) Nashik
- d) Aurangabad
- Explanation: Elephanta Caves are located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai Harbour.
- Q34: Elephanta Caves is located in which city?
- a) Chennai
- b) Bengaluru
- c) Mumbai
- d) Delhi
- Explanation: Elephanta Caves are near Mumbai.
- Q35: ……….caves are a network of sculpted caves located in Mumbai Harbour.
- a) Ajanta
- b) Ellora
- c) Elephanta
- d) Karla
- Explanation: Elephanta Caves are located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai Harbour.
- Q36: Elephanta caves are attributed to which God?
- a) Vishnu
- b) Brahma
- c) Shiva
- d) Ganesha
- Explanation: The Elephanta Caves are primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva, with magnificent sculptures depicting various forms and legends of Shiva.
- Q37: The earliest reference to sati custom is made in which of the following inscriptions?
- a) Aihole inscription
- b) Eran inscription
- c) Junagadh inscription
- d) Prayag Prashasti
- Explanation: The earliest epigraphic evidence of Sati custom is found in the Eran Pillar Inscription of Goparaja, dating to 510 CE, during the Gupta period.
- Q38: The famous Vishnu temple at Angkor Wat in Cambodia was built by?
- a) Jayavarman VII
- b) Suryavarman II
- c) Indravarman I
- d) Yasovarman I
- Explanation: The magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex, originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the 12th century.
- Q39: Gyana Saraswati temple of southern India is located at:
- a) Mysore
- b) Thiruvarur
- c) Basar
- d) Sringeri
- Explanation: The Gnana Saraswati Temple, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, is located at Basar (Basara) in Telangana, on the banks of the Godavari River.
- Q40: Which historical site is located in ‘Jaugada’ in Odisha?
- a) Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
- b) Konark Sun Temple
- c) Ashokan Rock Edict
- d) Lingaraja Temple
- Explanation: Jaugada is one of the sites in Odisha where an important Ashokan Rock Edict (Major Rock Edict XIII) is located, describing the Kalinga War and Ashoka’s remorse.
- Q41: The famous caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri are located in _________
- a) Madhya Pradesh
- b) Odisha
- c) Bihar
- d) Maharashtra
- Explanation: The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, known for their Jain rock-cut shelters, are located near Bhubaneswar in Odisha.
- Q42: Charupallam, ‘the village of the Incline’ is located near which temple ?
- a) Brihadeshwara Temple
- b) Shore Temple
- c) Gangaikondacholapuram Temple
- d) Meenakshi Temple
- Explanation: Charupallam (‘the village of the Incline’) is associated with the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple, built by Rajendra Chola I, as it refers to the ramp used to lift the enormous capstone to the top of the Vimana.
- Q43: Which of the following temple is built by Rastrakutas Dynasty ?
- a) Kailasa Temple at Ellora
- b) Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur
- c) Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram
- d) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
- Explanation: The Kailasa Temple at Ellora, carved out of a single rock, is an outstanding example of rock-cut architecture attributed to the Rashtrakuta dynasty, particularly Krishna I.
- Q44: Kapaleeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu is dedicated to which Indian God ?
- a) Vishnu
- b) Shiva
- c) Brahma
- d) Murugan
- Explanation: The Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai, is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Q45: Temple for Goddess Nishumbhasudini was built by ––––––.
- a) Rajaraja I
- b) Vijayalaya
- c) Rajendra I
- d) Parantaka I
- Explanation: Vijayalaya Chola, the founder of the imperial Chola dynasty, built the temple for Goddess Nishumbhasudini (Durga) after capturing Thanjavur.
- Q46: Ajanta and Ellora caves are located in which state of India ?
- a) Karnataka
- b) Andhra Pradesh
- c) Maharashtra
- d) Madhya Pradesh
- Explanation: Both the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are located in Maharashtra, near Aurangabad.
- Q47: The Chaiturgarh Fort in Korba, Chhattisgarh is home to a famous and unique temple. Which is that temple ?
- a) Maa Bamleshwari Temple
- b) Mahishasura Mardini Temple
- c) Maa Danteshwari Temple
- d) Maa Kaali Temple
- Explanation: The Chaiturgarh Fort complex houses the famous Mahishasura Mardini Temple.
- Q48: Which of the following cities is home of the famous Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in India?
- a) Mumbai
- b) Ahmedabad
- c) Gandhinagar
- d) Delhi
- Explanation: The prominent Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. (There is also a large Akshardham Temple in Delhi, but the Gandhinagar one is often referred to as the main one for the Swaminarayan sect, and was built earlier). Given the options, Gandhinagar is the likely intended answer.
- Q49: Meenakshi Temple is located in which state ?
- a) Andhra Pradesh
- b) Karnataka
- c) Tamil Nadu
- d) Kerala
- Explanation: The Meenakshi Amman Temple, a historic Hindu temple, is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
- Q50: The Biraja Temple, the Rajarani Temple and the Samaleswari Temple are all located in–––.
- a) Karnataka
- b) Tamil Nadu
- c) Odisha
- d) Kerala
- Explanation: The Biraja Temple (Jajpur), Rajarani Temple (Bhubaneswar), and Samaleswari Temple (Sambalpur) are all prominent temples located in the state of Odisha.
Ancient History MCQs With Mock Test Set:-7 Click Here
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