Top 50 Ancient History MCQs for SSC with Practice Mock Test
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- 50 high-quality Ancient Indian History multiple choice questions
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Top 50 Ancient History MCQs
Q1. Prithviraj III was the king of_______dynasty who defeated Sultan Muhammad Gori in 1191.
(a) Paramara
(b) Solanki
(c) Gahadwala
(d) Chauhan (Chahamana)
Answer: d) Chauhan (Chahamana)
Explanation: Prithviraj III, commonly known as Prithviraj Chauhan, was a king of the Chauhan (Chahamana) dynasty. He famously defeated Sultan Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 CE.
Q2. Who among the following was the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan?
(a) Banabhatta
(b) Kalidasa
(c) Harisena
(d) Chand Bardai
Answer: d) Chand Bardai
Explanation: Chand Bardai was the court poet and close friend of Prithviraj Chauhan. He is best known for composing the epic poem “Prithviraj Raso,” which narrates the life and exploits of Prithviraj Chauhan.
Q3. Who among the following was greatest ruler of Pratihara Dynasty ?
(a) Nagabhata I
(b) Vatsaraja
(c) Nagabhata II
(d) Bhoja I (Mihira Bhoja)
Answer: d) Bhoja I (Mihira Bhoja)
Explanation: Mihira Bhoja, also known as Bhoja I, was the most powerful and illustrious ruler of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty. His long reign marked the peak of Pratihara power and expansion in North India during the 9th century CE.
Q4. Mihira Bhoja was the ruler of ––––––.
(a) Pala Dynasty
(b) Rashtrakuta Dynasty
(c) Chandela Dynasty
(d) Pratihara Dynasty
Answer: d) Pratihara Dynasty
Explanation: Mihira Bhoja was a prominent king of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, which dominated much of North India during the early medieval period.
Q5. Prithviraj Chauhan married_____. She was the daughter of his enemy Jaichand Gahadwal.
(a) Jodhabai
(b) Padmini
(c) Mrignayani
(d) Sanyogita
Answer: d) Sanyogita
Explanation: Prithviraj Chauhan’s legendary elopement and marriage with Sanyogita, the daughter of his arch-rival Jaichand Gahadwal of Kannauj, is a romanticized event described in various historical accounts and folklores like Prithviraj Raso.
Q6. Who was Prithviraj Chauhan’s father?
(a) Vigraharaja IV
(b) Arnoraja
(c) Ajaypal
(d) Someshvara
Answer: d) Someshvara
Explanation: Prithviraj Chauhan III was the son of the Chahamana (Chauhan) king Someshvara and Queen Karpuradevi.
Q7. Name the poet who wrote “Prithviraj Raso”, a poem describing Prithviraj Chauhan’s life
(a) Kalidasa
(b) Tulsidas
(c) Surdas
(d) Chand Bardai
Answer: d) Chand Bardai
Explanation: Chand Bardai, the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan, is famously credited with writing “Prithviraj Raso,” an epic poem that chronicles the life and heroic deeds of the Chauhan ruler.
Q8. What were the two major cities under control of the Chahamanas?
(a) Delhi and Lucknow
(b) Ujjain and Delhi
(c) Agra and Ajmer
(d) Ajmer and Delhi
Answer: d) Ajmer and Delhi
Explanation: The Chahamanas (Chauhans) initially had their capital at Shakambhari and later established Ajmer as a significant center. Under Prithviraj Chauhan III, their influence extended to include Delhi, making both Ajmer and Delhi important cities under their control.
Q9. The _ rulers established their religious capital at Khajuraho.
(a) Pala
(b) Pratihara
(c) Rashtrakuta
(d) Chandela
Answer: d) Chandela
Explanation: The Chandela rulers, who reigned in Central India from the 9th to the 13th centuries CE, established their religious and cultural capital at Khajuraho, where they built the famous group of Hindu and Jain temples.
Q10. Which of the following dynasties made Kannauj (Kanyakubja) its capital city?
(a) Pala
(b) Rashtrakuta
(c) Chalukya
(d) Gurjara-Pratihara
Answer: d) Gurjara-Pratihara
Explanation: Kannauj (Kanyakubja) was a strategically important city in North India, and during the tripartite struggle in the Early Medieval period, the Gurjara-Pratiharas ultimately succeeded in making it their capital, signifying their dominance. Harshavardhana of the Vardhana dynasty also made Kannauj his capital before them.
Q11. Which of the following Gupta kings established Nalanda University?
(a) Chandragupta I
(b) Samudragupta
(c) Chandragupta II
(d) Kumaragupta I
Answer: d) Kumaragupta I
Explanation: The renowned Nalanda University, a major Buddhist monastic university and center of learning, was established in the 5th century CE by the Gupta emperor Kumaragupta I.
Q12. Which of the following styles of temple architecture is popular in North India?
(a) Dravida style
(b) Vesara style
(c) Hoysala style
(d) Nagara style
Answer: d) Nagara style
Explanation: The Nagara style is the predominant style of temple architecture found in North India, characterized by its curvilinear shikhara (tower) over the sanctum sanctorum and generally no elaborate boundary walls or gateways.
Q13. Which is the architectural rock of Brihaddiswara Temple located in Tamil Nadu?
(a) Sandstone
(b) Marble
(c) Basalt
(d) Granite
Answer: d) Granite
Explanation: The Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur, a magnificent example of Chola architecture, is almost entirely constructed from granite, including its massive vimana (tower).
Q14. How many temples are there in Panchayat an style of architecture?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Five
Answer: d) Five
Explanation: The Panchayatan style of temple architecture is a subset of the Nagara style, where the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines at the four corners, making a total of five temples within the complex.
Q15. Which of the following Buddhist universities is located in Bihar, India?
(a) Taxila
(b) Vallabhi
(c) Sarnath
(d) Nalanda
Answer: d) Nalanda
Explanation: Nalanda University, one of the most famous ancient centers of learning in the world, was a prominent Buddhist university located in the modern-day state of Bihar, India.
Q16. In which state is the brick temple of Bhitargaon located?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Odisha
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: d) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: The ancient brick temple of Bhitargaon, known for being one of the earliest surviving Hindu brick temples with a true arch, is located in the Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
Q17. In which state is Sanchi Stupa located?
(a) Bihar
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: d) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: The Great Stupa at Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in India, is located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh.
Q18. Which Indian state is home to Buddhist cave temples these are known as Barabar Caves?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Odisha
(d) Bihar
Answer: d) Bihar
Explanation: The Barabar Caves, located in the Jehanabad district of Bihar, are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating back to the Mauryan period. They were primarily used by the Ajivika sect.
Q19. The Ravan Phadi cave in_______is an example of the early Chalukya style architecture which is known for its distinct sculptural style.
(a) Badami
(b) Pattadakal
(c) Hampi
(d) Aihole
Answer: d) Aihole
Explanation: The Ravan Phadi cave, an early rock-cut Hindu temple, is situated in Aihole, Karnataka. It represents an important example of early Chalukya style architecture with its distinctive sculptural art.
Q20. Which element in North Indian temple architecture represents the superstructure or tower over the sanctum sanctorum and pillared mandapas?
(a) Vimana
(b) Gopuram
(c) Garbhagriha
(d) Shikhara
Answer: d) Shikhara
Explanation: In North Indian (Nagara style) temple architecture, the ‘shikhara’ is the curvilinear or pyramidal tower that rises directly above the ‘garbhagriha’ (sanctum sanctorum), symbolizing the cosmic mountain.
Q21. Hoysaleshwara temple was built with which of the following stones by a Hoysala king in 1150?
(a) Granite
(b) Marble
(c) Sandstone
(d) Soapstone (Chloritic Schist)
Answer: d) Soapstone (Chloritic Schist)
Explanation: The Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture, is famously carved from soft soapstone (chloritic schist), which allowed for the intricate and highly detailed carvings that characterize the style.
Q22. Nagarjuni caves were donated by the Mauryas to which of the following sects?
(a) Buddhist
(b) Jain
(c) Shaivite
(d) Ajivikas
Answer: d) Ajivikas
Explanation: The Nagarjuni Caves (and also the nearby Barabar Caves) in Bihar were rock-cut chambers dedicated by the Mauryan emperors (specifically Dasharatha, Ashoka’s grandson) to the Ajivika sect, an ancient ascetic philosophical movement.
Q23. Mauryan Pillar Capital found at________is popularly known as Lion capital.
(a) Vaishali
(b) Rampurva
(c) Lauriya Nandangarh
(d) Sarnath
Answer: d) Sarnath
Explanation: The Mauryan Pillar Capital found at Sarnath is the most famous and iconic of Ashoka’s capitals. It features four Asiatic lions standing back to back and forms the national emblem of India.
Q24. Dilwara Temples at Mount Abu, Rajasthan is an example of……. Temple architecture
(a) Buddhist
(b) Hindu
(c) Sikh
(d) Jain
Answer: d) Jain
Explanation: The Dilwara Temples, located near Mount Abu in Rajasthan, are a group of exquisitely carved Jain temples, renowned for their stunning marble architecture and intricate sculptural details.
Q25. Bagh caves, which has 9 Buddhist caves , was developed around 6th century AD situated on the Bagh river in……..
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Gujarat
(d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: d) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: The Bagh Caves, a group of rock-cut Buddhist caves known for their mural paintings, are located on the bank of the Bagh River in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. They date back to the late 4th to 6th centuries CE.
Q26. Shri Brahmapurishwar Temple is located in which state of India?
(a) Karnataka
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Kerala
(d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: d) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: The Shri Brahmapurishwarar Temple, a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Tirukattupalli, Thanjavur district, in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Q27. Rambhar Stupa, the place where Lord Buddha was cremated, is located in which state of India?
(a) Bihar
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Odisha
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: d) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: The Rambhar Stupa, a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site marking the cremation spot of Lord Buddha, is located in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
Q28. The mighty gateways found at the temples of South India is called?
(a) Vimana
(b) Shikhara
(c) Mandapa
(d) Gopuram
Answer: d) Gopuram
Explanation: In South Indian (Dravidian style) temple architecture, the ‘gopuram’ refers to the massive, ornate, and often multi-storied gateway towers that form the entrance to the temple complex.
Q29. Which of the following limestone caves is in India?
(a) Ajanta Caves
(b) Ellora Caves
(c) Elephanta Caves
(d) Borra Caves
Answer: d) Borra Caves
Explanation: The Borra Caves are famous limestone caves located in the Ananthagiri Hills of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. Ajanta, Ellora, and Elephanta caves are primarily rock-cut and carved from basalt.
Q30. The ancient Neemrana stepwell is located in which of the following districts of Rajasthan?
(a) Jaipur
(b) Jodhpur
(c) Udaipur
(d) Alwar
Answer: d) Alwar
Explanation: The ancient Neemrana Baori (stepwell), a magnificent example of traditional water harvesting and architecture, is located in Neemrana, Alwar district, Rajasthan.
Q31. In which city of Gujarat will you find the Uparkot Buddhist Caves?
(a) Ahmedabad
(b) Vadodara
(c) Rajkot
(d) Junagadh
Answer: d) Junagadh
Explanation: The Uparkot Buddhist Caves, a group of ancient man-made caves with intricate carvings, are located within the Uparkot Fort in the city of Junagadh, Gujarat.
Q32. The Bhaja Caves are located in __.
(a) Gujarat
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Maharashtra
Answer: d) Maharashtra
Explanation: The Bhaja Caves are a group of 22 rock-cut Buddhist caves dating back to the 2nd century BCE, located near Lonavala in the Pune district of Maharashtra.
Q33. Ajanta Caves is in………
(a) Gujarat
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Maharashtra
Answer: d) Maharashtra
Explanation: The Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments and exquisite mural paintings, are situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
Q34. In which of the following states is the Ajanta caves situated?
(a) Karnataka
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Bihar
(d) Maharashtra
Answer: d) Maharashtra
Explanation: The Ajanta Caves are located in the state of Maharashtra, India.
Q35. Which of the following is not true about Ajanta Caves?
(a) They are rock-cut caves.
(b) They predominantly feature Buddhist themes.
(c) They are famous for their mural paintings.
(d) They were built during the Mauryan period.
Answer: d) They were built during the Mauryan period.
Explanation: The Ajanta Caves primarily date from two periods: the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE (Hinayana phase) and the 5th century CE (Mahayana phase), falling mainly under the Satavahana and Vakataka/Gupta periods, respectively, not the Mauryan period. The other statements are true.
Q36. The rock-cut cave monuments at Ajanta in Maharashtra belong to which religion?
(a) Jainism
(b) Hinduism
(c) Sikhism
(d) Buddhism
Answer: d) Buddhism
Explanation: The Ajanta Caves are entirely dedicated to Buddhism, containing chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries) associated with both Hinayana and Mahayana forms of Buddhism.
Q37. In which of the following states is Kardang Monastery situated ?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Sikkim
(c) Uttarakhand
(d) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: d) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: The Kardang Monastery, an important Buddhist monastery belonging to the Drukpa Kagyud sect, is located in the Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
Q38. ____is famous for outstanding specimen of Buddhist art and architecture, belonging to the period between the 3rd century B.C. and the 12th century A.D.
(a) Elephanta Caves
(b) Ajanta Caves
(c) Ellora Caves
(d) Sanchi Stupa
Answer: d) Sanchi Stupa
Explanation: The Buddhist monuments at Sanchi, particularly the Great Stupa, are renowned for their exceptional Buddhist art and architecture, with structures dating from the Mauryan period (3rd century BCE) through to the medieval period (12th century CE).
Q39. The famous Dilwara temples of Mount Abu sacred pilgrimage place for the
(a) Hindus
(b) Buddhists
(c) Sikhs
(d) Jains
Answer: d) Jains
Explanation: The Dilwara Temples are a cluster of highly revered Jain temples, making Mount Abu a sacred pilgrimage site for followers of Jainism.
Q40. In which of the following place, are the Dilwara temples of Jainism located ?
(a) Jaipur, Rajasthan
(b) Jodhpur, Rajasthan
(c) Udaipur, Rajasthan
(d) Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Answer: d) Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Explanation: The famous Dilwara Temples, known for their exquisite marble carvings, are located on Mount Abu, the highest peak in the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan.
Q41. Which dynasty built the pancha rathas of Mahabalipuram ?
(a) Chola Dynasty
(b) Chera Dynasty
(c) Pandya Dynasty
(d) Pallava Dynasty
Answer: d) Pallava Dynasty
Explanation: The Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) at Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are monolithic rock-cut temples built by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I in the 7th century CE.
Q42. Mahabalipuram was founded by……….
(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Rajaraja I
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Narasimhavarman I
Answer: d) Narasimhavarman I
Explanation: The port city of Mahabalipuram (now Mamallapuram) was developed and possibly founded by the great Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, after whom it is also sometimes called Mamallapuram.
Q43. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple was constructed by ––––––.
(a) Pala Dynasty
(b) Pratihara Dynasty
(c) Solanki Dynasty
(d) Chandela Dynasty
Answer: d) Chandela Dynasty
Explanation: The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, the largest and most ornate of the temples at Khajuraho, was built by the Chandela dynasty, most likely during the reign of King Vidyadhara (c. 1025-1050 CE).
Q44. Khajuraho Group of monuments are attributed to which dynasty?
(a) Gupta Dynasty
(b) Maurya Dynasty
(c) Chola Dynasty
(d) Chandela Dynasty
Answer: d) Chandela Dynasty
Explanation: The famous Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Madhya Pradesh, were built by the Chandela dynasty, primarily between 950 and 1050 CE.
Q45. Which dynasty built the Khajuraho temple complex?
(a) Pala
(b) Pratihara
(c) Rashtrakuta
(d) Chandela
Answer: d) Chandela
Explanation: The Khajuraho temple complex, renowned for its intricate carvings and unique architectural style, was constructed by the rulers of the Chandela dynasty.
Q46. The famous cultural site Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) is situated on the banks of which river ?
(a) Tapi
(b) Narmada
(c) Sabarmati
(d) Saraswati
Answer: d) Saraswati
Explanation: Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen’s Stepwell), a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Patan, Gujarat, is located on the banks of the Saraswati River. It was built by Queen Udayamati in memory of her husband King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty.
Q47. ‘Rani ki Vav’ in Gujarat is a famous…………
(a) Palace
(b) Fort
(c) Temple
(d) Stepwell
Answer: d) Stepwell
Explanation: ‘Rani ki Vav’ (Queen’s Stepwell) is an intricately constructed stepwell in Patan, Gujarat, famous for its architectural beauty and sculptural embellishments, serving as both a water source and a shrine.
Q48. Which temples are well-known for their Nagara style of architecture having erotic sculpturs?
(a) Sun Temple, Konark
(b) Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur
(c) Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
(d) Khajuraho Temples
Answer: d) Khajuraho Temples
Explanation: The Khajuraho Temples are renowned for their distinct Nagara style of architecture and their extensive display of erotic sculptures, which form a significant part of their artistic and philosophical narrative.
Q49. The Khajuraho Temples are located in the state of __.
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Bihar
(d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: d) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: The Khajuraho Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are situated in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
Q50. Ananthapura Lake Temple is a Hindu Temple built in the middle of a lake in………….
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Karnataka
(d) Kerala
Answer: d) Kerala
Explanation: The Ananthapura Lake Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Ananthapadmanabha), is a unique Hindu temple built in the middle of a lake in Kasaragod district, Kerala. It is famously associated with a vegetarian crocodile named Babiya.
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