SSC Exam 2025: Best Ancient History MCQs with Mock Test Practice
Preparing for SSC Exam 2025? Don’t miss out on one of the most important sections – Ancient Indian History!
In this post, you’ll get a collection of the best and most important Ancient History MCQs based on previous years’ SSC exams. These questions are specially selected for candidates preparing for SSC CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS, and other government exams.
📚 What You’ll Find:
- Top Ancient History questions asked in SSC exams
- Quick and effective revision material
- Perfect for last-minute practice
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Best Ancient History MCQs
- Q1: In the 4th century BCE, the capital of Magadha was shifted to –––––.
- a) Rajagriha
- b) Pataliputra
- c) Vaishali
- d) Champa
- Explanation: While Rajagriha was the first capital, Pataliputra (modern Patna) became the capital of Magadha during the reign of Udayin in the 4th century BCE due to its strategic location.
- Q2: Kalinga’s King Kharvela was associated with which of the following dynasty?
- a) Maurya dynasty
- b) Satavahana dynasty
- c) Chedi dynasty
- d) Gupta dynasty
- Explanation: King Kharavela of Kalinga belonged to the Chedi dynasty (also known as Cheti dynasty), as evidenced by the Hathigumpha inscription.
- Q3: Which was the first empire in ancient India to use elephants in its war on a large scale?
- a) Nanda
- b) Magadha
- c) Maurya
- d) Gupta
- Explanation: The Magadha empire, particularly under the Nanda and later Maurya dynasties, was the first to effectively utilize elephants on a large scale in warfare, which contributed significantly to its military prowess.
- Q4: Who was the last Tirthankara of Jains?
- a) Rishabhanatha
- b) Parshvanatha
- c) Mahavira
- d) Ajitnath
- Explanation: Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara, is considered the reformer and popularizer of Jainism in its present form.
- Q5: In which Indian Religion, there are 24 Tirthankaras?
- a) Hinduism
- b) Jainism
- c) Buddhism
- d) Sikhism
- Explanation: The concept of 24 Tirthankaras (ford-makers) is central to Jainism, representing the lineage of enlightened teachers.
- Q6: Who was the first Tirthankara of Jainism?
- a) Rishabhanatha
- b) Mahavira
- c) Parshvanatha
- d) Ajitnath
- Explanation: Rishabhanatha (also known as Adinath) is revered as the first Tirthankara of Jainism.
- Q7: Which of the following religious groups annually celebrates the ‘Paryushan Parva’ for self purification and uplift by adhering of the ten universal virtues in practical life ?
- a) Buddhists
- b) Jains
- c) Sikhs
- d) Hindus
- Explanation: Paryushan Parva is the most important annual holy event for Jains, observed for self-purification and seeking forgiveness.
- Q8: Lord Mahavira was born in present state of
- a) Uttar Pradesh
- b) Bihar
- c) Rajasthan
- d) Madhya Pradesh
- Explanation: Lord Mahavira was born in Kundalagrama, near Vaishali, which is in the present-day state of Bihar, India.
- Q9: Santhara is a religious ritual of…. community.
- a) Buddhist
- b) Jain
- c) Hindu
- d) Sikh
- Explanation: Santhara (also known as Sallekhana) is a controversial, voluntary religious ritual of fasting to death practiced by some Jains.
- Q10: With which religion is Kaivalya associated?
- a) Buddhism
- b) Jainism
- c) Hinduism
- d) Sikhism
- Explanation: In Jainism, Kaivalya refers to the state of omniscience or supreme knowledge, the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation.
- Q11: A collective term used by the Jains for their sacred books is
- a) Tripitaka
- b) Agamas
- c) Angas (more precisely, Agamas, with Angas being a subset)
- d) Sutras
- Explanation: The sacred texts of Jainism are collectively known as the Agamas. The Angas are an important part of the Agamic literature, being the primary canonical texts. However, ‘Agamas’ is the broader collective term. If ‘Agamas’ is not an option, ‘Angas’ is often used to refer to a significant part of the canon. Given the options, Agamas is the most accurate collective term.
- Q12: The renowned Temple at Ranakpur is a__ Temple.
- a) Hindu
- b) Buddhist
- c) Jain
- d) Sikh
- Explanation: The Ranakpur Jain Temple, dedicated to Adinath, is one of the largest and most important Jain temples in India, famous for its intricate marble architecture.
- Q13: Name the holy city recognized as the birthplace of the first and fourth Jain Tirthankaras.
- a) Vaishali
- b) Pawapuri
- c) Ayodhya
- d) Kundalagrama
- Explanation: Ayodhya is revered as the birthplace of Rishabhanatha (the first Tirthankara) and Abhinandananatha (the fourth Tirthankara) in Jain tradition.
- Q14: According to the Jain Philosophy, the term ‘Jina’ means –––––.
- a) God
- b) Sage
- c) Conqueror
- d) Liberator
- Explanation: ‘Jina’ in Jainism means “conqueror” – one who has conquered inner passions like desire, attachment, hatred, and pride, and attained omniscience.
- Q15: Teachings of Mahavira, which were written about 1500 years ago, are currently present at which place?
- a) Pataliputra
- b) Vaishali
- c) Vallabhi
- d) Sarnath
- Explanation: The teachings of Mahavira, compiled in the Jain Agamas, were finally written down and codified at a council held in Vallabhi (in modern Gujarat) around the 5th century CE (about 1500 years ago).
- Q16: In which of the following states are the Son Bhandar Caves located?
- a) Uttar Pradesh
- b) Bihar
- c) Madhya Pradesh
- d) Maharashtra
- Explanation: The Son Bhandar Caves, believed to be associated with Jainism and containing ancient inscriptions, are located in Rajgir, Bihar.
- Q17: __________was the first woman to become a nun in Buddhism.
- a) Yasodhara
- b) Mahapajapati Gotami
- c) Amrapali
- d) Khema
- Explanation: Mahapajapati Gotami, the Buddha’s maternal aunt and foster mother, was the first woman to be ordained as a Buddhist nun (bhikkhuni).
- Q18: Which of the following Buddhist sites is not located in the Vengi Region of Andhra Pradesh?
- a) Amaravati
- b) Nagarjunakonda
- c) Ghantasala
- d) Sanchi
- Explanation: Amaravati, Nagarjunakonda, and Ghantasala are significant Buddhist sites located in the Vengi region (modern Andhra Pradesh). Sanchi, famous for its stupas, is located in Madhya Pradesh.
- Q19: Which is the oldest stupa of the Buddhist period?
- a) Sanchi Stupa
- b) Dhamek Stupa
- c) Chaukhandi Stupa
- d) Amaravati Stupa
- Explanation: The Great Stupa at Sanchi, originally built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, is considered the oldest surviving Buddhist stupa.
- Q20: Buddha meditated for days on end under a peepal tree at ……., where he attained enlightenment.
- a) Sarnath
- b) Bodh Gaya
- c) Kushinagar
- d) Lumbini
- Explanation: Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under a Bodhi (peepal) tree at Bodh Gaya, after which he became known as the Buddha.
- Q21: ………..was the book in which all the rules made for the Buddhist sangha was written down in.
- a) Sutta Pitaka
- b) Abhidhamma Pitaka
- c) Vinaya Pitaka
- d) Jataka Tales
- Explanation: The Vinaya Pitaka is one of the three baskets of the Tripitaka and contains the rules and regulations for the monastic order (Sangha) of Buddhism.
- Q22: At which Buddhist site in India did Gautam Buddha first preach the Dhamma?
- a) Sarnath
- b) Bodh Gaya
- c) Kushinagar
- d) Lumbini
- Explanation: After attaining enlightenment, Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon (the ‘Dharma Chakra Pravartana’ or ‘Turning of the Wheel of Law’) at Deer Park in Sarnath.
- Q23: Kya Gompa, the largest centre of Buddhist learning in the western Himalayas, is situated in the state/Union territory of ……
- a) Ladakh
- b) Uttarakhand
- c) Himachal Pradesh
- d) Jammu and Kashmir
- Explanation: Key Monastery (also spelled Ki or Kye Gompa) is a famous Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
- Q24: The place of Gautama Buddha’s birth was a grove known as ______.
- a) Sarnath
- b) Bodh Gaya
- c) Kushinagar
- d) Lumbini
- Explanation: Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was born in the Lumbini grove, located in present-day Nepal.
- Q25: At which of the following places did Lord Buddha attain enlightenment?
- a) Sarnath
- b) Bodh Gaya
- c) Kushinagar
- d) Lumbini
- Explanation: Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.
- Q26: To which Ganarajya Gautam Buddha belonged?
- a) Lichchhavis
- b) Vajjis
- c) Koliyas
- d) Sakyas
- Explanation: Gautam Buddha belonged to the Sakya clan, and his birthplace, Lumbini, was part of the Sakya republic (Ganarajya).
- Q27: Which Buddhist Council was held soon after the death of Gautam Buddha?
- a) First Buddhist Council
- b) Second Buddhist Council
- c) Third Buddhist Council
- d) Fourth Buddhist Council
- Explanation: The First Buddhist Council was convened at Rajagriha shortly after the Mahaparinirvana (death) of Gautam Buddha to preserve his teachings.
- Q28: In which city was the third Buddhist Council held?
- a) Rajagriha
- b) Vaishali
- c) Pataliputra
- d) Kundalavan
- Explanation: The Third Buddhist Council was convened in Pataliputra (modern Patna) under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka.
- Q29: One of the major events of Ashoka’s reign was the convening of the ______ Buddhist Sangha (council) in 250 BCE in the capital Pataliputra.
- a) First
- b) Second
- c) Third
- d) Fourth
- Explanation: Emperor Ashoka patronized the Third Buddhist Council, which was held in Pataliputra around 250 BCE.
- Q30: In which language did most Buddhist texts were written?
- a) Sanskrit
- b) Hindi
- c) Pali
- d) Prakrit
- Explanation: A large body of early Buddhist texts, especially those of the Theravada tradition, are written in Pali, which was likely close to the language Buddha himself spoke.
- Q31: Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana during the reign of which of the following rulers?
- a) Ashoka
- b) Kanishka
- c) Harshavardhana
- d) Samudragupta
- Explanation: The division of Buddhism into Mahayana and Hinayana occurred during the Fourth Buddhist Council, held under the patronage of Emperor Kanishka.
- Q32: The term ‘Stupa’ is associated with which of the following event of Gautam Buddha’s life?
- a) Birth
- b) Enlightenment
- c) First Sermon
- d) Mahaparinirvana (Death)
- Explanation: Stupas are commemorative mounds containing relics of the Buddha or Buddhist saints, symbolizing the Mahaparinirvana (death and final liberation) of the Buddha.
- Q33: Which of the following is a part of Sutta Pitaka?
- a) Vinaya
- b) Abhidhamma
- c) Jataka Tales
- d) Mahavagga
- Explanation: The Jataka Tales, which narrate stories of the Buddha’s previous lives, are part of the Khuddaka Nikaya, which itself is a division of the Sutta Pitaka.
- Q34: ‘Tripitakas’ are sacred books of………….
- a) Jains
- b) Buddhists
- c) Hindus
- d) Sikhs
- Explanation: The Tripitakas (literally “Three Baskets”) are the traditional collections of Buddhist scriptures, comprising the Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
- Q35: Gautam Buddha’s teachings are found mainly in:
- a) Vinaya Pitaka
- b) Sutta Pitaka
- c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
- d) Jataka Tales
- Explanation: The Sutta Pitaka (Discourse Basket) contains the main body of the Buddha’s discourses and teachings.
- Q36: From which monument, Gautama Buddha propagated his divine knowledge of Buddhism to the world?
- a) Sanchi Stupa
- b) Mahabodhi Temple Complex
- c) Dhamek Stupa
- d) Ajanta Caves
- Explanation: The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya is where Buddha attained enlightenment, making it the focal point from which his teachings originated and spread.
- Q37: The language in which Buddha preached?
- a) Sanskrit
- b) Pali
- c) Prakrit
- d) Ardhamagadhi
- Explanation: Buddha primarily preached in local dialects, often identified as a form of Middle Indo-Aryan, of which Pali is the most well-known and is the language of the Theravada canon.
- Q38: Which of the following stupas is not located in the state Uttar Pradesh ?
- a) Dhamek Stupa
- b) Chaukhandi Stupa
- c) Sarnath Stupa
- d) Sanchi Stupa
- Explanation: Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and Sarnath Stupa are all located in Uttar Pradesh. Sanchi Stupa is located in Madhya Pradesh.
- Q39: Which of the following is related with the architecture of Buddhist stupas ?
- a) Garbhagriha
- b) Shikhara
- c) Anda
- d) Vimana
- Explanation: ‘Anda’ (literally “egg”) refers to the hemispherical dome of a stupa, which is the main part of its architecture containing the relics. Garbhagriha, Shikhara, and Vimana are elements of Hindu temple architecture.
- Q40: The Mahayana text belongs to which religion?
- a) Jainism
- b) Buddhism
- c) Hinduism
- d) Sikhism
- Explanation: Mahayana is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism, and its scriptures are known as Mahayana texts.
- Q41: Which is the most important work of the Hinayana school?
- a) Mahayana Sutras
- b) Tripitaka (Pali Canon)
- c) Lotus Sutra
- d) Vajrayana Tantras
- Explanation: The Tripitaka, particularly the Pali Canon, is considered the most important and authoritative collection of scriptures for the Theravada (often equated with Hinayana historically) school of Buddhism.
- Q42: Which of the following sites is asociated with the birth of Gautama Buddha?
- a) Bodh Gaya
- b) Lumbini
- c) Sarnath
- d) Kushinagar
- Explanation: Lumbini is the traditional birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
- Q43: The concept of ‘The Four Noble Truths’ belongs to which of the following religions ?
- a) Jainism
- b) Buddhism
- c) Hinduism
- d) Sikhism
- Explanation: The Four Noble Truths are fundamental to Buddhist philosophy, outlining the nature of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path to its cessation.
- Q44: The Buddhist sites Vaishali and Nalanda are situated in which of the following states ?
- a) Uttar Pradesh
- b) Bihar
- c) Madhya Pradesh
- d) West Bengal
- Explanation: Both Vaishali, an ancient city significant in Buddha’s life, and Nalanda, a famous ancient Buddhist monastic university, are located in the state of Bihar, India.
- Q45: Ashta Mahasthan refers to eight important places associated with the life of Buddha. Which of the following is not one of them?
- a) Lumbini
- b) Bodh Gaya
- c) Sarnath
- d) Sanchi
- Explanation: The Ashta Mahasthanas (Eight Great Places) are Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon), Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana), Sravasti, Rajagriha, Sankassa, and Vaishali. Sanchi is a significant Buddhist site but not one of the Ashta Mahasthanas.
- Q46: During the reign of Kanishka, which of the following places was chosen as the venue of the fourth Buddhist Council?
- a) Pataliputra
- b) Vaishali
- c) Kundalavan (Kashmir)
- d) Rajagriha
- Explanation: The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kundalavan, Kashmir, during the reign of the Kushan emperor Kanishka.
- Q47: At which of the following places did Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on the Four Noble Truths?
- a) Bodh Gaya
- b) Sarnath
- c) Kushinagar
- d) Lumbini
- Explanation: Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, which included the Four Noble Truths, at the Deer Park in Sarnath.
- Q48: Who among the following was NOT a Nayanar saint?
- a) Appar
- b) Sambandar
- c) Sundarar
- d) Andal
- Explanation: Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar were prominent Nayanar saints, who were devotees of Shiva. Andal was one of the twelve Alvars, who were Vaishnavite (Vishnu) saints.
- Q49: ………is a depiction of the Hindu God Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance called Tandavam.
- a) Ardhanarishvara
- b) Nataraja
- c) Lingam
- d) Bhairava
- Explanation: Nataraja is the iconic depiction of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, representing the cyclical nature of creation, preservation, and destruction.
- Q50: Which god despite being the creator god among the Trimurti, is rarely worshiped today?
- a) Vishnu
- b) Shiva
- c) Brahma
- d) Indra
- Explanation: Brahma is considered the creator god in the Hindu Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva), but unlike Vishnu and Shiva, he is rarely worshipped in independent temples today.
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