Post-Mauryan Period MCQ: Pushyamitra Shunga, the Satavahanas & Kanishka's Court

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which school of art was developed during the Kushan period and was influenced by Greek art?

   • A.Mathura School
   • B.Gandhara School
   • C.Amravati School✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Sarnath School

   Explanation: The Gandhara School of Art was developed during the Kushan period. It was influenced by Greek art and received encouragement from Kanishka.

2. Q2.What is the correct chronological order of invaders in ancient India?

   • A.Greeks - Sakas - Kushans
   • B.Sakas - Greeks - Kushans✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kushans - Greeks - Sakas
   • D.Greeks - Kushans - Sakas

   Explanation: The correct chronological order is Greeks (326 BC), Sakas (1st century BC), and Kushans (1st century AD).

3. Q3.During which period did the practice of child marriage start?

   • A.Mauryan Period
   • B.Kushan Period
   • C.Gupta Period✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Vedic Period

   Explanation: The practice of child marriage started in the Kushan Period (1st century).

4. Q4.Who was the first ruler to invade some parts of India?

   • A.Alexander
   • B.Seleucus
   • C.Darius-I
   • D.Menander✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Persian ruler Darius-I (522-486 BC) was the first ruler who invaded some parts of India, conquering lands surrounding the Indus river.

5. Q5.Which Indo-Greek ruler issued lead coins?

   • A.Menander
   • B.Strato-II
   • C.Demetrius✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Alexander

   Explanation: Strato-II issued the lead coins. His tenure is considered from 25 BC to 10 AD.

6. Q6.Who founded the Shunga dynasty by killing the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha?

   • A.Agnimitra
   • B.Pushyamitra Shunga
   • C.Vasumitra✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Devabhuti

   Explanation: Pushyamitra Shunga was the commander of the last Mauryan ruler Brihadratha. He founded the Shunga dynasty by killing Brihadratha in 184 BCE.

7. Q7.Which inscription provides information about two Ashwamedha Yagnas performed by Pushyamitra Shunga?

   • A.Hathigumpha Inscription
   • B.Ayodhya Inscription
   • C.Besnagar Inscription✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Junagarh Inscription

   Explanation: The Ayodhya inscription gives the information that two Ashwamedha Yagnas were performed by the King Pushyamitra Shunga.

8. Q8.Who is believed to be the founder of the Satavahana dynasty according to Puranas?

   • A.Satakarni
   • B.Gautamiputra Satakarni
   • C.Simuka
   • D.Hala✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: According to Puranas, Simuka (or Sindhuk/Shiprak) established the Satavahana dynasty after the assassination of Kanva king Susharma.

9. Q9.Where was the actual capital of Satavahanas located?

   • A.Amravati
   • B.Paithan or Pratisthan
   • C.Nasik✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Nanaghat

   Explanation: The actual capital of Satavahanas was located at Paithan or Pratisthan, although their initial capital is believed to be Amravati.

10. Q10.Which Satavahana ruler is described as a patron of Brahmanism and protector of the Varna system?

    • A.Simuka
    • B.Satakarni I
    • C.Gautamiputra Satakarni
    • D.Vashishthiputra Pulumavi✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Gautamiputra Satakarni was a patron of Brahmanism and stopped crossbreeding among the established 'Four Varnas'.

11. Q11.When was Vikram Samvat started?

    • A.78 A.D.
    • B.57 B.C.
    • C.72 B.C.✓ Correct Answer
    • D.56 B.C.

    Explanation: Vikram Samvat started in 57 B.C. (527 BC - 470 years = 57 BC).

12. Q12.Which one of the following will be the year of Saka Samvat in December 2009?

    • A.1931
    • B.1952✓ Correct Answer
    • C.2066
    • D.2087

    Explanation: Saka Samvat started in 78 AD. So, 2009 - 78 = 1931.

13. Q13.Who among the following were contemporaries of Kanishka?

    • A.Kamban, Banabhatta, Ashvaghosha
    • B.Nagarjuna, Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra
    • C.Ashvaghosha, Kalidas, Banabhatta✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kalidas, Kamban, Vasumitra

    Explanation: Parsva, Vasumitra, Ashvaghosha, Nagarjuna, Charaka and Mathara were scholars in the court of Kanishka.

14. Q14.Ashvaghosha was a contemporary of which king?

    • A.Ashoka
    • B.Chandragupta II
    • C.Kanishka
    • D.Harshavardhan✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Ashvaghosha was the poet laureate of Kanishka and wrote Buddhacharita.

15. Q15.Which one of the following is NOT associated with the Court of Kanishka?

    • A.Ashvaghosha
    • B.Charaka
    • C.Nagarjuna
    • D.Patanjali

    Explanation: Patanjali belonged to the Shunga period and was the author of Mahabhasya. He was not in Kanishka's court.

16. Q16.Who among the following did not adorn the court of Kanishka-I?

    • A.Ashvaghosha
    • B.Parshva
    • C.Vasumitra
    • D.Vishakhadatta

    Explanation: Vishakhadatta is known for 'Mudrarakshasa' and was not in Kanishka's court. Others were associated with Kanishka.

17. Q17.Which of the following cities is NOT mentioned in the Rabatak inscription of Kanishka?

    • A.Shravasti
    • B.Kaushambi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Pataliputra
    • D.Champa

    Explanation: Rabatak inscription mentions Saket, Kaushambi, Pataliputra and Champa. Shravasti is not inscribed on it.

18. Q18.Who among the following Ayurvedacharyas was educated at Taxila University?

    • A.Sushruta
    • B.Vagbhatta
    • C.Charaka
    • D.Jivaka✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Both Charaka and Jivaka studied at Taxila University. The question often considers both as correct.

19. Q19.The ancestors of Shungas originated from which place?

    • A.Magadha
    • B.Prayag
    • C.Ujjain
    • D.Saurashtra✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The ancestors of Shungas belonged to Ujjain.

20. Q20.Which dynasty ruled over India after the Shunga dynasty?

    • A.Satvahana
    • B.Kushana
    • C.Kanva
    • D.Gupta✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Shunga dynasty was replaced by the Kanva dynasty. Devabhuti, the last Shunga ruler, was killed by Vasudeva Kanva.