Sources of Ancient History MCQ: Periplus of the Erythraean Sea & Ashoka's Kalinga War Edict

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

1. Q1.Who is the author of the book 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea'?

   • A.Megasthenes
   • B.Ptolemy
   • C.Pliny
   • D.Unknown Greek Sailor✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The author of 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea' is an unknown Greek sailor. It gives detailed information about trade in the Indian Ocean in the 1st century AD.

2. Q2.Which Veda contains details about magical charms and spells?

   • A.Rigveda
   • B.Samaveda
   • C.Yajurveda
   • D.Atharvaveda✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Atharvaveda deals with magical formulas, charms, and spells to ward off evils and diseases.

3. Q3.The 'Bhitari Pillar Inscription' is related to which Gupta ruler?

   • A.Chandragupta II
   • B.Samudragupta
   • C.Skandagupta✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Kumargupta

   Explanation: The Bhitari Pillar Inscription narrates the fight between Skandagupta and the Hunas.

4. Q4.Which Buddhist text mentions the '16 Mahajanapadas'?

   • A.Digha Nikaya
   • B.Anguttara Nikaya✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Vinaya Pitaka
   • D.Abhidhamma Pitaka

   Explanation: The Anguttara Nikaya is a Buddhist scripture that provides a list of the 16 Mahajanapadas (great states) of ancient India.

5. Q5.Who is considered the 'Father of Indian Archaeology'?

   • A.John Marshall
   • B.Alexander Cunningham✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mortimer Wheeler
   • D.James Prinsep

   Explanation: Alexander Cunningham was the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is called the Father of Indian Archaeology.

6. Q6.The book 'Kitab-ul-Hind' was written by:

   • A.Ibn Battuta
   • B.Al-Biruni✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Al-Masudi
   • D.Firdousi

   Explanation: Al-Biruni accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni to India and wrote 'Kitab-ul-Hind', covering Indian sciences, religion, and society.

7. Q7.The 'Besnagar Pillar Inscription' is associated with which religion?

   • A.Buddhism
   • B.Jainism
   • C.Bhagavatism (Vaishnavism)✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Shaivism

   Explanation: The Besnagar (Heliodorus) Pillar inscription was erected by the Greek ambassador Heliodorus, who called himself a 'Bhagavata' (worshipper of Vasudeva).

8. Q8.Which of the following is the oldest Smriti text?

   • A.Yajnavalkya Smriti
   • B.Narada Smriti
   • C.Manusmriti✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Parashara Smriti

   Explanation: Manusmriti is considered the oldest and most authoritative legal text (Dharmashastra) among the Smritis.

9. Q9.The 'Sohgaura Copper Plate' inscription is famous for:

   • A.Land Grants
   • B.Famine Relief Measures✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Military Victory
   • D.Temple Construction

   Explanation: The Sohgaura Copper Plate (Mauryan period) is the earliest known epigraphic record mentioning famine relief measures (grain storage).

10. Q10.Which ancient text is primarily a book on statecraft and polity?

    • A.Indika
    • B.Arthashastra✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ratnavali
    • D.Rajatarangini

    Explanation: Arthashastra, written by Kautilya (Chanakya), is a treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy.

11. Q11.The literal meaning of the word 'Upanishad' is:

    • A.Recitation
    • B.Sitting near✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Knowledge
    • D.Rituals

    Explanation: Upanishad literally means 'sitting near' (the teacher to receive secret knowledge).

12. Q12.Which Ashokan Edict mentions the Kalinga War?

    • A.Rock Edict I
    • B.Rock Edict X
    • C.Rock Edict XIII✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Pillar Edict VII

    Explanation: Major Rock Edict XIII gives a detailed account of the Kalinga War and Ashoka's remorse.

13. Q13.Who wrote the play 'Mudrarakshasa'?

    • A.Kalidasa
    • B.Vishakhadatta✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Bhasa
    • D.Sudraka

    Explanation: Vishakhadatta wrote Mudrarakshasa, which narrates how Chandragupta Maurya defeated the Nandas with Chanakya's help.

14. Q14.Sangam literature was written in which language?

    • A.Sanskrit
    • B.Pali
    • C.Tamil✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Telugu

    Explanation: Sangam literature is the earliest known literature of South India, written in ancient Tamil.

15. Q15.Which geometry text is part of the Vedangas (Kalpa)?

    • A.Shrautasutra
    • B.Grihyasutra
    • C.Dharmasutra
    • D.Sulvasutra✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Sulvasutras contain the geometry of the fire-altar constructions and are the oldest source of Indian mathematics.

16. Q16.The 'Mehrauli Iron Pillar' inscription mentions a king named 'Chandra', widely identified as:

    • A.Chandragupta Maurya
    • B.Chandragupta I
    • C.Chandragupta II✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Chandragupta III

    Explanation: The king 'Chandra' mentioned on the rust-free Mehrauli Iron Pillar is identified with Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) of the Gupta dynasty.

17. Q17.Jain religious texts (Agamas) were primarily written in:

    • A.Sanskrit
    • B.Pali
    • C.Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi)✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Apabhramsha

    Explanation: The original Jain scriptures (Agamas) were written in Prakrit (specifically Ardhamagadhi) to be accessible to common people.

18. Q18.Who wrote 'Mahabhasya', a commentary on Panini's grammar?

    • A.Patanjali✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Katyayana
    • C.Panini
    • D.Jayadeva

    Explanation: Patanjali wrote the Mahabhasya in the 2nd century BCE, which provides historical information about the Sungas.

19. Q19.Which of the following sites yielded the evidence of a 'Ploughed Field'?

    • A.Harappa
    • B.Mohenjodaro
    • C.Kalibangan✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Lothal

    Explanation: Evidence of a ploughed field (pre-Harappan phase) was found at Kalibangan in Rajasthan.

20. Q20.The 'Aihole Inscription' is found in which Indian state?

    • A.Tamil Nadu
    • B.Karnataka✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Maharashtra
    • D.Odisha

    Explanation: Aihole, known as the 'Cradle of Indian Architecture', is located in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka.