Sources of Ancient History MCQ: Radiocarbon Dating, Hiuen Tsang's Si-Yu-Ki & the Brahmi Script

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

1. Q1.Which scientific method is primarily used to determine the age of ancient organic materials like wood or bone?

   • A.Uranium Dating
   • B.Carbon-14 Dating✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Potassium-Argon Dating
   • D.Thermoluminescence

   Explanation: Radiocarbon dating (Carbon-14 dating) is used to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the decay of the radioactive isotope Carbon-14.

2. Q2.Which Gupta king is depicted playing the 'Veena' on his coins?

   • A.Chandragupta I
   • B.Samudragupta✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chandragupta II
   • D.Kumaragupta

   Explanation: Samudragupta is depicted playing the Veena on some of his gold coins, indicating his love for music.

3. Q3.Who wrote the travelogue titled 'Si-Yu-Ki'?

   • A.Fa-Hien
   • B.Hiuen Tsang✓ Correct Answer
   • C.I-Tsing
   • D.Megasthenes

   Explanation: Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang), a Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India during Harsha's reign, wrote 'Si-Yu-Ki' (Records of the Western World).

4. Q4.In which inscription is the name 'Ashoka' explicitly mentioned instead of his titles?

   • A.Bhabru Edict
   • B.Maski Edict✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kalsi Edict
   • D.Rumminidei Pillar

   Explanation: The Maski Edict (and Gujjara Edict) explicitly mentions the name 'Ashoka', confirming his association with the title 'Devanampiya Piyadassi'.

5. Q5.The famous 'Gayatri Mantra' is found in which Mandala of the Rigveda?

   • A.First Mandala
   • B.Third Mandala✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Seventh Mandala
   • D.Tenth Mandala

   Explanation: The Gayatri Mantra, dedicated to the solar deity Savitr, is found in the Third Mandala of the Rigveda, composed by Vishvamitra.

6. Q6.The book 'Milindapanho' is a dialogue between King Menander and which Buddhist monk?

   • A.Nagarjuna
   • B.Nagasena✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Asvaghosha
   • D.Vasumitra

   Explanation: Milindapanho (Questions of Milinda) records the dialogue between the Indo-Greek king Menander I (Milinda) and the monk Nagasena.

7. Q7.Who is known as the 'Father of History'?

   • A.Thucydides
   • B.Herodotus✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Plato
   • D.Aristotle

   Explanation: Herodotus, a Greek historian, is known as the Father of History. He wrote about the Persian Wars and mentioned India's relation with the Persian Empire.

8. Q8.The 'Rummindei Pillar Inscription' of Ashoka is significant because it:

   • A.Marks the birthplace of Buddha✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Describes the Kalinga War
   • C.Mentions Ashoka's conversion
   • D.Lists animal sacrifices banned

   Explanation: Ashoka visited Lumbini (Rummindei) and erected this pillar to mark the birthplace of Lord Buddha and reduced the taxes for the village.

9. Q9.Which of the following books is a drama written by Sudraka?

   • A.Mrichchhakatika✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Ratnavali
   • C.Swapnavasavadatta
   • D.Abhigyan Shakuntalam

   Explanation: Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart) is a famous Sanskrit play written by Sudraka, depicting the love story of a Brahmin and a courtesan.

10. Q10.Who introduced the first gold coins in India on a large scale?

    • A.Mauryas
    • B.Kushanas✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Guptas
    • D.Indo-Greeks

    Explanation: While Indo-Greeks issued the first gold coins, the Kushanas (specifically Vima Kadphises) introduced gold coins on a large scale.

11. Q11.The biography of Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI, titled 'Vikramankadevacharita', was written by:

    • A.Kalhana
    • B.Bilhana✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Jayadeva
    • D.Somadeva

    Explanation: Bilhana was the court poet of Vikramaditya VI and wrote his biography 'Vikramankadevacharita'.

12. Q12.In which language were the inscriptions of the Satavahana period primarily written?

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

    Explanation: The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit, and their inscriptions were written in the Brahmi script.

13. Q13.Who wrote 'Prithviraj Raso'?

    • A.Chand Bardai✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Jaganika
    • C.Amir Khusro
    • D.Bhoja

    Explanation: Chand Bardai was the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan and wrote 'Prithviraj Raso', an epic poem about the king's life.

14. Q14.How many Puranas are there in Hindu literature?

    • A.12
    • B.16
    • C.18✓ Correct Answer
    • D.108

    Explanation: There are 18 Mahapuranas (Great Puranas) in Hindu literature, dealing with creation, genealogies of gods and kings, etc.

15. Q15.The 'Gatha Saptasati' is a collection of poems in which language?

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

    Explanation: Gatha Saptasati is a collection of love poems in Maharashtri Prakrit, attributed to the Satavahana king Hala.

16. Q16.Which of the following is NOT a Vedanga?

    • A.Shiksha (Phonetics)
    • B.Kalpa (Rituals)
    • C.Vyakarana (Grammar)
    • D.Samkhya (Philosophy)✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: There are 6 Vedangas: Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chhanda, and Jyotisha. Samkhya is a school of philosophy (Darshana).

17. Q17.Who deciphered the Brahmi script for the first time?

    • A.William Jones
    • B.James Prinsep✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Max Muller
    • D.Charles Wilkins

    Explanation: James Prinsep deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837, unlocking the edicts of Ashoka.

18. Q18.Which ancient Indian text talks about the surgical procedures?

    • A.Charaka Samhita
    • B.Sushruta Samhita✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Arthashastra
    • D.Natya Shastra

    Explanation: Sushruta Samhita is an ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery, attributed to Sushruta.

19. Q19.The 'Nanaghat Inscription' gives information about which dynasty?

    • A.Satavahana✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Maurya
    • C.Gupta
    • D.Chola

    Explanation: The Nanaghat Inscription belongs to Naganika, the queen of Satavahana king Satakarni I, and describes his achievements.

20. Q20.What does the word 'Mohenjo-daro' mean?

    • A.City of Gold
    • B.Mound of the Dead✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Garden of Life
    • D.Land of Rivers

    Explanation: In the Sindhi language, Mohenjo-daro means 'Mound of the Dead'.