SSC CGL (Prelims) General: Ancient Indian History questions with solutions

Q1. Given below are two statements: Statement I: The torana of a stupa serves as an ornamental gateway marking the sacred precinct. Statement II: The torana functioned as the chamber where Buddhist relics were preserved. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Both statements are true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
2. Both statements are true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
3. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
4. Statement II is true but Statement I is false

Answer: Statement I is true but Statement II is false

A torana is the decorative gateway of a stupa and marks the sacred enclosure, so Statement I is correct. Buddhist relics are preserved in the stupa's relic chamber or core, not in the torana, so Statement II is false.

Q2. Which Veda is mainly concerned with chants and melodies used during sacrificial rituals?

1. Rigveda
2. Yajurveda
3. Samaveda
4. Atharvaveda

Answer: Samaveda

The Samaveda is known as the Veda of melodies and chants. It is primarily used for singing hymns during sacrificial rituals.

Q3. Consider the following statements about the Mathura school of art beyond sculptures: 1. Terracotta female figurines with elaborate ornaments were widely produced. 2. Decorated railings with narrative panels were found at ancient shrines. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. Only 1 is correct
2. Only 2 is correct
3. Both 1 and 2 are correct
4. Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

Answer: Both 1 and 2 are correct

The Mathura school is known not only for sculptures but also for terracotta figurines and decorative elements used in religious architecture. Narrative railings and panels were part of ancient shrine decoration.

Q4. Which of the following statements about the Mahamatya during Mauryan administration is correct?

1. He was the chief priest of the kingdom
2. He acted as a high-ranking civil administrator assisting the king
3. He was responsible only for military training
4. He managed temple rituals and donations

Answer: He acted as a high-ranking civil administrator assisting the king

The Mahamatya was a high-ranking official in the Mauryan administrative system who assisted the king in civil administration. The other options describe religious or purely military roles, which do not fit the term.

Q5. In ancient Indian revenue terminology, which term referred to tax collected in cash?

1. Bhoga
2. Hiranya
3. Bali
4. Kara

Answer: Hiranya

In ancient Indian revenue terminology, hiranya referred to tax collected in cash. Other terms like bali and bhoga were associated with different kinds of dues or offerings.

Q6. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched (Ancient Officer – Role)?

1. Samaharta – Chief revenue collector
2. Senapati – Head priest
3. Purohita – Military commander
4. Gramika – Royal treasurer

Answer: Samaharta – Chief revenue collector

In ancient Indian administration, the Samaharta was the chief revenue collector. The other options are mismatched because Senapati was a military commander, Purohita was a priest, and Gramika was a village headman.

Q7. Which of the following motifs is NOT attested among the animal figures carved on the abaci or capitals of Ashokan pillars?

1. Humped bull
2. Galloping horse
3. Elephant
4. Peacock

Answer: Peacock

Ashokan pillars are famous for animal capitals such as the lion, bull, elephant, and horse. Peacock is not among the standard animal figures carved on the abaci or capitals of Ashokan pillars. Hence, it is the correct choice.

Q8. Identify the correctly matched Gupta-era term and meaning:

1. Uparikara – Additional tax
2. Vishti – Land grant
3. Bhoga – Judicial penalty
4. Kara – Religious donation

Answer: Uparikara – Additional tax

In Gupta administration, Uparikara referred to an additional tax. The other terms are incorrectly matched with meanings that belong to different administrative or social categories.

Q9. Which title was adopted by Samudragupta to signify supreme sovereignty?

1. Chakravartin
2. Maharajadhiraja
3. Devaputra
4. Samrat

Answer: Maharajadhiraja

Samudragupta adopted the title Maharajadhiraja, meaning 'king of great kings,' to indicate supreme sovereignty. It reflected his imperial status over subordinate rulers.

Q10. Which of the following is the most reliable literary source for the Mauryan administration?

1. Harshacharita of Banabhatta
2. Rajatarangini of Kalhana
3. Arthashastra of Kautilya
4. Vikramankadevacharita of Bilhana

Answer: Arthashastra of Kautilya

The Arthashastra is the most important literary source for understanding Mauryan administration because it discusses statecraft, economy, espionage, and governance in detail. The other texts belong to later periods and are not primary sources for Mauryan administration.

Q11. In the context of the Samaveda, what does the term 'Saman' signify?

1. Ritualistic chant or melody
2. Philosophical prose
3. Magic spell
4. Historical chronicle

Answer: Ritualistic chant or melody

In the Samaveda, 'Saman' refers to a chant or melody used in ritual recitation. The Samaveda is especially known for its musical arrangement of verses.

Q12. The use of metronymics (names derived from the mother) was a unique characteristic of which ruling dynasty?

1. Vakatakas
2. Satavahanas
3. Pallavas
4. Cholas

Answer: Satavahanas

The Satavahanas are known for the use of metronymics, where rulers were identified through their mothers’ names. This was a distinctive feature of their royal nomenclature in ancient Indian history.

Q13. Which of the following fiscal terms related to the Gupta dynasty is correctly matched?

1. Utkhetayita - temple priest
2. Bhaga - judicial fee
3. Vaishthika - forced labour
4. Dasaparadha - annual cattle tax

Answer: Vaishthika - forced labour

Vaishthika is associated with forced labour or compulsory service in the Gupta period. The other pairings are incorrect because they mismatch administrative or tax terms with unrelated meanings.

Q14. What is the meaning of Samhita in the context of the Rigveda?

1. A commentary explaining each verse of the Rigveda
2. A collection of hymns arranged in prose form
3. A systematic compilation of hymns and mantras
4. A ritual handbook for Vedic sacrifices

Answer: A systematic compilation of hymns and mantras

In Vedic literature, Samhita means a collection or compilation of hymns and mantras. It is the core text of the Rigveda, not a commentary or ritual manual.

Q15. In the context of Gupta dynasty urban administration, which of the following statements about the Adhisthanadhikarana is correct?

1. It was a military council composed entirely of royal generals
2. It was a court of law dealing exclusively with religious matters
3. It was a Board of Advisors representing guilds, artisans, and scribes
4. It was a temple committee managing offerings and rituals

Answer: It was a Board of Advisors representing guilds, artisans, and scribes

The Adhisthanadhikarana is associated with urban administration in the Gupta period and is understood as a board of advisors. It represented groups such as guilds, artisans, and scribes in local governance.

Q16. Which among the following is NOT a Vedanga, or the limbs of the Veda?

1. Kalpa
2. Vaisheshika
3. Vyakarana
4. Jyotisha

Answer: Vaisheshika

Kalpa, Vyakarana, and Jyotisha are Vedangas. Vaisheshika is one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy, not a Vedanga.

Q17. Which of the following statements most accurately describes a key difference between the Mathura and Gandhara schools of art, as broadly understood in Indian art history?

1. Mathura art primarily used green phyllite, while Gandhara art used spotted red sandstone
2. Gandhara art developed on purely indigenous lines, whereas Mathura art showed foreign influences
3. Mathura art predominantly focused on Buddhist themes, while Gandhara focused on Hindu deities
4. Mathura art depicted Buddha in an indigenous Yaksha-like style, whereas Gandhara art reflected Hellenistic (Greco-Roman) features

Answer: Mathura art depicted Buddha in an indigenous Yaksha-like style, whereas Gandhara art reflected Hellenistic (Greco-Roman) features

Mathura art is associated with indigenous Indian traditions and a robust, spiritual style often linked to Yaksha-like forms. Gandhara art, on the other hand, shows clear Hellenistic or Greco-Roman influence in drapery, facial features, and realism.

Q18. The rock-cut Kailasa temple at Ellora was carved out of how many rocks?

1. One single rock
2. Cement blocks
3. Three adjoining rocks
4. A cluster of stones

Answer: One single rock

The Kailasa temple at Ellora is a monolithic rock-cut structure. It was carved out of a single rock from top to bottom, making it one of the most remarkable examples of rock-cut architecture in India.

Q19. In the context of Gupta dynasty administration, which of the following officers is correctly paired with their respective role?

1. Utkhetayita - Keeper of Royal Kitchen
2. Dhruvadhikaranika - Chief Judicial Officer
3. Pustapala - Notary and Keeper of Records
4. Bhandagaradhikrita - Head of Village Watchmen

Answer: Pustapala - Notary and Keeper of Records

In Gupta administration, the Pustapala was associated with maintaining records and documents, functioning like a record keeper or notary. The other pairings do not match standard Gupta administrative roles.

Q20. Which of the following best characterizes the Mathura school of Buddhist art and architecture?

1. Use of sandstone and floral arches
2. Hellenistic drapery and realism
3. Indigenous features with Yaksha influence
4. Predominantly wooden monastery design

Answer: Indigenous features with Yaksha influence

The Mathura school developed indigenous artistic features and was strongly influenced by Yaksha imagery. It is distinct from the Gandhara school, which shows strong Greco-Roman influence and Hellenistic realism.

Q21. Which script is predominantly used in the inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka?

1. Kharosthi
2. Devanagari
3. Tamil
4. Brahmi

Answer: Brahmi

Emperor Ashoka's inscriptions were predominantly written in Brahmi script. Brahmi is the principal script associated with Ashokan edicts across much of the subcontinent.

Q22. Each Mandala of the Rigveda is further subdivided into _____.

1. Suktas
2. Kandas
3. Puranas
4. Samhitas

Answer: Suktas

The Rigveda is divided into Mandalas, and each Mandala is further subdivided into Suktas. Suktas are hymns or collections of hymns dedicated to deities.

Q23. Which of the following Buddhist Councils and their locations are correctly matched?

1. First Buddhist Council - Rajagriha
2. Second Buddhist Council - Lumbini
3. Third Buddhist Council - Kashmir
4. Fourth Buddhist Council - Pataliputra

Answer: First Buddhist Council - Rajagriha

The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha (Rajgir). The other options are mismatched with their council locations.

Q24. How is the Rigveda best described in the context of ancient Indian literature?

1. A compilation of Upanishads
2. A collection of royal chronicles
3. A collection of hymns across ages
4. A religious code

Answer: A collection of hymns across ages

The Rigveda is the oldest of the Vedas and consists mainly of hymns addressed to various deities. It is not a collection of Upanishads, royal chronicles, or a legal code.

Q25. The life-size standing image of Yakshini holding a chauri (flywhisk) is an example of the sculptural tradition of which period?

1. Mauryan Period
2. Gupta Period
3. Kushan Period
4. Sunga Period

Answer: Mauryan Period

Yakshi figures with a chauri are characteristic of early Indian sculpture, especially from the Mauryan period. These sculptures are known for their monumental form and polished finish.