Q101. Which deity rose to absolute supreme prominence as the creator of the universe in the Later Vedic pantheon?
Ancient Indian History: RAS Prelims MCQs
615 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on ancient Indian history are on this page, in 8 chapters. They begin with the Indus Valley Civilisation and the Vedic Age, move through Buddhism, Jainism, the Mauryas and Guptas, and then cover the Chalukyas, Pallavas and Cholas, ancient art and science, and the Indian knowledge and value system. Every question has an answer and an explanation, in the formats the exam uses.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 101–110 of 615 questions
Browse Ancient Indian History chapters
Q102. The following question consists of two statements, an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R). Read them carefully and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Assertion (A): The Later Vedic period saw a noticeable decline in the status of women.
Reason (R): Women were increasingly excluded from political assemblies and denied the right to the Upanayana ceremony.
Assertion (A): The Later Vedic period saw a noticeable decline in the status of women.
Reason (R): Women were increasingly excluded from political assemblies and denied the right to the Upanayana ceremony.
Explanation
The Later Vedic period witnessed a significant decline in the social status of women compared to the earlier era. They were increasingly excluded from political assemblies like the Sabha and Samiti. Furthermore, the denial of the Upanayana ceremony restricted their access to formal education. These changes were closely linked to the rise of patriarchal control within the newly settled agrarian society.
Q103. Which of the four Vedas is primarily a collection of melodies and musical chants used during sacrifices?
Explanation
The Samaveda is one of the four Vedas and is primarily composed of melodies and chants derived from the Rigveda. It serves as a musical manual for the Udgatri priests during the performance of sacrifices. By transforming verses into song, it highlights the importance of sound and rhythm in Vedic rituals, laying the foundation for the tradition of Indian classical music.
Q104. What is the central philosophical theme of the Upanishads?
Explanation
The Upanishads represent the philosophical culmination of the Vedic tradition. Their central theme is the realization of the ultimate reality, exploring the deep relationship between the individual soul, or Atman, and the universal principle, or Brahman. They emphasize that true liberation is achieved through inner knowledge and spiritual insight rather than through the performance of external rituals or sacrificial ceremonies.
Q105. Match List-I with List-II regarding the Vedas and their respective priests:
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Vedas | Respective Priests |
|---|---|
| A. Rigveda | i. Adhvaryu |
| B. Samaveda | ii. Hotri |
| C. Yajurveda | iii. Brahma |
| D. Atharvaveda | iv. Udgatri |
Explanation
Each of the four Vedas was associated with a specific type of priest during ritual performances. The Hotri was responsible for the Rigveda, while the Udgatri chanted the melodies of the Samaveda. The Adhvaryu performed the manual ritual acts of the Yajurveda. Finally, the Brahma priest supervised the entire ceremony and was linked to the Atharvaveda, ensuring all rituals were correct.
Q106. Which of the following is the odd one out in the context of Early Vedic female scholars and hymn composers?
Explanation
While several women are mentioned in Vedic literature, they belong to different periods. Lopamudra, Ghosha, and Apala were prominent female seers associated with the Early Vedic period and composed Rigvedic hymns. In contrast, Gargi Vachaknavi was a philosopher known for her intellectual debates in the court of King Janaka during the Later Vedic period, specifically appearing in the Upanishads.
Q107. Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic period:
I. Shudras were denied the right to recite the Vedas.
II. The Gotra system appeared, prohibiting marriage within the same Gotra.
III. Pushan, originally a protector of cattle, became associated with the Shudras.
IV. Iron was referred to as Shyam or Krishna Ayas.
V. The king was considered the absolute owner of all land, eliminating private property.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. Shudras were denied the right to recite the Vedas.
II. The Gotra system appeared, prohibiting marriage within the same Gotra.
III. Pushan, originally a protector of cattle, became associated with the Shudras.
IV. Iron was referred to as Shyam or Krishna Ayas.
V. The king was considered the absolute owner of all land, eliminating private property.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
During the Later Vedic period, significant social and economic shifts occurred. Shudras were excluded from Vedic recitation, and the Gotra system was established to regulate marriage. Deities like Pushan became associated with lower Varnas, and iron technology, known as Shyam Ayas, became widespread. However, the king was not the absolute owner of all land, as communal and private rights persisted.
Q108. According to Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the original homeland of the Aryans was:
Explanation
Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, proposed that the original homeland of the Aryans was Tibet. He based this conclusion on his interpretation of Vedic texts and geographical references found within them. His theory was one of several nineteenth-century attempts to identify the roots of the Indo- Aryan people, differing from theories suggesting Central Asia or the Arctic.
Q109. Consider the following statements regarding the Dasarajna (Battle of Ten Kings):
I. It was fought on the banks of the river Parushni.
II. It was a conflict between the Bharatas led by Sudas and a confederacy of ten kings.
III. The victory of the ten kings led to the immediate establishment of the Kuru kingdom.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. It was fought on the banks of the river Parushni.
II. It was a conflict between the Bharatas led by Sudas and a confederacy of ten kings.
III. The victory of the ten kings led to the immediate establishment of the Kuru kingdom.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The Battle of the Ten Kings, or Dasarajna, was a pivotal conflict fought on the banks of the river Parushni. It involved the Bharata tribe, led by King Sudas, against a confederacy of ten other tribes. The victory of Sudas established the dominance of the Bharatas, though the subsequent Kuru kingdom resulted from the later amalgamation of the Bharatas and Purus.
Q110. Read the following statements regarding the Rigvedic Aryans and select the correct option:
Statement I: The Rigvedic Aryans had extensive knowledge of maritime trade and navigation across the Indian Ocean.
Statement II: The Rigvedic references to "Samudra" generally imply vast bodies of water or the confluence of rivers rather than the open ocean.
Statement I: The Rigvedic Aryans had extensive knowledge of maritime trade and navigation across the Indian Ocean.
Statement II: The Rigvedic references to "Samudra" generally imply vast bodies of water or the confluence of rivers rather than the open ocean.
Explanation
While the word Samudra appears in the Rigveda, it does not necessarily indicate that the early Aryans possessed extensive knowledge of maritime trade or the open ocean. Scholars argue that the term often referred to vast stretches of water, such as the Indus River at flood stage or the confluence of several rivers. Their primary economic activities remained terrestrial and pastoral.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 101 | (c) Prajapati |
| 102 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 103 | (d) Samaveda |
| 104 | (a) The realization of the identity of the Atman with the Brahman. |
| 105 | (c) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 106 | (a) Gargi Vachaknavi |
| 107 | (a) I, II, III and IV only |
| 108 | (b) Tibet |
| 109 | (a) I and II only |
| 110 | (d) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct. |
Key facts from Ancient Indian History
- The RPSC syllabus lists the Indus and Vedic ages, the religious ideas of the 6th century BC, the Maurya, Kushan, Satavahana, Gupta, Chalukya, Pallava and Chola dynasties, ancient art and science, and the Indian knowledge system.
- Questions on sites and rulers usually ask for one distinguishing fact: the northernmost Harappan site, the first Gupta Maharajadhiraja, the builder of the Shore Temple.
- Statement and match-the-list formats are common, so learn each ruler or site with its period, region and monument.
- Art and science questions link a monument or text to its dynasty, for example Amaravati with the Satavahanas and the Khandakhadyaka with Brahmagupta.
- The Indian knowledge and value system chapter covers varna, ashrama, purushartha, samskaras and the six schools of philosophy.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Ancient Indian History?
This page has 615 practice MCQs on Ancient Indian History. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the ancient Indian history set cover?
Eight chapters: the Indus Valley Civilisation, the Vedic Age, the religious movements of the 6th century BC, the Maurya and post-Maurya dynasties, the Gupta Empire, South Indian dynasties, art, architecture and science, and the Indian knowledge and value system.
Is ancient history part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. RPSC lists Indian History under General Knowledge and General Science, and the ancient and medieval part names the Indus and Vedic ages, religious ideas of the 6th century BC, the major dynasties and ancient art and science.
How should I revise ancient history for RAS Prelims?
Work chapter by chapter. Attempt each question first, read the explanation, and write the key fact in a table of rulers, sites, texts and monuments. Revisit the weak chapters after a few days, since the facts are easy to confuse.