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 141–150 of 615 questions
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RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q141. 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): In the Later Vedic period, women lost the privilege of attending the Sabha and Vidatha. Reason (R): The tightening of patriarchal control was linked to the development of a settled agrarian society and the rise of private property and territorial kingdoms.
Explanation
During the Later Vedic period, women were increasingly excluded from political assemblies like the Sabha and Vidatha, where they previously participated. This decline in status was a direct consequence of the transition to a settled agrarian society. The rise of private property and territorial kingdoms strengthened patriarchal control, leading to the restriction of women’s public roles and a focus on domestic life.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q142. Which Rigvedic sage assisted King Sudas of the Bharata tribe during the Battle of Ten Kings?
Explanation
During the Battle of the Ten Kings, King Sudas of the Bharata tribe was assisted by the sage Vasishtha. This conflict was not only a political struggle but also involved a rivalry between Vasishtha and the sage Vishwamitra, who supported the opposing confederacy of tribes. The victory of Sudas under Vasishtha’s guidance secured the dominance of the Bharatas in the Sapta Sindhu region.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q143. The prominent Kuru tribe of the Later Vedic period was formed by the amalgamation of which two major Early Vedic tribes?
Explanation
The Kuru tribe, which became a prominent political force in the Later Vedic period, was formed through the amalgamation of two major Early Vedic tribes: the Purus and the Bharatas. This fusion took place as the Aryan tribes moved eastward from the Sapta Sindhu region into the Ganga-Yamuna Doab. This political consolidation laid the foundation for the prestigious Kuru- Panchala kingdom.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q144. Consider the following statements regarding Early Vedic officials: I. The Senani was the leader of the army. II. The Purohita was the chief priest and a key advisor to the king. III. The Gramini was the head of the village. IV. The Spash acted as spies or messengers. V. The Bhagadugha was the chief judicial officer. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Early Vedic administration involved several key officials who assisted the tribal chief. The Senani led the army, while the Purohita served as the chief advisor and priest. The Gramini was responsible for the village, and the Spash acted as spies. However, the Bhagadugha, who served as a tax collector, only appeared later during the transition to a more organized state.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q145. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the Early Vedic economy.
Explanation
The Early Vedic economy was predominantly pastoral and terrestrial, with wealth being measured in cattle. While the people were skilled in crafts like carpentry and chariot-making, they did not engage in extensive coastal maritime trade or spice exports. These commercial activities became significant much later in Indian history as maritime routes and trade networks with other civilizations were established and expanded.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q146. Read the following statements and select the correct option: Statement I: The Rigvedic society strictly prohibited the remarriage of widows. Statement II: The institution of child marriage was virtually absent in the Early Vedic period.
Explanation
Rigvedic society was relatively progressive regarding marriage customs. The institution of child marriage was virtually absent, with girls marrying after reaching maturity. Furthermore, there was no strict prohibition on the remarriage of widows; practices like Niyoga were accepted to ensure the continuity of the family. These features indicate that social norms were more flexible and inclusive than they became in later centuries.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q147. Which of the following is the correct sequence of Rigvedic gods in descending order of their importance, based on the number of hymns dedicated to them?
Explanation
In the Rigveda, the importance of gods is often measured by the number of hymns dedicated to them. Indra is the most prominent deity with around 250 hymns, followed by Agni with approximately 200. Soma also holds a significant position as the god of the ritual drink. This hierarchy reflects the primary concerns of the Vedic people, focusing on protection, fire, and ritual.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q148. The geographic center of the Later Vedic culture shifted from the Sapta Sindhu region primarily to:
Explanation
During the Later Vedic period, the center of Vedic culture shifted eastward from the Sapta Sindhu region in the northwest. The primary focus of activity moved to the Kurukshetra region and the fertile Ganga-Yamuna Doab. This migration was driven by the search for new agricultural land and was facilitated by the use of iron tools, leading to the establishment of territorial kingdoms.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q149. Match List-I with List-II regarding Later Vedic officials (Ratnins) and their functions:
Officials/Ratnins
Functions
A. Bhagadugha
i. Charioteer/Court minstrel
B. Sangrahitri
ii. Tax collector
C. Suta
iii. Treasurer
D. Akshavapa
iv. Superintendent of dicing/Accountant
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
The Later Vedic administration featured various specialized officials known as Ratnins. The Bhagadugha was responsible for tax collection, while the Sangrahitri served as the treasurer. The Suta held the roles of charioteer and court minstrel, and the Akshavapa was the superintendent of dicing or an accountant. These positions demonstrate the increasing complexity of the royal court and the state’s fiscal management.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Vedic Age
Q150. What was a direct economic effect of the widespread use of the iron ploughshare in the Later Vedic period?
Explanation
The introduction of the iron ploughshare in the Later Vedic period significantly impacted the economy. It allowed for deeper and more efficient ploughing of the hard soil in the Gangetic valley, which was difficult to till with wooden tools. This technological advancement led to increased agricultural productivity and the creation of a surplus, which supported population growth and the development of territorial states.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
141
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
142
(d) Vasishtha
143
(a) Purus and Bharatas
144
(a) I, II, III and IV only
145
(b) The economy relied heavily on coastal maritime trade and the export of spices.
146
(d) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct.
147
(b) Indra - Agni - Soma - Surya
148
(d) The Kurukshetra region and the Ganga- Yamuna Doab
149
(c) A-ii, B-iii, C-i, D-iv
150
(b) Deep ploughing of hard soil producing agricultural surplus.
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.
