Q251. Which Maurya ruler was known to the Greeks by the title Amitrochates (Sanskrit: Amitraghata, meaning slayer of foes)?
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 251–260 of 615 questions
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Q252. During the reign of Bindusara, which Syrian king sent Deimachus as an ambassador to the Mauryan court?
Explanation
Deimachus was a Greek ambassador sent to the Mauryan court at Pataliputra by Antiochus I, the ruler of the Seleucid Empire. This diplomatic exchange occurred during the reign of Bindusara, continuing the tradition of international relations established by his father. Such interactions highlight the Mauryan Empire’s integration into the wider Hellenistic world, facilitating the exchange of ambassadors, information, and various commercial goods.
Q253. Match List-I (Foreign Ambassador) with List-II (Mauryan King they visited).
| Foreign Ambassador | Mauryan King they visited |
|---|---|
| A. Megasthenes | i. Ashoka |
| B. Deimachus | ii. Chandragupta Maurya |
| C. Dionysius | iii. Bindusara |
Explanation
Different foreign envoys visited the Mauryan capital during various reigns. Megasthenes was sent by Seleucus Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. Deimachus served as the ambassador of Antiochus I during the reign of Bindusara. Dionysius was the representative of the Egyptian ruler Ptolemy II Philadelphus and is traditionally associated with the period of Ashoka, reflecting continued global diplomatic engagement.
Q254. Consider the following statements regarding Bindusara’s religious affiliations:
Statement I: Bindusara was a devout follower of Buddhism like his son Ashoka.
Statement II: Historical evidence suggests Bindusara heavily patronized the Ajivika sect.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: Bindusara was a devout follower of Buddhism like his son Ashoka.
Statement II: Historical evidence suggests Bindusara heavily patronized the Ajivika sect.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
Historical records indicate that Bindusara did not follow Buddhism; instead, that path was famously adopted by his son, Ashoka. Bindusara is noted for patronizing the Ajivika sect, an ascetic group that believed in the philosophy of Niyati or predestination. His religious inclination was distinct from his father’s transition to Jainism and his son’s later dedication to the Buddhist Dhamma and its propagation.
Q255. Consider the following statements about Bindusara:
I. He successfully expanded the Mauryan Empire deep into the peninsular South.
II. A rebellion in Taxila occurred during his reign, which was suppressed by Ashoka.
III. He requested a Greek king to send sweet wine, dried figs, and a sophist.
IV. Chanakya continued to serve as a minister during the early part of his reign.
V. He was the first Mauryan king to issue gold coins.
Which of the above statements represent an incorrect combination?
I. He successfully expanded the Mauryan Empire deep into the peninsular South.
II. A rebellion in Taxila occurred during his reign, which was suppressed by Ashoka.
III. He requested a Greek king to send sweet wine, dried figs, and a sophist.
IV. Chanakya continued to serve as a minister during the early part of his reign.
V. He was the first Mauryan king to issue gold coins.
Which of the above statements represent an incorrect combination?
Explanation
Bindusara expanded Mauryan influence into the Deccan and maintained a cabinet where Chanakya briefly served. He faced a revolt in Taxila, which Ashoka suppressed. While he famously requested wine and figs from the Greeks, he did not issue gold coins. The introduction of regular gold currency in India is primarily associated with the Kushanas, specifically Vima Kadphises, rather than the early Mauryan rulers.
Q256. In which year of his reign did Ashoka fight the famous Kalinga War?
Explanation
The Kalinga War took place in the eighth year following Ashoka’s coronation, which corresponds to approximately 261 BCE. This conflict was the only major military campaign mentioned in his inscriptions. The extreme violence and suffering witnessed during the war became a pivotal turning point in his life, leading him to renounce military aggression and embrace the path of non-violence and moral governance.
Q257. What was the most profound ideological effect of the Kalinga War on Ashoka’s state policy?
Explanation
Following the devastation of the Kalinga War, Ashoka underwent a profound spiritual transformation. He abandoned the traditional policy of Bherighosha, which emphasized territorial expansion through military force. Instead, he adopted Dhammaghosha, focusing on the conquest of hearts through the principles of Dhamma. This shift prioritized ethical conduct, social welfare, and religious tolerance over physical dominance, fundamentally altering the nature of Mauryan imperial policy.
Q258. Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence of events in the life of Ashoka?
Explanation
Ashoka was crowned first, then fought the Kalinga War, after which he turned to Buddhism and visited Bodhgaya, and later appointed the Dhamma-mahamattas to spread his policy of Dhamma. The correct order is coronation, Kalinga War, first visit to Bodhgaya, appointment of Dhamma-mahamattas.
Q259. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Ashoka’s policy of Dhamma.
Explanation
Ashoka’s Dhamma was not a new formal religion intended to compete with existing faiths like Brahmanism or Jainism. Instead, it was a practical ethical code aimed at promoting social harmony and responsible citizenship. It emphasized universal values such as non-violence, respect for elders, and religious tolerance. Ashoka intended for these principles to be followed by all his subjects, regardless of their personal sectarian beliefs.
Q260. The primary purpose of the new class of officials called Dhamma-mahamattas, instituted by Ashoka, was to:
Explanation
Ashoka established the special class of officers known as Dhamma-mahamattas to implement his vision of a moral society. Their primary duties involved traveling throughout the empire to teach the principles of Dhamma and ensure the fair treatment of all subjects. They were also responsible for managing charitable activities, resolving social grievances, and promoting harmony among various religious communities, transcending purely administrative or military functions.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 251 | (d) Bindusara |
| 252 | (b) Antiochus I |
| 253 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-i |
| 254 | (b) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct. |
| 255 | (c) V only |
| 256 | (b) Eighth year |
| 257 | (b) He replaced Bherighosha (physical conquest) with Dhammaghosha (cultural conquest). |
| 258 | (a) Coronation, Kalinga War, First visit to Bodhgaya, Appointment of Dhamma- mahamattas |
| 259 | (c) It was a new religion founded by Ashoka to directly rival Brahmanical systems. |
| 260 | (d) Propagate the code of Dhamma and ensure the welfare of the people. |
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.