Q261. Which Ashokan edict explicitly mentions the personal name Ashoka rather than his usual titles like Devanampiya Piyadassi?
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.
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Q262. Which of the following scripts was NOT used in the inscriptions of Ashoka?
Explanation
Ashoka used several scripts and languages to communicate with his diverse subjects, including Brahmi, Kharosthi, Greek, and Aramaic. Brahmi was the most widespread, while Kharosthi was used in the North-West. Greek and Aramaic appeared in border regions like Afghanistan. However, Tamil-Brahmi, which is a variant of the Brahmi script adapted for the Tamil language, is not found in any of the known Ashokan inscriptions.
Q263. Match List-I (Ashokan Major Rock Edict) with
List-II (Core Subject Matter).
List I: (Ashokan Major Rock Edict)
A. Major Rock Edict I
B. Major Rock Edict II
C. Major Rock Edict VII
D. Major Rock Edict XIII
List II: (Core Subject Matter)
i. Medical treatment for humans and animals
ii. Prohibition of animal sacrifice
iii. Account of the Kalinga War
iv. Plea for tolerance among all sects
List-II (Core Subject Matter).
List I: (Ashokan Major Rock Edict)
A. Major Rock Edict I
B. Major Rock Edict II
C. Major Rock Edict VII
D. Major Rock Edict XIII
List II: (Core Subject Matter)
i. Medical treatment for humans and animals
ii. Prohibition of animal sacrifice
iii. Account of the Kalinga War
iv. Plea for tolerance among all sects
Explanation
Ashoka’s Major Rock Edicts cover various aspects of his policy. Major Rock Edict I prohibits animal sacrifice and festive gatherings. Major Rock Edict II details medical facilities for humans and animals. Major Rock Edict VII appeals for tolerance among all religious sects, emphasizing self-control and purity of mind. Finally, Major Rock Edict XIII provides the famous historical account of the Kalinga War and his subsequent remorse.
Q264. Which of the following Ashokan edicts, located in Rajasthan, provides clear evidence of Ashoka’s faith in the Buddhist Trinity (Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha)?
Explanation
The Bhabru-Bairat Rock Edict, located in Rajasthan, provides conclusive evidence of Ashoka’s personal conversion to Buddhism. In this inscription, he explicitly addresses the Sangha and expresses his profound faith in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. He also recommends specific Buddhist texts for study by monks and lay followers, highlighting his deep involvement in the spiritual and doctrinal aspects of the Buddhist faith.
Q265. Consider the following statements regarding the Ashokan edicts:
I. James Prinsep was the first scholar to decipher the Brahmi script used in these edicts.
II. Inscriptions found in the north-western part of the subcontinent were predominantly written in Kharosthi.
III. The edicts found in southern India are entirely written in the Greek language.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. James Prinsep was the first scholar to decipher the Brahmi script used in these edicts.
II. Inscriptions found in the north-western part of the subcontinent were predominantly written in Kharosthi.
III. The edicts found in southern India are entirely written in the Greek language.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
James Prinsep successfully deciphered the Brahmi script in 1837, unlocking the historical records of the Mauryan period. In the North- Western frontier, inscriptions were indeed written in the Kharosthi script to suit local linguistic needs. However, the edicts found in Southern India were written in the Brahmi script and Prakrit language, not Greek. Greek inscriptions were limited to the westernmost regions like Kandahar in modern Afghanistan.
Q266. In the Mauryan administrative framework, the terms Dharmasthiya and Kantakashodhana referred to:
Explanation
Mauryan administration featured a dual judicial system to maintain law and order. Dharmasthiya courts dealt primarily with civil matters such as property disputes, marriage, and contracts, presided over by experts in sacred law. In contrast, Kantakashodhana courts, meaning "removal of thorns," were criminal courts handled by administrative officers. These focused on suppressing anti-social elements, investigating serious crimes against the state, and managing urban public safety.
Q267. Identify the correctly matched pair of Mauryan officials and their primary duties.
Explanation
The Mauryan bureaucracy was highly specialized with various departments headed by superintendents called Adhyakshas. The Sitadhyaksha was specifically responsible for supervising the cultivation of crown lands, known as Sita. In contrast, the Samaharta was the chief collector of revenue, while the Sannidhata served as the chief treasurer. The Panyadhyaksha managed trade and commerce, ensuring that commodities were priced fairly and that the state’s commercial interests were protected.
Q268. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The Mauryan Empire maintained a massive and highly organized standing army.
Reason (R): The Mauryan state relied exclusively on voluntary militias raised by provincial governors during times of war.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The Mauryan Empire maintained a massive and highly organized standing army.
Reason (R): The Mauryan state relied exclusively on voluntary militias raised by provincial governors during times of war.
Explanation
The Mauryan Empire maintained a professional, highly organized standing army, which was essential for controlling its vast territories. According to historical accounts, this military force included infantry, cavalry, chariots, and a significant elephant corps. It was not dependent on voluntary or temporary militias raised by governors; instead, soldiers were paid directly by the state, ensuring their loyalty to the central authority and maintaining constant military readiness.
Q269. What was the most appropriate function of the Rajukas in the Mauryan administration?
Explanation
Rajukas were important provincial officials in the Mauryan administration, particularly during the reign of Ashoka. Originally derived from "rajju" (rope), they were initially responsible for land measurement and surveying for revenue purposes. Over time, Ashoka granted them significant judicial and executive powers, allowing them to dispense justice and manage the welfare of the rural population, thereby bridging the gap between the central government and the villages.
Q270. Consider the following statements regarding the municipal administration of Pataliputra as described by Megasthenes:
I. It was administered by a city council comprising 30 members.
II. The council was divided into 6 boards of 5 members each.
III. One of the boards was specifically responsible for the registration of births and deaths.
IV. The city officials were collectively referred to as Astynomoi.
Which of the combinations of the above statements is correct?
I. It was administered by a city council comprising 30 members.
II. The council was divided into 6 boards of 5 members each.
III. One of the boards was specifically responsible for the registration of births and deaths.
IV. The city officials were collectively referred to as Astynomoi.
Which of the combinations of the above statements is correct?
Explanation
Megasthenes described the municipal governance of Pataliputra as being managed by a city council of thirty members. This council was organized into six specialized boards, each consisting of five members. These boards oversaw specific functions such as trade regulation, manufactured goods, tax collection, and the vital task of registering births and deaths. The administrative officers in charge of these urban duties were referred to as Astynomoi.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 261 | (c) Maski Minor Rock Edict |
| 262 | (b) Tamil-Brahmi |
| 263 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 264 | (a) Bhabru-Bairat Edict |
| 265 | (b) I and II only |
| 266 | (a) Civil and criminal courts respectively |
| 267 | (d) Sitadhyaksha - Superintendent of Crown Lands |
| 268 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 269 | (c) They were rural officials responsible for land measurement and dispensing justice. |
| 270 | (d) I, II, III, and IV |
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.