Q281. According to historian Haraprasad Shastri, what was the primary cause for the decline of the Mauryan Empire?
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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Q282. Which of the following is NOT generally accepted by modern historians as a major reason for the decline of the Mauryan Empire?
Explanation
While Ashoka adopted the policy of non-violence, historical evidence does not support the claim that he completely disbanded the Mauryan army. A massive standing military remained necessary to maintain order across the vast empire. Modern historians generally attribute the decline to other factors, such as the highly centralized bureaucracy, financial strain from heavy state spending, and the oppressive rule of provincial governors in regions far from the capital.
Q283. Match List-I (Scholar) with List-II (Proposed theory for Mauryan decline).
| Scholar | Proposed theory for Mauryan decline |
|---|---|
| A. Haraprasad Shastri | i. Economic crisis and debasement of currency |
| B. H.C. Raychaudhuri | ii. Brahminic reaction against Ashoka’s policies |
| C. D.D. Kosambi | iii. Highly centralized administration and weak successors |
| D. Romila Thapar | iv. Ashoka’s pacifist policies weakening the military |
Explanation
Various scholars have proposed different theories for the Mauryan collapse. Haraprasad Shastri focused on the Brahminic reaction against Ashokan policies. H.C. Raychaudhuri argued that Ashoka’s pacifism weakened the military’s fighting spirit. D.D. Kosambi highlighted an economic crisis evidenced by the debasement of currency. Romila Thapar emphasized the inherent weaknesses of a highly centralized administration which failed when faced with incompetent successors.
Q284. Who was the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty, assassinated by his own commander-in-chief?
Explanation
Brihadratha was the final monarch of the Mauryan dynasty. His reign came to a violent end around 185 BCE when he was assassinated during a military parade by his own commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga. This coup marked the definitive collapse of the Mauryan Empire and the rise of the Sunga dynasty. The event reflected the internal instability and loss of control that characterized the later years of Mauryan rule.
Q285. Consider the following statements regarding the immediate aftermath of the Mauryan decline:
I. The empire was partitioned, with the eastern part going to Pushyamitra Sunga.
II. The north-western gateways were left vulnerable to Indo-Greek incursions.
III. The Satavahanas immediately replaced the Mauryas in Pataliputra.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. The empire was partitioned, with the eastern part going to Pushyamitra Sunga.
II. The north-western gateways were left vulnerable to Indo-Greek incursions.
III. The Satavahanas immediately replaced the Mauryas in Pataliputra.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Following the collapse of the Mauryan Empire, the eastern territories came under the control of Pushyamitra Sunga, who founded the Sunga dynasty. The weakening of central authority also left the North-Western frontier vulnerable to invasions by Indo-Greek rulers. However, the Satavahanas did not immediately replace the Mauryas in Pataliputra; they rose to prominence in the Deccan and Central India, rather than in the Magadhan heartland.
Q286. The Ayodhya inscription explicitly mentions that Pushyamitra Sunga performed which of the following Vedic rituals twice?
Explanation
The Ayodhya inscription provides evidence that Pushyamitra Sunga, the founder of the Sunga dynasty, performed the Ashvamedha or horse sacrifice twice during his reign. This Vedic ritual was a powerful symbol of imperial sovereignty and the restoration of Brahmanical traditions after the Mauryan period. His performance of these sacrifices signifies his military successes against various enemies, including the Indo- Greeks, and his role as a patron of orthodox Vedic practices.
Q287. Identify the correct pair of a famous literary figure and his work associated with the Sunga period.
Explanation
Patanjali is a renowned literary and grammatical figure associated with the Sunga period, specifically during the reign of Pushyamitra Sunga. He authored the Mahabhashya, a profound commentary on Panini’s Sanskrit grammar. His work is historically significant as it reflects the revival of Sanskrit scholarship and Vedic culture under Sunga patronage. Patanjali is also traditionally credited with officiating as the priest during the Ashvamedha sacrifices performed by the Sunga monarch.
Q288. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Later Buddhist traditions portray Pushyamitra Sunga as a cruel persecutor of Buddhism.
Reason (R): Archaeological evidence firmly proves that all Buddhist stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut were completely destroyed during the Sunga period.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Later Buddhist traditions portray Pushyamitra Sunga as a cruel persecutor of Buddhism.
Reason (R): Archaeological evidence firmly proves that all Buddhist stupas at Sanchi and Bharhut were completely destroyed during the Sunga period.
Explanation
Later Buddhist texts like the Ashokavadana describe Pushyamitra Sunga as a hostile persecutor of Buddhism who destroyed monasteries. However, archaeological evidence from Sanchi and Bharhut contradicts the claim of total destruction. In fact, significant renovations and additions were made to these Buddhist stupas during the Sunga period, suggesting a more complex relationship where the state may have patronized these religious sites despite the king’s personal dedication to Brahmanical traditions.
Q289. Consider the following statements regarding the Kanva dynasty:
Statement I: The Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva after he overthrew the last Sunga king, Devabhuti.
Statement II: The Kanvas ruled over a vast empire that included the entire Deccan peninsula.
Which of the following is correct?
Statement I: The Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva after he overthrew the last Sunga king, Devabhuti.
Statement II: The Kanvas ruled over a vast empire that included the entire Deccan peninsula.
Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
The Kanva dynasty was established by Vasudeva Kanva, who seized power after killing Devabhuti, the last Sunga king. While they successfully established their authority in Magadha, their empire was significantly smaller than that of the Mauryas or early Sungas. The Kanvas did not rule over the entire Deccan; that region was primarily under the control of the rising Satavahana dynasty, which eventually contributed to the final downfall of the Kanvas.
Q290. Consider the following statements about the Post-Maurya Sunga period:
I. The Sunga capital remained at Pataliputra, though Vidisha gained prominence.
II. The famous Indo-Greek king Menander invaded India during this period.
III. Agnimitra, a Sunga prince, is the protagonist of a famous play by Kalidasa.
IV. The Sungas replaced Sanskrit with Prakrit as the official court language.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. The Sunga capital remained at Pataliputra, though Vidisha gained prominence.
II. The famous Indo-Greek king Menander invaded India during this period.
III. Agnimitra, a Sunga prince, is the protagonist of a famous play by Kalidasa.
IV. The Sungas replaced Sanskrit with Prakrit as the official court language.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
During the Sunga period, Vidisha became a major political center alongside the traditional capital at Pataliputra. This era witnessed invasions by Indo- Greek kings, including the famous Menander. The Sunga prince Agnimitra is celebrated as the hero in Kalidasa’s play Malavikagnimitram. Contrary to shifting to Prakrit, the Sunga period was actually marked by a significant revival of Sanskrit as the language of the royal court and high intellectual discourse.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 281 | (c) Ashoka’s pro-Buddhist policies which triggered a strong Brahminic reaction. |
| 282 | (a) Ashoka’s total disbandment of the army out of extreme pacifism. |
| 283 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 284 | (b) Brihadratha |
| 285 | (a) I and II only |
| 286 | (d) Ashvamedha |
| 287 | (a) Patanjali - Mahabhashya |
| 288 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 289 | (a) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect. |
| 290 | (c) I, II, and III only |
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.