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 441–450 of 615 questions
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RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q441. Consider the following conquests and achievements attributed to the Chola King Rajaraja I: I. He destroyed the Chera navy at Kandalur Salai. II. He conquered the northern part of Sri Lanka and named it Mummudichola Mandalam. III. He successfully conquered the Maldives islands. IV. He defeated the Later Chalukyas of Kalyani in multiple engagements. V. He launched a naval expedition and captured the Srivijaya empire. Which of the above combination of statements is correct?
Explanation
Rajaraja I was a brilliant military strategist who destroyed the Chera navy and conquered northern Sri Lanka, establishing a province called Mummudichola Mandalam. He also extended Chola influence to the Maldives and engaged in successful conflicts with the Later Chalukyas. However, the naval conquest of the Srivijaya empire in Southeast Asia was the specific achievement of his son and successor, Rajendra I, rather than Rajaraja himself.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q442. In the Chola administrative system systematically reorganized by Rajaraja I, the term ‘Valanadu’ referred to which of the following?
Explanation
During the administrative reorganization under Rajaraja I, the Chola empire was structured into several tiers for efficient governance. The largest unit was the Mandalam (province). To improve local oversight, several Nadus (districts) were grouped together to form a larger territorial unit called a Valanadu. This intermediary division helped the central government manage revenue collection and local administration more effectively across the diverse regions of the expanding Chola state.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q443. Rajaraja I was known for his comprehensive administrative reforms and assumption of several titles. Which of the following titles was NOT assumed by him?
Explanation
Rajaraja I assumed several prestigious titles to commemorate his various achievements, including Jayankonda (the victorious), Sivapadasekhara (one who places his crown at the feet of Shiva), and Mummudi Chola (the Chola who wears three crowns). However, the title Gangaikonda, meaning the conqueror of the Ganges, was exclusively adopted by his son, Rajendra I, after his successful military expedition to the northern river Ganga and the defeat of the Pala king.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q444. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Chola Administrative Unit
Description
A. Mandalam
i. A group of contiguous villages
B. Valanadu
ii. A province or large regional territory
C. Nadu
iii. An agricultural district
D. Kurram
iv. A larger territorial division created by bifurcating provinces
Explanation
The Chola administration was hierarchical and well-organized. The empire was divided into provinces called Mandalams. These were subdivided into Valanadus, which were larger territorial blocks. The basic agricultural district was known as a Nadu, which consisted of several smaller groups of villages called Kurrams. This structured system allowed the Chola monarchs to maintain centralized control while facilitating efficient local governance and revenue collection throughout their extensive coastal and inland territories.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q445. Which of the following statements regarding the administration of Rajaraja I is incorrect?
Explanation
Rajaraja I is noted for his administrative efficiency, including a major land survey and the division of the empire into Mandalams. He maintained a strong standing army with various specialized corps. However, he did not abolish local village assemblies; instead, the Chola system was unique for its high degree of local autonomy. Assemblies like the Ur and Sabha continued to manage local affairs, irrigation, and justice under the central government’s supervision.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q446. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Rajendra I assumed the prestigious title of ‘Gangaikonda Chola’. Reason (R): He successfully led a northern military campaign up to the river Ganga, defeating the Pala king Mahipala of Bengal. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Explanation
Rajendra I earned the prestigious title of Gangaikonda Chola following his ambitious military expedition to North India. His forces marched to the banks of the Ganges, defeating local rulers including the Pala king, Mahipala of Bengal. To commemorate this triumph, he established a new capital city named Gangaikonda Cholapuram and brought holy water from the Ganges to fill a massive irrigation tank, symbolizing his far-reaching authority and military success.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q447. What was the most significant geopolitical motivation behind Rajendra Chola’s unprecedented naval expedition against the Srivijaya Empire in Southeast Asia?
Explanation
The naval expedition against the Srivijaya Empire by Rajendra I was primarily driven by economic and commercial interests. Srivijaya controlled the strategic Malacca Strait, which was the main maritime route for Chola trade with China. By imposing heavy duties or obstructing passage, Srivijaya threatened Chola merchant guilds. Therefore, the Chola monarch launched a naval campaign to break this monopoly, ensure free maritime passage, and protect the lucrative overseas commercial interests.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q448. Consider the following statements regarding the achievements of Rajendra Chola I: I. He founded a new capital city called Gangaikonda Cholapuram. II. He excavated a massive artificial irrigation reservoir known as Cholagangam. III. He established a renowned Vedic educational institution at Ennayiram. IV. His naval forces were disastrously defeated by the ruler of Kadaram. Which of the above combinations of statements is correct?
Explanation
Rajendra I’s reign was marked by significant civil and educational contributions, such as founding Gangaikonda Cholapuram and creating the Cholagangam reservoir. He also supported higher learning by establishing a Vedic college at Ennayiram. While he conducted an ambitious naval campaign in Southeast Asia, it was a resounding success that resulted in the capture of various Srivijaya ports, rather than a disastrous defeat. This makes the fourth statement about his naval failure historically incorrect.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q449. Identify the incorrect statement connecting a South Indian ruler with their northern or contemporary rival.
Explanation
Historical chronologies must match for ruler-rival pairs to be valid. Pulakesi II and Harshavardhana were famous seventh-century rivals, and Narasimhavarman I also fought Pulakesi II during that period. Rajendra I successfully campaigned against Mahipala of the Pala dynasty in the eleventh century. However, Rajaraja I lived in the late tenth and early eleventh centuries, long after Harshavardhana’s death in 647 CE, making any direct military engagement between them an impossibility.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · South Indian Dynasties
Q450. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Chola Village Assembly
Nature of Assembly
A. Ur
i. Assembly of merchants and traders
B. Sabha
ii. General assembly of common tax-paying villagers
C. Nagaram
iii. Assembly of the entire Nadu district
D. Nattar
iv. Exclusive assembly of Brahmins in a Brahmadeya village
Explanation
Chola society featured diverse local assemblies. The Ur was a general assembly of common villagers. The Sabha was an exclusive body of learned Brahmins found in tax-free Brahmadeya villages. The Nagaram served the specific interests of merchants and traders in commercial centers. Above these, the Nattar represented the interests of the entire Nadu or district. These bodies played a crucial role in local administration, land management, and tax collection within the empire.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
441
(a) I, II, III, and IV
442
(d) An administrative division between a Nadu and a Mandalam
443
(b) Gangaikonda
444
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i
445
(d) He systematically abolished all local village assemblies to establish absolute central autocracy.
446
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
447
(b) Securing Chola trade by breaking Srivijaya’s Malacca Strait monopoly
448
(a) I, II, and III
449
(c) Rajaraja I - Harshavardhana
450
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
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.
