Part A – Archaeological Sources (Q1–25)
Q1. Archaeology primarily deals with:
(A) Written records
(B) Oral traditions
(C) Material remains of the past
(D) Religious texts
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Archaeology reconstructs history through material evidence such as tools, pottery, monuments, and artifacts.
Q2. The systematic survey of an area to locate archaeological sites is called:
(A) Excavation
(B) Exploration
(C) Epigraphy
(D) Numismatics
Answer: (B)
Q3. The scientific method of uncovering buried remains layer by layer is:
(A) Exploration
(B) Excavation
(C) Surveying
(D) Mapping
Answer: (B)
Q4. Stratigraphy helps archaeologists determine:
(A) The language of inscriptions
(B) The chronological sequence of layers
(C) The religious beliefs of people
(D) The trade routes of ancient times
Answer: (B)
Q5. Who is regarded as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”?
(A) R.D. Banerjee
(B) Alexander Cunningham
(C) Mortimer Wheeler
(D) James Prinsep
Answer: (B)
Q6. James Prinsep is famous for:
(A) Discovering Harappa
(B) Deciphering the Brahmi script
(C) Excavating Mohenjo-Daro
(D) Dating Neolithic sites
Answer: (B)
Q7. Epigraphy is the study of:
(A) Coins
(B) Pottery
(C) Inscriptions
(D) Monuments
Answer: (C)
Q8. The earliest deciphered inscriptions in India are those of:
(A) Chandragupta Maurya
(B) Ashoka
(C) Harsha
(D) Samudragupta
Answer: (B)
Q9. The study of coins is known as:
(A) Paleography
(B) Numismatics
(C) Epigraphy
(D) Stratigraphy
Answer: (B)
Q10. The earliest coins in India were:
(A) Gupta coins
(B) Indo-Greek coins
(C) Punch-marked coins
(D) Roman coins
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Punch-marked silver coins appear around 6th century BCE.
Q11. The earliest evidence of archaeology-based history writing in India began under:
(A) British rule
(B) Mughal rule
(C) Mauryas
(D) Delhi Sultanate
Answer: (A)
Q12. The first Harappan site to be excavated was:
(A) Mohenjo-Daro
(B) Lothal
(C) Harappa
(D) Dholavira
Answer: (C)
Q13. Who excavated Mohenjo-Daro?
(A) R.D. Banerjee
(B) Daya Ram Sahni
(C) Alexander Cunningham
(D) Stuart Piggott
Answer: (A)
Q14. Radiocarbon dating is used to determine:
(A) Chemical composition
(B) Age of organic materials
(C) Metal purity
(D) Astronomical alignment
Answer: (B)
Q15. Thermoluminescence dating is particularly useful for:
(A) Stone tools
(B) Iron artifacts
(C) Pottery and burnt clay
(D) Gold ornaments
Answer: (C)
Q16. Dendrochronology is based on:
(A) Counting tree rings
(B) Measuring metal decay
(C) Fossil analysis
(D) Radioactive isotopes
Answer: (A)
Q17. The Ashokan edicts were engraved mostly in:
(A) Persian
(B) Prakrit and Greek
(C) Sanskrit
(D) Tamil
Answer: (B)
Q18. The Hathigumpha inscription is related to:
(A) Ashoka
(B) Kharavela
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Rudradaman
Answer: (B)
Q19. Which inscription gives a detailed list of Samudragupta’s conquests?
(A) Mehrauli Iron Pillar
(B) Allahabad Pillar Inscription
(C) Hathigumpha Inscription
(D) Junagadh Inscription
Answer: (B)
Q20. Numismatic evidence helps mainly in:
(A) Religious studies
(B) Economic and political history
(C) Linguistics
(D) Astronomy
Answer: (B)
Q21. The author of Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum was:
(A) John Marshall
(B) Alexander Cunningham
(C) James Burgess
(D) F.W. Thomas
Answer: (B)
Q22. The earliest known Indian coins are made of:
(A) Gold
(B) Silver
(C) Copper
(D) Lead
Answer: (B)
Q23. The most scientific method of dating archaeological sites is:
(A) Radiocarbon dating
(B) Relative chronology
(C) Stratigraphy alone
(D) Typology
Answer: (A)
Q24. Exploration and excavation in India are conducted by:
(A) ASI (Archaeological Survey of India)
(B) Indian Museum
(C) Indian Council of Historical Research
(D) National Archives of India
Answer: (A)
Q25. The founder of ASI was:
(A) Mortimer Wheeler
(B) Alexander Cunningham
(C) Daya Ram Sahni
(D) V.S. Agrawala
Answer: (B)
🟢 Part B – Literary and Foreign Sources (Q26–45)
Q26. The Rigveda is primarily a collection of:
(A) Ritual manuals
(B) Hymns to deities
(C) Philosophical essays
(D) Law codes
Answer: (B)
Q27. The Vedas are considered:
(A) Primary literary sources
(B) Secondary sources
(C) Secular documents
(D) Myths only
Answer: (A)
Q28. The Tripitakas are associated with:
(A) Jainism
(B) Buddhism
(C) Hinduism
(D) Ajivikas
Answer: (B)
Q29. The Buddhist Jataka stories illustrate:
(A) Agricultural methods
(B) Previous lives of Buddha and moral tales
(C) Political administration
(D) Sanskrit grammar
Answer: (B)
Q30. The Arthashastra is attributed to:
(A) Manu
(B) Chanakya (Kautilya)
(C) Panini
(D) Kalidasa
Answer: (B)
Q31. The Manusmriti is a text dealing with:
(A) Medicine
(B) Law and social order
(C) Astronomy
(D) Philosophy
Answer: (B)
Q32. Panini’s Ashtadhyayi is important for:
(A) Economy
(B) Grammar and linguistics
(C) Political theory
(D) Mathematics
Answer: (B)
Q33. The problem with dating ancient Indian texts arises mainly due to:
(A) Lack of manuscripts
(B) Oral transmission over centuries
(C) Political censorship
(D) Translation errors
Answer: (B)
Q34. Megasthenes wrote:
(A) Indica
(B) Periplus of the Erythraean Sea
(C) Kitab al-Hind
(D) Geographia
Answer: (A)
Q35. The Chinese pilgrim who visited during Harsha’s reign was:
(A) Fa-Hien
(B) Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang)
(C) I-Tsing
(D) Al-Biruni
Answer: (B)
Q36. Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of:
(A) Harsha
(B) Ashoka
(C) Chandragupta II
(D) Kanishka
Answer: (C)
Q37. Al-Biruni came to India with:
(A) Alexander
(B) Mahmud of Ghazni
(C) Ibn Battuta
(D) Timur
Answer: (B)
Q38. Kitab al-Hind is a work on:
(A) Philosophy
(B) Indian society and sciences
(C) Trade routes
(D) Religious rituals
Answer: (B)
Q39. Ibn Battuta was from:
(A) Persia
(B) Morocco
(C) Greece
(D) Turkey
Answer: (B)
Q40. Greek historian who accompanied Alexander was:
(A) Herodotus
(B) Arrian
(C) Ptolemy
(D) Pliny
Answer: (B)
Q41. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea gives information on:
(A) Buddhist philosophy
(B) Roman trade with India
(C) Vedic rituals
(D) Gupta polity
Answer: (B)
Q42. Indigenous literature refers to:
(A) Foreign accounts
(B) Texts written within India
(C) Inscriptions only
(D) Translations
Answer: (B)
Q43. The Puranas are classified as:
(A) Vedic hymns
(B) Secondary religious literature
(C) Grammar books
(D) Buddhist chronicles
Answer: (B)
Q44. Arthashastra mentions which administrative division?
(A) District
(B) Janapada and Vishaya
(C) Empire and Province
(D) Gram and Sabha
Answer: (B)
Q45. The term “Itihasa” in ancient Indian context refers to:
(A) Fiction
(B) History in the form of epics
(C) Mythology
(D) Ritual books
Answer: (B)
🟢 Part C – Prehistoric & Protohistoric Cultures (Q46–60)
Q46. The Neolithic phase is characterized by:
(A) Nomadic hunting
(B) Food production and polished tools
(C) Metal usage
(D) Writing system
Answer: (B)
Q47. The earliest evidence of Neolithic settlement in the subcontinent is found at:
(A) Koldihwa
(B) Mehrgarh
(C) Inamgaon
(D) Chirand
Answer: (B)
Q48. The Neolithic site of Burzahom is located in:
(A) Kashmir
(B) Bihar
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Rajasthan
Answer: (A)
Q49. Chalcolithic cultures used:
(A) Only stone tools
(B) Copper and stone implements
(C) Bronze weapons only
(D) Iron implements
Answer: (B)
Q50. The Chalcolithic site Inamgaon is situated in:
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Rajasthan
(D) Gujarat
Answer: (B)
Q51. The term “Neolithic Revolution” refers to:
(A) Discovery of fire
(B) Beginning of agriculture and domestication
(C) Use of iron
(D) Writing system
Answer: (B)
Q52. The Neolithic people of Koldihwa cultivated:
(A) Wheat
(B) Rice
(C) Cotton
(D) Barley
Answer: (B)
Q53. Chalcolithic pottery was often:
(A) Grey ware
(B) Painted ware
(C) Black ware only
(D) Plain red ware
Answer: (B)
Q54. The economy of Neolithic and Chalcolithic people was based on:
(A) Trade only
(B) Agriculture, cattle rearing, and barter exchange
(C) Industrial production
(D) Metallurgy alone
Answer: (B)
Q55. The term “Megalith” refers to:
(A) Small beads
(B) Large stone burial markers
(C) Painted caves
(D) Copper tools
Answer: (B)
Q56. The South Indian Megalithic culture is known for use of:
(A) Gold
(B) Iron
(C) Bronze
(D) Silver
Answer: (B)
Q57. Evidence of earliest rice cultivation comes from:
(A) Inamgaon
(B) Koldihwa
(C) Lothal
(D) Navdatoli
Answer: (B)
Q58. The site of Daimabad yielded which unique find?
(A) Stone tools
(B) Bronze chariot and animals
(C) Iron sword
(D) Painted pottery
Answer: (B)
Q59. Neolithic sites in northeast India include:
(A) Chirand
(B) Daojali Hading
(C) Inamgaon
(D) Navdatoli
Answer: (B)
Q60. The key difference between Neolithic and Chalcolithic phases was:
(A) Use of fire
(B) Use of copper along with stone tools
(C) Agriculture
(D) Cattle rearing
Answer: (B)
Part D – Indus / Harappan Civilization (Q61–80)
Q61. The Indus Civilization flourished approximately between:
(A) 4000–3000 BCE
(B) 3300–1300 BCE
(C) 2600–1900 BCE
(D) 1200–600 BCE
Answer: (C)
Explanation: The Mature Harappan Phase (2600–1900 BCE) marks the height of urban development.
Q62. The Indus Civilization is also known as:
(A) Aryan Civilization
(B) Chalcolithic Civilization
(C) Harappan Civilization
(D) Neolithic Civilization
Answer: (C)
Q63. The first Harappan site discovered was:
(A) Mohenjo-Daro
(B) Harappa
(C) Kalibangan
(D) Lothal
Answer: (B)
Q64. Harappa was excavated by:
(A) John Marshall
(B) Daya Ram Sahni
(C) R.D. Banerjee
(D) Alexander Cunningham
Answer: (B)
Q65. Mohenjo-Daro was excavated by:
(A) R.D. Banerjee
(B) Daya Ram Sahni
(C) John Marshall
(D) Mortimer Wheeler
Answer: (A)
Q66. The largest Harappan site in India is:
(A) Lothal
(B) Kalibangan
(C) Rakhigarhi
(D) Dholavira
Answer: (C)
Q67. The Harappan Civilization covered modern regions of:
(A) India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
(B) Pakistan, northwest India, and parts of Afghanistan
(C) Central Asia
(D) South India
Answer: (B)
Q68. The town planning of Harappa was based on:
(A) Circular pattern
(B) Grid pattern
(C) Random streets
(D) Radial layout
Answer: (B)
Q69. The Great Bath was discovered at:
(A) Harappa
(B) Lothal
(C) Mohenjo-Daro
(D) Kalibangan
Answer: (C)
Q70. The dockyard of the Harappan Civilization is found at:
(A) Kalibangan
(B) Dholavira
(C) Lothal
(D) Banawali
Answer: (C)
Explanation: Lothal (Gujarat) had a brick dockyard showing maritime trade.
Q71. The Harappans used which metal extensively?
(A) Iron
(B) Copper and bronze
(C) Aluminium
(D) Steel
Answer: (B)
Q72. Which site has evidence of a “stadium-like” structure?
(A) Dholavira
(B) Lothal
(C) Harappa
(D) Chanhudaro
Answer: (A)
Q73. The script of the Harappans remains:
(A) Fully deciphered
(B) Partially deciphered
(C) Undeciphered
(D) Borrowed from Sanskrit
Answer: (C)
Q74. The common feature of Harappan houses was:
(A) Wooden walls
(B) Courtyard with bathrooms and drains
(C) Stone pillars
(D) Thatch roofs only
Answer: (B)
Q75. Evidence of fire altars and animal sacrifice comes from:
(A) Lothal and Kalibangan
(B) Harappa only
(C) Dholavira
(D) Chanhudaro
Answer: (A)
Q76. The principal material used for Harappan tools was:
(A) Bronze
(B) Iron
(C) Stone
(D) Steel
Answer: (A)
Q77. Which Harappan site provides evidence of double burial?
(A) Rakhigarhi
(B) Lothal
(C) Kalibangan
(D) Harappa
Answer: (D)
Q78. The most common animal depicted on Harappan seals is:
(A) Bull
(B) Horse
(C) Elephant
(D) Unicorn
Answer: (D)
Explanation: The one-horned unicorn motif dominates Indus seals.
Q79. The Indus economy was primarily:
(A) Pastoral
(B) Agricultural and urban-industrial
(C) Hunting-gathering
(D) Nomadic
Answer: (B)
Q80. The decline of the Indus Civilization is attributed to:
(A) Invasion only
(B) Natural and economic factors combined
(C) Single flood event
(D) Political revolution
Answer: (B)
🟢 Part E – Vedic and Later Vedic Periods (Q81–90)
Q81. The Rigveda was composed around:
(A) 2500 BCE
(B) 1500–1000 BCE
(C) 800 BCE
(D) 500 BCE
Answer: (B)
Q82. The main deity of Rigvedic Aryans was:
(A) Agni
(B) Varuna
(C) Indra
(D) Vishnu
Answer: (C)
Q83. The Aryan debate concerns:
(A) Their religion
(B) Their racial origin and migration
(C) Iron usage
(D) Decline of Harappa
Answer: (B)
Q84. Early Vedic society was primarily:
(A) Urban
(B) Agricultural
(C) Pastoral and tribal
(D) Industrial
Answer: (C)
Q85. In the Vedic polity, the king was assisted by two assemblies known as:
(A) Sabha and Samiti
(B) Janapada and Parishad
(C) Gana and Sabha
(D) Sabha and Mahasabha
Answer: (A)
Q86. The Varna system first finds mention in:
(A) Atharvaveda
(B) Rigveda (Purusha Sukta)
(C) Yajurveda
(D) Upanishads
Answer: (B)
Q87. The Later Vedic Period (1000–600 BCE) witnessed:
(A) Pastoralism only
(B) Expansion of agriculture and iron use
(C) Nomadic migrations
(D) Decline of kingdoms
Answer: (B)
Q88. The Upanishads mainly deal with:
(A) Ritual sacrifices
(B) Metaphysical and philosophical ideas
(C) Warfare
(D) Agriculture
Answer: (B)
Q89. The term Gotra first appears in:
(A) Rigveda
(B) Later Vedic texts
(C) Puranas
(D) Smritis
Answer: (B)
Q90. The introduction of iron in India facilitated:
(A) Decline of agriculture
(B) Forest clearing and agrarian expansion
(C) Urban destruction
(D) Decline of trade
Answer: (B)
🟢 Part F – Megaliths, Iron Age and Early States (Q91–95)
Q91. The Megalithic culture is mainly found in:
(A) South India
(B) North India
(C) Central Asia
(D) Western India
Answer: (A)
Q92. Megaliths were primarily used for:
(A) Religious shrines
(B) Burial and funerary purposes
(C) Storage of grain
(D) Market centers
Answer: (B)
Q93. Iron in South India is associated with:
(A) Harappans
(B) Megalithic culture
(C) Mauryan period
(D) Neolithic settlers
Answer: (B)
Q94. The Megalithic people of South India used:
(A) Painted pottery and iron weapons
(B) Only stone tools
(C) Bronze ornaments
(D) Gold utensils
Answer: (A)
Q95. The Iron Age led to the emergence of:
(A) First urbanization
(B) Second urbanization and state formation
(C) Nomadic life
(D) Cattle herding
Answer: (B)
🟢 Part G – Mahajanapadas and Second Urbanization (Q96–100)
Q96. The term “Mahajanapada” means:
(A) Small tribe
(B) Great territorial state
(C) Religious sect
(D) Trading guild
Answer: (B)
Q97. The Anguttara Nikaya lists how many Mahajanapadas?
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 16
(D) 18
Answer: (C)
Q98. Which among the following was a republican state?
(A) Magadha
(B) Kosala
(C) Vajji
(D) Kashi
Answer: (C)
Q99. The second urbanization in India (c. 600 BCE) was driven by:
(A) Industrial revolution
(B) Iron-based agrarian expansion and trade
(C) Foreign invasions
(D) Monastic activities
Answer: (B)
Q100. The heterodox sect founded by Gautama Buddha emphasized:
(A) Sacrifices and rituals
(B) Middle path and self-discipline
(C) Fatalism
(D) Luxury and ascetic extremes
Answer: (B)