History MCQs
Ancient, medieval and modern Indian history MCQs for UPSC CSE Prelims, with explanations.
HISTORY · Art & Culture — Buddhist Terminology
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Parivrajaka — Renunciant and Wanderer 2. Shramana — Pries…
HISTORY · Ancient India — Gupta Period Trade
With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as
HISTORY · Ancient India — Historical Places
With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: Famous Place — Present State 1. Bhilsa — Madhya Pradesh 2. Dwarasamud…
HISTORY · Ancient India — Ashokan Edicts
Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription? “Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects o…
HISTORY · Modern India — Dalit Journalism
The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by
HISTORY · Modern India — Swadeshi Movement
With reference to the book “Desher Katha” written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements…
HISTORY · Medieval India — Hundi
Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?
HISTORY · Ancient India — Dynasties & Chronology
Consider the following events in the history of India: 1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja 2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahen…
HISTORY · World History — Industrial Revolution
Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth c…
HISTORY · Ancient India — Buddhism
With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Loko…
HISTORY · Modern India — Colonial Economy
With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs: 1. Aurang — In-charge of treasury of the State 2. Banian — Indian age…
HISTORY · Ancient India — Scholars & Literature
With reference to the scholars/literatures of ancient India, consider the following statements: 1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Sh…
HISTORY · Modern India — Tribal Movements
With reference to the history of India, ‘Ulgulan’ or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?
HISTORY · Modern India — Colonial Education
Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because
HISTORY · Modern India — Indigo
Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of
HISTORY · Modern India — Social Reform
In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around: 1. women's right to gain education 2. age of consent 3. resti…
HISTORY · Art & Culture — Buddhism
With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’?
HISTORY · Mitakshara and Dayabhaga
With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Mitakshara was the civil law for upper…
HISTORY · St Francis Xavier
Consider the following statements: 1. St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order. 2. St. Francis Xavier died in…
HISTORY · Medieval Indian chronology
Consider the following statements: 1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive K…
HISTORY · Archaeological sites
Consider the following pairs: 1. Burzahom — Rock-cut shrines 2. Chandraketugarh — Terracotta art 3. Ganeshwar — Copper artefacts Which of t…
HISTORY · Madanapalle and National Anthem
With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?
HISTORY · Vijayanagara women
According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were expert in which of the following areas? 1. Wrestling 2. Astrolo…
HISTORY · Post-Gupta northern kingdoms
From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding powe…
HISTORY · Ancient India — Land Measures
With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote
HISTORY · English East India Company factories
In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company loc…
HISTORY · Dholavira water management
Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of…
HISTORY · Chausath Yogini Temple
With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: 1. It is a circular temple built during t…
HISTORY · Language movement and International Mother Language Day
Consider the following statements: 1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. 2. The demand that B…
HISTORY · Ancient Indian sites and rivers
Which one of the following statements is correct?
HISTORY · Regional kingdoms
With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State.…
HISTORY · INA trials
In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as
HISTORY · Bethune School
Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?
HISTORY · Mughal administrative hierarchy
With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?
HISTORY · Songs from Prison
Who among the following is associated with 'Songs from Prison', a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?
HISTORY · Quit India Movement
With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?
HISTORY · Ancient Indian playwrights
With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous
HISTORY · Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and women
Consider the following statements: 1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the…
HISTORY · Temple history and medieval sources
The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct…
HISTORY · Bhakti traditions and Ramanuja
The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which o…
HISTORY · Mughal intellectual and translation traditions
“Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:
HISTORY · Sangam literature and society
Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?
HISTORY · Early medieval Indian dynasties
Consider the following pairs: King — Dynasty 1. Nanuka — Chandela 2. Jayashakti — Parmara 3. Nagabhata II — Gurjara-Pratihara 4. Bhoja — Ra…
HISTORY · Ashokan inscriptions and archaeology
Consider the following pairs: Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts — Location in the State of: 1. Dhauli — Odisha 2. Erragudi — Andhra Prades…
HISTORY · Arthashastra and social institutions
According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct? 1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment…
HISTORY · European trading companies in India
With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast…
HISTORY · Delhi Sultanate and Mongol invasions
With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jal…
HISTORY · Ancient and medieval intellectual traditions
With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs: 1. Aryadeva — Jaina scholar 2. Dignaga — Buddhist scholar 3. Nathamuni — Va…
HISTORY · Jain literature
With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts: 1. Nettipakarana 2. Parishishtaparvan 3. Avadanashataka 4. Trishashtilaksha…
HISTORY · Cripps Mission 1942
With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements: 1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nomina…
HISTORY · Revolutionary movements and Ghadar Party
Consider the following freedom fighters: 1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh 2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee 3. Rash Behari Bose. Who of the above was/wer…
HISTORY · Medieval Indian economy and coinage
In medieval India, the term “Fanam” referred to:
HISTORY · Government of India Act 1919 and dyarchy
In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which…
HISTORY · Medieval social and religious history
With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran”?
HISTORY · Modern India — Swadeshi Movement
Consider the following statelllents : Statement-I : . 7th August is declared as the National · Handloom Day. Statement-II : It was in 1905…
HISTORY · Art & Culture — Cave Architecture
Consid.er the following pairs : Site Well known for 1. Besnagar Shaivite .cave shrine 2. Bhaja :· Buddhist cave shrine 3. Sittanavasal Jain…
HISTORY · Modern/Colonial India — Archaeology
With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with
HISTORY · Modern India — Charter Act of 1833
By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal , designated as the Governor General . of India?
HISTORY · Medieval India — Gujarat & Portuguese
Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese?
HISTORY · Medieval India — Vijayanagara
Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several ·ki…
HISTORY · Ancient India — Jainism
"Souls are not only the property ~ 'of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, . running water and· many other natural objects not looked…
HISTORY · Ancient/Medieval India — Literature
With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs : Literary work Author 1. · Devi Chandragupta : Bilhana 2. Hammira-M…
HISTORY · Medieval India — Regional Dynasties
Consider the following dynasties : 1. Hoysala 2. Gahadavala 3. Kakatiya 4. Yadava How many of ·the above dynasties established their kingdo…
HISTORY · Ancient India — Sangam Literature
Which one of the following explains the practice of 'Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?
HISTORY · Ancient South India — Ports
With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as
HISTORY · Ancient India — Buddhist Architecture
With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements: 1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin. 2. Stupa was generally a…
HISTORY · Ancient India — Buddhism
In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?
HISTORY · Modern History: Political Parties
Consider the following pairs of political parties and leaders: 1. Bharatiya Jana Sangh — Shyama Prasad Mukherjee 2. Socialist Party — C. Ra…
HISTORY · Art and Culture: UNESCO
Consider the following properties: 1. Santiniketan 2. Rani-ki-Vav 3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh G…
HISTORY · Ancient India: Buddhism
Sanghabhuti, who wrote a commentary on the Buddhist Vinaya, belonged to which tradition?
HISTORY · Ancient India: Sanskrit Literature
Which one of the following works is attributed to Bhasa?
HISTORY · Modern History: Constitutional Developments
Consider the following statements regarding the Government of India Act, 1935: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All-India Federat…
HISTORY · Art and Culture: UNESCO
Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List as of the relevant 2024 examination conte…
HISTORY · Ancient India: Vedic Literature
Consider the following statements: 1. There are no parables in the Upanishads. 2. The Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas. Wh…
HISTORY · Medieval India
Who among the following rulers gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?
HISTORY · Ancient India: Archaeology
Consider the following pairs: 1. Chandraketugarh — Odisha — Trading port 2. Inamgaon — Maharashtra — Chalcolithic site 3. Mangadu — Kerala…
HISTORY · Ancient India: Buddhism
Gautama Buddha was known by which of the following epithets? 1. Nayaputta 2. Shakyamuni 3. Tathagata