Ancient India History WBCS Preliminary Question Paper
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2022
30. Who is the composer of Allahabad Prasasti?
(A) Harishena
(B) Bishakhdutta
(C) Kalidasa
(D) Shudrak
68. Earliest fossil remains of archaic Homo sapiens has been found in
(1982, Arun Sonakia)
(A) Siwalik hills
(B) Narmada valley
(C) Nallamalai hills
(D) Chotanagpur Plateau
70. Arrange the list of foreign travellers in chronological order:
(a) Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang )
(b) Itsing
(c) Fa Tsien
(d) Megasthenes
(A) (a), (b), (c), (d)
(B) (a), (d), (b), (c)
(C) (d), (c), (a), (b)
(D) (d), (c), (b), (a)
75. Match the following:
(a) Kot Diji 1. Luigi Pio Tessitori
(b) Harappa 2. F.A. Khan, G.S. Ghurye
(c) Kalibangan 3. Daya Ram Sahani
(d) Mohenjodaro 4. Rakhal Das Bandyopadhyay
(A) (a-2), (b-3), (c-1), (d-4)
(B) (a – 1), (b-3), (c-2), (d-4)
(C) (a-4), (b-1), (c-2), (d-3) (D) (a-3), (b-2), (c-4), (d-1)
76. Who among the following stated that there was no slavery in India?
(A) Strabo
(B) Ptolemy
(C) Megasthenes
(D) Xuanzang (Hieun Tsang )
90. In which of the following inscriptions we find earliest reference to ‘Sati’?
(Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh)
(A) Asokan inscription of Girnar
(B) Aihole inscription
(C) Eran inscription
(D) Damodarpur inscription
92. The Gupta King who destroyed Sakas was
(A) Samudra Gupta
(B) Chandra Gupta-I
(C) Kumara Gupta
(D) Chandra Gupta-II
106. Earliest evidence of settled agriculture in the subcontinent comes from
(5500-4800 BC, Neolithic)
(A) Utnur
(B) Burzahom
(C) Mehrgarh
(D) Bagor
107. The first sermon of Gautama Buddha is called
(A) Mahabhinishkraman
(B) Dharmachakra Pravartana
(C) Dhammaghos
(D) Mahaparinirvana
114. Who among the following was the Greek king of Syria mentioned in Asokan edict?
(A) Antiochus II Theos
(B) Ptolemy II
(C) Antigonus
(D) Alexander
156. Match List-I with List-II:
List-I List-II
(a) Moriyas 1. Pippalivana
(b) Videhas 2. Mithila
(c) Licchavis 3. Vaishali
(d) Mallas 4. Kapilavastu
Which of the above is/are not properly matched?
(A) (a-1), (b-2), (c-3)
(B) (d-4)
(C) (c-3), (d-4)
(D) All of the above
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2021
110. When did Sakabda commence ?
(A) 78 A.D.
(B) 78 B.C.E.
(C) 178 B.C.E.
(D) 178 A.D.
126. Who is the author of Allahabad Pillar Inscription ?
(A) Rudradaman
(B) Harisena
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Banabhatta
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2020
56. Boghazkoi is important because
(A) it is known as significant trading centre between Central Asia and Tibet.
(B) the original text of the Vedas was composed there.
(C) inscription found here mention the names of Vedic Gods and Goddesses.
(D) None of the above
78. Which among the following places has given the earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian Subcontinent?
(7000 to 2000 BCE)
(A) Pratapgarh
(B) Mehergarh
(C) Quetta
(D) Kalat
91. Who among the following historians has written the book entitled ‘The wonder that was India‘ ?
(A) A. L. Basham
(B) Alison Bashford
(C) R. C. Majumder
(D) Satish Chandra
99. What were the two assemblies during the early Vedic period ?
(A) Samiti
(B) Sabha
(C) Samiti and Sangam
(D) Both (A) and (B)
145. Which of the following is a correct statement about Indus Valley civilization ?
(A) Both Harappa and Mohenjodaro are located on the banks of river Ravi (Irabati).
(B) Both Chanhudaro and Kalibangan were located within the boundaries of present day Rajasthan.
(C) Both Surkotada and Dholavira are located in the Kutchh region of Gujarat
(D) Lothal site was located on the bank of Narmada river.
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2019
71. Where did Gautama Buddha attain Nirvana (enlightenment) ?
(A) Lumbini
(B) Sarnath
(C) Kusinagar
(D) Bodh Gaya
72. Who wrote Mrichhakatikam ?
(A) Vishakhasdatta
(B) Shudrak
(C) Banabhatta
(D) Bhas
73. Who among the following succeeded Samudragupta as the next ruler of the Gupta dynasty ?
(A) Chandragupta II
(B) Vishnugupta
(C) Chandragupta I
(D) Skandagupta
74. The inscriptions of Ashoka and the Brahmi scripts were deciphered by
(1838)
(A) Alexander Cunningham
(B) James Princep
(C) Max Muller
(D) Mortimer Wheeler
75. Which among the following places have given the earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian sub-continent ?
(A) Pratapgarh
(B) Mehrgarh
(C) Quetta
(D) Kalat
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2018
105. Who was the writer of ‘Buddha Charita’?
(a) Buddhaghosha
(b) Ashvaghosha
(c) Nagarjuna
(d) Panini
111. Which among the following Harappan sites is not located in Gujrat?
(Haryana)
(a) Surkotada
(b) Lothal
(c) Dholavira
(d) Banwali
116. Which kingdom covered the modern Patna and Gaya districts of Bihar?
(a) Anga
(b) Kosala
(c) Magadha
(d) Avanti
125. Who came to India during the time of Chandragupta Maurya?
(a) Faxian (Fa Hien)
(b) Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)
(c) Megasthenes
(d) Strabo
131. Where did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon?
(a) Bodh Gaya
(b)Shravasti
(c) Sarnath
(d) Vaishali
136. Who was referred to as ‘Sandrocottus’ in the writings of the Greeks?
(a) Asoka
(b) Bindusara
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Dhanananda
150. Which Gupta ruler repulsed Huna invasion?
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Skandagupta
(d) Kumaragupta
156. Who was the author of “Brihatsamhita”
(chandragupta II)
(a) Aryabhatta
(b) Varahamihira
(c) Amarasimha
(d) Brahmagupta
162. Which historian is famous for his research on Ancient Indian History?
(Secular historian)
(a) Sathis Chandra
(b) Bipan Chandra
(c) Ram Sharan Sharma
(d) Amalesh Tripathi
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2017
86. Which of the following is a Harappan site located in Rajasthan ?
(A) Mohenjo Daro
(B) Suktagen Dor
(C) Kalibangan
(D) Lothal
77. The Mauryan ruler who used the name ‘Piyadasi’ in his official declaration was
(13th rock edict)
(A) Bimbisara
(B) Ashoka
(C) Chandragupta Maurya
(D) Brihaddrata
85. Which Magadha ruler was known as ‘Seniya”
(A) Bimbisara
(B) Ajatshatru
(C) Mahapadma Nanda
(D) Chandragupta Maurya
87. The famous physician during Budhha’s time was
(Ayurveda Physician)
(A) Kautilya
(B) Nachiketa
(C) Charaka
(D) Jivaka
76. The author of ‘Kadambari‘ was
(Harshacharita)
(A) Kshemendra
(B) Kalhana
(C) Bhababhuti
(D) Banabhatta
78. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came to India during the reign of
(630-645 AD)
(A) Samudra Gupta
(B) Ashoka
(C) Harshavardhan
(D) Kulotunga
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2016
189. Who is considered as the father of Indian Archaeology ?
(1861, Archaeological Survey of India)
(A) Alexander Cunningham
(B) Gordon Child
(C) Mortimer Wheeler
(D) John Marshall
26. The decline of the Nandas at the hands of Kautilya and Chandragapta Maurya has been vividly portrayed in the Sanskrit Play.
(Vishakhadatta)
(A) Mrichhakatika
(B) Devi Chandragupta
(C) Mattavilasa
(D) Mudrarakshasa
27. The most famous Indo-Greek ruler of India was :
(A) Demetrius
(B) Antiochus I
(C) Menander
(D) None of the above
193. Rice cultivation is associated with the Harappan site of :
(A) Kalibangan
(B) Lothal
(C) Kot Diji
(D) Ropar
196. The Upanishadas were compiled around :
(A) 600 BC
(B) 800 BC
(C) 1000 BC
(D) 1600-600 BC
199. According to Buddhism the cause of all sorrows is :
(A) Maya
(B) Kama
(C) Trishna
(D) Krodh
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2015
76. The author of Kadambari was
(court poet of Harsha)
(A) Khemendra
(B) Kalhana
(C) Bhababhuti
(D) Banabhatta
189. Which was the ancient port of Indus Civilization ?
(Gujarat)
(A) Harappa
(B) Lothal
(C) Dholavira
(D) Surkotada
193. Which of the following was not a Buddhist genealogical text ?
(history of Sri Lanka) (A) Suttapitaka
(B) Vinayapitaka
(C) Abhidharnmapitaka
(D) Dipavansa
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2014
48. Which ruler was contemporary of both Buddha and Mahavira ?
(A) Bimbisara
(B) Chandragupta
(C) Pradyot
(D) Ajatasatru
67. Which was a major port of the Indus valley ?
(Ahmedabad district, Gujarat)
(A) Lothal
(B) Kalibangan
(C) Chanhudaro
(D) Mehargarh
84. Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by
(A) Bindusara
(B) Ajatasatru
(C) Ashoka
(D) Harsha
93. What was the policy of Samudragupta in the south ?
(A) Conquest
(B) Dharma Vijaya
(C) Digvijay
(D) None of the above
112. The oldest Veda is
(A) Atharvaveda
(B) Rigveda
(C) Yajurveda
(D) Samveda
118. Sasanka belonged to the
(590 – 625 AD)
(A) Pal dynasty
(B) Sen dynasty
(C) Gauda dynasty
(D) Kamrup dynasty
168. Alexander fought against Perus on the Banks of the river
(A) Indus
(B) Jhelum
(C) Ravi
(D) lravati
176. Who is the author of ‘Indica’ ?
(A) Herodotus
(B) Megastenes
(C) Strabo
(D) Plutarch
184. Taxila was the famous site of
(Punjab, Pakistan)
(A) Early Vedic Age
(B) Gandhara Art
(C) Gupta Art
(D) Mauryan Art
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2013
59. The great Bath was found in —
(A) Lothal
(B) Harappa
(C) Mohen-jo-daro
(D) Kalibangan
63. Who composed ‘Ai-hole prasasti’ ?
(Pulakeshin II, Kannada script)
(A) Kautilya
(B) Rabikirti
(C) Harisena
(D) Nayanikar
70. Buddha was born in –
(A) 523 B.C.
(B) 563 B.C.
(C) 623 B.C.
(D) 602 B.C
76. The first permanent home of the Aryans in India was –
(1600 – 1500 BC)
(A) Punjab
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Sindh
(D) Gujarat
81. Who of the following put up a stiff resistance against Alexander ?
(Battle of Hydaspes – 326 BC)
(A) Ambhi
(B) Mahapadma
(C) Porus
(D) All of the above
85. In his inscriptions, Ashoka calls himself
(13th Major Rock Edict)
(A) Priyadarshi
(B) Dhammasoka
(C) Daivaputra
(D) Devanampriya Priyadarsin
89. Which of the following Gupta rulers was known as Vikramaditya ?
(A) Chandragupta-I
(B) Samudragupta
(C) Chandragupta-II
(D) Skandagupta
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2012
48. Who composed the Allahabad Prasasti of Sumudragupta ?
(Pillar edict of Ashoka)
(A) Kalhana
(B) Bilhana
(C) Banabhatta
(D) Harisena
67. In which ancient text you will find the earliest reference to the Varna System ?
(Purusha Suktam)
(A) Manu Samhita
(B) Rigveda
(C) Atharva Veda
(D) Satapatha Brahmana
84. Who among the Gupta rulers was known as ‘Lichchavi-dauhitra’ ?
(A) Samudragupta
(B) Chandragupta II
(C) Kumargupta
(D) Skandagupta
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2011
27. The first metal discovered by man was
(northern Iraq, 8700 B.C.)
(A) Iron
(B) Aluminium
(C) Zinc
(D) Copper
44. The main Buddhist religious texts are written in
(A) Prakrit
(B) Sanskrit
(C) Pali
(D) Ardha magadhi
58. Alexander stayed in India for
(A) 16 months
(B) 19 months
(C) 20 months
(D) 24 months
72. An important port in the time of Satavahanas was
(A) Sopara
(B) Tamralipta
(C) Calicut
(D) Cochin
103. Who was known as Amitraghata ?
(A) Bimbisara
(B) Bindusara
(C) Ashoka
(D) Kalasoka
110. Who issued the Nasik Prasasti (Inscription) ?
(A) Gautamiputra Satakarni
(B) Samudragupta
(C) Harshavardhan
(D) Dharmapala
120. The Lion capital of currency notes was discovered from
(250 BCE)
(A) Bharut
(B) Sanchi
(C) Bodh Gaya
(D) Sarnath
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2010
48. To which period of Indian history did Aryabhatta and Varahamihira (Scientist and Mathematician respectively) belong ?
(Chandragupta II)
(A) Maurya period
(B) Gupta period
(C) Pala period
(D) Delhi Sultanate
67. With the people of which country Harappan people carried trade ?
(southern Mesopotamia)
(A) China
(B) Iran
(C) Russia
(D) Sumer
69. The oldest school of Indian Philosophy is
(A) Yoga
(B) Samkhya
(C) Vaisesika
(D) Karma Mimansa
81. Who was Megasthenes?
(A) Ambassador of Seleucus
(B) Prime Minister of Chandragupta Maurya
(C) A Greek pilgrim
(D) A Chinese traveller
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2009
59. Who discovered the Indus Valley Civilization ?
(1921-22)
(A) Sir Leonard Wooley
(B) V. S. Agarwal
(C) Rakhaldas Banerjee
(D) A. L. Basham
63. Which metal was unknown to the Indus people ?
(A) Copper
(B) Iron
(C) Bronze
(D) Gold
70. During which period the Vedic Literature was composed ?
(A) 1000 B.C.
(B) 3000 B.C. – 2500 B.C.
(C) 1500 B.C – 1000 B.C.
(D) 1200 B.C. – 1000 B.C.
76. The word Aryan denotes
(A) Cultivation
(B) A race
(C) Pastoral society
(D) Linguistic group
81. The “Tripitaka” was written in
(A) Brahmi
(B) Kharosti
(C) Pali
(D) Sanskrit
85. How many Tirthankars were there in ancient India ?
(A) 16
(B) 22
(C) 23
(D) 24
89. Name the last Tirthankara
(1st– Rishabhanatha)
(A) Parsvanath
(B) Mahavira
(C) Siddhartha
(D) Silbhadra
94. Who was the founder of the Nanda dynasty ?
(A) Bimbisara
(B) Mahapadmananda
(C) Ajatasatru
(D) Dhananda
98. Who in ancient India assumed the title ‘amitraghata’ ?
(A) Ajatasatru
(B) Chandragupta Maurya
(C) Bindusara
(D) Asoka
105. Who introduced the Saka era ?
(78 AD)
(A) Bhumaka
(B) Nahapana
(C) Rudradaman
(D) Kanishka (78-110)
116. When did the Mathura School of Art flourish ?
(A) Sunga period
(B) Satavahana period
(C) Saka period
(D) Kushana period
120. Who was the founder of the Gupta dynasty ?
(A) Chandragupta I
(B) Srigupta
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Skanuagupta
125. Which emperor has been called ‘Napoleon of India’ ?
(A) Asoka
(B) Kanishka
(C) Samudragupta
(D) Chandragupta II Vikramaditya
129. Where was the capital of Sasanka ?
(A) Samatata
(B) Tamralipta
(C) Karnasuvarna
(D) Lakhnawati
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2008
34. Chandra Gupta Maury defeated
(A) Poros
(B) Alexander
(C) Seleukas
(D) Ambhi
59. Who was the Court poet of Samudra Gupta ?
(A) Asvaghosha
(B) Nagarjuna
(C) Aryabhatta
(D) Harishena
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2007
91. In which year was “Sakabda” started?
(A) 78 A.D.
(B) 58 B.C.
(C) 273 B.C.
(D) 420 A.D.
122. Which rulers introduced gold coins in India for the first time?
(A) Sakas
(B) Mauryas
(C) Guptas
(D) Kushanas
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2006
78. Indus-valley civilization is called
(a) Urban
(b) Rural
(c) Stone Age
(d) Iron Age
123. According to Ceylonese tradition Buddha’s Parinirvana took place in.
(a) 483 B.C
(b) 486 B.C
(c) 543 B.C
(d) 546 B.C
124. The Principal Sacred Book of the Buddhists is
(a) Tripitaka
(b) Astha
(c) Panchapatika
(d) Astanga Marga
143. Charvaka was the name of a
(a) Religions School of thoughts
(b) Doctor
(c) Science Scholar
(d) Wrestler
194. The ‘Ratha temples’ of Mahabalipuram were constructed in the reign of
(630-80, Pallava, Tamilnadu)
(a) Pulakeshin II
(b) Narasingha Varman I
(c) Raja Raja
(d) Rajcndra Chola
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2005
118. Who is known as ‘Kunik’ in the history of India?
(a) Bimbisara
(b) Ajatasharu
(c) Bindusara
(d) Ashoka
125. Surya-Siddhanta was authored by
(a) Aryabhatta
(b) Varahamihira
(c) Bararuchi
(d) Sushruta
129. Who among the following kings performed ‘Asvamedh Yajna’?
(a) Pulakesin I
(b) Kirtivarman
(c) Pulakesin II
(d) Mangalesh
146. Who was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty?
(a) Simuka
(b) Krishna
(c) Satakarni I
(d) Gautamiputra Satakarni
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2004
41. Who was the first historical emperor of India?
(A) Bimbisara
(B) Mahapadmananda
(C) Chandragupta Maurya
(D) Vikramaditya
76. ‘Fo-Kuo-King’ was authored by whom?
(Chandragupta II)
(A) It-Tsing
(B) Fa-Hien
(C) Hiuen Tsang
(D) Megasthenes
81. Who was populary known as “Indian Machiavelli”?
(A) Chanakya
(B) Nana Farnabis
(C) Abul Fazl
(D) Alivardi Khan
83. Who was the first independent King of Bengal?
(A) Sasanka
(B) King Ganesh
(C) Gopala
(D) Mahasengupta
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2003
78. ‘Divya’ was the leader of the
(A) Kaivarta Rebellion
(B) Kol Rebellion
(C) Munda Rebellion
(D) Santal Rebellion
31. Asokan Brahmi was first read by
(A) Cunningham
(B) Princep
(C) R.L. Mitra
(D) Burgess
38. Sandhyakara nandi was the court poet of the
(A) Pratiharas
(B) Rashtrakutas
(C) Senas
(D) Palas
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2002
27. Which of the following was not a part of the Tripitaka (three baskets)?
(A) Jatakas
(B) Vinaya (350 BC)
(C) Sutta (300 BC)
(D) Abhidhamma
28. According to Buddhist tradition Chandragupta Maurya belonged to the Moriya tribe of
(A) Shudras
(B) Vaishyas
(C) Brahmanas
(D) Kshatriyas
37. Which of the following are true with regard to the Gandhara School of Art?
(i) Buddha’s figure appears here for the first time, (ii) Its craftsmen used white stone to make images, (iii) It was also known as Greco Buddhist Art.
(iv) Its figure were superior to Mathura School of Art.
(A) i, ii and iii
(B) i and ii
(C) i and iv
(D) iii and iv
38. Whom does the Gayatri mantra in the Rig Veda address?
(Vishvamitra)
(A) Indra
(B) Agni
(C) Savitri
(D) Ushas
54. The original name of the Sect which later came to be known as ‘Jaina’ was
(A) Tirthankaras
(B) Jina
(C) Nigranthas
(D) Arhant
68. The Kalinga war is mentioned in the
(262 – 261 BC)
(A) 13th Rock Edict
(B) 12th Rock Edict
(C) Bhabru Rock Edict
(D) 8th Rock Edict
93. Who of the following were the first rulers to make land grants to the Brahmanas?
(A) Shungas
(B) Kanvas
(C) Satabahanas
(D) Shakas and Kushanas.
95. The Indus Valley Civilization belongs to the
(A) Neolithic Period
(B) Paleolitihic period
(C) Mesolithic period
(D) Chalcolithic period
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2001
23. The finest specimen of Pallava architecture are
(A) Temples at Madurai
(B) Temples at Tanjore
(C) Kailashnath Temple at Ellora
(D) Rock-cut Ratha temples at Mahabalipurarn
63. The greatest scholar of Medical Science during Gupta Age
(A) Bhatta
(B) Bana
(C) Charaka
(D) Bhagabhatta
76. Buddhist doctrines are contained in
(A) Jatakas
(B) Satapaths
(C) Upanishads
(D) Dhammapadas
85. The most important source of information for the municipal administration of the city of Pataliputra in the Mauryan empire is
(A) Indra
(B) Arthasastra
(C) Mudrarakshasa
(D) Asokan inscriptions
108. Which of the following Gods does not belong to the Rigvedic period?
(A) Indra
(B) Maruts
(C) Shiva
(D) Aditi
166. Whose contemporary was famous grammarian Patanjali?
(A) Agni Mitra Sunga
(B) Pushya Mitra Sunga
(C) Vasudeva Kanva
(D) Gautami Putra Satakami
167. Chalukyas established their empire in
(A) Gujrat
(B) Malwa
(C) Deccan
(D) Far South India
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2000
72. ‘Sabha’ & ‘Samiti’ are two democratic institutaion of
(A) Rigvedic Aryan
(B) Dravidans
(C) Hilly Trides of India
(D) Indius valley people
73. ‘Indica’ was written by
(A) Gondopbharnes
(B) Megasthenes
(C) Vincent Smith
(D) Wiliam
74. ‘Allahabad Pillar’ inscription was penned by.
(A) Harisena
(B) Ravikirti
(C) Rudradaman
(D) Banabhatta
76. ‘Si-U-Ki’ was authored by
(A) Huen-Tsang
(B) Fa-Hien
(C) Megasthences
(D) I-Tsing
77. ‘Ankorvat’ was built by
(Combodia, 12th century)
(A) Chandragupta II
(B) Aryabhatta
(C) Suryavarman
(D) Kaniska
78. The famed mathematician of ancient India was
(A) Kalhana
(B) Aryabhatta
(C) Rudrasena
(D) Abul Fazal
