Test: Ancient History - Software Development MCQ

The correct answer is Rigveda.

Key Points

• There are four Vedas- 

1. Rigveda 
2. Samaveda
3. Yajurveda
4. Atharvaveda

• Out of these four Vedas, Rigveda is the oldest Veda.
• Rigveda includes more than a thousand hymns called sukta.
• These hymns are written in the praise of gods and goddesses and composed by sages.
• The three most important gods were:

1. Agni, the god of fire
2. Indra, a warrior god
3. Soma, in the Vedas, particularly in the Rigveda, Soma is an important deity. He represents the divine embodiment of the Soma plant and the drink derived from it. He is often described as the divine intoxicant, a provider of inspiration, and as a symbol of immortality.

 Thus, we can say that Rigveda is the oldest veda.

The correct answer is Pataliputra.

Key Points

• Pataliputra was the capital of the Mauryan Empire.
• The empire lasted from 321 to 185 BCE.
• The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya and the most popular ruler of the empire was Ashoka.
• Mauryan dynasty had three important rulers:
  • Chandragupta
  • Bindusara
  • Ashoka

 Thus, we can say that Pataliputra was the capital of the Mauryan Empire.

Additional Information

• The most important cities of the empire were the capital Pataliputa, Ujjain and Taxila.

The correct answer is Bodh Gaya.

Key Points

• Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
• He attained enlightenment under a peepal tree at Bodh Gaya where he meditated for days.
• After attaining enlightenment, he came to be known as Buddha or the wise one.
• Buddha was a Kshatriya and belonged to Sakya gana.

 Thus, we can say that Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

Additional Information

• He taught for the first time at Sarnath and passed away at Kusinara.

The correct answer is Aryabhatiyam.

Key Points

• Aryabhatta was a well-known mathematician and astronomer.
• He wrote a book in Sanskrit called Arabhatiyam.
• In the book, he stated that day and night was caused by the rotation of Earth on its axis.
• He even developed scientific explanations of eclipses.
• He also found a way to calculate the circumference of a circle.

 Thus, we can say that Aryabhatta wrote a book called Aryabhatiyam.

Additional Information

• Other mathematicians and astronomers were Varahamihira, Brahmagupta and Bhaskaracharya.

The correct answer is Mohenjodaro.

Key Points

• The Great Bath was a special tank found in Mohenjodaro.
• This tank was lined with bricks, coated with plaster and was made water-tight with a layer of natural tar.
• Important people took a dip in the bank on special occassions.
• The tank had steps on the two sides and rooms on all sides.
• Water was brought from the well to fill the tank.

 Thus, we can say that The Great Bath was found in Mohenjodaro. 

The correct answer is Dynasty.

Key Points

• When members of the same family become rulers one after the other, the family is called a dynasty.
• An example of a dynasty is the Mauryan Dynasty.
• Wherein, there were three important rulers- Chandragupta, his son Bindusara, and Bindusara's son Ashoka.
• Alternative terms for dynasty are 'family', 'clan' etc.

 Thus, we can say that Dynasty is when members of the same family become rulers one after the other.

Additional Information

•  Empire is a political construct in which one state dominates over another state or a series of states.

The correct answer is Inscriptions.

Key Points

• Writings on hard surfaces like stone or metal are called Inscriptions.
• Often kings got their orders inscribed so that people could see, read and obey them.
• Other inscriptions have the activities done by men and women recorded on them.
• Kings kept record of their victories in the form of inscriptions.

 Thus, we can say that writings on hard surfaces like stone and metals are called Inscriptions.

Additional Information

•  Manuscripts were written on palm leaves or birch.

The correct answer is Paleolithic.

Key Points

• Palaeolithic comes from two words, 'paleo' meaning old and 'lithic' meaning stone.
• It is the earliest period that extends from 2 million years ago to 12,000 years ago.
• The palaeolithic period is divided into:
  • Lower Palaeolithic
  • Middle Palaeolithic
  • Upper Palaeolithic
• The palaeolithic period covers a time span of over 99 per cent of human history.

 Thus, we can say that the palaeolithic period extends from 2 million to 12,000 years ago.

Additional Information

• The other two periods are called:
  • Mesolithic period
  • Neolithic period

The correct answer is Microliths.

Key Points

• The stone tools found during the Mesolithic period are called Microliths.
• Microliths were stuck to handles of bones or wood to make tools like saws and sickles.
• Microlith means stone tools with tiny blades.
• These were usually made of flint and chert.
• Microliths are found during the Mesolithic period, which extends from 12,000 years ago to 10,000 years ago.

 Thus, we can say that Tiny stone tools found during the Mesolithic period are called Microliths.

The correct answer is sheep and goat.

Key Points

• The earliest domesticated animals were sheep and goats.
• Domestication is the process by which people grow plants and look after animals.
• All the animals which we use today as food are the result of domestication.
• It started about 12,000 years ago.

 Thus, we can say that the earliest domesticated animals include sheep and goats.

Additional Information

•  The earliest domesticated plants were wheat and barley.