History

Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

3,486 Questions

Ancient and medieval Indian rulers cover dynasties, major empires, administrative reforms, and historical monuments. This is a highly scored area in history sections of competitive exams. Practice these questions to strengthen your history foundation.

Maratha administrationGupta dynastyAncient kingdomsMedieval income sourcesRashtrakuta empire

Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers Questions

Multiple choice history magadh empire and india during the period of kingdoms administration during mahajanapada emergence of kingdoms and republics mahajanapada age

The last Nanda ruler of Magadha who was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya was _________.

  1. Mahapadmananda

  2. Dhanananda

  3. Navananda

  4. Not known
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty. He was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya, who was guided by Chanakya, leading to the establishment of the Mauryan Empire.

Multiple choice history magadh empire and india during the period of kingdoms administration during mahajanapada emergence of kingdoms and republics mahajanapada age

Which of the following was the capital of Surasena Mahajanapada?

  1. Viratnagar

  2. Junagarh

  3. Mathura

  4. Kashi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Surasena was part of 16 Mahajanapadas of 6th Century B.C. It was located in modern Braj region of Uttar Pradesh. Surasena's capital was Mathura. The name of Surasena is mentioned in Ramayana and in the writings of Greek ambassador Megasthenes.  

Multiple choice history magadh empire and india during the period of kingdoms administration during mahajanapada emergence of kingdoms and republics mahajanapada age

What was the capital of Avanti Mahajanapada ?

  1. Gaya

  2. Ujjain

  3. Satna

  4. Vallabhi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

During the 6th Century BCE 16 kingdoms and republics flourished in the ancient Indian subcontinent. These 16 city states are known as Mahajanapadas. These were Anga, Asmaka, Avanti, Chedi, Gandhara, Kashi, Kamboja, Kosala, Kuru, Magadha, Malla, Machha, Panchala, Surasena, Vriji, and Vatsa. Avanti kingdom was in the territory of present Madhya Pradesh state. Ujjain was the capital of Avanti.

Multiple choice history magadh empire and india during the period of kingdoms administration during mahajanapada emergence of kingdoms and republics mahajanapada age

Which ancient account describes the Nandas expedition over all their rival monarchs that make them powerful rulers of North India?

  1. Manusmriti

  2. Vedas

  3. Puranas

  4. Brahmanas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Answer - (C) - Puranas

Puranas are the sacred Sanskrit texts on Hindu Mythology. Puranas describes the Nandas expedition over all their rival monarchs that make them powerful rulers of North India. Puranas describe that Nanda kings built on the foundation laid by their Haryanka and Shishunaga predecessors to create the first great empire of north India.

Multiple choice history magadh empire and india during the period of kingdoms administration during mahajanapada emergence of kingdoms and republics mahajanapada age

During age of Mahajanapadas the king ran the administration of his state with the help of ______________.

  1. Amatya

  2. Bandagarikas

  3. Senapati

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

During the age of Mahajanapadas, the kings ruled with the help of officials, both high and low. Purohit was the post given to the main priest in the king's court. Senapati was the military commander and the tax collectors were known as Bandagarikas. The tolls were collected by officers known as Shoulkik during that period and Amatya was the chief minister. 

Multiple choice history magadh empire and india during the period of kingdoms administration during mahajanapada emergence of kingdoms and republics mahajanapada age

Who continued with the policy of expansion of the Magadha Empire?

  1. Ajat Shatru

  2. Bimbisara

  3. King Dhananand

  4. Chandragupta Maurya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ajat Shatru the son of Bimbisara continued with the policy of expansion of the Magadha Empire. He successfully conquered many republics of the east. The kingdom of Magadha prospered during the reign of Ajat Shatru.

Multiple choice history magadh empire and india during the period of kingdoms administration during mahajanapada emergence of kingdoms and republics mahajanapada age

Arrange the following Magadhan dynasties in chronological order:
1. Nandas
2. Sisunagas
3. Mauryas
4. Haryankas 

  1. IV, II, III and I

  2. II, I, IV and III

  3. IV, II, I and III

  4. III, I, IV and I
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The chronological order of the Magadhan dynasties is: Haryanka (IV), Shishunaga (II), Nanda (I), and Maurya (III).

Multiple choice history magadh empire and india during the period of kingdoms administration during mahajanapada emergence of kingdoms and republics mahajanapada age

Of all the states in northern India in 6th century BC which of the following states emerged as the most powerful?

  1. Anga

  2. Magadha

  3. Kashi

  4. Kosala
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Magadha emerged as the most powerful state due to its geographical advantages, control over iron mines, and the strategic vision of its early rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.

Multiple choice history magadh empire and india during the period of kingdoms administration during mahajanapada emergence of kingdoms and republics mahajanapada age

The Mahajanapada that acquired prominence to become an empire was that of ________.

  1. Magadha

  2. Kasi

  3. Kosala

  4. Avanti
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Magadha successfully consolidated power over neighboring regions, eventually evolving from a Mahajanapada into the first great empire of India under the Nanda and later the Mauryan rulers.

Multiple choice history the making of regional cultures development of regional cultures the flowering of regional culture regional cultures

Which of the following pairs of kings of ancient and medieval periods of Indian history and the works authored by them is correctly matched?

  1. Krishnadevaraya : Samaranganassutrad-hara

  2. Mahendravarman : Mattavilasaprafiasana

  3. Bhojadeva: Manasollasa

  4. Somesvara : Amuktamalyada
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mahendravarman I, a Pallava king, is the author of the satirical play Mattavilasaprahasana. The other pairings are incorrect: Krishnadevaraya wrote Amuktamalyada, and Bhojadeva is associated with other works.