Unit 1: Sources of Ancient History - Practice Quiz

1 Which of the following best defines a primary source in the context of ancient history?

2 Which branch of historical study deals specifically with the study of inscriptions?

3 The study of coins is known as:

4 Who is popularly known as the 'Father of Indian Archaeology'?

5 Which of the following is an example of secular indigenous literature?

6 The Radio-Carbon Dating method utilizes the decay of which isotope to determine the age of organic materials?

7 The Boghaz-Koi inscription (1400 BCE) found in Asia Minor is significant because it mentions:

8 Which of the following texts is a biographical work on King Harshavardhana written by Banabhatta?

9 The Rajatarangini, written by Kalhana in the 12th century, is a historical chronicle of which region?

10 Who deciphered the Brahmi script used in the Ashokan edicts in 1837?

11 Which Greek ambassador wrote the book 'Indika', providing a detailed account of the Mauryan administration?

12 The Tripitakas are the sacred texts of which religion?

13 Which Chinese traveler visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (Gupta Empire)?

14 The Junagadh Rock Inscription of Rudradaman I is famous for being the first major inscription composed in which language?

15 Which category of coins were the earliest coins of India, primarily made of silver?

16 Palaeography is the study of:

17 The 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea' gives information primarily about:

18 Which of the following is a Sangam literature text?

19 The Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayaga Prashasti) describes the conquests of which Gupta king?

20 Which Vedic text deals primarily with magical charms and spells?

21 The Aihole Inscription was composed by which court poet?

22 Which dynasty is most famous for issuing lead coins?

23 The book 'Natural History' written in the 1st century CE belongs to:

24 Which archaeological pottery type is associated with the Later Vedic Period?

25 The Jataka stories are related to:

26 The Hathigumpha Inscription provides details about which king?

27 Which scholar wrote 'Kitab-ul-Hind' (Tahqiq-i-Hind)?

28 The Vedangas are auxiliary texts meant to assist in the study of the Vedas. How many Vedangas are there?

29 Who was the first King to issue gold coins in India on a wide scale?

30 Megaliths in South India are primarily associated with:

31 The literary work 'Mudrarakshasa' by Vishakhadatta describes:

32 In the context of ancient Indian history, 'Prashasti' refers to:

33 Which of the following sites is a Neolithic site famous for pit-dwellings?

34 Who wrote the grammar text 'Ashtadhyayi'?

35 The bilingual inscriptions of Ashoka found in Kandahar are in which two scripts?

36 Which Chinese traveler's account is known as 'Si-Yu-Ki'?

37 The Puranas are generally considered to be how many in number (Maha Puranas)?

38 Which Gupta king is depicted playing the Veena on his coins?

39 The Maski Edict is historically significant because:

40 Thermoluminescence dating is primarily used for dating:

41 Which ancient text is primarily a book on law and social conduct?

42 The Besnagar Pillar Inscription (Heliodorus Pillar) is associated with which religion/sect?

43 In the context of numismatics, the term 'Obverse' refers to:

44 The Geography written by Ptolemy (2nd Century CE) is significant because:

45 Epigraphia Indica is a publication primarily dedicated to:

46 Which of the following is considered a Secondary Source?

47 The Sohgaura Copper Plate inscription is known for being:

48 Which ancient Indian mathematician wrote 'Aryabhatiya'?

49 The Banskhera Inscription contains the signature of which Emperor?

50 Stratigraphy in archaeology refers to: