1. The Gandhara school of art developed during the reign of which dynasty?
a) Maurya
b) Gupta
c) Kushana
d) Chola
2. The ‘Mudrarakshasa’ was written by which ancient Indian playwright?
a) Kalidasa
b) Bhasa
c) Sudraka
d) Vishakhadatta
3. Who was the first ruler of the Satavahana dynasty?
a) Simuka
b) Gautamiputra Satakarni
c) Vashisthiputra Pulumavi
d) Hala
4. The ‘Prayaga Prashasti’ (Allahabad Pillar Inscription) was composed by which poet?
a) Kalidasa
b) Harisena
c) Banabhatta
d) Amarasimha
5. The Chola dynasty is known for its contribution to which field of art?
a) Painting
b) Literature
c) Temple architecture and bronze sculptures
d) Music
6. The Ajivika sect was founded by which contemporary of Mahavira and Buddha?
a) Makkhali Gosala
b) Parshvanatha
c) Ajatashatru
d) Devadatta
7. The Sangam age is associated with which region of India?
a) Northern India
b) Deccan Plateau
c) Southern India
d) Eastern India
8. Which Indian ruler is credited with sending an ambassador to the Roman Emperor Augustus?
a) Ashoka
b) Chandragupta Maurya
c) Harshavardhana
d) Pandion (Pandya King)
9. The Hoysala dynasty is renowned for which style of temple architecture?
a) Dravidian
b) Nagara
c) Vesara
d) Kalinga
10. The ‘Charaka Samhita’ is a text associated with which field?
a) Astronomy
b) Medicine (Ayurveda)
c) Architecture
d) Mathematics
11. The famous Kalinga War was fought on the banks of which river?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Mahanadi
d) Godavari
12. Which ancient Indian text is a compilation of hymns and is the earliest sacred book of Hinduism?
a) Bhagavad Gita
b) Upanishads
c) Rigveda
d) Ramayana
13. The Rashtrakuta dynasty ruled over which part of India?
a) Northern India
b) Western India
c) Southern India
d) Eastern India
14. The ‘Harshacharita’ was written by which court poet of Harshavardhana?
a) Kalidasa
b) Banabhatta
c) Amarasimha
d) Varahamihira
15. The Gupta period is often referred to as the ‘Golden Age’ of India. What was one of its major contributions?
a) Extensive military conquests
b) Flourishing of arts, science, and literature
c) Religious persecution
d) Decline of trade
16. The ‘Panchatantra’ is a famous collection of stories written by which author?
a) Kalidasa
b) Vishnu Sharma
c) Banabhatta
d) Chanakya
17. The rock-cut temples of Ellora were built by which dynasty?
a) Chola
b) Rashtrakuta
c) Maurya
d) Pallava
18. The term ‘Golden Age’ is associated with the reign of which Indian emperor?
a) Ashoka
b) Samudragupta
c) Chandragupta II
d) Harshavardhana
19. The ‘Brihadeswara Temple’ in Tamil Nadu is dedicated to which deity?
a) Vishnu
b) Brahma
c) Shiva
d) Durga
20. Which ancient Indian ruler established the city of Pataliputra?
a) Ashoka
b) Chandragupta Maurya
c) Ajatashatru
d) Harshavardhana