Ancient Indian History Quiz

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The earliest chapters of Indian history: the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic-era society, the rise and fall of major ancient dynasties and empires, and the philosophical and religious movements that emerged during this period. This is the deep-history end of our history categories, further back than Medieval or Modern Indian History, and rewards players who know their dynasties and eras precisely, not just broad strokes. Pairs well with our Monuments category, since many of India's oldest surviving structures date from exactly this era.

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Q1.Which civilisation had the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro?

Q2.Who founded the Maurya Empire?

Q3.Which Mauryan emperor embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War?

Q4.Which Gupta ruler is nicknamed the 'Napoleon of India'?

Q5.Which Chinese pilgrim visited India during the reign of Harsha?

Ancient Indian History answers and explanations

  1. Q1.Which civilisation had the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro?

    Harappa and Mohenjo-daro belonged to the Indus Valley Civilisation, which flourished around 2600-1900 BCE. It is known for planned streets, covered drains and standardised weights and measures.

  2. Q2.Who founded the Maurya Empire?

    Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire around 321 BCE, guided by his adviser Chanakya (Kautilya), after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty. Ashoka was his grandson.

  3. Q3.Which Mauryan emperor embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War?

    After the bloody Kalinga War (about 261 BCE), Ashoka gave up conquest and promoted dhamma, a code of moral conduct, through edicts carved on rocks and pillars.

  4. Q4.Which Gupta ruler is nicknamed the 'Napoleon of India'?

    Samudragupta, who ruled in the 4th century CE, expanded the Gupta Empire through conquest, which is why the historian V. A. Smith compared him to Napoleon.

  5. Q5.Which Chinese pilgrim visited India during the reign of Harsha?

    Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) travelled through India in the 7th century CE, visited Harsha's court and studied at Nalanda. Fa-Hien had come earlier, in the Gupta period.

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