NMMS Social Science: Ancient and Medieval Indian History 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which was the largest city of the Indus Valley Civilization?
- Harappa
- Mohenjo-daro (Correct answer)
- Lothal
- Kalibangan
Correct answer: Mohenjo-daro
Mohenjo-daro was the largest known urban center of the Indus Valley Civilization, covering an estimated area of 250 hectares.
Question 2: The Great Bath, an ancient public bathing structure, was discovered at:
- Harappa
- Lothal
- Mohenjo-daro (Correct answer)
- Kalibangan
Correct answer: Mohenjo-daro
The Great Bath, a large water tank believed to have been used for ritual bathing, was found at Mohenjo-daro.
Question 3: Who founded the Maurya Empire around 322 BCE?
- Chandragupta II
- Ashoka
- Chandragupta Maurya (Correct answer)
- Bindusara
Correct answer: Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire with the guidance of his minister Chanakya after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty.
Question 4: The edicts of Emperor Ashoka were primarily inscribed in which script?
- Sanskrit
- Brahmi (Correct answer)
- Devanagari
- Kharosthi
Correct answer: Brahmi
Most of Ashoka's rock and pillar edicts were written in Brahmi script, which was deciphered by James Prinsep in 1837.
Question 5: Which period in Indian history is called the 'Golden Age of India'?
- Maurya period
- Gupta period (Correct answer)
- Mughal period
- Chola period
Correct answer: Gupta period
The Gupta period (4th–6th century CE) is called the Golden Age of India due to remarkable achievements in science, mathematics, literature, and art.
Question 6: The Vedic texts (Vedas) were composed during which period of Indian history?
- Indus Valley period
- Vedic/Aryan period (Correct answer)
- Gupta period
- Maurya period
Correct answer: Vedic/Aryan period
The Vedas were composed during the Vedic period, associated with the arrival of Aryan people in the Indian subcontinent around 1500 BCE.
Question 7: Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who attained enlightenment at:
- Lumbini
- Sarnath
- Bodh Gaya (Correct answer)
- Kushinagar
Correct answer: Bodh Gaya
Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, after which he became the Buddha.
NMMS Social Science: Ancient and Medieval Indian History 1
Which was the largest city of the Indus Valley Civilization?