SSC CGL Preparation – Day 1

Practice MCQs: Ancient India

---

1. Which of the following is the earliest known farming site in the Indian subcontinent?

A) Harappa
B) Mehrgarh
C) Mohenjo-Daro
D) Lothal

---

2. The people of the Indus Valley Civilization worshipped which of the following deities?

A) Vishnu
B) Mother Goddess
C) Shiva in the form of Nataraja
D) Brahma

---

3. Which one of the following Mahajanapadas was most powerful during the 6th century BC?

A) Kashi
B) Magadha
C) Vajji
D) Anga

---

4. Who is considered the founder of Jainism?

A) Gautama Buddha
B) Mahavira
C) Rishabhanatha
D) Bimbisara

---

5. The Rigveda mainly describes which of the following?

A) Religious ceremonies and sacrifices
B) Agricultural techniques
C) Governance and administration
D) Philosophical debates

---

6. In which age did humans start domesticating animals?

A) Paleolithic Age
B) Mesolithic Age
C) Neolithic Age
D) Chalcolithic Age

---

7. The main source of livelihood for the Early Vedic people was:

A) Agriculture
B) Industry
C) Cattle rearing
D) Trade

---

8. The Great Bath is associated with which Indus Valley site?

A) Harappa
B) Lothal
C) Mohenjo-Daro
D) Kalibangan

---

9. Which archaeological site is famous for prehistoric cave paintings?

A) Lothal
B) Bhimbetka
C) Dholavira
D) Ropar

---

10. The term ‘Varnas’ in the Vedic period refers to:

A) Tribes
B) Professions
C) Social classes
D) Religious sects

---

✅ Solutions:

---

1. B) Mehrgarh
(Mehrgarh is the earliest site showing evidence of agriculture and domestication.)

2. B) Mother Goddess
(Mother Goddess was a major deity; Pashupati-like seals also found.)

3. B) Magadha
(Magadha, under rulers like Bimbisara, became the most powerful.)

4. B) Mahavira
(Though Jainism traces back to Rishabhanatha, Mahavira is regarded as the real founder.)

5. A) Religious ceremonies and sacrifices
(Rigveda mainly deals with hymns dedicated to gods and rituals.)

6. B) Mesolithic Age
(Domestication of animals started in the Mesolithic era.)

7. C) Cattle rearing
(Cattle wealth was very important to Early Vedic people.)

8. C) Mohenjo-Daro
(The Great Bath was discovered at Mohenjo-Daro.)

9. B) Bhimbetka
(Bhimbetka caves in Madhya Pradesh are famous for prehistoric paintings.)

10. C) Social classes
(Varnas referred to social divisions: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.)