Important Linear Questions and Answers on Sources of Ancient Indian History

These one-line questions and answers on Sources of Ancient Indian History are highly important for UPSC, SSC, WBCS, PSC, Railway, Banking, CDS, CAPF, and other competitive examinations. Most questions are directly asked from literary sources, inscriptions, coins, foreign accounts, and archaeological discoveries.

Exam Focus: Questions from Vedas, Arthashastra, Indica, Ashokan Edicts, Prayag Prashasti, Rajatarangini, Foreign Travelers, and Coins are frequently asked in competitive exams.

Literary Sources: Important One-Liners

Question	Answer
Which is the oldest literary source of Ancient India?	Rigveda
How many Vedas are there?	Four
Which Veda is the oldest?	Rigveda
Which Veda is known as the Book of Chants?	Samaveda
Which Veda contains sacrificial formulas?	Yajurveda
Which Veda deals with magic and medicine?	Atharvaveda
Which are known as the two great epics of India?	Ramayana and Mahabharata
Who wrote the Ramayana?	Valmiki
Who wrote the Mahabharata?	Vedavyasa
Which texts contain genealogies of kings?	Puranas

Books and Authors: Important Questions

Question	Answer
Who wrote Arthashastra?	Kautilya (Chanakya)
Arthashastra is related to which empire?	Mauryan Empire
Who wrote Indica?	Megasthenes
Who wrote Rajatarangini?	Kalhana
Rajatarangini is the history of which region?	Kashmir
Who wrote Mudrarakshasa?	Vishakhadatta

Foreign Travelers: Important One-Liners

Question	Answer
Who was the Greek ambassador in Chandragupta Maurya's court?	Megasthenes
Which book was written by Megasthenes?	Indica
Who visited India during the Gupta period?	Fa-Hien
Who visited India during Harsha's reign?	Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang)
Fa-Hien belonged to which country?	China
Hiuen Tsang belonged to which country?	China

Inscriptions: Important One-Liners

1. What are inscriptions? — Writings engraved on stone, pillars, rocks, or copper plates.
2. Who issued the Rock and Pillar Edicts? — Ashoka.
3. Which are the earliest extensive inscriptions in India? — Ashokan Edicts.
4. Which inscription describes Samudragupta's achievements? — Prayag Prashasti.
5. Who composed Prayag Prashasti? — Harisena.
6. Which inscription provides information about Kharavela? — Hathigumpha Inscription.
7. Where is the Hathigumpha Inscription located? — Udayagiri, Odisha.

Most Important Exam Fact: Ashoka's inscriptions were written mainly in Prakrit language using the Brahmi script.

Coins: Important One-Liners

1. What is the earliest evidence of Indian coinage? — Punch-marked coins.
2. Which rulers first issued coins bearing portraits? — Indo-Greeks.
3. Which dynasty issued excellent gold coins? — Guptas.
4. Coins provide information about? — Economy, trade, religion, and chronology.
5. Which source is useful for studying ancient trade? — Coins.

Archaeological Sources: Important One-Liners

1. What is archaeology? — Study of the human past through material remains.
2. Which civilization was discovered through excavations? — Indus Valley Civilization.
3. Who discovered Harappa? — Daya Ram Sahni.
4. Who discovered Mohenjo-Daro? — R. D. Banerji.
5. Which site is famous for the Great Bath? — Mohenjo-Daro.
6. Which site is famous for a dockyard? — Lothal.
7. Which site is known for advanced water management? — Dholavira.
8. Which Buddhist monument is located at Sanchi? — Great Stupa.
9. Ajanta is famous for? — Buddhist paintings.
10. Ellora is famous for? — Rock-cut caves and architecture.

Top 30 Most Important Exam Questions and Answers

1. Oldest Veda — Rigveda
2. Book of Chants — Samaveda
3. Author of Ramayana — Valmiki
4. Author of Mahabharata — Vedavyasa
5. Genealogies of Kings — Puranas
6. Author of Arthashastra — Kautilya
7. Author of Indica — Megasthenes
8. Author of Rajatarangini — Kalhana
9. History of Kashmir — Rajatarangini
10. Greek Ambassador — Megasthenes
11. Visitor During Gupta Period — Fa-Hien
12. Visitor During Harsha's Reign — Hiuen Tsang
13. Earliest Extensive Inscriptions — Ashokan Edicts
14. Issuer of Edicts — Ashoka
15. Prayag Prashasti Author — Harisena
16. Prayag Prashasti Describes — Samudragupta
17. Hathigumpha Inscription — Kharavela
18. Earliest Coins — Punch-marked Coins
19. Portrait Coins — Indo-Greeks
20. Best Gold Coins — Guptas
21. Discoverer of Harappa — Daya Ram Sahni
22. Discoverer of Mohenjo-Daro — R. D. Banerji
23. Great Bath — Mohenjo-Daro
24. Dockyard — Lothal
25. Water Management — Dholavira
26. Buddhist Stupa — Sanchi
27. Buddhist Paintings — Ajanta
28. Rock-cut Architecture — Ellora
29. Ancient Administration Book — Arthashastra
30. Oldest Literary Source — Rigveda

Quick Revision Box

• Rigveda → Oldest literary source
• Arthashastra → Kautilya
• Indica → Megasthenes
• Rajatarangini → Kalhana
• Ashokan Edicts → Earliest major inscriptions
• Prayag Prashasti → Samudragupta
• Fa-Hien → Gupta Period
• Hiuen Tsang → Harsha Period
• Punch-marked Coins → Earliest coins
• Harappa → Daya Ram Sahni