Ancient India is one of the world's oldest and richest civilizations, known for its advanced cities, profound philosophy, and powerful kingdoms. The journey of ancient India begins with the Indus Valley Civilization (circa 3300 BCE), where people built highly planned cities such as Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Dholavira. They used drainage systems, brick houses, seals, weights, and maritime trade demonstrating an astonishing level of development for the time.Following the decline of the Harappan culture, the Vedic Age began with the arrival of the Aryans. In the early Vedic period, society was largely pastoral, focusing on cattle, simple living, nature worship, and the hymns of the Rigveda. The later Vedic period saw major changes the use of iron began, agriculture expanded, states were formed, customs expanded, and social divisions were strengthened. This period laid the foundations of Indian philosophy through the Upanishads.By the 6th century BCE, large states known as the Mahajanapadas had emerged in the Gangetic plains. New religious movements like Buddhism and Jainism challenged customs and promoted nonviolence, meditation, and simple living. Magadha became the most powerful state under rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.India's first great empire was the Maurya Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya under the guidance of Chanakya. During the reign of Ashoka, the empire reached its peak, and Buddhism spread throughout Asia. Ashoka's edicts, written in the Brahmi script, are among the earliest written records of Indian history.Ancient India also witnessed advances in science, mathematics, literature, trade, and governance. From the Indus cities to Vedic mantras, from the Mahajanapadas to the Mauryan Empire, ancient India shaped the cultural, political, and spiritual identity of the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years.
Ancient Indian history is an important topic for all competitive exams like SSC, Railways, Defence, State Government Jobs and UPSC. Below are easy-to-read GK questions and answers covering the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Mahajanapadas, Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire and more.
1. Indus Valley Civilization – 50 GK Questions & Answers
Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) – Important GK
The Indus Valley Civilization was discovered in which year? — 1921
Harappa was discovered by? — Dayaram Sahni
Mohenjo-Daro was discovered by? — R.D. Banerjee
Indus Civilization flourished on the banks of which river? — Indus River
Largest Harappan site in India? — Rakhigarhi
The Great Bath is located at? — Mohenjo-Daro
Harappan script is? — Undeciphered
Harappan cities followed which layout? — Grid Pattern
Famous Harappan port city? — Lothal
Harappans used mainly which metal? — Bronze
Harappans were the first to use? — Cotton
Which animal appears most on Harappan seals? — Unicorn Bull
The Dancing Girl statue was made of? — Bronze
Harappans worshipped which goddess? — Mother Goddess
The largest building in Mohenjo-Daro was? — Granary
Indus Valley Civilization is also called? — Harappan Civilization
Script of Harappans was written from? — Right to Left
Famous fire altars found at? — Kalibangan
Dockyard discovered at? — Lothal
Citadel was used for? — Administrative activities
Lower town was used for? — Residential area
Harappans knew the use of which measurement tool? — Standard weights
Harappan economy was mainly based on? — Agriculture
Wheat and barley were grown by? — Harappans
Harappans imported lapis lazuli from? — Afghanistan
Terracotta figurines mostly represent? — Animals and humans
Major industry of Harappans? — Bead-making
Horse evidence is absent in? — Harappan sites
Which site is famous for its ploughed field? — Kalibangan
Harappans practiced? — Urban planning
Harappan religion lacked? — Temples
“Pashupati Seal” belongs to? — Harappan Civilization
Indus Civilization was part of? — Bronze Age
Evidence of rice found at? — Lothal
Harappans used which type of bricks? — Burnt bricks
Which site is known for the Great Granary? — Harappa
Harappans traded with? — Mesopotamia
Harappan weights were based on multiples of? — 16
Harappan wheel-made pottery is called? — Red and Black pottery
Evidence of dog burial found at? — Ropar
Harappan people used? — Furnaces
Which site had a unique water reservoir? — Dholavira
Script resembled which type? — Pictographic
Harappan decline happened around? — 1900 BCE
Reason for decline? — Environmental changes (popular theory)
The first Indus site excavated was? — Harappa
Harappans built houses with? — Standardized bricks
Indus Valley Civilization belonged to? — Proto-historic period
Number of major Harappan sites excavated? — 1000+
Which site had no fortification? — Chanhudaro
2. Early Vedic Period – 40 GK Questions & Answers
Early Vedic (Rigvedic) Age – GK
Early Vedic period is dated? — 1500–1000 BCE
Sacred text of this period? — Rigveda
Rigveda contains how many hymns? — 1028 hymns
The word “Veda” means? — Knowledge
Most important god of Rigveda? — Indra
God of fire? — Agni
God of rain? — Indra
God of wind? — Vayu
Rigvedic people lived in? — Punjab region (Sapt-Sindhu)
Main occupation? — Cattle rearing
Popular animal of Rigvedic Aryans? — Cow
Cow was considered as? — Wealth
Rigvedic society was? — Patriarchal
Social unit? — Family
Village head was called? — Gramani
Tribal chief was called? — Rajan
Two important assemblies? — Sabha and Samiti
Main food of Vedic people? — Milk and its products
Rigvedic Aryans used which metal? — Copper
Battles mentioned in Rigveda are known as? — Gavishthi
The Battle of Ten Kings is found in? — Rigveda
Early Vedic people worshipped? — Nature
No idol worship in? — Rigvedic period
Rivers mentioned most in Rigveda? — Saraswati
Marriage system was? — Monogamy
Women enjoyed? — High status
Rigvedic economy lacked? — Land revenue
Use of horse was known from? — Rigveda
Rigvedic people wore clothes made of? — Cotton and wool
Rigvedic houses were made of? — Wood and bamboo
Iron was called? — Shyama or Krishna Ayas
Rigvedic language? — Vedic Sanskrit
Education took place in? — Gurukulas
No caste system in? — Early Vedic period
Early Vedic people buried? — Dead bodies
Rigvedic Aryans drank? — Soma and Sura
Rigvedic economy was? — Pastoral
Barter system existed? — Yes
Rigveda describes which life? — Simple rural life
Rigvedic religion was based on? — Prayers and hymns
3. Later Vedic Period – 40 GK Questions & Answers
Later Vedic Age – GK
Later Vedic period is dated? — 1000–600 BCE
Major texts? — Sama, Yajur, Atharva Veda
Brahmanas are attached to? — Vedas
Aranyakas mean? — Forest texts
Upanishads are books of? — Philosophy
Main crop of Later Vedic age? — Rice
Agriculture became? — Primary occupation
Society became more? — Complex
Caste system became? — Rigid
Four varnas? — Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra
Position of women? — Declined
Women couldn’t attend? — Sabha and Samiti
King became? — More powerful
New tax introduced? — Bali
Iron became widely used? — Yes
Iron called? — Krishna Ayas
Painted Grey Ware pottery belongs to? — Later Vedic period
Education became? — Formal
Marriage became? — Patriarchal & rigid
Polygamy became? — Common
New gods? — Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Old gods lost importance? — Indra & Agni
Sacrifices became? — Elaborate
Kings performed? — Ashvamedha Yajna
Gurukula system? — Continued
Upanishads preached? — Universal truth
Doctrine of Ahimsa emerged in? — Later Vedic period
Major river of Later Vedic Age? — Ganga
Chief priest called? — Purohit
Land ownership became? — Important
Sabha became? — Weaker
Samiti became? — Less powerful
Slavery existed? — Yes
King performed Rajasuya for? — Power
Tax collected in the form of? — Grains
Private property emerged? — Yes
Ashram system introduced? — Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sannyasa
Importance of trade? — Increased
Main unit of society? — Family
Economy became? — Agricultural-based
4. Mahajanapadas + Jainism + Buddhism – 50 GK Questions
Mahajanapadas– GK
Number of Mahajanapadas? — 16
Strongest Mahajanapada? — Magadha
Capital of Magadha? — Rajgir → Pataliputra
Jainism & Buddhism emerged during? — 6th century BCE
Alexander invaded India in? — 326 BCE
Buddhism – GK
Buddha’s real name? — Siddhartha Gautama
Born at? — Lumbini
Enlightenment at? — Bodh Gaya
First sermon at? — Sarnath
Death (Mahaparinirvana) at? — Kushinagar
Buddha belonged to which clan? — Shakya
Tripitaka is the holy book of? — Buddhism
Language of Buddhist texts? — Pali
Symbol of Nirvana? — Wheel (Dharma Chakra)
Fourth Buddhist Council held by? — Kanishka
Jainism – GK
Mahavira was the? — 24th Tirthankara
Birthplace of Mahavira? — Kundagrama
Enlightenment at? — Jrimbhikagrama
Death at? — Pavapuri
Language of Jain texts? — Prakrit
Jainism teaches? — Ahimsa & truth
Symbol of Jainism? — Hand with a wheel
Two sects? — Shvetambara & Digambara
Other Important GK
Bimbisara belonged to? — Haryanka dynasty
Ajatshatru ruled Magadha after? — Bimbisara
Nanda dynasty founded by? — Mahapadma Nanda
Alexander defeated? — Porus
Sixteen states described in? — Anguttara Nikaya
Tax collected by Magadhan kings? — Bali
Buddha’s symbol? — Lotus
Jain symbol? — Swastika
Buddha taught? — Middle Path
Mahavira taught? — Five vows
Magadha rose due to? — Iron-rich region
Jainism spread because of? — Chandragupta Maurya
Buddhism spread by? — Ashoka
Nalanda University founded in? — Gupta Period
Srenis were? — Guilds
Important Mahajanapada producing elephant forces? — Kalinga
Gandhara region located in? — Afghanistan–Pakistan
5. Mauryan Empire – 50 GK Questions & Answers
Founder of Mauryan Empire? — Chandragupta Maurya
Advisor of Chandragupta? — Chanakya (Kautilya)
Book written by Chanakya? — Arthashastra
Capital of Mauryan Empire? — Pataliputra
Greatest Mauryan ruler? — Ashoka
Kalinga War fought in? — 261 BCE
After Kalinga War Ashoka adopted? — Buddhism
Ashoka’s inscriptions written in? — Brahmi script
Seal adopted by India? — Lion Capital (Sarnath)
Ashoka’s policy known as? — Dhamma
Ashoka appointed? — Dhamma Mahamatras
Ashoka held which council? — Third Buddhist Council
Last Mauryan ruler? — Brihadratha
Who ended Mauryan dynasty? — Pushyamitra Shunga
Greek ambassador at Mauryan court? — Megasthenes
Megasthenes wrote? — Indica
Bindusara was son of? — Chandragupta Maurya
Ashoka ruled for? — 40 years
Ashoka’s religion? — Buddhism
Chandragupta adopted Jainism at? — Shravanabelagola
Mauryan economy based on? — Agriculture
Land tax known as? — Bali
Army was maintained by? — Mauryans
Officers called? — Amatyas
Ashoka’s emblem includes? — Four lions
Mauryan pillars were made of? — Chunar sandstone
Mauryan art influenced by? — Persian art
Most famous Mauryan city? — Pataliputra
Mauryan administration was? — Highly centralized
Ashoka sent missionaries to? — Sri Lanka
Ashoka’s daughter? — Sanghamitra
Son of Ashoka? — Mahendra
Ashoka embraced? — Non-violence
Mauryan coins were? — Punch-marked coins
Chandragupta defeated? — Nanda dynasty
Chanakya helped in? — Foundation of Mauryan empire
Bindusara extended empire to? — South India
Ashoka prohibited? — Animal sacrifice
Rock Edicts are? — Ashoka’s inscriptions
Pillar Edicts engraved on? — Stone pillars
Ashoka died in? — 232 BCE
Mauryan Empire declined due to? — Weak successors
Mauryan state controlled? — Trade
Spies were appointed by? — Chanakya
Biggest Mauryan province? — Magadha
Main revenue source? — Agriculture
Chola, Chera, Pandya mentioned in? — Ashokan inscriptions
Ashoka banned? — Hunting
Ashoka adopted the title? — Devanampiya Piyadassi
Most important Ashoka edict? — Major Rock Edict XIII
6. Mauryan + Gupta Age – 50 GK Questions & Answers
Mauryan Period – GK
Sakas belonged to? — Central Asia
Important Indo-Greek ruler? — Menander (Milinda)
Shakas introduced? — Shaka Era (78 AD)
Kanishka belonged to? — Kushan Dynasty
Kanishka’s capital? — Peshawar
Kanishka held? — Fourth Buddhist Council
Gandhara art developed under? — Kushans
Satavahanas ruled in? — Deccan
Satavahana capital? — Pratishthana
Founder of Satavahana dynasty? — Simuka
Gupta Empire – GK
Founder of Gupta Empire? — Sri Gupta
Greatest Gupta ruler? — Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
Golden age of India? — Gupta Period
Samudragupta called? — Napoleon of India
Famous poet of Gupta age? — Kalidasa
Kalidasa wrote? — Abhijnanasakuntalam
Gupta coins were? — Gold coins
Famous university? — Nalanda
Aryabhata wrote? — Aryabhatiya
Decimal system invented by? — Indians
Iron Pillar built by? — Gupta rulers
Gupta art was? — Pure Indian style
Ajanta cave paintings belong to? — Gupta period
Gupta administration was? — Decentralized
Important Gupta ruler? — Kumaragupta
Last Gupta ruler? — Vishnugupta
More GK
Harshavardhana ruled after? — Guptas
Harsha’s capital? — Kannauj
Harsha’s biography written by? — Banabhatta
Cholas famous for? — Naval power
Pallavas ruled at? — Kanchipuram
Famous Pallava king? — Narasimhavarman I
Rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram built by? — Pallavas
Chalukya capital? — Badami
Vikram Samvat started by? — Vikramaditya
Gupta period produced? — Classical Sanskrit literature
Fa-Hien visited India during? — Chandragupta II
Gupta economy based on? — Agriculture
Gupta kings were followers of? — Hinduism
Main export of Gupta period? — Silk, spices
Gupta army included? — Infantry, cavalry, elephants
Gupta decline due to? — Huna invasions
First Gupta coin minted by? — Samudragupta
Gupta temples were made of? — Stone
Ajanta caves portray? — Buddhist stories
Nalanda attracted students from? — China, Korea
Gupta period known as? — Age of progress
Gupta literature flourished in? — Sanskrit
Gupta kings maintained? — Peace & prosperity
Gupta empire declined in? — 6th century CE
Frequently Asked Questions — Ancient India (Quick Answers)
Short, exam-focused answers covering Indus Valley, Vedic periods, Mahajanapadas, Buddhism, Mauryas and Gupta age.