Post-Mauryan Period MCQs - Shunga, Kanva, Indo-Greek, Shaka, Parthian, Kushana

Post-Mauryan Period MCQs – Shunga, Kanva, Shaka, Parthian, Kushana Dynasties

1. Who was the founder of the Shunga Dynasty after overthrowing the last Mauryan ruler?

A) Pushyamitra Shunga B) Chandragupta Maurya C) Brihadratha D) Bindusara

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Pushyamitra Shunga 🔹 **Pushyamitra Shunga** founded the **Shunga Dynasty** after killing the last Mauryan ruler **Brihadratha**.

2. Who was the greatest Indo-Greek ruler who converted to Buddhism?

A) Demetrius I B) Menander I C) Antialcidas D) Hermaeus

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Menander I 🔹 **Menander I** (Milinda) converted to **Buddhism** after a discussion with **Nagasena**.

3. Which Shaka ruler issued the Junagarh Inscription in Sanskrit?

A) Rudradaman I B) Gondophares C) Demetrius D) Vasudeva I

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Rudradaman I 🔹 **Rudradaman I** issued the **Junagarh Inscription** in **Sanskrit**.

4. Which Kushana ruler convened the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir?

A) Kanishka I B) Huvishka C) Vasudeva I D) Kanishka II

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Kanishka I 🔹 **Kanishka I** held the **Fourth Buddhist Council** in **Kashmir**.

5. Which Indo-Parthian ruler is mentioned in Christian traditions?

A) Gondophares B) Demetrius C) Antialcidas D) Menander

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Gondophares 🔹 **Gondophares** is linked to the visit of **Saint Thomas**.

6. Which dynasty overthrew the Shunga dynasty and established their rule in Magadha?

A) Kanva Dynasty B) Satavahana Dynasty C) Indo-Greek Dynasty D) Shaka Dynasty

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Kanva Dynasty 🔹 The **Kanva Dynasty** overthrew the **Shunga Dynasty** and ruled from **73 BCE to 28 BCE**.

7. Which Indo-Greek ruler founded the city of Sagala (modern-day Sialkot)?

A) Menander I B) Demetrius I C) Kanishka I D) Rudradaman I

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Demetrius I 🔹 **Demetrius I** founded the city of **Sagala** (modern-day **Sialkot**) in present-day **Pakistan**.

8. Which Kushana ruler issued gold coins with the image of Buddha?

A) Vasudeva I B) Huvishka C) Kanishka I D) Demetrius I

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Kanishka I 🔹 **Kanishka I** issued **gold coins** with the image of **Buddha** during his reign.

9. The Satrap system of administration was introduced by which foreign ruler?

A) Indo-Greeks B) Shakas C) Parthians D) Kushanas

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Shakas 🔹 The **Shakas** introduced the **Satrap system** of administration, where governors (Satraps) ruled provinces.

10. Which post-Mauryan dynasty had Purushapura (modern-day Peshawar) as its capital?

A) Kanva Dynasty B) Kushana Dynasty C) Shunga Dynasty D) Indo-Greek Dynasty

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Kushana Dynasty 🔹 **Purushapura** (modern-day **Peshawar**) was the capital of the **Kushana Empire** under **Kanishka I**.

11. Which Parthian ruler is known to have minted coins with Greek and Indian symbols?

A) Gondophares B) Demetrius I C) Menander I D) Kanishka I

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Gondophares 🔹 **Gondophares** issued coins bearing both **Greek and Indian symbols** as a symbol of his rule over a culturally diverse territory.

12. Who was the last ruler of the Kanva dynasty?

A) Vasudeva B) Susarman C) Brihadratha D) Devabhuti

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Susarman 🔹 **Susarman** was the last ruler of the **Kanva Dynasty**, which was overthrown by the **Satavahanas**.

13. During the rule of which dynasty did the Satavahanas rise to power?

A) Indo-Greek Dynasty B) Shunga Dynasty C) Kanva Dynasty D) Kushana Dynasty

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Kanva Dynasty 🔹 The **Satavahanas** rose to power during the decline of the **Kanva Dynasty**.

14. The Milindapanho (Questions of King Milinda) is a conversation between King Menander and which Buddhist monk?

A) Nagarjuna B) Nagasena C) Vasubandhu D) Asvaghosa

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Nagasena 🔹 The **Milindapanho** records a conversation between **King Menander I** (Milinda) and the Buddhist monk **Nagasena**.

15. Who was the Shaka ruler who founded the capital at Ujjain?

A) Rudradaman I B) Demetrius I C) Menander I D) Kanishka I

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Rudradaman I 🔹 **Rudradaman I** established **Ujjain** as the capital of the **Shaka Empire**.

16. Which Indo-Parthian ruler extended his empire from Gandhara to parts of North India?

A) Demetrius I B) Menander I C) Gondophares D) Kanishka I

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Gondophares 🔹 **Gondophares**, an Indo-Parthian ruler, extended his empire from **Gandhara** to parts of **North India**.

17. The Hathigumpha inscription, which mentions the victories of King Kharavela, is located in which present-day state?

A) Bihar B) Madhya Pradesh C) Odisha D) Maharashtra

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Odisha 🔹 The **Hathigumpha inscription** is located in the **Udayagiri caves** of **Odisha** and records the victories of **Kharavela**.

18. Which Shaka ruler is known for reconstructing the Sudarshana Lake in Gujarat?

A) Rudradaman I B) Kanishka I C) Nahapana D) Vasudeva I

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Rudradaman I 🔹 **Rudradaman I** is credited with the **reconstruction of Sudarshana Lake** in **Gujarat**.

19. The Satavahanas were the first to issue coins with which language inscription?

A) Tamil B) Sanskrit C) Greek D) Prakrit

✅ **Correct Answer:** D) Prakrit 🔹 The **Satavahanas** were the first to issue coins with inscriptions in **Prakrit**.

20. Which Indo-Greek ruler is credited with the spread of Greek art and culture in India?

A) Demetrius I B) Menander I C) Euthydemus I D) Gondophares

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Menander I 🔹 **Menander I** played a significant role in the spread of **Greek art and culture** in **India**.

21. Which Indo-Greek king is associated with converting to Buddhism under the influence of Nagasena?

A) Demetrius I B) Menander I C) Euthydemus I D) Kanishka I

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Menander I 🔹 **Menander I** is said to have converted to **Buddhism** under the influence of the monk **Nagasena**.

22. The Satavahana Empire was established in which region of present-day India?

A) Tamil Nadu B) Andhra Pradesh C) Karnataka D) Maharashtra

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Andhra Pradesh 🔹 The **Satavahana Empire** was established in the region of present-day **Andhra Pradesh**.

23. Who was the most powerful ruler of the Satavahana dynasty known for his naval strength?

A) Gautamiputra Satakarni B) Vashishthiputra Pulumavi C) Simuka D) Yajna Sri Satakarni

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Gautamiputra Satakarni 🔹 **Gautamiputra Satakarni** was the most powerful ruler of the **Satavahana dynasty** and maintained naval dominance.

24. Which foreign ruler is credited with introducing the Kharoshthi script in India?

A) Demetrius I B) Menander I C) Gondophares D) Euthydemus I

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Demetrius I 🔹 **Demetrius I** is credited with introducing the **Kharoshthi script** in India.

25. Which Kushana ruler adopted the title of 'Devaputra' (Son of God)?

A) Vasudeva I B) Kanishka I C) Huvishka D) Gondophares

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Kanishka I 🔹 **Kanishka I** adopted the title of **'Devaputra'** to assert his divine status.

26. Who among the following Shaka rulers is known for issuing silver coins with bilingual inscriptions in Greek and Kharoshthi scripts?

A) Rudradaman I B) Nahapana C) Gondophares D) Demetrius I

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Nahapana 🔹 **Nahapana** issued silver coins with bilingual inscriptions in **Greek** and **Kharoshthi** scripts.

27. The Junagadh Rock Inscription, which mentions the achievements of Rudradaman I, is written in which language?

A) Sanskrit B) Pali C) Greek D) Prakrit

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Sanskrit 🔹 The **Junagadh Rock Inscription** is written in **Sanskrit** and highlights the achievements of **Rudradaman I**.

28. Which Kushana ruler is credited with establishing the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir?

A) Vasudeva I B) Kanishka I C) Huvishka D) Kharavela

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Kanishka I 🔹 **Kanishka I** organized the **Fourth Buddhist Council** in **Kashmir** to compile Buddhist teachings.

29. The Satavahana dynasty followed which administrative pattern?

A) Centralized B) Federal C) Decentralized D) Military-based

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Decentralized 🔹 The **Satavahanas** followed a **decentralized** administrative system where local rulers retained significant autonomy.

30. Which Indo-Scythian ruler is known for expanding his territory into the western parts of India?

A) Demetrius I B) Menander I C) Nahapana D) Rudradaman I

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Nahapana 🔹 **Nahapana** expanded his territory into the **western parts of India** and issued silver coins bearing his name.