If you are preparing for competitive exams and looking for the most important Indian History questions, this post is designed especially for you. Indian History plays a crucial role in exams like UPSC, SSC, Railway, State PCS, NDA, CDS, and other government examinations.
In this article, we have compiled 50 Questions About Indian History covering Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India. These questions are selected based on exam trends to help students improve their concept clarity, strengthen revision, and boost confidence in solving history-related MCQs.
Important 50 Questions About Indian History (Most Expected)
1. Which is the oldest archaeological site of the Indian subcontinent?
- A. Bhimbetka
- B. Mehrgarh
- C. Burzahom
- D. Chirand
Explanation: Mehrgarh is one of the earliest Neolithic settlements of the Indian subcontinent.
2. The Great Bath is associated with which Harappan site?
- A. Harappa
- B. Mohenjo-daro
- C. Lothal
- D. Dholavira
Explanation: The Great Bath reflects ritual bathing and advanced drainage planning.
3. Which metal was first used by humans in ancient India?
- A. Iron
- B. Copper
- C. Bronze
- D. Gold
Explanation: The use of copper marks the beginning of the Chalcolithic Age.
4. Which Veda mainly deals with sacrificial rituals?
- A. Rigveda
- B. Samaveda
- C. Yajurveda
- D. Atharvaveda
Explanation: Yajurveda provides rules and formulas for performing sacrifices.
5. Who founded the Maurya Dynasty?
- A. Ashoka
- B. Chandragupta Maurya
- C. Bindusara
- D. Bimbisara
Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya established the Maurya Empire with Chanakya’s guidance.
6. Ashoka embraced Buddhism after which war?
- A. Taxila War
- B. Kalinga War
- C. Magadha War
- D. Greek War
Explanation: The massive bloodshed in the Kalinga War deeply influenced Ashoka.
7. The capital of the Gupta Empire was?
- A. Pataliputra
- B. Kannauj
- C. Ujjain
- D. Prayagraj
Explanation: Pataliputra served as the administrative center of the Gupta rulers.
8. Who is known as the Napoleon of India?
- A. Harshavardhana
- B. Ashoka
- C. Samudragupta
- D. Chandragupta Maurya
Explanation: Samudragupta earned this title due to his extensive military conquests.
9. Who authored the Arthashastra?
- A. Kalidasa
- B. Chanakya
- C. Banabhatta
- D. Panini
Explanation: Arthashastra deals with administration, economics, and diplomacy.
10. Who constructed the Grand Trunk Road?
- A. Akbar
- B. Sher Shah Suri
- C. Babur
- D. Jahangir
Explanation: Sher Shah Suri improved trade and administration through road networks.
11. The First Battle of Panipat (1526) was fought between Babur and?
- A. Rana Sanga
- B. Ibrahim Lodi
- C. Sikandar Lodi
- D. Hemu
Explanation: Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and founded the Mughal Empire.
12. Who introduced the policy of Din-i-Ilahi?
- A. Babur
- B. Humayun
- C. Akbar
- D. Aurangzeb
Explanation: Din-i-Ilahi aimed to promote harmony among different religions.
13. The Taj Mahal was built by?
- A. Akbar
- B. Jahangir
- C. Shah Jahan
- D. Aurangzeb
Explanation: The Taj Mahal was constructed in memory of Mumtaz Mahal.
14. Who was the last Mughal Emperor of India?
- A. Aurangzeb
- B. Shah Alam II
- C. Bahadur Shah Zafar
- D. Jahandar Shah
Explanation: He was exiled after the failure of the Revolt of 1857.
15. The Revolt of 1857 began from which place?
- A. Delhi
- B. Kanpur
- C. Meerut
- D. Lucknow
Explanation: The revolt started with sepoy mutiny in Meerut.
16. Who founded the Indian National Congress?
- A. Dadabhai Naoroji
- B. A.O. Hume
- C. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
- D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Explanation: INC was founded in 1885 to give Indians a political platform.
17. Who gave the slogan “Do or Die”?
- A. Subhas Chandra Bose
- B. Jawaharlal Nehru
- C. Mahatma Gandhi
- D. Lala Lajpat Rai
Explanation: This slogan was given during the Quit India Movement of 1942.
18. Who formed the Azad Hind Fauj?
- A. Bhagat Singh
- B. Subhas Chandra Bose
- C. Mahatma Gandhi
- D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Explanation: Azad Hind Fauj aimed to liberate India through armed struggle.
19. India got independence on which date?
- A. 26 January 1947
- B. 15 August 1947
- C. 26 January 1950
- D. 15 August 1946
Explanation: India became independent from British rule on this day.
20. Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
- A. Rajendra Prasad
- B. Sardar Patel
- C. Jawaharlal Nehru
- D. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru served as India’s first Prime Minister from 1947.
21. Which Harappan site is famous for its dockyard?
- A. Harappa
- B. Mohenjo-daro
- C. Lothal
- D. Kalibangan
Explanation: Lothal had a well-planned dockyard indicating maritime trade.
22. The famous caves of Ajanta belong mainly to which religion?
- A. Hinduism
- B. Jainism
- C. Buddhism
- D. Zoroastrianism
Explanation: Ajanta caves depict the life and teachings of Buddha.
23. Who was the founder of Buddhism?
- A. Mahavira
- B. Gautama Buddha
- C. Ashoka
- D. Nagarjuna
Explanation: Gautama Buddha founded Buddhism in the 6th century BCE.
24. Which ancient university was located in Bihar?
- A. Takshashila
- B. Nalanda
- C. Vallabhi
- D. Kanchi
Explanation: Nalanda was a renowned center of learning during the Gupta period.
25. Who was the author of the Allahabad Pillar Inscription?
- A. Kalidasa
- B. Harisena
- C. Banabhatta
- D. Vishakhadatta
Explanation: Harisena was the court poet of Samudragupta.
26. Who defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of the Narmada?
- A. Pulakesin II
- B. Rajaraja Chola
- C. Dhruva
- D. Vikramaditya
Explanation: Pulakesin II stopped Harsha’s southward expansion.
27. Who was the author of Harshacharita?
- A. Kalidasa
- B. Harisena
- C. Banabhatta
- D. Dandin
Explanation: Harshacharita is a biography of King Harshavardhana.
28. Who founded the Chola dynasty?
- A. Rajaraja Chola
- B. Vijayalaya Chola
- C. Rajendra Chola
- D. Kulottunga Chola
Explanation: Vijayalaya Chola laid the foundation of the Chola dynasty.
29. The Qutub Minar was started by which ruler?
- A. Iltutmish
- B. Qutbuddin Aibak
- C. Alauddin Khilji
- D. Balban
Explanation: Qutub Minar was begun by Aibak and completed by Iltutmish.
30. Who introduced market control policy during the Delhi Sultanate?
- A. Balban
- B. Alauddin Khilji
- C. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
- D. Sikandar Lodi
Explanation: Alauddin Khilji regulated prices to control inflation.
31. Who wrote the autobiography Tuzuk-i-Baburi?
- A. Akbar
- B. Babur
- C. Jahangir
- D. Humayun
Explanation: Tuzuk-i-Baburi describes Babur’s life and conquests.
32. Who introduced Mansabdari system?
- A. Babur
- B. Akbar
- C. Jahangir
- D. Shah Jahan
Explanation: Mansabdari system organized military and civil administration.
33. Who was known as the ‘Tiger of Mysore’?
- A. Hyder Ali
- B. Tipu Sultan
- C. Haider Khan
- D. Mir Jafar
Explanation: Tipu Sultan fiercely resisted British expansion.
34. The Battle of Plassey was fought in which year?
- A. 1757
- B. 1764
- C. 1748
- D. 1772
Explanation: The British victory at Plassey laid the foundation of British rule.
35. Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse?
- A. Warren Hastings
- B. Lord Dalhousie
- C. Lord Wellesley
- D. Lord Cornwallis
Explanation: The Doctrine of Lapse was used to annex Indian states.
36. The Permanent Settlement was introduced by?
- A. Lord Hastings
- B. Lord Cornwallis
- C. Lord Dalhousie
- D. Lord Curzon
Explanation: It fixed land revenue permanently with zamindars.
37. Who started the Home Rule Movement in India?
- A. Mahatma Gandhi
- B. Annie Besant and B.G. Tilak
- C. Subhas Chandra Bose
- D. Lala Lajpat Rai
Explanation: Home Rule Movement demanded self-government within British rule.
38. Which movement was launched in 1942?
- A. Non-Cooperation Movement
- B. Civil Disobedience Movement
- C. Quit India Movement
- D. Khilafat Movement
Explanation: It was a mass movement demanding immediate independence.
39. Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
- A. Lord Mountbatten
- B. C. Rajagopalachari
- C. Rajendra Prasad
- D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Explanation: Mountbatten served as the last Viceroy and first Governor-General.
40. When was the Constitution of India adopted?
- A. 15 August 1947
- B. 26 January 1950
- C. 26 November 1949
- D. 2 October 1950
Explanation: The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and enforced in 1950.
41. Which Harappan site is famous for water reservoirs?
- A. Lothal
- B. Kalibangan
- C. Dholavira
- D. Harappa
Explanation: Dholavira had an advanced system of water conservation using reservoirs.
42. Which Buddhist council was held during the reign of Ashoka?
- A. First Buddhist Council
- B. Second Buddhist Council
- C. Third Buddhist Council
- D. Fourth Buddhist Council
Explanation: The Third Buddhist Council was held at Pataliputra under Ashoka.
43. Who was the first ruler to issue gold coins in India?
- A. Chandragupta Maurya
- B. Samudragupta
- C. Kanishka
- D. Harshavardhana
Explanation: Samudragupta issued gold coins depicting his military achievements.
44. Which medieval ruler shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad?
- A. Alauddin Khilji
- B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
- C. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
- D. Balban
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq ordered the transfer of capital to Daulatabad.
45. Who established the Vijayanagara Empire?
- A. Krishnadevaraya
- B. Harihara and Bukka
- C. Devaraya II
- D. Achyuta Raya
Explanation: The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara and Bukka.
46. The Battle of Talikota resulted in the defeat of which empire?
- A. Mughal Empire
- B. Bahmani Kingdom
- C. Vijayanagara Empire
- D. Maratha Empire
Explanation: The defeat in 1565 led to the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire.
47. Who founded the Maratha Empire?
- A. Balaji Vishwanath
- B. Baji Rao I
- C. Shivaji Maharaj
- D. Sambhaji
Explanation: Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of the Maratha Empire in the 17th century.
48. Who introduced the Subsidiary Alliance system?
- A. Lord Cornwallis
- B. Lord Hastings
- C. Lord Wellesley
- D. Lord Dalhousie
Explanation: Subsidiary Alliance increased British political control over Indian states.
49. Who presided over the Constituent Assembly of India?
- A. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- B. Jawaharlal Nehru
- C. Rajendra Prasad
- D. Sardar Patel
Explanation: Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President of the Constituent Assembly.
50. Who is known as the Father of Indian History?
- A. R.C. Majumdar
- B. Romila Thapar
- C. Kalhana
- D. D.D. Kosambi
Explanation: Kalhana is regarded as the Father of Indian History for his work Rajatarangini.
A strong understanding of Indian History is essential for scoring well in competitive examinations. The 50 Questions About Indian History provided in this post will help you identify important areas and practice the type of questions frequently asked in exams.
Regular practice of such exam-oriented history questions will not only improve your knowledge but also enhance your accuracy and speed. Revise these questions multiple times and make Indian History one of your strongest subjects.
