QUESTION 1 OF 27
Ujjain, an ancient seat of learning in Madhya Pradesh, was known by which name in ancient times?
Explanation: Ujjain was known as Avantika (or Ujjaini) and was the capital of the ancient Avanti kingdom, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas.
QUESTION 2 OF 27
Ujjain was the capital of which ancient Mahajanapada mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts?
Explanation: Ujjain (Avantika) was the capital of the Avanti Mahajanapada, one of the sixteen great kingdoms of ancient India.
QUESTION 3 OF 27
The legendary king Vikramaditya, associated with Ujjain, is said to have had a court of nine gems known as:
Explanation: Vikramaditya's court at Ujjain is traditionally said to have included nine eminent scholars called the Navratnas (nine gems).
QUESTION 4 OF 27
Which celebrated Sanskrit poet and playwright is traditionally associated with Vikramaditya's court at Ujjain?
Explanation: Kalidasa, one of the greatest Sanskrit poets, is traditionally linked with the court of Vikramaditya at Ujjain and often described its beauty in his works.
QUESTION 5 OF 27
Which river flows through the ancient city of Ujjain, historically important for its ghats?
Explanation: The Kshipra (Shipra) river flows through Ujjain and is the site of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
QUESTION 6 OF 27
The Malwa region, of which Ujjain was the ancient capital, corresponds broadly to which part of present-day Madhya Pradesh?
Explanation: The historical Malwa region covers a large plateau area in western and central Madhya Pradesh, including Ujjain, Indore and Dhar.
QUESTION 7 OF 27
The Heliodorus Pillar, an important ancient inscription in Madhya Pradesh, is located near which town?
Explanation: The Heliodorus Pillar stands at Besnagar near Vidisha and was erected around the 2nd century BCE by Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador, in honour of Vasudeva.
QUESTION 8 OF 27
The Heliodorus Pillar was erected by a Greek ambassador in honour of which deity?
Explanation: Heliodorus, an envoy of the Indo-Greek king Antialkidas, dedicated the pillar at Besnagar to Vasudeva (Krishna), showing early Bhagavata worship.
QUESTION 9 OF 27
The Great Stupa at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh was originally commissioned by which emperor?
Explanation: The Great Stupa at Sanchi was originally built in the 3rd century BCE under Emperor Ashoka and was later enlarged during the Sunga period.
QUESTION 10 OF 27
Sanchi, famous for its Buddhist stupas, is located near which Madhya Pradesh town associated with Emperor Ashoka's wife?
Explanation: Sanchi lies close to Vidisha, the hometown of Devi, who is traditionally said to have been Ashoka's wife before his coronation.
QUESTION 11 OF 27
The ancient site of Eran in Madhya Pradesh, known for Gupta-period sculptures, is located in which present-day district?
Explanation: Eran, in Sagar district, is an important archaeological site with Gupta-era inscriptions and a famous monolithic boar (Varaha) sculpture.
QUESTION 12 OF 27
The Mandsaur inscription, recording the victories of king Yashodharman over the Hunas, belongs to which ancient town in MP?
Explanation: Mandsaur, known anciently as Dashapura, is famous for the Mandsaur pillar inscription describing Yashodharman's victory over the Huna invaders in the 6th century CE.
QUESTION 13 OF 27
During the Gupta period, which Malwa city served as an important western administrative and cultural centre alongside Pataliputra?
Explanation: Ujjain flourished as a major cultural and administrative centre during the Gupta period, closely associated with Chandragupta II.
QUESTION 14 OF 27
The prehistoric rock shelters of Bhimbetka, famous for ancient cave paintings, are located near which city?
Explanation: Bhimbetka rock shelters lie in Raisen district, close to Bhopal, and contain paintings ranging from the Mesolithic to historical periods.
QUESTION 15 OF 27
Who is credited with the discovery of the Bhimbetka rock shelters in 1957?
Explanation: The Bhimbetka rock shelters were discovered in 1957 by archaeologist V. S. Wakankar, leading to their later recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
QUESTION 16 OF 27
The Udaigiri Caves, known for their Gupta-period rock-cut sculptures including the Varaha avatar, are located near which city?
Explanation: The Udaigiri Caves near Vidisha contain important Gupta-era rock-cut shrines, including a famous large panel depicting Vishnu's Varaha (boar) incarnation.
QUESTION 17 OF 27
The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga at Ujjain is unique among the twelve Jyotirlingas for having an idol facing which direction?
Explanation: The lingam at Mahakaleshwar temple is Dakshinamukhi (south-facing), a distinctive feature not found in the other Jyotirlingas.
QUESTION 18 OF 27
The Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which year?
Explanation: The Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, including the Great Stupa, were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989.
QUESTION 19 OF 27
The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which year?
Explanation: The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003, recognising their prehistoric rock art.
QUESTION 20 OF 27
Malvi, a regional dialect spoken widely in the Indore-Ujjain region, belongs to which broader region of Madhya Pradesh?
Explanation: Malvi is the dialect predominantly spoken in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, covering areas like Indore, Ujjain, and Dewas.
QUESTION 21 OF 27
The Sanchi Stupa complex includes a broken pillar with a lion capital, originally erected by which emperor?
Explanation: The Ashokan pillar at Sanchi, of which a fragment with a lion capital survives, was erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
QUESTION 22 OF 27
Ujjain's ancient association with astronomy is reflected in its historical role as a reference point for calculating which of the following in classical Indian texts?
Explanation: In classical Indian astronomy, Ujjain was treated as lying on the reference meridian used for calculations in texts such as the Surya Siddhanta.
QUESTION 23 OF 27
Vidisha, an ancient town near Sanchi, is closely associated with which Mauryan-era queen consort?
Explanation: Vidisha is traditionally associated with Devi, believed to be a wife of Ashoka and mother of Mahendra and Sanghamitra, who were sent to spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
QUESTION 24 OF 27
The ancient Buddhist stupa complex at Sanchi is primarily built from which construction material?
Explanation: The Great Stupa and associated monuments at Sanchi are primarily constructed of sandstone, including elaborately carved gateways (toranas).
QUESTION 25 OF 27
The ornately carved gateways surrounding the Great Stupa at Sanchi are known by which term?
Explanation: The four elaborately carved gateways surrounding the Great Stupa at Sanchi are known as toranas, added mainly during the Sunga and Satavahana periods.
QUESTION 26 OF 27
Which ancient Malwa capital, associated with legendary king Vikramaditya, is also one of India's seven sacred 'Sapta Puri' cities?
Explanation: Ujjain (Avantika) is counted among the seven sacred Sapta Puri cities of Hindu tradition, alongside places like Varanasi and Haridwar.
QUESTION 27 OF 27
The historic town of Mandsaur, known for ancient inscriptions, lies within which broader physiographic region of Madhya Pradesh?
Explanation: Mandsaur is situated within the Malwa Plateau region of western Madhya Pradesh.
More MPPSC (Madhya Pradesh PSC) GK MCQs topics
Ancient & Buddhist Heritage27 QMedieval MP (Forts, Sultanates & Rajputs)37 QPrincely & Modern History of MP29 QMP Polity & Administration5 QMP Geography & Economy65 QArt, Culture, Dialects & Cuisine of MP11 Q
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