📚 WBCS Mains 2023 | HISTORY (GS) | COMPLETE QUESTION PAPER SOLVED

 WBCS HISTORY — 100 MCQs

Chronological Revision Notes with Answers and Explanations

Purpose: The 100 questions are arranged chronologically from Ancient India to the Freedom Movement. 

I. Vedic Age and Mahajanapadas

1. Q25. Which Vedic god was known as 'Purandara'?

Options: (A) Shiva (B) Indra (C) Varuna (D) Agni

Correct Answer: (B) Indra

Explanation: In the Rig Veda, Indra is called Purandara, meaning 'destroyer of forts or cities'. He is one of the principal deities of the Rig Vedic period.

2. Q40. The 'Battle of Ten Kings' is described in which Veda?

Options: (A) Rig Veda (B) Sama Veda (C) Yajur Veda (D) Atharva Veda

Correct Answer: (A) Rig Veda

Explanation: The Battle of Ten Kings, or Dasarajna War, is described in the Seventh Mandala of the Rig Veda. It involved King Sudas and a confederacy of rival tribes.

3. Q24. Which Mahajanapada was an aristocratic-oligarchic republic and a confederacy of clans?

Options: (A) Magadha (B) Vajji (C) Kashi (D) Kosala

Correct Answer: (B) Vajji

Explanation: The Vajji Confederacy was a republican political organisation consisting of several clans. The Licchavis were one of its most important constituent clans.

4. Q26. Who was the ruler of Magadha during Alexander's invasion of India?

Options: (A) Dhanananda (B) Chandragupta Maurya (C) Puru (D) Ambhi

Correct Answer: (A) Dhanananda

Explanation: Alexander invaded north-western India in 326 BCE. At that time, Magadha was ruled by the Nanda dynasty, whose last ruler is traditionally identified as Dhana Nanda.

II. Mauryan and Post-Mauryan Period

5. Q79. Lothal is located in which present-day state?

Options: (A) Rajasthan (B) Uttar Pradesh (C) Gujarat (D) Haryana

Correct Answer: (C) Gujarat

Explanation: Lothal is an important Harappan site in Gujarat. It is particularly noted for its ancient maritime and trading connections.

6. Q89. Which dynasty ruled Magadha immediately before the Mauryan dynasty?

Options: (A) Satavahana (B) Sunga (C) Nanda (D) Kanva

Correct Answer: (C) Nanda

Explanation: The Nanda dynasty ruled Magadha immediately before the rise of the Mauryas. Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the Nanda ruler and established the Mauryan Empire.

7. Q28. Who is traditionally regarded as the author of the Arthashastra?

Options: (A) Kautilya (B) Varahamihira (C) Aryabhata (D) Patanjali

Correct Answer: (A) Kautilya

Explanation: The Arthashastra is traditionally attributed to Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta. It deals with statecraft, administration, economy, diplomacy and espionage.

8. Q44. What was the capital of Magadha during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya?

Options: (A) Amaravati (B) Pataliputra (C) Ujjain (D) Kannauj

Correct Answer: (B) Pataliputra

Explanation: Pataliputra was the principal capital of the Mauryan Empire and became one of the most important political centres of ancient India.

9. Q66. Chandragupta Maurya is traditionally associated with which religion in his later life?

Options: (A) Jainism (B) Buddhism (C) Ajivika religion (D) Shaivism

Correct Answer: (A) Jainism

Explanation: According to later Jain traditions, Chandragupta Maurya embraced Jainism in his later life and went south with the Jain teacher Bhadrabahu.

10. Q3. The Gandhara School of Art flourished particularly under which dynasty?

Options: (A) Mauryas (B) Kushans (C) Satavahanas (D) Guptas

Correct Answer: (B) Kushans

Explanation: Gandhara art flourished especially during the Kushan period. It is known for its Buddhist themes and strong Hellenistic and Roman artistic influences.

11. Q50. Who was the chief patron traditionally associated with the Fourth Buddhist Council?

Options: (A) Ashoka (B) Kanishka (C) Ajatashatru (D) Samudragupta

Correct Answer: (B) Kanishka

Explanation: According to traditional Buddhist accounts, the Fourth Buddhist Council was held under the patronage of the Kushan ruler Kanishka.

12. Q20. Who composed Buddhacharita?

Options: (A) Ashvaghosha (B) Vasumitra (C) Nagasena (D) None of the above

Correct Answer: (A) Ashvaghosha

Explanation: Ashvaghosha was a renowned Buddhist scholar and poet associated with the Kushan period. Buddhacharita is his celebrated biography of the Buddha.

13. Q58. Who is associated with the composition of Milindapanho?

Options: (A) Vasumitra (B) Nagasena (C) Ashvaghosha (D) Dharmakirti

Correct Answer: (B) Nagasena

Explanation: Milindapanho presents a philosophical dialogue between the Indo-Greek ruler Menander, or Milinda, and the Buddhist monk Nagasena. Nagasena is the expected answer in this MCQ.

14. Q42. The Nasik inscriptions provide important information about which dynasty?

Options: (A) Vakatakas (B) Rashtrakutas (C) Satavahanas (D) Guptas

Correct Answer: (C) Satavahanas

Explanation: The Nasik inscriptions are important sources for Satavahana history, particularly for the reign and achievements of Gautamiputra Satakarni.

15. Q74. Which inscription provides important information about the Saka ruler Rudradaman?

Options: (A) Junagadh inscription (B) Aihole inscription (C) Allahabad Pillar inscription (D) Bhitari Pillar inscription

Correct Answer: (A) Junagadh inscription

Explanation: The Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman I is an important source for the history of the Western Kshatrapas and records the repair of the Sudarshana lake.

III. Gupta Age

16. Q13. Which Gupta ruler assumed the title 'Vikramaditya'?

Options: (A) Chandragupta I (B) Samudragupta (C) Chandragupta II (D) Skandagupta

Correct Answer: (C) Chandragupta II

Explanation: Chandragupta II is associated with the title Vikramaditya. His reign marked a period of considerable political power and cultural achievement for the Gupta Empire.

17. Q63. Which ruler is traditionally associated with the Nine Jewels, or Navaratna, in his court?

Options: (A) Chandragupta II (B) Samudragupta (C) Chandragupta I (D) Chandragupta Maurya

Correct Answer: (A) Chandragupta II

Explanation: According to later tradition, Chandragupta II, identified with Vikramaditya, had a court of Nine Jewels. Kalidasa is traditionally counted among them.

18. Q9. Which Gupta ruler successfully resisted the invasion of the Hunas?

Options: (A) Skandagupta (B) Buddhagupta (C) Tathagata Gupta (D) Vishnu Gupta

Correct Answer: (A) Skandagupta

Explanation: Skandagupta successfully resisted the Hun invasions and temporarily protected the Gupta Empire from this major external threat.

IV. Harsha and Early Medieval India

19. Q4. Who composed Nagananda and Ratnavali?

Options: (A) Harshavardhana (B) Kanishka (C) Samudragupta (D) Chandragupta II

Correct Answer: (A) Harshavardhana

Explanation: Harshavardhana was both a ruler and a literary figure. Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika are traditionally associated with him.

20. Q11. Who composed Rajatarangini?

Options: (A) Kalhana (B) Bilhana (C) Banabhatta (D) Ashvaghosha

Correct Answer: (A) Kalhana

Explanation: Kalhana composed Rajatarangini in the 12th century. It is a major historical chronicle of Kashmir.

21. Q52. Who composed Vikramankadevacharita?

Options: (A) Bilhana (B) Ravikirti (C) Banabhatta (D) Kalhana

Correct Answer: (A) Bilhana

Explanation: Bilhana, a Kashmiri poet, composed Vikramankadevacharita in praise of the Chalukya ruler Vikramaditya VI.

22. Q12. The Tripartite Struggle is traditionally described in this MCQ as lasting for approximately—

Options: (A) 200 years (B) 100 years (C) 400 years (D) 50 years

Correct Answer: (B) 100 years — expected answer

Explanation: The Tripartite Struggle involved the Palas, Gurjara-Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas in competition for control of Kannauj. The broader historical phase extended across the 8th–10th centuries, but this MCQ expects 100 years.

23. Q29. The Kailasanath Temple at Kanchipuram was built by the—

Options: (A) Cholas (B) Pallavas (C) Pandyas (D) Guptas

Correct Answer: (B) Pallavas

Explanation: The Kailasanath Temple at Kanchipuram was built during the reign of the Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimha.

24. Q70. What was the capital of the Pallava rulers?

Options: (A) Hampi (B) Dwarka (C) Kanchipuram (D) Ujjain

Correct Answer: (C) Kanchipuram

Explanation: Kanchipuram was the principal capital of the Pallava dynasty and an important centre of religion, education and culture.

25. Q86. Mandalam and Nadu were administrative units associated with the—

Options: (A) Pallavas (B) Cholas (C) Pandyas (D) Rashtrakutas

Correct Answer: (B) Cholas

Explanation: Mandalam and Nadu were important territorial units in the Chola administrative system.

V. Arab Conquest and Delhi Sultanate

26. Q60. Who defeated the ruler of Sind during the Arab invasion of 712 CE?

Options: (A) Mahmud of Ghazni (B) Muhammad Ghori (C) Muhammad-bin-Qasim (D) Tajuddin Yildiz

Correct Answer: (C) Muhammad-bin-Qasim

Explanation: Muhammad-bin-Qasim invaded Sind in 712 CE and defeated Raja Dahir. The conquest marked the beginning of sustained Arab political influence in Sind.

27. Q99. Who was the general and successor of Muhammad Ghori in his Indian territories?

Options: (A) Muhammad-bin-Bakhtiyar (B) Qutb-ud-din Aibak (C) Tajuddin Yildiz (D) Nasiruddin

Correct Answer: (B) Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Explanation: Qutb-ud-din Aibak was a leading military commander of Muhammad Ghori and established an independent political authority in northern India after Ghori's death.

28. Q76. Who won the First Battle of Tarain?

Options: (A) Prithviraj Chauhan (B) Muhammad Ghori (C) Muhammad-bin-Qasim (D) Mahmud of Ghazni

Correct Answer: (A) Prithviraj Chauhan

Explanation: In 1191, Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori at the First Battle of Tarain. Ghori won the second battle in 1192.

29. Q80. Which Sultan is particularly associated with major invasions of South India?

Options: (A) Balban (B) Iltutmish (C) Qutb-ud-din Aibak (D) Alauddin Khilji

Correct Answer: (D) Alauddin Khilji

Explanation: Alauddin Khilji's reign witnessed major campaigns in the Deccan and South India, many of which were led by his general Malik Kafur.

30. Q78. Who was the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?

Options: (A) Daulat Khan Lodi (B) Ibrahim Lodi (C) Alam Khan Lodi (D) Jahandar Lodi

Correct Answer: (B) Ibrahim Lodi

Explanation: Ibrahim Lodi was the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate. Babur defeated him at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.

VI. European Arrival and Mughal India

31. Q51. In which year did Vasco da Gama arrive at Calicut?

Options: (A) 1757 (B) 1498 (C) 1497 (D) 1598

Correct Answer: (B) 1498

Explanation: Vasco da Gama reached Calicut in 1498. His voyage opened a direct maritime route between Europe and the Indian Ocean world.

32. Q30. The First Battle of Panipat took place in—

Options: (A) 1526 (B) 1628 (C) 1616 (D) 1626

Correct Answer: (A) 1526

Explanation: The First Battle of Panipat was fought in 1526 between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi. Babur's victory laid the foundation of Mughal rule in India.

33. Q19. Who composed Akbarnama?

Options: (A) Mughal Emperor Akbar (B) Abul Fazl (C) Faizi (D) Bairam Khan

Correct Answer: (B) Abul Fazl

Explanation: Abul Fazl, one of Akbar's leading court scholars, composed Akbarnama. Its third volume is known as Ain-i-Akbari.

34. Q15. Who founded the Ibadat Khana?

Options: (A) Akbar (B) Jahangir (C) Shah Jahan (D) Aurangzeb

Correct Answer: (A) Akbar

Explanation: Akbar established the Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri in 1575 for religious discussions and debates.

35. Q27. Who was a famous artist at Akbar's court?

Options: (A) Basawan (B) Bebadal Khan (C) Ravi Varma (D) Minhaj-us-Siraj

Correct Answer: (A) Basawan

Explanation: Basawan was one of the distinguished painters of Akbar's court and an important figure in the development of Mughal miniature painting.

36. Q32. Who reformed the revenue system during Akbar's reign?

Options: (A) Raja Man Singh (B) Birbal (C) Todarmal (D) Jai Singh

Correct Answer: (C) Todarmal

Explanation: Raja Todarmal played a major role in revenue administration, including the development of the Zabt or Dahsala system.

37. Q35. Who came to the court of Jahangir?

Options: (A) Sir Thomas Roe (B) Ibn Battuta (C) Nuniz (D) Domingo Paes

Correct Answer: (A) Sir Thomas Roe

Explanation: Sir Thomas Roe came to Jahangir's court as the ambassador of King James I of England.

38. Q48. Who was known as the 'Parrot of India'?

Options: (A) Tansen (B) Surdas (C) Amir Khusrau (D) Abul Fazl

Correct Answer: (C) Amir Khusrau

Explanation: Amir Khusrau was popularly known as Tuti-e-Hind, or the 'Parrot of India', because of his literary brilliance.

39. Q17. Who was the author of Muntakhab-ul-Tawarikh?

Options: (A) Nizam-ud-din (B) Amir Khusrau (C) Faizi (D) Badauni

Correct Answer: (D) Badauni

Explanation: Abdul Qadir Badauni wrote Muntakhab-ul-Tawarikh, an important contemporary source for the reign of Akbar.

40. Q54. Jizya was reimposed by—

Options: (A) Aurangzeb (B) Shah Jahan (C) Jahangir (D) Bahadur Shah

Correct Answer: (A) Aurangzeb

Explanation: Aurangzeb reimposed the Jizya tax in 1679 as part of his religious and administrative policies.

41. Q46. The Treaty of Purandar (1665) was concluded between—

Options: (A) Shivaji and Jai Singh (B) Tipu Sultan and the English East India Company (C) English East India Company and Ranjit Singh (D) English East India Company and the Marathas

Correct Answer: (A) Shivaji and Jai Singh

Explanation: The Treaty of Purandar was concluded in 1665 between Shivaji and the Mughal commander Raja Jai Singh I.

42. Q88. The Third Battle of Panipat took place in—

Options: (A) 1761 (B) 1740 (C) 1770 (D) 1707

Correct Answer: (A) 1761

Explanation: The Third Battle of Panipat was fought in 1761 between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali. The Marathas suffered a major defeat.

43. Q75. Nadir Shah invaded India in—

Options: (A) 1708 (B) 1688 (C) 1739 (D) 1750

Correct Answer: (C) 1739

Explanation: Nadir Shah invaded India in 1739, defeated the Mughal forces at Karnal and subsequently plundered Delhi.

44. Q85. Which Mughal ruler granted Diwani rights of Bengal to the English East India Company?

Options: (A) Farrukhsiyar (B) Bahadur Shah Zafar (C) Jahandar Shah (D) Shah Alam II

Correct Answer: (D) Shah Alam II

Explanation: In 1765, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted the East India Company the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.

VII. Company Rule and Early British Expansion

45. Q55. Who appointed the Amini Commission?

Options: (A) Lord Cornwallis (B) Lord Dalhousie (C) Warren Hastings (D) Lord Minto

Correct Answer: (C) Warren Hastings

Explanation: The Amini Commission of 1776 was associated with Warren Hastings and the collection of information concerning land and revenue administration in Bengal.

46. Q34. Who was associated with the 'Sunset Law'?

Options: (A) Lord Lytton (B) Lord Ripon (C) Lord William Bentinck (D) Lord Cornwallis

Correct Answer: (D) Lord Cornwallis

Explanation: The Sunset Law was associated with the Permanent Settlement. Zamindars could face auction of their estates if revenue was not paid by the prescribed deadline.

47. Q93. Who was the first Indian ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance?

Options: (A) Nawab of Bengal (B) Nizam of Hyderabad (C) Nawab of Awadh (D) Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao

Correct Answer: (B) Nizam of Hyderabad

Explanation: The Nizam of Hyderabad is generally regarded as the first Indian ruler to accept the Subsidiary Alliance system developed by Lord Wellesley.

48. Q72. Fort William College was founded in—

Options: (A) 1800 (B) 1820 (C) 1850 (D) 1900

Correct Answer: (A) 1800

Explanation: Lord Wellesley founded Fort William College in Calcutta in 1800 to train Company officials in Indian languages and administration.

49. Q100. The signatories to the Treaty of Bassein (1802) were the English East India Company and—

Options: (A) the Sikhs (B) the Marathas (C) the Nizam of Hyderabad (D) Tipu Sultan

Correct Answer: (B) the Marathas

Explanation: The Treaty of Bassein was concluded in 1802 between the East India Company and Peshwa Baji Rao II. It contributed to the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Maratha War.

VIII. Social Reform, Education and Rise of Nationalism

50. Q39. Hindu College was established in—

Options: (A) 1817 (B) 1812 (C) 1858 (D) 1885

Correct Answer: (A) 1817

Explanation: Hindu College was established in Calcutta in 1817 and became an important institution of the Bengal Renaissance.

51. Q77. Who started the Brahmo Samaj movement?

Options: (A) Dayananda Saraswati (B) Raja Rammohan Roy (C) Swami Vivekananda (D) Mahadev Govinda Ranade

Correct Answer: (B) Raja Rammohan Roy

Explanation: Raja Rammohan Roy established the Brahmo Sabha in 1828, which later became known as the Brahmo Samaj.

52. Q64. The Sati Abolition Regulation was passed in—

Options: (A) 1856 (B) 1829 (C) 1729 (D) 1929

Correct Answer: (B) 1829

Explanation: Lord William Bentinck prohibited the practice of Sati through the Bengal Sati Regulation of 1829, following a major reform campaign led by Raja Rammohan Roy.

53. Q31. Who is commonly regarded as the founder of the Indian National Congress?

Options: (A) Dadabhai Naoroji (B) Mahatma Gandhi (C) Lord Hardinge (D) A.O. Hume

Correct Answer: (D) A.O. Hume

Explanation: A.O. Hume played the principal organisational role in the formation of the Indian National Congress, whose first session was held in 1885.

54. Q92. Who was the first President of the Indian National Congress?

Options: (A) W.C. Bonnerjee (B) B.R. Ambedkar (C) Firoz Shah Mehta (D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Correct Answer: (A) W.C. Bonnerjee

Explanation: Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress held at Bombay in 1885.

55. Q23. The third annual session of the Indian National Congress was held in—

Options: (A) Bombay (B) Lucknow (C) Calcutta (D) Madras

Correct Answer: (D) Madras

Explanation: The first three sessions were held at Bombay in 1885, Calcutta in 1886 and Madras in 1887. Badruddin Tyabji presided over the Madras session.

56. Q83. Who was the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress?

Options: (A) Badruddin Tyabji (B) M.A. Jinnah (C) Ajmal Khan (D) Abul Kalam Azad

Correct Answer: (A) Badruddin Tyabji

Explanation: Badruddin Tyabji became the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress at the Madras Session of 1887.

57. Q65. Who founded the Indian Association?

Options: (A) Aurobindo Ghosh (B) Surendranath Banerjee (C) Bipin Chandra Pal (D) Surya Sen

Correct Answer: (B) Surendranath Banerjee

Explanation: Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose founded the Indian Association in 1876. Among the given options, Surendranath Banerjee is correct.

58. Q96. The newspaper The Bengalee was founded or prominently associated with—

Options: (A) W.C. Bonnerjee (B) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (C) Surendranath Banerjee (D) Nabagopal Mitra

Correct Answer: (C) Surendranath Banerjee

Explanation: The Bengalee became an important nationalist newspaper and was closely associated with Surendranath Banerjee.

IX. Revolt of 1857 and Crown Rule

59. Q62. Who was the Governor-General of India during the Revolt of 1857?

Options: (A) Lord Canning (B) Lord Curzon (C) Lord Cornwallis (D) Lord Minto

Correct Answer: (A) Lord Canning

Explanation: Lord Canning was Governor-General during the Revolt of 1857. After the transfer of power to the Crown in 1858, he became the first Viceroy.

60. Q7. Who was the first Viceroy of India?

Options: (A) Lord Canning (B) Lord Mountbatten (C) Lord Clive (D) Lord Auckland

Correct Answer: (A) Lord Canning

Explanation: Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India after the Government of India Act of 1858 transferred authority from the East India Company to the British Crown.

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