How Well You Know About Ancient India? Trivia Quiz

1. Who was the founder of Buddhism?

Siddhartha Gautama

Chandragupta

Brahman

Rama

Siddhartha Gautama is the founder of Buddhism. He was born in ancient India and later became known as Buddha, which means "the enlightened one." After experiencing the realities of suffering and death, Siddhartha renounced his luxurious lifestyle and embarked on a spiritual journey to seek enlightenment. Through meditation and self-reflection, he attained enlightenment and began teaching others about the path to liberation from suffering. His teachings, known as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, form the foundation of Buddhism.

Explanation

Siddhartha Gautama is the founder of Buddhism. He was born in ancient India and later became known as Buddha, which means "the enlightened one." After experiencing the realities of suffering and death, Siddhartha renounced his luxurious lifestyle and embarked on a spiritual journey to seek enlightenment. Through meditation and self-reflection, he attained enlightenment and began teaching others about the path to liberation from suffering. His teachings, known as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, form the foundation of Buddhism.

2. Which of the following is NOT a belief of Hinduism?

The caste system

Many gods that are all part of one major god

Karma

No gods

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that believes in many gods, with all of them being part of one major god. The caste system and karma are also integral beliefs in Hinduism. However, the statement "No gods" contradicts the fundamental belief of Hinduism, making it the correct answer.

Explanation

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that believes in many gods, with all of them being part of one major god. The caste system and karma are also integral beliefs in Hinduism. However, the statement "No gods" contradicts the fundamental belief of Hinduism, making it the correct answer.

3. Put these events in the correct order they happened from earliest to latest.
A) Aryans invade India; Hinduism develops B) First civilization in India at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa C) Gupta family rules India (Gupta Empire) D) Buddhism is developed

B,A,D,C

A,C,D,B

D,C,A,B

C,D,B,A

The first civilization in India at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa is believed to have occurred before the development of Hinduism by the Aryans who invaded India. After that, Buddhism was developed. Finally, the Gupta family ruled India during the Gupta Empire. Therefore, the correct order of events is B, A, D, C.

Explanation

The first civilization in India at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa is believed to have occurred before the development of Hinduism by the Aryans who invaded India. After that, Buddhism was developed. Finally, the Gupta family ruled India during the Gupta Empire. Therefore, the correct order of events is B, A, D, C.

4. Which of the following statements describes the Aryans?

They made the Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro.

They had an empire during India's Classical Age.

They invented Buddhism.

They were nomads who invaded India and spoke Sanskrit.

The correct answer is "They were nomads who invaded India and spoke Sanskrit." This statement accurately describes the Aryans as a group of nomadic people who migrated into the Indian subcontinent and spoke Sanskrit. They are believed to have invaded the Indus Valley Civilization and established their own settlements and kingdoms in the region. Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-European language, was the language spoken by the Aryans and it played a significant role in shaping the culture and religious practices of the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation

The correct answer is "They were nomads who invaded India and spoke Sanskrit." This statement accurately describes the Aryans as a group of nomadic people who migrated into the Indian subcontinent and spoke Sanskrit. They are believed to have invaded the Indus Valley Civilization and established their own settlements and kingdoms in the region. Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-European language, was the language spoken by the Aryans and it played a significant role in shaping the culture and religious practices of the Indian subcontinent.

5. On the map, number 4 and number 5 are (in that order)

4. Ganges River and 5. Indus River

4. Indus River and 5. Ganges River

4. Brahmaputra River and 5. Ganges River

4. Brahmaputra River and 5. Indus River

The correct answer is 4. Ganges River and 5. Indus River. This is because the order of the numbers on the map corresponds to the order of the rivers listed in the answer choice. Number 4 represents the Ganges River, and number 5 represents the Indus River.

Explanation

The correct answer is 4. Ganges River and 5. Indus River. This is because the order of the numbers on the map corresponds to the order of the rivers listed in the answer choice. Number 4 represents the Ganges River, and number 5 represents the Indus River.

6. Use the map below to help you .

Where are the Hindu Kush Mountains?

In between the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers.

In the South of India.

Northwest of the Indus River

In the Deccan Plateau

The Hindu Kush Mountains are located northwest of the Indus River.

Explanation

The Hindu Kush Mountains are located northwest of the Indus River.

7. Which are important texts (writings) in Buddhism?

The Four Noble Truths

The Ramayana

The Eightfold Path

Both A and C

The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are important texts in Buddhism. The Four Noble Truths are fundamental teachings that explain the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from it. The Eightfold Path is a set of guidelines for ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom that practitioners follow to achieve enlightenment. Both texts are considered essential in understanding and practicing Buddhism.

Explanation

The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are important texts in Buddhism. The Four Noble Truths are fundamental teachings that explain the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from it. The Eightfold Path is a set of guidelines for ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom that practitioners follow to achieve enlightenment. Both texts are considered essential in understanding and practicing Buddhism.

8. Hinduism and Buddhism are very similar. How are they different?

Hinduism had no single founder, but Buddhism was founded by Brahman.

Hinduism believes in the caste system, but Buddhism doesn't.

Hinduism believes in meditation, but Buddhism doesn't.

Hinduism believes in one god, but Buddhism believes in many gods.

A is wrong because Buddhism was founded by Buddha. C is wrong because they BOTH believe in meditation. D is wrong because Hinduism has many gods and Buddhism has NO gods.

Explanation

A is wrong because Buddhism was founded by Buddha. C is wrong because they BOTH believe in meditation. D is wrong because Hinduism has many gods and Buddhism has NO gods.

9. Fill in the blanks correctly. This picture shows the _______ from the ______ civilization. It tells us they __________.

Great Bath....Gupta....liked to be clean.

Great Bath....Indus River Valley...liked to be clean.

Priest-king...Indus River Valley...liked to be clean.

Great Bath...Gupta...had leaders.

It is the great bath. It is from the Indus River Valley Civilization. It tells us they liked to be clean. Sanitation was important to them.

Explanation

It is the great bath. It is from the Indus River Valley Civilization. It tells us they liked to be clean. Sanitation was important to them.

10. Which caste were the warriors and aristocrats?

Brahmins

Shudras

Vaishyas

Kshatriyas

Brahmins=priests. Highest caste. Kshatriyas = warriors, aristocrats, rulers. 2nd highest. Vaishyas=merchants. 3rd caste. Shudras=workers and laborers. 4th and lowest caste. Untouchables= Did dirty jobs. outside the caste system.

Explanation

Brahmins=priests. Highest caste. Kshatriyas = warriors, aristocrats, rulers. 2nd highest. Vaishyas=merchants. 3rd caste. Shudras=workers and laborers. 4th and lowest caste. Untouchables= Did dirty jobs. outside the caste system.

11. Which beliefs and practices do Hinduism and Buddhism BOTH share?

Meditation

Karma & Reincarnation

Nonviolence

All of the above

Hinduism and Buddhism both share the beliefs and practices of meditation, karma, reincarnation, and nonviolence. Meditation is a common practice in both religions, used to achieve spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. Karma and reincarnation are fundamental concepts in both Hinduism and Buddhism, where actions in this life determine future consequences and the cycle of birth and rebirth continues until liberation is achieved. Nonviolence is also emphasized in both religions, promoting compassion and harmlessness towards all living beings. Therefore, all of the above options are beliefs and practices shared by Hinduism and Buddhism.

Explanation

Hinduism and Buddhism both share the beliefs and practices of meditation, karma, reincarnation, and nonviolence. Meditation is a common practice in both religions, used to achieve spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. Karma and reincarnation are fundamental concepts in both Hinduism and Buddhism, where actions in this life determine future consequences and the cycle of birth and rebirth continues until liberation is achieved. Nonviolence is also emphasized in both religions, promoting compassion and harmlessness towards all living beings. Therefore, all of the above options are beliefs and practices shared by Hinduism and Buddhism.

12. Which of the following is NOT an achievement that happened during the Gupta Empire?

The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro.

Buddhist cave paintings at Ajanta.

Development of the zero and decimal system.

Sanskrit poems like the Ramayana and Mahabarata.

The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is not an achievement that happened during the Gupta Empire. The Gupta Empire existed from around 320 to 550 CE in ancient India, while the Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is associated with the Indus Valley Civilization, which predates the Gupta Empire by several centuries. The Great Bath is a well-known archaeological site located in present-day Pakistan and is believed to have been used for ritualistic bathing purposes.

Explanation

The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is not an achievement that happened during the Gupta Empire. The Gupta Empire existed from around 320 to 550 CE in ancient India, while the Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is associated with the Indus Valley Civilization, which predates the Gupta Empire by several centuries. The Great Bath is a well-known archaeological site located in present-day Pakistan and is believed to have been used for ritualistic bathing purposes.