Ancient History - MOST IMPORTANT IB ACIO Previous Year Questions
Practice real questions from previous year exams of IB ACIO.
📘 Western & Central India Dynasties📚 Maitraka Dynasty
Q1
Which of the following rulers was associated with the Maitraka dynasty?
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 The Gupta Empire (c. 319 - 550 CE)📚 Gupta Administration
Q2
What is ‘Udranga’ under the Gupta administration?
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 The Hunas in India📚 Hunas
Q3
Which of the above statements is/are correct regarding the post-Gupta period? 1. The Huna invasions significantly weakened the Gupta Empire and accelerated its decline. 2. Harshavardhana established his capital at Kannauj and patronised Buddhism. 3. The Pallavas emerged as a dominant power in eastern India during the post-Gupta period.
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 The Pushyabhuti Dynasty of Thanesar📚 Harshavardhana's Military Conquests and Reign
Q4
Which of the following was the capital of the Pushyabhuti dynasty?
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 The Mauryan Empire (c. 322-185 BCE)📚 Chandragupta Maurya and Bindusara
Q5
Who was the first Mauryan king to maintain a standing army?
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) / Harappan Culture📚 Town Planning & Architecture
Q6
The larger Harappan cities were built according to precise plans and were separated in how many distinct parts?
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 Eastern India Dynasties📚 Pala Dynasty
Q7
Who founded the Pala dynasty in the Bengal region of India?
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 The Gupta Empire (c. 319 - 550 CE)📚 First Rulers of Gupta Empire
Q8
Arrange the following Gupta kings in chronological sequence? 1. Kumaragupta 2. Skandagupta 3. Sri Gupta 4. Chandragupta II
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) / Harappan Culture📚 Town Planning & Architecture
Q9
Which material was predominantly used for constructing Harappan houses?
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 The Mauryan Empire (c. 322-185 BCE)📚 Ashoka’s Policy of Dhamma
Q10
Which Mauryan ruler is most closely associated with the policy of Dhamma after the war of Kalinga?
🎯 IB ACIO Grade-II 2025
📘 The Mauryan Empire (c. 322-185 BCE)📚 Literary Sources (Kautilya's Arthashastra, Megasthenes' Indica)
Q11
The Arthashastra includes ______.
🎯 IB ACIO–II/Exe Examination–17-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-IV
📘 Buddhism📚 Literature, Spread, and Royal Patronage
Q12
Consider the following statements:
1. Tripitaka is a traditional term for Buddhist monasteries.
2. Jatakas are a vast collection of stories of the previous births of Gautama Buddha.
3. The Second Buddhist Council was convened at Kundalvana in Kashmir and the first division in the Sangha took place as a result of it.
4. Mauryan Emperor Ashoka adopted Buddhism after the Battle of Kalinga and helped in its propagation.
Which of the above statements are correct?
🎯 IB ACIO–II/Exe Examination–17-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-IV
📘 Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) / Harappan Culture📚 Harappan Sites
Q13
Harappa of the Harappan civilization was situated on the banks of the ______ river.
🎯 IB ACIO–II/Exe Examination–17-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-IV
📘 Buddhism📚 Sects of Buddhism
Q14
Hinayana and Mahayana are sects of which of the following religions?
🎯 IB ACIO–II/Exe Examination–17-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-IV
📘 Western & Central India Dynasties📚 Misc
Q15
Under whose reign did Delhi first become the capital of a kingdom?
🎯 IB ACIO–II/Exe Examination–17-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-IV
📘 The Gupta Empire (c. 319 - 550 CE)📚 Literature, Science & Technology during Guptas
Q16
Which statement is correct regarding 'Malavikagnimitram'?
I. It was compiled by Kalidasa.
II. In this, Agnimitra, son of Pushyamitra, is described as belonging to Baimbika family (Kula) and Baudhayan Shrautasutra shows Baimbika as Kashyapa.
🎯 IB ACIO–II/Exe Examination–18-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-I
📘 The Vedic Period📚 Religion & Philosophy
Q17
Religious rituals related to stages of life are called Samskaras. Match List I with List II.
**List I (Samskara)**
1. Nishkramana
2. Chudakarman
3. Vidyarambha
4. Upanayana
**List II (Meaning)**
A. This is done at the beginning of the sacred thread ceremony
B. Religious ritual of tonsure (shaving head)
C. To start the study period
D. Taking the child out of the house so he can see the sun
🎯 IB ACIO–II/Exe Examination–18-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-I
📘 Buddhism📚 Birth and Life of Gautama Buddha
Q18
Under which of the following trees did Buddha attain knowledge?
🎯 IB ACIO–II/Exe Examination–18-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-I
📘 Schools of Art and Architecture📚 Caves
Q19
Which of the following statement is correct regarding Ellora caves?
I. Ellora caves have only 24 monasteries and temples, which are spread over an area of more than 2km.
II. It shows the spirit of tolerance which was a characteristic of ancient India.
🎯 IB ACIO–II/Exe Examination–18-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-III
📘 The Mauryan Empire (c. 322-185 BCE)📚 Sources for Mauryan History
Q20
Which source/s have historians used for the reconstruction of the history of the Mauryan Empire?
I. Accounts of Megasthenes (a Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya), which exist in fragments.
II. Arthashastra, parts of which were probably composed by Kautilya or Chanakya.
🎯 IB ACIO-II/Exe Examination–18-01 2024 (Tier–I) Shift-III