Ancient Indian History
🔒 Log in to trackFrom the Harappan cities to the Cholas: sites and finds, Vedic texts, Buddhism & Jainism, Mauryas, Guptas, Harsha and the southern dynasties. SSC asks 1–2 direct fact questions per shift — mostly pairings (site–find, council–king, book–author, dynasty–capital), so tables and mnemonics give quick marks.
One page per subtopic: detailed notes, every question type, formulas, tricks and practice sets.
Every formula on one printable page, grouped by subtopic.
4 exam-level questions worked step by step.
116 questions — untimed practice or a timed test with analysis.
Track record in the exam
Questions per shift in recent SSC CGL papers.
Test difficulty mix (116 questions)
Question patterns exams keep repeating
Taken from previous-year papers. If a pattern is marked "very common", expect to see it in your exam.
Harappan site and its famous find
very commonA Harappan site or a find is named, and the matching one is asked.
Learn one find for each site.
Lothal = dockyard, Kalibangan = ploughed field, Chanhudaro = beads, Dholavira = water tanks.
At which Harappan site was a ploughed field found?
Criss-cross plough furrows were found in a field
The site is in Rajasthan, on the Ghaggar
Lothal is the dockyard site, so not that one
Kalibangan
Rigvedic rivers and their modern names
very commonAn old river name like Asikni or Vitasta is given, and the modern name is asked.
Learn the list in order.
Vitasta = Jhelum, Asikni = Chenab, Parushni = Ravi, Vipas = Beas, Sutudri = Sutlej.
The Rigvedic river Asikni is today's which river?
Old names in order: Vitasta, Asikni, Parushni, Vipas, Sutudri
Modern names in order: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej
Asikni is 2nd in the list, so it is the Chenab
Buddha's life places and symbols
very commonA life event (first sermon, death) or a symbol is given, and the place or symbol is asked.
Places in order: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar.
Symbols: birth = lotus, leaving home = horse, enlightenment = Bodhi tree, first sermon = wheel, death = stupa.
Which symbol stands for the Buddha's first sermon?
The first sermon was given at Sarnath
It is called Dharmachakra Pravartana (turning the wheel of law)
So the symbol is the wheel
Buddhist councils: place, king, head
very common"The Fourth Buddhist Council was held under..." or match the council with its place.
Places: 1st Rajagriha, 2nd Vaishali, 3rd Pataliputra, 4th Kashmir.
Kings: Ajatashatru, Kalashoka, Ashoka, Kanishka.
Who presided over the Fourth Buddhist Council?
It was held in Kashmir
The king at that time was Kanishka
The council's president was Vasumitra
Vasumitra
Ashoka's edicts: which edict says what
very commonAsks which edict tells about the Kalinga war, or asks about Ashoka's script or language.
Rock Edict XIII = Kalinga war and his regret. Rock Edict XII = tolerance.
Most edicts are in Prakrit, written in Brahmi script.
Which Major Rock Edict describes the Kalinga war and Ashoka's regret?
Ashoka felt deep regret after the Kalinga war
This is told in one Major Rock Edict
Rock Edict XII is about tolerance instead
Rock Edict XIII
Early Indian rulers in order
very commonAsks who founded Pataliputra, or the order of Magadha rulers.
Learn the chain: Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, Udayin, Shishunaga, Kalashoka, the Nandas, then Chandragupta Maurya.
Udayin built Pataliputra.
Who founded Pataliputra?
Ajatashatru's son Udayin moved the capital
He shifted it from Rajagriha to Pataliputra
Pataliputra stands where the Ganga and Son meet
Udayin
Ancient book and its author
very commonA Sanskrit, Pali or Tamil book is named, and its author is asked.
Learn the core pairs.
Arthashastra = Kautilya, Buddhacharita = Ashvaghosha, Harshacharita = Banabhatta, Rajatarangini = Kalhana, Silappadikaram = Ilango Adigal.
Who wrote the Sanskrit play Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart)?
It is a play about Charudatta and Vasantasena
Its English name is The Little Clay Cart
Its author is Shudraka
Shudraka
Gupta kings and Chinese travellers
very common"Napoleon of India", the writer of the Prayag Prashasti, or which traveller met which king.
Samudragupta = "Napoleon of India"; his Prashasti was written by Harishena.
Fa-Hien came in Chandragupta II's time; Hiuen Tsang in Harsha's time.
Who composed the Prayag Prashasti praising Samudragupta?
The Prashasti praises Samudragupta
It is carved on the Allahabad pillar
Its court poet was Harishena
Harishena
Temple and the dynasty that built it
commonA famous southern temple is named, and its dynasty is asked.
Pallavas = Mamallapuram and Shore Temple. Chalukyas = Aihole and Pattadakal.
Rashtrakutas = Kailasa temple at Ellora.
The Kailasa temple at Ellora was built under which dynasty?
It is cut out of a single rock at Ellora
It was begun under Krishna I
Krishna I was a Rashtrakuta king
Rashtrakutas