Odisha, nestled in the eastern coast of India, boasts a rich tapestry of ancient history, spanning millennia of civilization, culture, and heritage. Aspiring candidates preparing for the OSSSC (Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission) examinations for various roles such as RI (Revenue Inspector), ARI (Assistant Revenue Inspector), Amin, SFS (Statistical Field Surveyor), and ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) Supervisor must grasp the intricate details of Odisha’s past to excel in their endeavors. Here, we delve into 30 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) encapsulating the essence of Odisha’s ancient history, offering aspirants a glimpse into the captivating saga of this land.
Top 30 Ancient History of Odisha MCQs For OSSSC RI,ARI, Amin, SFS, ICDS Supervisor
- The history of Odisha begins in which era, based on the discovery of Acheulian tools?A. Bronze Age
B. Iron Age
C. Lower Paleolithic era
D. Upper Paleolithic era
Answer: C. Lower Paleolithic era - which ancient texts can the early history of Odisha be traced back to?A. Vedas and Upanishads
B. Mahabharata and some Puranas
C. Ramayana and Manusmriti
D. Arthashastra and Kalidasa’s works
Answer: B. Mahabharata and some Puranas - Which East Indian region was Odisha known to due to maritime trade relations?A. China
B. East Indies
C. Persia
D. Arabian Peninsula
Answer: B. East Indies - In which year did the armies of the Sultanate of Bengal conquer the region?A. 1450 CE
B. 1505 CE
C. 1568 CE
D. 1650 CE
Answer: C. 1568 CE - Who led the armies of the Sultanate of Bengal during the conquest of the region?A. Aurangzeb
B. Kalapahad
C. Sher Shah Suri
D. Shah Jahan
Answer: B. Kalapahad - By which year had Odisha completely passed to the Mughal Empire?A. 1593
B. 1650
C. 1700
D. 1751
Answer: A. 1593 - Which empire took control of Odisha after the Marathas?A. Mughal Empire
B. Maurya Empire
C. British Empire
D. Gupta Empire
Answer: C. British Empire - In which year was the province of Odisha formed on the basis of populations of Odia-speaking people?A. 1920
B. 1936
C. 1947
D. 1956
Answer: B. 1936 - Which famous general led the conquest of Odisha under the Sultanate of Bengal?A. Malik Kafur
B. Kalapahad
C. Babur
D. Tipu Sultan
Answer: B. Kalapahad - During which era did literature and poetry flourish in Odisha under the Marathas’ control?A. 15th century
B. 16th century
C. 17th century
D. 18th century
Answer: D. 18th century - Which ancient kingdom did prince Kalinga found, according to some scriptures?A. Utkala
B. Kalinga
C. Vanga
D. Pundra
Answer: B. Kalinga - What is the literal meaning of the name “Mahakantara” found in some Gupta-era inscriptions?A. Great River
B. Great Plain
C. Great Forest
D. Great Mountain
Answer: C. Great Forest - Which ancient region might be associated with the modern-day Kalahandi and Jeypore region?A. Tosali
B. Mahakantara
C. Utkala
D. Kongoda
Answer: B. Mahakantara - Which ethnic group might “Udra” (or Udra-desha) have originally referred to?A. Vaisya
B. Brahmin
C. Sudra
D. Udra
Answer: D. Udra - Which name was used in Buddhist texts and might have referred to Odisha?A. Mahakantara
B. Kongoda
C. Oddiyana
D. Kalinga
Answer: C. Oddiyana - Which ancient region is associated with the name “Kamala Mandala” in a 13th-century inscription?A. Ganjam
B. Jajpur
C. Kalahandi
D. Koraput
Answer: C. Kalahandi - Which region is also known as Dakshina Kosala and may include parts of modern-day Chhattisgarh and Western Odisha?A. Chedi
B. Utkala
C. Kongoda
D. South Kosala
Answer: D. South Kosala - What does “Trikalinga” refer to according to copper plate inscriptions found in Sonepur?A. A region in the northern part of Odisha
B. A subdivision of Kalinga
C. Three different Kalinga states (Kalinga, South Kosala, and Kangoda)
D. A region in the southern part of Odisha
Answer: C. Three different Kalinga states (Kalinga, South Kosala, and Kangoda) - Which name was used in the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri and Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi to refer to Odisha?A. Odivissa
B. Jajnagar
C. Tosali
D. Uranshin
Answer: B. Jajnagar - What was the capital of Tosala, possibly a subdivision of Kalinga in the Ashoka-era?A. Bhubaneswar
B. Puri
C. Cuttack
D. Dhauli
Answer: D. Dhauli - What geological supercontinent did peninsular India, including Odisha, belong to 140 million years ago?A. Laurasia
B. Pangaea
C. Gondwana
D. Rodinia
Answer: C. Gondwana - What type of rock from the Mayurbhanj granite pluton has been dated to 3.09 billion years ago (Ga)?A. Basalt
B. Marble
C. Granite
D. Limestone
Answer: C. Granite - Where were charophytes from the Permian Period discovered in Odisha?A. Ib river area
B. Mahanadi basin
C. Talcher region
D. Cuttack district
Answer: C. Talcher region - In which districts have Acheulian tools dating to Lower Paleolithic times been found in Odisha?A. Balasore and Bhadrak
B. Khordha and Puri
C. Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur
D. Ganjam and Rayagada
Answer: C. Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur - Where are rock carvings and paintings dating to the Upper Paleolithic found in Odisha?A. Garjan Dongar in Sundergarh district
B. Gudahandi hills in Kalahandi district
C. Ushakothi in Sambalpur district
D. Vimkramkhol in Jharsuguda district
Answer: B. Gudahandi hills in Kalahandi district - What kinds of Neolithic tools were found in Kuchai, near Baripada?A. Arrowheads and spear points
B. Hoes, chisels, pounders, and pottery
C. Flint hand axes and scrapers
D. Bone needles and awls
Answer: B. Hoes, chisels, pounders, and pottery - Where have prehistoric paintings and inscriptions been found in Odisha?A. Dhankanal and Nayagarh districts
B. Garjan Dongar in Sundergarh district
C. Rayagada and Koraput districts
D. Khordha and Nayagarh districts
Answer: B. Garjan Dongar in Sundergarh district - What script might the inscriptions at Ushakothi and Vimkramkhol possibly be?A. Sanskrit
B. Devanagari
C. Proto-Brahmi
D. Tamil-Brahmi
Answer: C. Proto-Brahmi - In which district can cave paintings from the Neolithic era be found in Odisha?A. Cuttack district
B. Khordha district
C. Koraput district
D. Nuapada district (Yogimath near Khariar)
Answer: D. Nuapada district (Yogimath near Khariar) - What kind of fossils are known to be found in the coal fields of Mahanadi and Ib river basins?A. Dinosaur bones
B. Megaspores from the Upper Permian
C. Trilobites from the Ordovician
D. Ammonites from the Jurassic
Answer: B. Megaspores from the Upper Permian
