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
- Who was the first Indian emperor to conquer Kalinga?
A) Mahapadma Nanda
B) Ashoka
C) Kharavela
D) Anantavarman Chodagangadeva
Answer: A) Mahapadma Nanda - Which Mauryan emperor invaded Kalinga in 260 BCE?
A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Bindusara
C) Ashoka
D) Chandragupta II
Answer: C) Ashoka - Who renounced war and embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War?
A) Mahapadma Nanda
B) Kharavela
C) Ashoka
D) Anantavarman Chodagangadeva
Answer: C) Ashoka - Which dynasty ruled Kalinga during the 8th to 11th centuries?
A) Nanda dynasty
B) Maurya dynasty
C) Bhauma-Kara dynasty
D) Ganga dynasty
Answer: C) Bhauma-Kara dynasty - Who was the ruler of the Ganga dynasty known for building the temple of Jagannatha at Puri?
A) Ashoka
B) Kharavela
C) Anantavarman Chodagangadeva
D) Narasimha I
Answer: C) Anantavarman Chodagangadeva - Which king built the Sun Temple (Surya Deula) of Konark?
A) Ashoka
B) Kharavela
C) Anantavarman Chodagangadeva
D) Narasimha I
Answer: D) Narasimha I - During which century did Kalinga emerge as a maritime power?
A) 6th century BCE
B) 1st century BCE
C) 1st century CE
D) 8th century CE
Answer: C) 1st century CE - Which Southeast Asian island possibly saw the establishment of the Shailendra empire by Kalinga?
A) Sumatra
B) Borneo
C) Java
D) Sulawesi
Answer: C) Java - Who initiated the construction of the temple of Lingaraja at Bhubaneshwar in the 11th century?
A) Ashoka
B) Kharavela
C) Anantavarman Chodagangadeva
D) Narasimha I
Answer: D) Narasimha I - In which century did independent Kalinga remain a citadel of Hindu religion, philosophy, art, and architecture despite Muslim rule in much of India?
A) 13th century
B) 14th century
C) 15th century
D) 16th century
Answer: B) 14th century - Who was the first king of the Surya dynasty in Odisha?
A) Purushottama
B) Kapilendra
C) Prataparudra
D) Mukunda
Answer: B) Kapilendra - Which Surya king became a disciple of Chaitanya and adopted a pacifist approach?
A) Kapilendra
B) Purushottama
C) Prataparudra
D) Mukunda
Answer: C) Prataparudra - During which century did the kingdom of Odisha lose its independence to the Afghan rulers of Bengal?
A) 15th century
B) 16th century
C) 17th century
D) 18th century
Answer: B) 16th century - What was the original tribal name that gradually transformed into “Odisha”?
A) Kalinga
B) Uddisha
C) Odra Desha
D) Orissa
Answer: C) Odra Desha - Who wrested control of Odisha from the Afghans in the late 16th century?
A) Akbar
B) Aurangzeb
C) Shah Jahan
D) Jahangir
Answer: A) Akbar - Which battle resulted in British control over part of Odisha in 1757?
A) Battle of Plassey
B) Battle of Buxar
C) Battle of Panipat
D) Battle of Talikota
Answer: A) Battle of Plassey - Which two princely states were absorbed by Bihar instead of being included in Orissa after India’s independence?
A) Saraikela and Kharsawan
B) Sambalpur and Kalahandi
C) Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar
D) Balangir and Baudh
Answer: A) Saraikela and Kharsawan - Who is believed to be the founder of the Mahameghavahana dynasty in Kalinga?
A) Kapilendra
B) Kharavela
C) Mahameghavana
D) Ashoka
Answer: C) Mahameghavana - Which king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty is well-known for his reign in the 1st century BCE and is mentioned in the Hathigumpha inscription?
A) Kapilendra
B) Kharavela
C) Mahameghavana
D) Ashoka
Answer: B) Kharavela - During which century did Kharavela reign in Kalinga?
A) 1st century BCE
B) 3rd century BCE
C) 5th century BCE
D) 1st century CE
Answer: A) 1st century BCE - What title does the Hathigumpha inscription give to Kharavela’s dynasty?
A) Gupta
B) Maurya
C) Chedi
D) Surya
Answer: C) Chedi - Which archaeological site in Odisha was explored by Valentine Bali in 1875, exposing prehistoric sites?
A) Udayagiri
B) Dhauli
C) Manikpatna
D) Angul
Answer: D) Angul - Which famous paleolithic site in Odisha was discovered by Paramanada Acharya of Mayurbhanj?
A) Kulina
B) Udayagiri
C) Lalitgiri
D) Ratnagiri
Answer: A) Kulina - What is the name given to the triangle of Buddhist archaeological sites in Odisha consisting of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, and Lalitgiri?
A) Diamond Triangle
B) Golden Triangle
C) Sacred Triangle
D) Buddhist Triangle
Answer: A) Diamond Triangle - Where were the pictographic projects, the earliest examples of inscriptions in Odisha, found?
A) Sundergarh
B) Bhubaneswar
C) Cuttack
D) Puri
Answer: A) Sundergarh - Which two sites yielded the earliest epigraphs of the pre-Christian era, known as the Asokan edicts in Odisha?
A) Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri
B) Dhauli and Jaugada
C) Udayagiri and Khandagiri
D) Angul and Talcher
Answer: B) Dhauli and Jaugada - Who explored prehistoric sites in Odisha in 1875, exposing areas such as Angul, Talcher, Dhenkanal, and Bursapalli?
A) Paramanada Acharya
B) Valentine Bali
C) Devala Mitra
D) Sri Madhavapura
Answer: B) Valentine Bali - What kind of inscriptions did Asoka leave behind in Dhauli and Jaugada, providing information about Kalingan history in the 3rd century BC?
A) Pictographic
B) Copperplates
C) Rock arts
D) Stone pieces
Answer: B) Copperplates - What are Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves near Bhubaneswar believed to have been used for during the 2nd century BCE?
A) Temples
B) Residential blocks for Jain monks
C) Buddhist monasteries
D) Administrative centers
Answer: B) Residential blocks for Jain monks - Which excavation site in Odisha provided insights into the social, economic life, and maritime activities of the people?
A) Manikpatna
B) Ratnagiri
C) Udayagiri
D) Lalitgiri
Answer: A) Manikpatna - What is the collective name for the three Buddhist sites Ratnagiri, Udayagiri, and Lalitgiri?
A) Sacred Triangle
B) Buddhist Trifecta
C) Diamond Triangle
D) Spiritual Triangle
Answer: C) Diamond Triangle - What do the copper plates found at Talcher, Hindol, and Dhenkanal provide information about?
A) Maritime activities
B) Religious practices
C) Early history
D) Trade routes
Answer: C) Early history
