wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Ancient India

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 3hrs 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The earliest civilization in India developed along which river?

a)

Indus

b)

Ganges

c)

Brahmpautra

d)

Krishna

2.

In the summer, monsoon winds blow into India from where bringing heavy rains that can cause terrible floods?

a)

Mountains

b)

Mohenjo Daro

c)

Indian Ocean

d)

Harappa

3.

Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro?

a)

Each stood near a towering fortress.

b)

They are both located on the Indus River.

c)

Their streets were lined with storehouses, workshops, and market stalls.

d)

There was no source of water near them.

4.

Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the Aryans?

a)

Aryans lived in small communities, based on family ties.

b)

Aryan villages were governed by rajas.

c)

Aryans were not farmers.

d)

Each group had its own leader, often a skilled warrior.

5.

What is the name of the Aryan religion?

a)

Hinduism

b)

Brahmanism

c)

Jainism

d)

Sikhism

6.

Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Hinduism?

a)

It is a blend of many ideas from different sacred texts and cultures.

b)

They were monotheistic.

c)

Everyone has a soul, or atman, inside them.

d)

They believe in reincarnation.

7.

Which of the following religions is monotheistic?

a)

Buddhism

b)

Jainism

c)

Hinduism

d)

Sikhism

8.

Which of the following is not a basic principle of Jainsim?

a)

Injure no one unless it is for food.

b)

Tell the truth.

c)

Do not steal.

d)

Own no property.

9.

What are the two other names Siddhartha Gautama is also known as?

a)

Buddha

b)

Noble

c)

Raja

d)

"The Enlightened One"

10.

People can overcome ignorance and desire by following an eight-fold path that leads to:

a)

Wisdom, wealth, and power

b)

Wisdom, enlightenment, and salvation

c)

Salvation, power, and wealth

d)

Enlightenment, power, and salvation

11.

The Buddha’s opposition to what helped him win support from the masses?

a)

Caste System

b)

Enlightenment

c)

Wealth

d)

Reincarnation

12.

Two major branches of Buddhism were created over time. Which group tried to follow the Buddha’s teaching exactly as stated?

a)

Theravada

b)

Mahayana

13.

After converting to Buddhism, Asoka did not launch any more wars of conquest. Which of the following was a resource he DID NOT use to improve the lives of his people?

a)

Had wells dug

b)

Had roads and rest houses built

c)

Planted trees

d)

Promoted the arts

14.

Which of the following is NOT an advancement made by the Gupta and Indian scholars?

a)

They created the zero.

b)

They developed the Hindu-Arabic numerals.

c)

They could perform surgery.

d)

They thought the earth was flat.

15.

The process of rebirth

a)

Subcontinent

b)

Sanskrit

c)

Reincarnation

d)

Karma

e)

Nirvana

16.

The effect that good or bad actions have on a person’s soul

a)

Subcontinent

b)

Sanskrit

c)

Reincarnation

d)

Karma

e)

Nirvana

17.

A large landmass that is smaller than a continent

a)

Subcontinent

b)

Sanskrit

c)

Reincarnation

d)

Karma

e)

Nirvana

18.

The most important language of ancient India

a)

Subcontinent

b)

Sanskrit

c)

Reincarnation

d)

Karma

e)

Nirvana

19.

A state of perfect peace

a)

Subcontinent

b)

Sanskrit

c)

Reincarnation

d)

Karma

e)

Nirvana

20.

Seasonal wind patterns that cause wet and dry seasons

a)

Meditation

b)

Monsoons

c)

Caste System

d)

Metallurgy

e)

Inoculation

21.

Divided Indian society into groups based on a person’s birth, wealth, or occupation

a)

Meditation

b)

Monsoons

c)

Caste System

d)

Metallurgy

e)

Inoculation

22.

Injecting a person with a small dose of a virus to help him build up defenses

a)

Meditation

b)

Monsoons

c)

Caste System

d)

Metallurgy

e)

Inoculation

23.

The focusing of the mind on spiritual ideas

a)

Meditation

b)

Monsoons

c)

Caste System

d)

Metallurgy

e)

Inoculation

24.

The science of working with metals

a)

Meditation

b)

Monsoons

c)

Caste System

d)

Metallurgy

e)

Inoculation

25.

The Indians knew how to create alloys, a mixture of two or more metals. Which of the following is a reason why they would want to create alloys?

a)

Alloys are shinier.

b)

Alloys are sometimes stronger and can be easier to work with.

c)

Alloys had a higher trade value.

d)

Alloys were considered a luxury.

26.

What mountains are located to the west of India?

a)

Himalayas

b)

Zagros

c)

Hindu Kush

d)

Kailash

27.

What present day country is the Indus River located in?

a)

India

b)

China

c)

Turkey

d)

Pakistan

28.

What mountains are located in northern India and are the highest in the world?

a)

Himalayas

b)

Zagros

c)

Hindu Kush

d)

Kailash

29.

Where do the winds blow from in the winter in India creating warm, dry winters?

a)

Mountains

b)

Mohenjo Daro

c)

Indian Ocean

d)

Harappa

30.

What physical feature largely separates India from the rest of Asia?

a)

Mountains

b)

Monsoons

c)

Subcontinent

d)

Breezeways

31.

Which of the following are the Harappans not known for?

a)

They used outhouses.

b)

They developed a system of weights and measures.

c)

They developed India’s first writing system.

d)

They made pottery, jewelry, ivory objects and cotton clothing.

32.

Much of what we known about the Aryans come from what source?

a)

Rajas

b)

Upanishads

c)

The Vedas

d)

The Varnas

33.

Which of the following lists the correct order of the varnas, or social divisions, from highest to lowest?

a)

Sudra, Kshatriya, Brahmin, Vaishya

b)

Vaishya, Brahmin, Sudra, Kshatriya

c)

Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Sudra

d)

Kshatriya, Vaishya, Sudra, Brahmin

34.

Which of the following are writings that are reflections on the Vedas?

a)

Rigveda

b)

Upanishads

c)

The Vedas

d)

The Varnas

35.

Which of the following was the Indian caste system not based on?

a)

Birth

b)

Wealth

c)

Gender

d)

Occupation

36.

Which of the following is not true regarding Candragupta Maurya?

a)

He ruled with the help of a complex government.

b)

He had a network of spies and an army of 600,000 soldiers.

c)

He gave up his throne to become a Sikh.

d)

Farmers paid a heavy tax in return for the army’s protection.

37.

Which two leaders helped create a Hindu Empire in India?

a)

Candra Gupta I

b)

Samudra Gupta

c)

Candragupta Maurya

38.

Which one of the following is not a work of Sanskrit literature?

a)

Mahabharata

b)

Vishlatin

c)

Ramayana

39.

What is the name of the Buddhist temples that housed sacred items from the life of Buddha?

a)

Stupa

b)

Ziggurat

c)

Alloy

d)

Shrine

40.

What is the name of the collection of stories intended to teach lessons written by Indian writers?

a)

Noble Truths

b)

Panchatantra

c)

Kalidasa