Introduction
History is one of the most important subjects in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Questions are regularly asked from Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, making it essential for aspirants to practice concept-based MCQs. This article provides 50 carefully selected History MCQs for UPSC 2026 with detailed answers and explanations to help improve accuracy, revision, and exam confidence.
Practice 50 UPSC History MCQs with answers and detailed explanations. Cover Ancient, Medieval and Modern Indian History for UPSC Prelims 2026 preparation.
These questions are designed in the UPSC Prelims pattern with conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization.
1. The earliest evidence of cotton cultivation in the Indian subcontinent has been found at:
A. Mohenjo-daro
B. Harappa
C. Mehrgarh
D. Lothal
Answer: C. Mehrgarh
Explanation: Mehrgarh (present-day Pakistan) provides some of the earliest archaeological evidence of cotton cultivation, dating back to around 6000 BCE.
2. Which Harappan city is famous for its dockyard?
A. Kalibangan
B. Dholavira
C. Lothal
D. Banawali
Answer: C. Lothal
Explanation: Lothal, located in Gujarat, is famous for its dockyard, indicating maritime trade with Mesopotamia.
3. Which Veda mainly contains hymns dedicated to various deities?
A. Yajurveda
B. Rigveda
C. Samaveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer: B. Rigveda
Explanation: Rigveda is the oldest Veda and consists mainly of hymns praising various gods.
4. The term "Gahapati" mentioned in Buddhist literature refers to:
A. Priest
B. Merchant
C. Wealthy landowner
D. Soldier
Answer: C. Wealthy landowner
Explanation: Gahapati referred to rich householders or landowners who played an important role in society.
5. The capital of Magadha during the reign of Bimbisara was:
A. Rajagriha
B. Vaishali
C. Pataliputra
D. Champa
Answer: A. Rajagriha
Explanation: Rajagriha (Rajgir) was the capital before Pataliputra became prominent.
6. Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts were mainly written in:
A. Sanskrit
B. Prakrit
C. Tamil
D. Persian
Answer: B. Prakrit
Explanation: Most of Ashoka's inscriptions were written in Prakrit using the Brahmi script.
7. Who wrote the book Indica?
A. Faxian
B. Xuanzang
C. Megasthenes
D. Al-Biruni
Answer: C. Megasthenes
Explanation: Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya.
8. The Arthashastra is traditionally attributed to:
A. Patanjali
B. Chanakya
C. Panini
D. Kalidasa
Answer: B. Chanakya
Explanation: Chanakya (Kautilya or Vishnugupta) authored the Arthashastra on statecraft and administration.
9. Which Gupta ruler is known as the "Napoleon of India"?
A. Chandragupta I
B. Samudragupta
C. Kumaragupta
D. Skandagupta
Answer: B. Samudragupta
Explanation: Historian Vincent Smith called Samudragupta the "Napoleon of India."
10. Nalanda University flourished during the rule of:
A. Mauryas
B. Guptas
C. Delhi Sultanate
D. Mughals
Answer: B. Guptas
Explanation: Nalanda developed significantly during the Gupta period.
11. The famous Iron Pillar is located at:
A. Agra
B. Delhi
C. Ujjain
D. Mathura
Answer: B. Delhi
Explanation: The Iron Pillar stands in the Qutub complex and is renowned for its rust-resistant composition.
12. Which dynasty built the Brihadeeswara Temple?
A. Pallavas
B. Cholas
C. Pandyas
D. Hoysalas
Answer: B. Cholas
Explanation: Raja Raja Chola I built the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur.
13. Who was the founder of the Chola Empire?
A. Vijayalaya
B. Rajaraja I
C. Rajendra I
D. Aditya I
Answer: A. Vijayalaya
Explanation: Vijayalaya established the Imperial Chola dynasty.
14. The Iqta system was introduced in India by:
A. Alauddin Khalji
B. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
C. Iltutmish
D. Balban
Answer: C. Iltutmish
Explanation: Iltutmish institutionalised the Iqta system in the Delhi Sultanate.
15. Which Sultan introduced Token Currency?
A. Alauddin Khalji
B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C. Balban
D. Firuz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation: His token currency experiment ultimately failed.
16. The Battle of Talikota (1565) led to the decline of:
A. Vijayanagara Empire
B. Bahmani Kingdom
C. Mughal Empire
D. Chola Empire
Answer: A. Vijayanagara Empire
Explanation: The combined Deccan Sultanates defeated Vijayanagara.
17. Akbar's revenue system was developed by:
A. Birbal
B. Raja Todar Mal
C. Tansen
D. Abul Fazl
Answer: B. Raja Todar Mal
Explanation: The Dahsala revenue system was introduced by Todar Mal.
18. The author of Akbarnama was:
A. Badauni
B. Abul Fazl
C. Faizi
D. Ibn Battuta
Answer: B. Abul Fazl
Explanation: Akbarnama records the history of Akbar's reign.
19. The Battle of Plassey took place in:
A. 1757
B. 1761
C. 1764
D. 1773
Answer: A. 1757
Explanation: It established British political dominance in Bengal.
20. The Regulating Act was passed in:
A. 1757
B. 1773
C. 1784
D. 1813
Answer: B. 1773
Explanation: It was the first parliamentary attempt to regulate the East India Company.
21. Who founded the Brahmo Samaj?
A. Swami Dayanand Saraswati
B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
D. Swami Vivekananda
Answer: B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Explanation: Brahmo Samaj was established in 1828 to promote religious and social reforms.
22. The Ilbert Bill controversy occurred during the tenure of:
A. Lord Ripon
B. Lord Curzon
C. Lord Lytton
D. Lord Dufferin
Answer: A. Lord Ripon
Explanation: The controversy centred on judicial equality between Indian and European judges.
23. The Home Rule Movement was launched by:
A. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant
C. Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Tilak
D. Subhas Chandra Bose and Tilak
Answer: B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant
Explanation: The movement began in 1916 demanding self-government.
24. The Dandi March started from:
A. Ahmedabad
B. Sabarmati Ashram
C. Wardha
D. Bombay
Answer: B. Sabarmati Ashram
Explanation: Gandhi started the Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram on 12 March 1930.
25. The Cabinet Mission came to India in:
A. 1942
B. 1945
C. 1946
D. 1947
Answer: C. 1946
Explanation: The Cabinet Mission proposed a constitutional framework to facilitate the transfer of power.
26. Which of the following inscriptions is known as the "Queen's Edict" of Ashoka?
A. Sarnath Pillar Edict
B. Allahabad Pillar Edict
C. Queen's Edict at Allahabad
D. Dhauli Edict
Answer: C. Queen's Edict at Allahabad
Explanation: It records donations made by Queen Karuvaki and is unique among Ashokan inscriptions.
27. Panini, the famous grammarian, wrote:
A. Mahabhashya
B. Ashtadhyayi
C. Natyashastra
D. Yogasutra
Answer: B. Ashtadhyayi
Explanation: The Ashtadhyayi is one of the world's earliest and most systematic works on grammar.
28. Which Sangam text deals mainly with ethics and moral values?
A. Silappadikaram
B. Tolkappiyam
C. Tirukkural
D. Manimekalai
Answer: C. Tirukkural
Explanation: Tirukkural by Tiruvalluvar is regarded as a masterpiece on ethics, virtue and good governance.
29. Which Chinese traveller visited India during Harsha's reign?
A. Faxian
B. Xuanzang
C. I-tsing
D. Marco Polo
Answer: B. Xuanzang
Explanation: Xuanzang visited India in the 7th century CE and described Harsha's empire.
30. The Kailasa Temple at Ellora was built by the:
A. Chalukyas
B. Rashtrakutas
C. Pallavas
D. Cholas
Answer: B. Rashtrakutas
Explanation: King Krishna I of the Rashtrakuta dynasty commissioned the magnificent rock-cut Kailasa Temple.
31. Who among the following founded the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty in India?
A. Iltutmish
B. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
C. Balban
D. Razia Sultan
Answer: B. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Explanation: He established the Delhi Sultanate in 1206 after Muhammad Ghori's death.
32. Which Mughal emperor banned the practice of Sati without the widow's consent?
A. Babur
B. Akbar
C. Jahangir
D. Aurangzeb
Answer: B. Akbar
Explanation: Akbar introduced several social reforms, including restrictions on forced Sati.
33. The famous Peacock Throne was built during the reign of:
A. Akbar
B. Shah Jahan
C. Jahangir
D. Aurangzeb
Answer: B. Shah Jahan
Explanation: The Peacock Throne symbolized Mughal imperial grandeur.
34. The Battle of Buxar was fought in:
A. 1757
B. 1761
C. 1764
D. 1772
Answer: C. 1764
Explanation: The East India Company defeated the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula and Shah Alam II.
35. The Treaty of Allahabad was signed in:
A. 1765
B. 1773
C. 1784
D. 1793
Answer: A. 1765
Explanation: It granted the East India Company the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
36. Who founded the Arya Samaj?
A. Swami Vivekananda
B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C. Swami Dayanand Saraswati
D. Ramakrishna Paramhansa
Answer: C. Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Explanation: Arya Samaj was established in 1875 to promote Vedic values and social reform.
37. The Vernacular Press Act was enacted in:
A. 1857
B. 1878
C. 1885
D. 1905
Answer: B. 1878
Explanation: Lord Lytton introduced it to curb criticism of British rule in Indian-language newspapers.
38. The Indian National Congress was founded in:
A. 1882
B. 1885
C. 1887
D. 1890
Answer: B. 1885
Explanation: The INC was founded by A.O. Hume in Bombay.
39. Who presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress?
A. Dadabhai Naoroji
B. W.C. Bonnerjee
C. Surendranath Banerjee
D. Badruddin Tyabji
Answer: B. W.C. Bonnerjee
Explanation: He became the first President of the Indian National Congress.
40. The Partition of Bengal took place in:
A. 1903
B. 1905
C. 1907
D. 1911
Answer: B. 1905
Explanation: Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal, leading to the Swadeshi Movement.
41. The Ghadar Party was founded in:
A. Delhi
B. Lahore
C. San Francisco
D. London
Answer: C. San Francisco
Explanation: It was established in 1913 by Indian revolutionaries abroad.
42. The Lucknow Pact was signed in:
A. 1909
B. 1911
C. 1916
D. 1920
Answer: C. 1916
Explanation: The Congress and the Muslim League reached an agreement on constitutional reforms.
43. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on:
A. 13 April 1919
B. 26 January 1920
C. 12 March 1930
D. 9 August 1942
Answer: A. 13 April 1919
Explanation: General Dyer ordered troops to fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar.
44. Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement because of:
A. Simon Commission
B. Chauri Chaura Incident
C. Poona Pact
D. Rowlatt Act
Answer: B. Chauri Chaura Incident
Explanation: The violent incident in 1922 led Gandhi to suspend the movement.
45. The Simon Commission reached India in:
A. 1927
B. 1928
C. 1929
D. 1930
Answer: B. 1928
Explanation: It was boycotted across India because it had no Indian members.
46. The slogan "Do or Die" was given during:
A. Civil Disobedience Movement
B. Quit India Movement
C. Swadeshi Movement
D. Non-Cooperation Movement
Answer: B. Quit India Movement
Explanation: Gandhi gave this call on 8 August 1942.
47. The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed:
A. Complete Independence immediately
B. Partition of India
C. A federal structure with provincial grouping
D. Dominion status only
Answer: C. A federal structure with provincial grouping
Explanation: The plan aimed to keep India united through a three-tier federal arrangement.
48. Which Act introduced Provincial Autonomy in India?
A. Government of India Act, 1909
B. Government of India Act, 1919
C. Government of India Act, 1935
D. Indian Councils Act, 1892
Answer: C. Government of India Act, 1935
Explanation: The Act granted provincial autonomy and became the basis for many constitutional provisions.
49. The Constitution of India came into force on:
A. 15 August 1947
B. 26 November 1949
C. 26 January 1950
D. 24 January 1950
Answer: C. 26 January 1950
Explanation: India became a Republic on 26 January 1950.
50. Which of the following UNESCO World Heritage Sites is associated with the Vijayanagara Empire?
A. Hampi
B. Mahabalipuram
C. Pattadakal
D. Ajanta
Answer: A. Hampi
Explanation: Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and is one of India's most significant archaeological sites.
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Conclusion
Success in the UPSC Prelims 2026 depends on regular revision and consistent MCQ practice. These 50 History MCQs with detailed answers and explanations will help you strengthen your concepts, identify weak areas, and improve exam accuracy. Combine this practice set with standard history books, previous year question papers, and regular revision to maximize your score. Stay connected with A to Z Facts for more UPSC practice questions, quizzes, and study resources.
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