Q50. Which of the following rulers issued the famous Junagadh inscription?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II – 10 July 2026, Shift 1]
A) Nahapana
B) Kanishka
C) Kadphises I
D) Rudradaman I
Answer: D) Rudradaman I
Explanation: Rudradaman I, a Western Kshatrapa ruler, issued the Junagadh inscription around 150 CE. Written in classical Sanskrit, it records the restoration of the historic Sudarshana Lake.
Q49. Who among the following was a ruler of the Chedi (Mahameghavahana) dynasty of Kalinga?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II – 10 July 2026, Shift 1]
A) Kanishka
B) Pushyamitra Shunga
C) Gautamiputra Satakarni
D) Kharavela
Answer: D) Kharavela
Explanation: Kharavela was the celebrated Mahameghavahana-Chedi ruler of Kalinga. His military campaigns, public works and patronage of Jainism are principally recorded in the Hathigumpha inscription.
Q48. Who among the following was the most celebrated Indo-Greek ruler in ancient India?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 19 June 2026]
A) Alexander
B) Pushyamitra
C) Rudradaman
D) Menander
Answer: D) Menander
Explanation: Menander I, known as Milinda in Buddhist tradition, became the best-known Indo-Greek king. The Milindapanho records his philosophical dialogue with the Buddhist monk Nagasena.
Q47. The Ikshvakus ruled the Krishna-Godavari region after the decline of which dynasty?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 17 June 2026, Shift 1]
A) Kadamba Dynasty
B) Gupta Dynasty
C) Maurya Dynasty
D) Satavahana Dynasty
Answer: D) Satavahana Dynasty
Explanation: The Andhra Ikshvakus emerged in the eastern Deccan after Satavahana authority weakened in the third century CE. Their important centre was Vijayapuri in the Nagarjunakonda region.
Q46. The inscriptions of Ashoka and Kharavela were primarily written in which language?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 8 May 2026, Shift 3]
A) Sanskrit
B) Pali
C) Bengali
D) Prakrit
Answer: D) Prakrit
Explanation: Both Ashokan inscriptions and Kharavela’s Hathigumpha inscription predominantly used varieties of Prakrit. Prakrit was widely employed for royal communication because it was more accessible than classical Sanskrit.
Q45. Which Shaka ruler repaired the Sudarshana Lake without imposing any additional tax?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I – 27 March 2026, Shift 2]
A) Kanishka
B) Rudradaman
C) Harsha
D) Nahapana
Answer: B) Rudradaman
Explanation: Rudradaman I restored Sudarshana Lake after storm damage. His Junagadh inscription states that the work was financed without additional taxation, forced labour or extraordinary contributions from his subjects.
Q44. King Kharavela belonged to which of the following dynasties?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I – 19 March 2026, Shift 2]
A) Kanva Dynasty
B) Chedi Dynasty
C) Satavahana Dynasty
D) Shunga Dynasty
Answer: B) Chedi Dynasty
Explanation: Kharavela belonged to the Chedi or Mahameghavahana lineage of Kalinga. The Hathigumpha inscription near Bhubaneswar is the principal source for reconstructing his reign and achievements.
Q43. The famous ruler Kanishka belonged to which dynasty?
[SSC MTS 2025 Cycle – 17 February 2026, Shift 3]
A) Gupta Dynasty
B) Maurya Dynasty
C) Kushana Dynasty
D) Shunga Dynasty
Answer: C) Kushana Dynasty
Explanation: Kanishka was the most renowned Kushana ruler. His reign witnessed major expansion, flourishing Central Asian trade, patronage of Buddhism and significant growth of Gandhara and Mathura artistic traditions.
Q42. The blending of Greek and Indian artistic traditions led to the development of which school of art?
[SSC MTS 2025 Cycle – 13 February 2026, Shift 3]
A) Vaishali
B) Amaravati
C) Mathura
D) Gandhara
Answer: D) Gandhara
Explanation: Gandhara art combined Indian Buddhist themes with strong Hellenistic and Greco-Roman artistic elements. Its Buddha figures commonly display realistic anatomy, wavy hair and deeply folded garments.
Q41. Who killed the last Shunga ruler and founded the Kanva dynasty?
[SSC MTS 2025 Cycle – 10 February 2026, Shift 1]
A) Vasudeva
B) Agnimitra
C) Kalashoka
D) Pushyamitra
Answer: A) Vasudeva
Explanation: Vasudeva Kanva, traditionally described as minister of the last Shunga ruler Devabhuti, overthrew him and founded the Kanva dynasty around the first century BCE.