Q40. Which Indo-Greek ruler’s envoy Heliodorus erected a pillar at Vidisha and became a devotee of Vasudeva-Krishna?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 29 August 2025, Shift 2]
A) Diodotus
B) Demetrius
C) Antialkidas
D) Menander
Answer: C) Antialkidas
Explanation: Heliodorus was an ambassador of Indo-Greek king Antialkidas to the Shunga ruler Bhagabhadra. His Besnagar pillar identifies him as a Bhagavata, a devotee of Vasudeva.
Q39. ‘Milind Panho’ records conversations between Indo-Greek king Menander and which Buddhist monk?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 21 August 2025, Shift 3]
A) Nagasena
B) Badarayana
C) Patanjali
D) Kapila
Answer: A) Nagasena
Explanation: Milindapanho, or “Questions of Milinda,” presents philosophical discussions between Menander, called Milinda, and Nagasena. Their dialogue deals with Buddhist concepts such as self, rebirth and nirvana.
Q38. After the fall of the Mauryas, which dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra, the general who killed the last Mauryan ruler?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 20 August 2025, Shift 3]
A) Kanva Dynasty
B) Satavahana Dynasty
C) Shunga Dynasty
D) Gupta Dynasty
Answer: C) Shunga Dynasty
Explanation: Pushyamitra Shunga assassinated Brihadratha, the last Mauryan emperor, around 185 BCE and established Shunga rule. The dynasty became an important power in northern and central India.
Q37. During Satavahana rule, the administrative terms ‘Ahara’ or ‘Rashtra’ referred to what?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 8 August 2025]
A) Temple land
B) Tax officer
C) Capital city
D) District
Answer: D) District
Explanation: Satavahana territory was divided into administrative units called Aharas or Rashtras, approximately equivalent to districts. Officials such as Amatyas played important roles in their administration.
Q36. Which ruler greatly supported the Gandhara school of art?
[SSC Selection Post – 29 July 2025, Shift 1]
A) Ashoka
B) Kanishka
C) Samudragupta
D) Harsha
Answer: B) Kanishka
Explanation: Gandhara art reached an important phase under Kushana patronage, particularly associated with Kanishka. Buddhist subjects were represented using artistic techniques strongly influenced by Greco-Roman traditions.
Q35. The Mathura School of Art flourished prominently during which period?
[SSC Selection Post – 29 July 2025, Shift 1]
A) Maurya
B) Gupta
C) Kushan
D) Chola
Answer: C) Kushan
Explanation: Mathura developed into a major artistic centre under the Kushanas. Sculptors characteristically used spotted red sandstone and produced images of the Buddha, Jain Tirthankaras and Brahmanical deities.
Q34. Who was the last ruler of the Shunga dynasty?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I – 23 June 2025, Shift 2]
A) Agnimitra
B) Devabhuti
C) Bhagabhadra
D) Vasumitra
Answer: B) Devabhuti
Explanation: Devabhuti was the final Shunga ruler. According to traditional accounts, his minister Vasudeva removed him from power and established the Kanva dynasty, ending Shunga rule.
Q33. Which dynasty replaced the Shungas in Magadha?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I – 23 June 2025, Shift 1]
A) Kushanas
B) Guptas
C) Kanvas
D) Satavahanas
Answer: C) Kanvas
Explanation: The Kanva dynasty succeeded the Shungas after Vasudeva overthrew Devabhuti. Kanva rule was relatively short and included rulers such as Vasudeva, Bhumimitra, Narayana and Susharman.
Q32. Which Indo-Greek ruler issued coins bearing bilingual inscriptions?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I – 19 June 2025, Shift 2]
A) Antialcidas
B) Demetrius
C) Apollodotus
D) Menander I
Answer: B) Demetrius
Explanation: Demetrius is associated in the examination question with bilingual Indo-Greek coinage. Such coins illustrate the interaction of Hellenistic and Indian traditions in the northwestern subcontinent.
Q31. The Amaravati Stupa was built and developed principally under which rulers?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I – 14 June 2025, Shift 2]
A) Shungas
B) Guptas
C) Satavahanas
D) Mauryas
Answer: C) Satavahanas
Explanation: Amaravati’s Mahachaitya became a major Buddhist centre under Satavahana patronage. Its sculptural tradition is famous for finely carved limestone panels depicting Buddhist narratives and Jataka stories.
