Pragjyotisha Kingdom: Early Political History
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Explanations
Subject: Assam History
Section: Ancient Assam (Pragjyotisha–Kamarupa Period)
Topic: Pragjyotisha Kingdom – Early Political History
MCQ 1
Pragjyotisha is considered the earliest known kingdom of:
A. North India
B. Eastern India
C. Northeast India
D. Central India
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pragjyotisha is regarded as the earliest political entity of Northeast India, forming the foundation of ancient Assam.
MCQ 2
The kingdom of Pragjyotisha later came to be known as:
A. Kalinga
B. Magadha
C. Kamarupa
D. Anga
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pragjyotisha gradually evolved into the Kamarupa kingdom, which dominated ancient Assam.
MCQ 3
The capital of the Pragjyotisha kingdom is traditionally identified with:
A. Tezpur
B. Guwahati
C. Sivasagar
D. North Lakhimpur
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Ancient Pragjyotisha is associated with Guwahati, especially the Narakasura hill region.
MCQ 4
Which mythological figure is traditionally regarded as the founder of Pragjyotisha?
A. Bhagadatta
B. Narakasura
C. Banasura
D. Mahiranga Danava
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Narakasura is traditionally considered the founder of the Pragjyotisha kingdom.
MCQ 5
Bhagadatta, the famous ruler of Pragjyotisha, is mentioned in:
A. Arthashastra
B. Ramayana
C. Mahabharata
D. Puranas only
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Bhagadatta appears in the Mahabharata as an ally of the Kauravas.
MCQ 6
Bhagadatta participated in which major war?
A. Ramayana war
B. Mahabharata war
C. Kalinga war
D. Kurukshetra civil war
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Bhagadatta fought in the Mahabharata War on the side of the Kauravas.
MCQ 7
The early political history of Pragjyotisha is mainly reconstructed from:
A. Coins
B. Inscriptions
C. Literary sources
D. Foreign travel accounts
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Early Pragjyotisha history relies largely on epics and Puranic literature.
MCQ 8
Which dynasty is associated with the early rulers of Pragjyotisha?
A. Varman dynasty
B. Salastambha dynasty
C. Naraka dynasty
D. Pala dynasty
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Naraka dynasty is linked with the earliest rulers of Pragjyotisha.
MCQ 9
The Pragjyotisha kingdom was geographically located in:
A. Lower Gangetic plain
B. Brahmaputra valley
C. Deccan plateau
D. Indus valley
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The kingdom developed mainly in the Brahmaputra valley.
MCQ 10
Which feature best describes the political nature of early Pragjyotisha?
A. Tribal confederation
B. Republican system
C. Monarchical system
D. Democratic federation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pragjyotisha followed a hereditary monarchy.
MCQ 11
Which ancient text mentions Pragjyotisha as a powerful eastern kingdom?
A. Manusmriti
B. Vishnu Purana
C. Mahabharata
D. Arthashastra
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Mahabharata frequently refers to Pragjyotisha and its rulers.
MCQ 12
The political importance of Pragjyotisha is reflected by its:
A. Urban planning
B. Participation in pan-Indian events
C. Coin circulation
D. Trade guilds
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Participation in events like the Mahabharata war shows pan-Indian political significance.
MCQ 13
The Pragjyotisha rulers maintained political relations mainly with:
A. South Indian kingdoms
B. Himalayan tribes
C. North Indian kingdoms
D. Central Asian powers
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pragjyotisha maintained connections with north Indian political powers.
MCQ 14
Which factor helped Pragjyotisha emerge as a political power?
A. Coastal trade
B. Strategic riverine location
C. Desert economy
D. Maritime dominance
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Its strategic location along the Brahmaputra strengthened political control.
MCQ 15
The early rulers of Pragjyotisha claimed legitimacy through:
A. Elections
B. Tribal councils
C. Divine ancestry
D. Foreign support
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Legitimacy was derived from divine and mythological lineage.
MCQ 16
Which ancient region roughly corresponds to modern Assam?
A. Anga
B. Vanga
C. Pragjyotisha
D. Avanti
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pragjyotisha broadly corresponds to present-day Assam.
MCQ 17
The political system of Pragjyotisha laid the foundation for:
A. Mughal rule
B. Ahom administration
C. Kamarupa kingdom
D. British administration
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pragjyotisha directly evolved into the Kamarupa polity.
MCQ 18
Which ruler of Pragjyotisha was known for using war elephants?
A. Narakasura
B. Bhagadatta
C. Mahiranga
D. Ghatotkacha
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Bhagadatta was famous for commanding war elephants in battle.
MCQ 19
The absence of inscriptions in early Pragjyotisha indicates:
A. Illiteracy
B. Reliance on oral and literary traditions
C. Foreign domination
D. Complete isolation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
History was preserved through oral traditions and later literary records.
MCQ 20
Which concept is associated with Pragjyotisha’s political identity?
A. Republic of clans
B. Centralized monarchy
C. City-state system
D. Tribal democracy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The kingdom functioned as a centralized monarchy.
MCQ 21
Pragjyotisha was strategically important because it controlled:
A. Himalayan passes
B. Brahmaputra trade routes
C. Coastal ports
D. Desert routes
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Control over riverine routes enhanced political power.
MCQ 22
Which period does the Pragjyotisha kingdom belong to?
A. Medieval period
B. Proto-historic period
C. Ancient period
D. Modern period
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pragjyotisha belongs to Ancient Assam history.
MCQ 23
The political expansion of Pragjyotisha was mainly through:
A. Maritime conquest
B. River-based control
C. Desert warfare
D. Colonial alliances
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Expansion relied on river-based political control.
MCQ 24
Which successor state continued the legacy of Pragjyotisha?
A. Koch kingdom
B. Kamarupa kingdom
C. Ahom kingdom
D. Jaintia kingdom
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Kamarupa kingdom continued Pragjyotisha’s political tradition.
MCQ 25
Pragjyotisha’s political history shows interaction between:
A. Tribal and monarchical systems
B. Colonial and feudal systems
C. Republican and democratic systems
D. Urban and industrial systems
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Early governance blended tribal roots with monarchy.
MCQ 26
Which feature distinguishes Pragjyotisha from later medieval kingdoms?
A. Use of inscriptions
B. Mythological political origin
C. Coin-based economy
D. Fortified capitals
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Its origins are deeply mythological and legendary.
MCQ 27
The political authority of Pragjyotisha rulers was primarily:
A. Decentralized
B. Shared with councils
C. Hereditary
D. Elective
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Kingship was hereditary in nature.
MCQ 28
Which source gives genealogies of Pragjyotisha rulers?
A. Arthashastra
B. Puranas
C. Sangam literature
D. Buddhist chronicles
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Puranas provide genealogical details.
MCQ 29
Pragjyotisha’s political structure influenced later Assam by:
A. Establishing monarchy tradition
B. Introducing colonial laws
C. Creating democratic councils
D. Promoting urban capitalism
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
It established the monarchical tradition in Assam.
MCQ 30
The study of Pragjyotisha’s early political history is important because it:
A. Explains British policies
B. Reveals Assam’s earliest state formation
C. Focuses on modern governance
D. Describes medieval warfare
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
It helps understand the origins of political organization in Assam.
✅ Prepared strictly as per APSC CCE syllabus
✅ Relevant for all competitive examinations requiring Assam History
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