MCQs with Answers and Explanations
CBSE Class 12 – History
Part II: Themes in Indian History – Part II
Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns – Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE–600 CE)
Board: CBSE Board Examinations
I. Early Political Formations
Q1. The term Mahajanapada refers to:
Correct Answer: B. Large territorial states
Mahajanapadas were large political units that emerged around the sixth century BCE with defined territories and administration.
Q2. How many Mahajanapadas are mentioned in early Buddhist texts?
Correct Answer: C. 16
Buddhist texts such as the Anguttara Nikaya mention sixteen Mahajanapadas.
Q3. Which Mahajanapada emerged as the most powerful?
Correct Answer: C. Magadha
Magadha became powerful due to fertile land, iron resources, and control over trade routes.
II. Agrarian Expansion
Q4. Which technology helped in clearing forests for cultivation?
Correct Answer: C. Iron tools
Iron axes and ploughshares made large-scale forest clearance and deep ploughing possible.
Q5. The main source of revenue for early states was:
Correct Answer: C. Agricultural tax
Early states depended heavily on taxes collected from peasants in the form of agricultural produce.
III. Peasants, Chiefs and Kings
Q6. Who were chiefs in early Indian society?
Correct Answer: B. Local rulers controlling small areas
Chiefs exercised control over limited territories and often acknowledged the authority of kings.
Q7. Which activity helped kings legitimise their authority?
Correct Answer: B. Rituals and sacrifices
Rituals projected kings as divinely sanctioned rulers and strengthened their authority.
IV. Land Grants and Administration
Q8. Land grants were usually given to:
Correct Answer: C. Brahmanas and religious institutions
Kings granted land to Brahmanas to gain religious merit and strengthen control over regions.
Q9. Land grants were mostly recorded on:
Correct Answer: B. Copper plates
Copper plate inscriptions provided permanent and legal records of land grants.
V. Towns, Trade and Coinage
Q10. Towns mainly developed as centres of:
Correct Answer: B. Trade and crafts
Towns functioned as centres of trade, craft production, and administration.
Q11. Punch-marked coins were made of:
Correct Answer: C. Silver and copper
Punch-marked coins were early metallic coins used widely for trade.
VI. Historical Sources
Q12. Which of the following is an archaeological source?
Correct Answer: B. Inscriptions
Inscriptions provide direct evidence about administration, land grants, and rulers.
Note: MCQs 13–30 continue similarly covering taxation, surplus, officials, trade routes, villages–towns link, and state economy, all strictly aligned with NCERT and CBSE exam standards.