Class 12 History Chapter 4 MCQ | Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings most Important MCQ
This article of THE SOCIAL CLASS will provide you with the Class 12 history Chapter 4 MCQ test. It is very helpful for Class 12 board students who are preparing for their 2026 board exams and wish to grab good grades in their exams. You can use this MCQ of Class 12 History Ch 4 Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings for your study purposes. This article contains a total of 30 questions, with answers provided below. You can check out our YouTube channel, too. I have provided the MCQ based on my class 12 boards experience, where I scored good marks in the history subject.
Class 12 History, Themes in Indian History Part I – Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (Cultural Developments).
📖 Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings
Class 12 History Chapter 4 MCQ
- Who is regarded as the founder of Buddhism?
a) Mahavira
b) Gautama Buddha
c) Ashoka
d) Kapila
Answer: b) Gautama Buddha - Where was Buddha born?
a) Lumbini
b) Sarnath
c) Bodh Gaya
d) Kushinagar
Answer: a) Lumbini - Where did Buddha attain enlightenment?
a) Sarnath
b) Kushinagar
c) Bodh Gaya
d) Rajgir
Answer: c) Bodh Gaya - Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?
a) Rajgir
b) Sarnath
c) Bodh Gaya
d) Vaishali
Answer: b) Sarnath - The concept of ahimsa was strongly emphasised by:
a) Buddhism
b) Jainism
c) Vedic religion
d) Charvaka philosophy
Answer: b) Jainism - Who was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism?
a) Rishabhanatha
b) Neminatha
c) Parshvanatha
d) Mahavira
Answer: d) Mahavira - The Buddhist Sangha was open to:
a) Only Brahmanas
b) Men and women (except children, slaves, debtors)
c) Kshatriyas only
d) Vaishyas only
Answer: b) Men and women (except children, slaves, debtors) - Which text contains the teachings of Buddha?
a) Rigveda
b) Vinaya Pitaka
c) Arthashastra
d) Manusmriti
Answer: b) Vinaya Pitaka - “Tripitaka” of Buddhism does not include:
a) Vinaya Pitaka
b) Sutta Pitaka
c) Abhidhamma Pitaka
d) Brahmana Pitaka
Answer: d) Brahmana Pitaka - What is the meaning of ‘Nirvana’ in Buddhism?
a) Complete knowledge
b) End of rebirth cycle
c) Beginning of meditation
d) Path of karma
Answer: b) End of rebirth cycle - Which of the following is associated with Mahavira?
a) Eight-fold path
b) Triratnas
c) Vedas
d) Bhagavad Gita
Answer: b) Triratnas - Which ruler built the Sanchi stupa?
a) Ashoka
b) Harshavardhana
c) Chandragupta
d) Kanishka
Answer: a) Ashoka - Stupa literally means:
a) A temple
b) A mound
c) A palace
d) A monastery
Answer: b) A mound - Which school of art developed during Kushana period?
a) Gandhara and Mathura schools
b) Pahari school
c) Mughal school
d) Bengal school
Answer: a) Gandhara and Mathura schools - Who propounded the doctrine of “syadavada” (may be)?
a) Buddha
b) Mahavira
c) Kapila
d) Shankaracharya
Answer: b) Mahavira - The earliest stupas contained:
a) Images of deities
b) Relics of Buddha or monks
c) Copper plates
d) Royal seals
Answer: b) Relics of Buddha or monks - Which of these is NOT a part of stupa architecture?
a) Harmika
b) Torana
c) Mandapa
d) Chatra
Answer: c) Mandapa - Which philosophy denied the authority of Vedas completely?
a) Mimamsa
b) Buddhism
c) Jainism
d) Charvaka
Answer: d) Charvaka - Who is considered the compiler of Yoga Sutras?
a) Panini
b) Patanjali
c) Kapila
d) Kanada
Answer: b) Patanjali - The earliest Buddhist texts were written in:
a) Sanskrit
b) Pali
c) Prakrit
d) Tamil
Answer: b) Pali - The “Upanishads” deal mainly with:
a) Rituals and sacrifices
b) Philosophy and knowledge
c) Laws of state
d) Agricultural practices
Answer: b) Philosophy and knowledge - Which of the following dynasties patronised Buddhism?
a) Mauryas
b) Kushanas
c) Guptas
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above - Which Buddhist king convened the 3rd Buddhist Council?
a) Ashoka
b) Ajatashatru
c) Harshavardhana
d) Kanishka
Answer: a) Ashoka - Ajanta caves are famous for:
a) Jain architecture
b) Buddhist paintings
c) Hindu sculptures
d) Harappan seals
Answer: b) Buddhist paintings - Which philosophy is associated with Kanada?
a) Nyaya
b) Vaisheshika
c) Sankhya
d) Mimamsa
Answer: b) Vaisheshika - Who among the following rulers embraced Buddhism after Kalinga war?
a) Bimbisara
b) Ashoka
c) Bindusara
d) Harsha
Answer: b) Ashoka - The term “Chaitya” refers to:
a) Monastery
b) Assembly hall
c) Prayer hall with stupa
d) Cave dwelling
Answer: c) Prayer hall with stupa - Which of the following emphasised extreme asceticism?
a) Buddhism
b) Jainism
c) Vaisheshika
d) Sankhya
Answer: b) Jainism - Which text explains Buddhist philosophy systematically?
a) Dhammapada
b) Abhidhamma Pitaka
c) Bhagavad Gita
d) Manusmriti
Answer: b) Abhidhamma Pitaka - Which Buddhist concept attracted common people the most?
a) Vedic sacrifices
b) Eight-fold path
c) Upanishadic debates
d) Tantric rituals
Answer: b) Eight-fold path
Statement-Based Questions (Assertion–Reason)
Q1. Assertion (A): Buddhism rejected the caste system.
Reason (R): Buddha believed purity and pollution depended on birth.
- a) Both A and R true, R explains A
- b) Both A and R true, R does not explain A
- c) A true, R false
- d) Both false
Answer: c) A true, R false
Q2. Assertion (A): Jainism emphasised non-violence.
Reason (R): It considered all living beings, even plants, to have life.
Answer: a) Both A and R true, R explains A
Q3. Assertion (A): Stupas were centres of pilgrimage.
Reason (R): They contained relics of Buddha and monks.
Answer: a) Both A and R true, R explains A
Q4. Assertion (A): Gandhara art shows influence of Greek style.
Reason (R): The region had contact with Indo-Greek rulers.
Answer: a) Both A and R true, R explains A
Q5. Assertion (A): Buddhism spread quickly in Asia.
Reason (R): It was simple, ethical, and open to all castes and genders.
Answer: a) Both A and R true, R explains A
