Q.1 Who was the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire?
Cyrus the Great
Darius I
Xerxes I
Cambyses II
Explanation - Cyrus the Great founded the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE and expanded it into one of the largest empires of the ancient world.
Correct answer is: Cyrus the Great
Q.2 Which empire did Cyrus the Great conquer to establish Persian dominance?
Babylonian Empire
Assyrian Empire
Median Empire
Egyptian Empire
Explanation - Cyrus first defeated the Median Empire around 550 BCE, establishing Persian supremacy.
Correct answer is: Median Empire
Q.3 What was the official religion of the Achaemenid Persian Empire?
Zoroastrianism
Hinduism
Christianity
Judaism
Explanation - Zoroastrianism was the official faith, introduced by the prophet Zoroaster, and influenced Persian governance and law.
Correct answer is: Zoroastrianism
Q.4 Who was the Persian king during the Battle of Thermopylae?
Cyrus the Great
Darius I
Xerxes I
Artaxerxes I
Explanation - Xerxes I led the Persian forces against the Greeks during the famous Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE.
Correct answer is: Xerxes I
Q.5 The capital city of the Persian Empire built by Darius I was?
Babylon
Persepolis
Susa
Ecbatana
Explanation - Persepolis was constructed under Darius I and served as a ceremonial capital of the empire.
Correct answer is: Persepolis
Q.6 Which Persian king expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent?
Cyrus the Great
Darius I
Xerxes I
Cambyses II
Explanation - Darius I expanded the empire, stretching from the Indus Valley to Greece and Egypt.
Correct answer is: Darius I
Q.7 The Persian Empire was divided into provinces called?
Satrapies
States
Counties
Regions
Explanation - The empire was divided into satrapies, each governed by a satrap who ensured loyalty and tribute.
Correct answer is: Satrapies
Q.8 Who was the Persian king that invaded Egypt?
Cambyses II
Cyrus the Great
Darius I
Xerxes I
Explanation - Cambyses II, son of Cyrus, conquered Egypt around 525 BCE.
Correct answer is: Cambyses II
Q.9 Which famous road system connected parts of the Persian Empire?
Royal Road
Silk Road
Via Appia
Persian Highway
Explanation - The Royal Road stretched over 2,700 km, enabling communication and trade across the empire.
Correct answer is: Royal Road
Q.10 Who defeated the Persian Empire, ending Achaemenid rule?
Alexander the Great
Julius Caesar
Hannibal
Ashoka
Explanation - Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 330 BCE, marking the fall of the Achaemenid Empire.
Correct answer is: Alexander the Great
Q.11 The Persian postal system under Darius I was known for using?
Horse relays
Carrier pigeons
Boats
Camel caravans
Explanation - The Persians used horse relays for fast communication across the Royal Road.
Correct answer is: Horse relays
Q.12 What was the language of administration in the Achaemenid Empire?
Old Persian
Sanskrit
Greek
Latin
Explanation - Old Persian was the official written language for inscriptions and administration.
Correct answer is: Old Persian
Q.13 Who was the last king of the Achaemenid Persian Empire?
Xerxes I
Darius III
Artaxerxes II
Cambyses II
Explanation - Darius III was defeated by Alexander the Great, ending Persian rule.
Correct answer is: Darius III
Q.14 Which Persian king built the Apadana palace at Persepolis?
Darius I
Xerxes I
Cyrus the Great
Cambyses II
Explanation - Darius I initiated the construction of Persepolis, including the great Apadana palace.
Correct answer is: Darius I
Q.15 The Persian religion Zoroastrianism emphasized the struggle between?
Good and Evil
Life and Death
Light and Darkness
Kings and Priests
Explanation - Zoroastrianism centers on the dualistic battle between Ahura Mazda (good) and Angra Mainyu (evil).
Correct answer is: Good and Evil
Q.16 Which ancient city became a winter capital of the Persian Empire?
Susa
Babylon
Persepolis
Athens
Explanation - Susa was used as a winter capital and an administrative hub of the empire.
Correct answer is: Susa
Q.17 Which Persian king attempted to conquer Greece but was defeated at Marathon?
Darius I
Xerxes I
Cyrus the Great
Artaxerxes I
Explanation - Darius I’s forces were defeated by the Athenians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE.
Correct answer is: Darius I
Q.18 The Persians allowed conquered peoples to?
Keep their religions and customs
Be enslaved
Convert to Zoroastrianism
Pay no taxes
Explanation - Cyrus the Great allowed cultural and religious freedom, which helped maintain loyalty.
Correct answer is: Keep their religions and customs
Q.19 What was the main type of coinage introduced under Darius I?
Daric
Denarius
Drachma
Shekel
Explanation - The gold coin known as the Daric became a standard currency under Darius I.
Correct answer is: Daric
Q.20 Which structure in Babylon was restored by Persian kings?
Ishtar Gate
Hanging Gardens
Tower of Babel
Ziggurat of Ur
Explanation - Persian rulers maintained Babylon and restored structures like the Ishtar Gate.
Correct answer is: Ishtar Gate
Q.21 What title did Persian kings often use?
King of Kings
Pharaoh
Emperor
Caesar
Explanation - The Persian kings styled themselves 'King of Kings' due to ruling over many peoples and lands.
Correct answer is: King of Kings
Q.22 The Greco-Persian Wars began under which Persian ruler?
Darius I
Xerxes I
Cyrus the Great
Cambyses II
Explanation - Darius I launched invasions of Greece, sparking the Greco-Persian Wars.
Correct answer is: Darius I
Q.23 What was the official script used in monumental inscriptions of Persia?
Cuneiform
Hieroglyphics
Aramaic
Phoenician
Explanation - Old Persian cuneiform script was used in royal inscriptions, including the Behistun Inscription.
Correct answer is: Cuneiform
Q.24 Which Persian king built the famous Behistun Inscription?
Darius I
Xerxes I
Cyrus the Great
Artaxerxes II
Explanation - The Behistun Inscription was commissioned by Darius I to document his victories.
Correct answer is: Darius I
Q.25 The Persian Empire at its height stretched into which modern country in the east?
India
China
Japan
Mongolia
Explanation - The eastern extent of the empire reached into the Indus Valley region of modern-day Pakistan and northwest India.
Correct answer is: India