1. Who is called the Napoleon of Ancient India?
Samudragupta is referred to as the Napoleon of Ancient India due to his military conquests.
2. ‘Prithivyah Pratham Veer’ was the title of
Samudragupta was honored with the title ‘Prithivyah Pratham Veer.’
3. Which of the following pillar inscriptions has recorded the achievements of Samudragupta, who was known as the ‘Napoleon of India’ for his conquests?
The Allahabad Pillar inscription records the achievements of Samudragupta.
4. An inscription by which of the following is found on the pillar containing Prayag Prashasti of Samudragupta?
An inscription by Jahangir is found on the pillar containing Prayag Prashasti.
5. The Allahabad pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following?
The Allahabad pillar inscription is associated with Samudragupta.
6. Which Gupta king granted permission to Meghverma, the ruler of Sri Lanka, to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya?
Samudragupta allowed Meghverma to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya.
7. Prayag Prashashti tells about the military campaign of
Prayag Prashashti describes the military campaigns of Samudragupta.
8. Who among the following Gupta kings had another name Devagupta?
None of these Gupta kings was known as Devagupta.
9. What was Chandragupta-II also known as?
Chandragupta-II was also known as Vikramaditya.
10. The first Gupta ruler to assume the title of ‘Param Bhagavata’ was
Chandragupta-I was the first Gupta ruler to assume the title of ‘Param Bhagavata.’
11. Who was the first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins?
Chandragupta-II was the first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins.
12. Who is known as ‘Saka conqueror’?
Chandragupta-II is known as the ‘Saka conqueror.’
13. Who of the following among the nine gems of Chandragupta was associated with astrology?
Vararuchi among the nine gems of Chandragupta was associated with astrology.
14. Kalidas was in the ruling period of
Kalidas was a prominent figure in the court of Chandragupta-II.
15. The second capital of the Gupta ruler, Chandragupta-II, was
Ujjain served as the second capital of Chandragupta-II.
16. Aryabhatta and Kalidasa were in the court of which Gupta ruler?
Aryabhatta and Kalidasa were in the court of Chandragupta-II.
17. During which Gupta king’s reign did the Chinese traveller Fa-hien visit India?
Fa-hien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta-II.
18. Who is known as the Napoleon of India?
Samudragupta is called the Napoleon of India for his military achievements.
19. Which Gupta ruler adopted the title Vikramaditya?
Chandragupta-II adopted the title Vikramaditya.
20. Which Gupta king is credited with defeating the Shakas?
Chandragupta-II is credited with defeating the Shakas and establishing Gupta dominance.
21. Which Gupta emperor founded the Nalanda University?
Kumaragupta-I is credited with founding Nalanda University.
22. Which was the primary language of the Gupta period?
Sanskrit was the primary language used in literature and administration during the Gupta period.
23. Who is known as the founder of the Gupta Empire?
Chandragupta I is regarded as the founder of the Gupta Empire.
24. Which Gupta emperor was known as Kaviraja?
Samudragupta was called Kaviraja, meaning the king of poets, due to his literary talents.
25. Who issued the Allahabad Pillar Inscription?
The Allahabad Pillar Inscription was issued by Samudragupta, highlighting his achievements.
26. Who among the following was a famous astronomer in the Gupta period?
Aryabhata was a renowned astronomer and mathematician during the Gupta period.
27. Which Gupta emperor faced the invasion of the Huns?
Skandagupta successfully repelled the Huns' invasion.
28. Which Gupta ruler was responsible for the Iron Pillar at Mehrauli?
The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli is associated with Chandragupta II.
29. What was the religion of most Gupta rulers?
Most Gupta rulers were followers of Hinduism.
30. Which Gupta emperor is credited with starting the Gupta era?
Chandragupta I is credited with starting the Gupta era in 320 CE.
31. Hiuen-Tsang, hailed as the prince of pilgrims, visited India during the reign of king?
Hiuen-Tsang visited India during the reign of King Harsha.
32. Chinese writers mention India by the name of?
Chinese writers referred to India as Yin-tu.
33. Poet Bana was inhabitant of?
Poet Bana, the author of Harshacharita, was an inhabitant of Thaneshwar.
34. Who has written the Harsacharit?
Banabhatta wrote the Harsacharit, chronicling the life of Harsha.
35. Banabhatta was the court poet of?
Banabhatta served as the court poet of Harshavardhana.
36. Who has written the autobiography of Harsha?
Banabhatta authored Harsha's autobiography, known as Harshacharita.
37. Who founded the Maukhari dynasty?
Ishanverma was the founder of the Maukhari dynasty.
38. Where was the capital of Maukhari rulers?
Kannauj served as the capital of the Maukhari rulers.
39. Who founded Maitraka dynasty?
Bhataraka founded the Maitraka dynasty.
40. Which of the following was the most powerful ruler of Maitraka dynasty?
Dhruvsen-II was the most powerful ruler of the Maitraka dynasty.
41. Where was the capital of Gauda kingdom?
Karnasubarna was the capital of the Gauda kingdom.
42. Which of the following Gauda rulers had cut the Bodhi tree, where the Buddha found enlightenment?
Shashank cut the Bodhi tree, an act of religious intolerance.
43. In post Gupta period administration, Provinces were called as?
In the post-Gupta period, provinces were referred to as Rajya.
44. Which of the following is not correctly matched?
Dandapashika was not the Chief Justice; this is incorrect.
45. Generally, which one of the following had the first right over "stridhan" in case of succession?
The son generally had the first right over "stridhan" in case of succession.
46. Which one of the following were not the "Antyaj" or "untouchables"?
Yavan were not considered untouchables; they were foreign traders.
47. Which of the following is correctly matched?
Chandal being considered untouchables is correctly matched.
48. Which of the following lawgivers of the post Gupta period declared that Sudras were not slaves by nature?
Jimutwahan declared that Sudras were not slaves by nature.
49. During post Gupta period, main business centre was?
Ujjain was a prominent business centre during the post-Gupta period.
50. During Hiuen-Tsang tour in India, most famous city for the production of cotton clothes was?
Kanchi was famous for the production of cotton clothes.
51. The term "Kausheya" has been used for?
Kausheya refers to silk.
52. Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the "Hundi" generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?
Hundi refers to a bill of exchange.
53. Consider the following statements: I. The trade with South East Asia during post Gupta age registered a significant increase. II. Saurastra (Gujarat) was famous for its bell metal industry during this period. Select the correct answer using the code below.
Both statements are correct. Trade increased and Gujarat was famous for bell metal.
54. Human sacrifice was prevalent in which of the following sect?
The Kapalik sect practiced human sacrifice.
55. Shaiva saints were called?
Shaiva saints were referred to as Nayanars.
56. The rulers of which of the following dynasty have been called as "Shriparvatiya" in Puranas?
The Vakatakas dynasty rulers were referred to as "Shriparvatiya" in Puranas.
The Gupta Period (c. 320-550 AD)
1. The Gupta Empire
- Founder: Chandragupta I (c. 320 AD).
- Golden Age of India: Known for achievements in science, arts, literature, and culture.
- Capital: Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
2. Important Rulers
- Chandragupta I – Founder of the Gupta dynasty.
- Samudragupta (c. 335–380 AD) – Famous for his military conquests and cultural patronage.
- Chandragupta II (c. 380–415 AD) – Known as “Vikramaditya”; expanded the empire and fostered cultural growth.
- Kumaragupta I and Skandagupta – Last major rulers before the empire weakened.
3. Achievements
- Arts & Culture: Classical Sanskrit literature flourished with works by Kalidasa, Varahamihira, and others.
- Mathematics: Aryabhata, a mathematician and astronomer, formulated the concept of zero and worked on algebra.
- Science: Major developments in astronomy and medicine, especially by scholars like Varahamihira and Sushruta.
- Education: Nalanda University became a prominent center of learning.
- Architecture: Development of temples with intricate carvings and structures like the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh.
4. Decline of Gupta Empire
- Invasions by the Hunas (c. 450 AD) weakened the empire.
- Internal conflicts and fragmentation led to the collapse by the mid-6th century.
The Post-Gupta Period (c. 550–750 AD)
1. Major Kingdoms
- Harsha’s Empire (c. 606–647 AD):
- Harsha Vardhana, the last great ruler of India in the post-Gupta period, united northern India.
- Capital at Kanauj.
- Patronized arts, literature, and Buddhism.
- Defeated by the Chalukyas of the Deccan in 647 AD.
- The Chalukyas of Badami (c. 550–750 AD):
- Notable rulers like Pulakeshin II.
- Capital at Badami (in modern-day Karnataka).
- Fought and repelled invasions by the Gupta kings and Harsha.
- The Pallavas of Kanchipuram (c. 600–900 AD):
- Known for architectural achievements like the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram.
- The Rajputs (c. 700 AD onwards):
- Emerged as significant power in northern and central India after the decline of Gupta rule.
2. Social and Cultural Changes
- Religion: Continued patronage of Hinduism, with a rise in the Bhakti movement and the spread of Buddhism and Jainism.
- Literature: Flourished under the rule of Harsha and in the courts of various regional kingdoms.
- Notable works include Harsha’s play, Ratnavali.
- Architecture: Development of rock-cut temples and monuments.
- Example: Badami Chalukya rock-cut temples.
3. Decline and Fragmentation
- After Harsha’s death, India saw the rise of regional powers and local kingdoms, leading to further fragmentation and the decline of centralized rule.
Key Concepts for Competitive Exams
- Gupta Empire: “Golden Age of India” in science, culture, and governance.
- Harsha: Last major emperor who tried to reunite India after the fall of the Gupta Empire.
- Regional Kingdoms: Rise of powerful kingdoms like the Chalukyas, Pallavas, and Rajputs.
- Invasions: The decline of the Gupta Empire due to invasions by the Huns and other central Asian tribes.
- Cultural Achievements: Literature, mathematics (zero and decimals), and architecture reached new heights during this period.