MCQ Questions

The Age of Empires: Guptas 6th Social Science Lesson 17 Questions in English

6th Social Science Lesson 17 Questions in English

17. The Age of Empires: Guptas

1. In which century Kushanas in the north and Satavahanas lost their greatness and strength?

a) 5th

b) 3rd

c) 4th

d) 1st

Explanation

By the end of the 3rd century, the powerful empires established by the Kushanas in the north and Satavahanas in the south had lost their greatness and strength.

2._____ is considered to be the founder of the Gupta dynasty

a) Chandragupta I

b) Samudragupta

c) Sri Gupta

d) Vishnu Gupta

Explanation

Sri Gupta is considered to be the founder of the Gupta dynasty. He is believed to have reigned over parts of present-day Bengal and Bihar.

3. Who among the following succeeded Sri Gupta?

a) Chandragupta I

b) Samudragupta

c) Ghatotkacha

d) Vishnu Gupta

Explanation

Sri Gupta was succeeded by his son Ghatotkacha. Both are mentioned as Maharajas in inscriptions.

4. Who was the first Gupta ruler to be featured on coins?

a) Chandragupta I

b) Samudragupta

c) Sri Gupta

d) Chandragupta

Explanation

Sri Gupta is believed to have reigned over parts of present-day Bengal and Bihar. He was the first Gupta ruler to be featured on coins.

5. Who married Kumaradevi of the famous and powerful Lichchhavi family?

a) Sri Gupta

b) Ghatotkacha

c) Chandragupta I

d) Chandragupta II

Explanation

Chandragupta I married Kumaradevi of the famous and powerful Lichchhavi family. Having gained the support of this family, Chandragupta could eliminate various small states in northern India and crown himself the monarch of a larger kingdom.

6. Gold coins attributed to Chandragupta bear the images of_______

a) Chandragupta

b) Kumaradevi

c) Lichchhavayah

d) All the above

Explanation

The gold coins attributed to Chandragupta bear the images of Chandragupta, Kumaradevi and the legend ‘Lichchhavayah’.

7. Lichchhavi territory lay between______

a) Ganges and the Nepal Terai

b) Ganges and Yamuna

c) Ganges and Hooghly basin

d) Yamuna and Nepal Terai

Explanation

Lichchhavi was an old gana–sanga and its territory lay between the Ganges and the Nepal Terai.

8. Who was the greatest ruler of Gupta dynasty?

a) Sri Gupta

b) Chandragupta I

c) Samudragupta

d) Chandragupta I

Explanation

Samudragupta, son of Chandragupta I, was the greatest ruler of the dynasty. Allahabad Pillar inscription is the main source of information for Samudragupta’s reign.

9. Prayog Prashasti was composed by_______

a) Nagananda

b) Priyadharshika

c) Harisena

d) Fahien

Explanation

The Prayog Prashasti, composed by Samudragupta’s court poet Harisena was engraved on Allahabad Pillar. This Allahabad Pillar inscription is the main source of information for Samudragupta’s reign.

10. The Word Prashasti means_____

a) With respect to

b) In praise of

c) To commemorate

d) None

Explanation

Prashasti is a Sanskrit word, meaning commendation or ‘in praise of’. Court poets flattered their kings listing out their achievements. These accounts were later engraved on pillars so that the people could read them.

11. Which Pallava king was defeated by Samudragupta?

a) Simhavishnu

b) Mahendravarma

c) Narasimhavarma

d) Vishnugopa

Explanation

Samudragupta was a great general and when he became emperor, he carried on a vigorous campaign all over the country and even in the south. In the southern Pallava kingdom, the king who was defeated by Samudragupta was Vishnugopa.

12. How many Kingdoms were captured by Samudragupta in North India?

a) 10

b) 12

c) 9

d) 7

Explanation

Samudragupta conquered nine kingdoms in northern India. He reduced 12 rulers of the southern India to the status of feudatories and forced them to pay tribute.

13. Who gave homage to Samudragupta from West?

a) East Bengal

b) Nepal

c) Eastern part of Punjab

d) All the above

Explanation

Samudragupta received homage from the rulers of East Bengal, Assam, Nepal, the eastern part of Punjab and various tribes of Rajasthan.

14. Samudragupta was a devotee of______

a) Vishnu

b) Shiva

c) Kali

d) Murugan

Explanation

Samudragupta was a devotee of Vishnu. He revived the Vedic practice of performing horse sacrifice to commemorate victories in wars.

15. Who’s Coin portrayed himself playing Veenai?

a) Srimeghavarman

b) Samudragupta

c) Sri Gupta

d) Dhana Nanda

Explanation

Samudragupta issued gold coins and in one of them, he is portrayed playing harp (veenai). Samudragupta was a devotee of Vishnu. He revived the Vedic practice of performing horse sacrifice to commemorate victories in wars.

16. Who earned the title ‘Kaviraja’?

a) Samudragupta

b) Chandragupta II

c) Chandragupta I

d) Kumaragupta I

Explanation

Samudragupta was not only a great conqueror but a lover of poetry and music and for this, he earned the title ‘Kaviraja’.

17. Who among the following is known as Vikramaditya?

a) Narasimha Gupta I

b) Chandragupta II

c) Kumaragupta I

d) Sri Gupta

Explanation

Chandragupta II was the son of Samudragupta. He was also known as Vikramaditya. He conquered western Malwa and Gujarat by defeating the Saka rulers.

18. The iron pillar near Qutub Minar is believed to have been built by______

a) Samudragupta

b) Vikramaditya

c) Skandagupta

d) None

Explanation

Chandragupta II maintained friendly relationship with the rulers of southern India. The iron pillar near Qutub Minar is believed to have been built by Vikramaditya.

19. Which Buddhist scholar from China, visited India during Vikramaditya’s reign?

a) Hiuen Tsang

b) It Sing

c) Fahien

d) Ibn Batuttah

Explanation

Fahien, a Buddhist scholar from China, visited India during Vikramaditya reign. He maintained friendly relationship with the rulers of southern India.

20. Who’s reign does Kalidas belongs to?

a) Samudragupta

b) Vikramaditya

c) Kumaragupta

d) None

Explanation

Vikramaditya is said to have assembled the greatest writers and artists (Navaratna [Nine Jewels]) in his court. Kalidasa is said to be one among them.

21. Which among the following are correctly matched?

1) Dhanvantri – Lexicographer

2) Harisena – Sanskrit poet

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

Kalidasa – Sanskrit poet, Harisena – Sanskrit poet, Amarasimha – Lexicographer, Dhanvantri – Physician.

22. Which among the following is/are the surnames of Chandragupta II?

a) Narendrasimha

b) Vatapi Kondan

c) Kadaram Kondan

d) Avanisimha

Explanation

The surnames of Chandragupta II were Vikramaditya, Narendrachandra, Simhachandra, Narendrasimha, Vikrama Devaraja, Devagupta and Devasri.

23. Who built the famous Nalanda University?

a) Devasri

b) Chandragupta II

c) Narendrasimha

d) Kumaragupta I

Explanation

Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son Kumaragupta I, who built the famous Nalanda University.

24. Which Gupta ruler faced threat from Huns?

a) Kumaragupta

b) Skandagupta

c) Devaraja

d) Narendrasimha

Explanation

Kumaragupta’s successor Skandagupta had to face a new threat in the form of the invasion of Huns. He defeated them and drove them away.

25. The last of the great Guptas was_______

a) Vishnugupta

b) Chandragupta II

c) Baladitya

d) Skandagupta

Explanation

Kumaragupta’s successor Skandagupta had to face a new threat in the form of the invasion of Huns. He defeated them and drove them away. But after twelve years, they came again and broke the back of the Gupta Empire. The last of the great Guptas was Baladitya, assumed to have been Narasimha Gupta I.

26. According to______, the people of______ were happy and prosperous.

a) Fahien, Magadha

b) It – sing, Magadha

c) Fahien, Awadh

d) It – sing, Awadh

Explanation

According to Fahien, the people of Magadha were happy and prosperous, that justice was mildly administered and there was no death penalty. Gaya was desolated. Kapilavasthu had become a jungle, but at Pataliputra people were rich and prosperous.

27. Who was payed tribute by Baladitya?

a) Fahien

b) Mihirakula

c) It – sing

d) Ibn Batutah

Explanation

Baladitya was himself attracted towards Buddhism. He was paying tribute to Mihirakula but was distressed by his hostility towards Buddhism.

28. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) The last recognised king of the Gupta Empire was Vishnugupta

2) After Baladitya, the great Gupta Empire faded away.

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

After Baladitya, the great Gupta Empire faded away. The last recognised king of the Gupta Empire was Vishnugupta.

29. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) The Gupta king was assisted by a council of mantris (ministers).

2) The divine theory of kingship was practised by the Gupta rulers.

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

The divine theory of kingship (the concept that king is the representative of God on earth and so he is answerable only to God and not to anyone else) was practised by the Gupta rulers. The Gupta king was assisted by a council of mantris (ministers).

30. High-ranking officials were called________

a) Dandanayakas

b) Mahadandanayakas

c) Vishyapatis

d) Both a and b

Explanation

A large number of officials were employed by the Gupta rulers to carry on the day-to-day administration of the country. High-ranking officials were called dandanayakas and mahadandanayakas.

31. Bhuktis were administered by the governors, designated as________

a) Vishyapatis

b) Uparikas

c) Deshas

d) None

Explanation

The Gupta Empire was divided into provinces known as deshas or bhuktis. They were administered by the governors, designated as Uparikas.

32. The vishyas were controlled by the officers known as_______

a) Vishyapatis

b) Gramadhyaksha

c) Uparikas

d) Deshas

Explanation

The province was divided into districts such as vishyas and they were controlled by the officers known as vishyapatis. At the village level, there were functionaries such as gramika and gramadhyaksha.

33. The system of espionage included spies known as______

a) Gramika

b) Bhuktis

c) Dutakas

d) Deshas

Explanation

The extensive empire of Gupta shows the important role of military organisation. The system of espionage included spies known as dutakas.

34. Nitisara was authored by_____

a) Samudragupta

b) Kautaliya

c) Kamandaka

d) Kanishka

Explanation

Nitisara, authored by Kamandaka, emphasises the importance of the royal treasury and mentions various sources of revenue.

35. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) The military campaigns of kings like Samudragupta were financed through revenue surpluses.

2) The condition of peasants during Gupta reign was pathetic

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

The military campaigns of kings like Samudragupta were financed through revenue surpluses. Land tax was the main revenue to the government. The condition of peasants was pathetic.

36. Which of the following are incorrectly matched?

1) Aprahata – forest land

2) Kshetra – cultivable land

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

Kshetra – cultivable land, Ktila – waste land, Aprahata – jungle or forest land, Vasti – habitable land, Gapata Saraha – pastoral land.

37. The traders of Gupta was/were_______

a) Sresti

b) Sarthavaha

c) Gammundka

d) Both a and b

Explanation

The contribution of the traders for the development of Gupta’s economy was very impressive. There were two types of traders, namely Sresti and Sarthavaha.

38. Which among the following statement is correct?

1) Ibn Battuta spent many years studying Buddhism in the University.

2) Nalanda University flourished under the patronage of the Gupta Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries and later under emperor Harsha of Kanauj.

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

Nalanda University flourished under the patronage of the Gupta Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries and later under emperor Harsha of Kanauj. Hiuen Tsang spent many years studying Buddhism in the University.

39. _____Mahapatashalas and _____large libraries were situated on the campus

a) 3, 8

b) 8, 3

c) 4, 8

d) 8, 4

Explanation

Nalanda University flourished under the patronage of the Gupta Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries and later under emperor Harsha of Kanauj. Eight Mahapatashalas and three large libraries were situated on the campus.

40. Nalanda University was destroyed by______

a) Qutubudin Aibak

b) Alaudin Khilji

c) Bhaktiyar Khilji

d) Babar

Explanation

Nalanda was ravaged and destroyed by Mamluks (Turkish Muslims) under Bhaktiyar Khalji. Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son Kumaragupta I, who built the famous Nalanda University.

41. Which among the following statement is incorrect regarding Nalanda University?

1) At Nalanda, Buddhism was the main subject of study. Other subjects like Yoga, Vedic literature and Medicine were also taught.

2) Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

At Nalanda, Buddhism was the main subject of study. Other subjects like Yoga, Vedic literature and Medicine were also taught. Hiuen Tsang spent many years studying Buddhism in the University. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

42. Huns were_____ tribe

a) Nomadic

b) Semi – nomadic

c) Pastoral

d) Semi – Pastoral

Explanation

Huns were the nomadic tribes, who, under their great Attila, were terrorizing Rome and Constantinople. Associated with these tribes were the White Huns who came to India through Central Asia. They undertook regular invasions and were giving trouble to all Indian frontier states.

43. ______ developed roadways connecting different parts of the country.

a) Guptas

b) Mauryan

c) Huns

d) Bactrian

Explanation

The Guptas developed roadways connecting different parts of the country. Pataliputra, Ujjain, Benaras, Mathura were the famous trade centres. Ports in western (Kalyan, Mangalore, Malabar) and eastern (Tamralipti in Bengal) coasts of India facilitated trade.

44. Who introduced the Gupta monetary system?

a) Chandragupta I

b) Samudragupta

c) Skanda Gupta

d) Vishnu Gupta

Explanation

Samudragupta introduced the Gupta monetary system. Kushana coins provided inspiration to Samudragupta.

45. The Gupta gold coins were known as_____

a) Rupiah

b) Dinara

c) Dollar

d) Gupian

Explanation

The Gupta gold coins were known as Dinara. Guptas issued many gold coins but comparatively fewer silver and copper coins. However, the post-Gupta period saw a fall in the circulation of gold coins, indicating the decline in the prosperity of the empire.

46. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) Mining and metallurgy were the most flourishing industries during the Gupta period

2) The most important evidence of development in metallurgy was the Mehrauli Iron Pillar installed by King Chandragupta in Delhi.

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

Mining and metallurgy were the most flourishing industries during the Gupta period. The most important evidence of development in metallurgy was the Mehrauli Iron Pillar installed by King Chandragupta in Delhi. This monolithic iron pillar has lasted through the centuries without rusting.

47. The society of Guptas adhered to_____

a) Patriarchal

b) Matriarchal

c) Both a and b

d) None

Explanation

The society that adhered to four varna system was patriarchal. According to laws of Manu, which was in force, women should be under the protection of their father, husband or eldest son.

48. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) Polygamy was widely prevalent during Gupta period.

2) Sati was practised during the Gupta rule.

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

Polygamy was widely prevalent during Gupta reign. The kings and feudatory lords often had more than one wife. Inscriptions refer to Kubernaga and Dhrubaswamini as the queens of Chandragupta II. Sati was practised during the Gupta rule.

49. In which part of India slavery was institutionalised?

a) East

b) West

c) South

d) Nowhere

Explanation

Slavery was not institutionalized in India, as in the West. But there are references to the existence of various categories of slaves during the Gupta age.

50. Who among the following followed Asvamedha Yagna?

a) Samudragupta

b) Chandragupta I

c) Kumaragupta I

d) Both a and c

Explanation

There was revival of Vedic religion and Vedic rites. Samudragupta and Kumaragupta I performed Asvamedha Yagna (a horse sacrifice ritual).

51. Which of the following statement is correct?

1) The Guptas were the first to construct temples, which evolved from the earlier tradition of rock-cut shrines.

2) Buddhism also continued to flourish though it split into two sects, namely Hinayana and Mahayana.

a) 1 alone

b) 2 alone

c) 1, 2

d) None

Explanation

We notice the beginning of image worship and the emergence of two sects, namely Vaishnavism and Saivism, during the Gupta period. Buddhism also continued to flourish though it split into two sects, namely Hinayana and Mahayana. The Guptas were the first to construct temples, which evolved from the earlier tradition of rock-cut shrines.

52. Bagh Rock – cut caves are found in______

a) Maharashtra

b) Madhya Pradesh

c) Odisha

d) Karnataka

Explanation

The most notable rock-cut caves are found at Ajanta and Ellora (Maharashtra), Bagh (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaygiri (Odisha). The structural temples built during this period resemble the characteristic features of the Dravidian style.

53. Copper image of Buddha about____ feet high at Nalanda University is a remarkable example of Gupta metal sculpture

a) 25

b) 18

c) 23

d) 20

Explanation

Two remarkable examples of Gupta metal sculpture are (i) a copper image of Buddha about 18 feet high at Nalanda and (ii) Sultanganj Buddha seven-and-a half feet in height.

54._____ was the official language of Guptas

a) Sanskrit

b) Urdu

c) Prakrit

d) Hindi

Explanation

Though the language spoken by the people was Prakrit, the Guptas made Sanskrit the official language and all their epigraphic records are in Sanskrit. The Gupta period also saw the development of Sanskrit grammar based on the grammar of Panini and Patanjali who wrote Ashtadhyayi and Mahabhashya respectively.

55. Which among the following was/were famous dramas of Kalidasa?

a) Sakunthala

b) Malavikagnimitra

c) Vikramaoorvashiyam

d) All the above

Explanation

Kalidasa’s famous dramas were Sakunthala, Malavikagnimitra and Vikramaoorvashiyam. Other significant works of Kalidasa were Meghaduta, Raghuvamsa, Kumarasambava and Ritusamhara.

56. During who’s reign Zero was invented?

a) Maurya

b) Gupta

c) Huns

d) Bactrian

Explanation

Invention of zero and the consequent evolution of the decimal system were the legacy of Guptas to the modern world.

57. Who explained the true causes of solar and lunar eclipses?

a) Aryabhatta

b) Varahamihira

c) Siddhanta

d) Brahmagupta

Explanation

Aryabhatta, in his book Surya Siddhanta, explained the true causes of solar and lunar eclipses. He was the first Indian astronomer to declare that the earth revolves around its own axis.

58. Who was/were foremost astronomers and mathematicians of the Gupta time?

a) Aryabhatta

b) Varahamihira

c) Brahmagupta

d) All the above

Explanation

Aryabhatta, Varahamihira and Brahmagupta were foremost astronomers and mathematicians of Gupta time.

59. Who was the first Indian to explain the process of surgery?

a) Dhanvantri

b) Charaka

c) Susruta

d) All the above

Explanation

Charaka was a medical scientist. Susruta was the first Indian to explain the process of surgery.

60. Who was a specialist in Ayurveda?

a) Dhanvantri

b) Charaka

c) Susruta

d) All the above

Explanation

Dhanvantri was a famous scholar in the field of medicine. He was a specialist in Ayurveda. Charaka was a medical scientist. Susruta was the first Indian to explain the process of surgery.

 

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