Early Medieval Period MCQ: Khajuraho Temples, Vishishtadvaita Philosophy & the Chachnama

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who built the Angkor Wat temple complex in Kampuchea (Cambodia)?

   • A.Suryavarman II✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Jayavarman VII
   • C.Yashovarman
   • D.Indravarman

   Explanation: Angkor Wat is a temple complex built by Khmer King Suryavarman II in the beginning of the 12th Century.

2. Q2.Which is the smallest Ratha among the monolithic temples of Mahabalipuram?

   • A.Dharmaraja Ratha
   • B.Bhima Ratha
   • C.Arjuna Ratha
   • D.Draupadi Ratha✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Draupadi Ratha is the smallest Ratha in the monolithic temples constructed in Mamallapuram style.

3. Q3.Who built the Dilwara Jain Temple at Mount Abu?

   • A.Vastupala
   • B.Tejpala
   • C.Vimal Shah✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Bhimdev I

   Explanation: Dilwara Jain temple of Mount Abu was built by Vimal Shah who was a feudatory of Chalukya ruler Bheemdev I.

4. Q4.The Elephanta caves are believed to have been built by which dynasty?

   • A.Chalukya
   • B.Rashtrakuta✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Pallava
   • D.Chola

   Explanation: Elephanta caves are believed to have been built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty and contain the famous Trinity Shiva statue.

5. Q5.Who was the founder of the Karnata dynasty of Mithila?

   • A.Harisimha Dev
   • B.Nanyadev✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Ganga Dev
   • D.Narasimhadeva

   Explanation: Nanyadev (1097-98 AD) was the founder of the Karnata dynasty. Its capital was Simraon.

6. Q6.Which Chandela king built the Kandariya Mahadev Temple?

   • A.Yashovarman
   • B.Dhanga
   • C.Vidyadhara✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Parmardev

   Explanation: Vidyadhara, a Chandela king, built the famous Kandariya Mahadev temple at Khajuraho.

7. Q7.Which Chandela king attained Moksha by abandoning his body at the Prayag Sangam?

   • A.Nannuk
   • B.Dhanga✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Vidyadhara
   • D.Parmardev

   Explanation: King Dhangdev (Dhanga) of the Chandela dynasty attained Moksha by abandoning his body in the waters of Ganga and Yamuna at Sangama, Prayaga.

8. Q8.Which Kalachuri ruler adopted the title of 'Vikramaditya'?

   • A.Gangeyadev✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Karnadev
   • C.Kokkalla I
   • D.Yuvrajdev

   Explanation: Gangeyadev was a ruler of the Kalachuri dynasty who adopted the title of 'Vikramaditya'.

9. Q9.The phrase 'Adya Dhara Nira Dhara...' was said by scholars upon the death of which King?

   • A.Mihir Bhoja
   • B.King Bhoj (Parmara)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Dhanga
   • D.Prithviraj Chauhan

   Explanation: After the death of Parmara King Bhoj, scholars said 'Adya Dhara Nira Dhara...' implying that Dhara (the city) and Saraswati (wisdom) lost their support.

10. Q10.Which Italian traveler visited the Motupalli seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom?

    • A.Nicolo Conti
    • B.Marco Polo✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Dominigo Paes
    • D.Nuniz

    Explanation: The seaport of Motupalli in the Kakatiya kingdom was visited by the Italian traveler Marco Polo.

11. Q11.Who propounded the 'Vishishtadvaita' (Qualified Non-dualism) philosophy?

    • A.Shankaracharya
    • B.Ramanujacharya✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Madhvacharya
    • D.Nimbarka

    Explanation: Ramanujacharya propounded the philosophy of Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Non-dualism).

12. Q12.Who was the founder of 'Dvaitvad' (Dualism) philosophy?

    • A.Ramanuja
    • B.Madhvacharya✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vallabhacharya
    • D.Shankaracharya

    Explanation: The founder of 'Dvaitvad' (Dualism) was Madhvacharya.

13. Q13.Who is the author of 'Hammir Raso'?

    • A.Chand Bardai
    • B.Jayanaka
    • C.Sharangdev✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Jagnik

    Explanation: According to the text, Sharangdev wrote Hammir Raso. (Note: Often attributed to Jodhuraj in other contexts, but the text specifies Sharangdev).

14. Q14.Which Chola ruler assumed the title of 'Madurai-Kond'?

    • A.Vijayalaya
    • B.Aditya I
    • C.Parantaka I✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Rajaraja I

    Explanation: Parantaka I defeated the Madura King and assumed the title of 'Madurai-Kond'.

15. Q15.Who is the author of the Sanskrit epic 'Kiratarjuniyam'?

    • A.Kalidasa
    • B.Bharavi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Magha
    • D.Dandi

    Explanation: Bharavi is the author of 'Kiratarjuniyam', which describes the combat between Arjuna and Lord Shiva.

16. Q16.Who was the first Muslim invader to conquer Sindh in 712 AD?

    • A.Mahmud Ghazni
    • B.Muhammad Ghori
    • C.Muhammad bin Qasim✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Subuktigin

    Explanation: Muhammad bin Qasim led the Arab invasion of Sindh in 712 AD and defeated King Dahir.

17. Q17.The book 'Chachnama' is the primary source for the history of which region?

    • A.Kashmir
    • B.Sindh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Punjab
    • D.Bengal

    Explanation: Chachnama provides details about the history of Sindh and the Arab conquest. It was originally written in Arabic.

18. Q18.Who built the famous Martand Sun Temple in Kashmir?

    • A.Lalitaditya Muktapida✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Avantivarman
    • C.Didda
    • D.Harsha

    Explanation: The Martand Sun Temple was built by Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty in the 8th century.

19. Q19.Who constructed the Jagannath Temple at Puri?

    • A.Narasimhadeva I
    • B.Anantavarman Chodaganga✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Bhimdev
    • D.Rajaraja I

    Explanation: The Jagannath Temple at Puri was constructed by Anantavarman Chodaganga of the Ganga dynasty.

20. Q20.Which ruler's coins featured the image of Goddess Lakshmi?

    • A.Muhammad bin Qasim
    • B.Mahmud Ghazni
    • C.Muhammad Ghori✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Iltutmish

    Explanation: Muhammad Ghori issued coins with the figure of Goddess Lakshmi on one side and his name in Devanagari on the other.