Early Medieval Period MCQ: Sun Temples, the Brihadisvara Temple & Jayadeva's Gitagovinda

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

1. Q1.The famous Sun Temple at Modhera (Gujarat) was built by which dynasty?

   • A.Parmara
   • B.Solanki (Chalukya)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Pratihara
   • D.Chauhan

   Explanation: The Sun Temple at Modhera was built during the reign of Solanki King Bhimdev I.

2. Q2.Who erected the colossal statue of Gomateshwara (Bahubali) at Shravanabelagola?

   • A.Chamundaraya✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Krishnadevaraya
   • C.Amoghavarsha
   • D.Bittiga

   Explanation: The statue of Gomateshwara was erected by Chamundaraya, a minister of the Ganga dynasty ruler, in 981 AD.

3. Q3.Who wrote the famous Kannada work 'Kavirajamarga'?

   • A.Pampa
   • B.Ponna
   • C.Amoghavarsha✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Ranna

   Explanation: Amoghavarsha, the Rashtrakuta ruler, wrote 'Kavirajamarga', the earliest available work on rhetoric, poetics, and grammar in Kannada.

4. Q4.Who founded the Odantapuri Mahavihara (University)?

   • A.Dharmapala
   • B.Devapala
   • C.Gopala✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Ramapala

   Explanation: Gopala, the founder of the Pala dynasty, established the Odantapuri Mahavihara in Bihar.

5. Q5.Who is the author of 'Dashakumaracharita'?

   • A.Kalidasa
   • B.Bharavi
   • C.Dandin✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Bhanubhatta

   Explanation: Dandin was the author of 'Dashakumaracharita' (Tales of Ten Princes) and lived in the Pallava court.

6. Q6.The famous mathematician Bhaskaracharya wrote which book?

   • A.Aryabhatiya
   • B.Lilavati✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Panchasiddhantika
   • D.Brahmasphutasiddhanta

   Explanation: Bhaskaracharya II wrote 'Siddhanta Shiromani', which has four parts; the first part dealing with arithmetic is named 'Lilavati'.

7. Q7.In which year did Mahmud of Ghazni attack the Somnath Temple?

   • A.1000 AD
   • B.1018 AD
   • C.1025-26 AD✓ Correct Answer
   • D.1030 AD

   Explanation: Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and looted the famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat in 1025-26 AD.

8. Q8.Who propounded the 'Dvaitadvaita' (Dualistic Monism) philosophy?

   • A.Nimbarka✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Ramanuja
   • C.Madhva
   • D.Vallabha

   Explanation: Nimbarka propounded the philosophy of Dvaitadvaita (Dualistic Monism) or Bhedabheda.

9. Q9.Who built the Brihadisvara Temple (Rajarajeshwara Temple) at Thanjavur?

   • A.Rajendra I
   • B.Rajaraja I✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Parantaka I
   • D.Kulottunga I

   Explanation: The Brihadisvara Temple was built by the Chola King Rajaraja I and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

10. Q10.Who wrote 'Gitagovinda'?

    • A.Vidyapati
    • B.Surdas
    • C.Jayadeva✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Mirabai

    Explanation: Jayadeva was the author of 'Gitagovinda', a famous Sanskrit poem describing the love of Krishna and Radha.

11. Q11.Jayadeva, the author of Gitagovinda, adorned the court of which ruler?

    • A.Dharmapala
    • B.Lakshman Sen✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Devapala
    • D.Mihir Bhoja

    Explanation: Jayadeva adorned the court of Lakshman Sen, the ruler of the Sena dynasty of Bengal.

12. Q12.Which Sangam text is a grammar book?

    • A.Purananuru
    • B.Tolkappiyam✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ahananuru
    • D.Kurunthogai

    Explanation: Tolkappiyam, written by Tolkappiyar, is the earliest extant Tamil grammar text.

13. Q13.Who was the primary deity worshiped during the Sangam age?

    • A.Indra
    • B.Murugan✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Varuna
    • D.Vishnu

    Explanation: Seyon or Murugan (Subrahmanya) was the chief deity of the ancient Tamils of the Sangam age.

14. Q14.The Pandya kingdom was famous for which commodity?

    • A.Horses
    • B.Spices
    • C.Pearls✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Silk

    Explanation: The Pandya country was famous for its pearls. Megasthenes also mentioned the pearls of the Pandya kingdom.

15. Q15.Which Pallava King took the title 'Vatapikonda'?

    • A.Mahendravarman I
    • B.Narasimhavarman I✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Paramesvaravarman
    • D.Nandivarman

    Explanation: Narasimhavarman I defeated Pulakeshin II, captured his capital Vatapi, and assumed the title 'Vatapikonda' (Conqueror of Vatapi).

16. Q16.Who was the founder of the Sena dynasty?

    • A.Vijay Sen
    • B.Samanta Sen✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ballal Sen
    • D.Lakshman Sen

    Explanation: Samanta Sen was the founder of the Sena dynasty in Bengal.

17. Q17.Who is the author of 'Vikramankadevacharita'?

    • A.Kalhana
    • B.Bilhana✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Somadeva
    • D.Jayanaka

    Explanation: Bilhana was the court poet of Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI and wrote his biography 'Vikramankadevacharita'.

18. Q18.Who wrote 'Gaudavaho'?

    • A.Harisena
    • B.Vakpati✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Banabhatta
    • D.Bhavabhuti

    Explanation: Vakpati was a court poet of Yashovarman of Kannauj and wrote 'Gaudavaho', describing his patron's victories.

19. Q19.The 'Seven Pagodas' of Mahabalipuram bear witness to the art patronized by:

    • A.Pallavas✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Pandyas
    • C.Cholas
    • D.Cheras

    Explanation: The 'Seven Pagodas' (Ratha temples) at Mahabalipuram were built by the Pallava kings, specifically Narasimhavarman I.

20. Q20.Who was the author of 'Hitopadesha'?

    • A.Vishnu Sharma
    • B.Narayana Pandit✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Dandin
    • D.Banabhatta

    Explanation: Narayana Pandit wrote 'Hitopadesha', a collection of fables, based on the Panchatantra.