Gupta Empire MCQ: Founding, Samudragupta & Chandragupta II's Navratnas

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

1. Q1.Who is considered the founder of the Gupta dynasty?

   • A.Chandragupta I
   • B.Srigupta✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Samudragupta
   • D.Ghatotkacha

   Explanation: The Gupta dynasty was established by King Srigupta around 275 AD.

2. Q2.Which Gupta ruler first adopted the title of 'Maharajadhiraja'?

   • A.Srigupta
   • B.Chandragupta I✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Samudragupta
   • D.Chandragupta II

   Explanation: Chandragupta I was the first powerful ruler of the Gupta dynasty who held the title of 'Maharajadhiraja' to show his importance.

3. Q3.When was the Gupta Samvat started?

   • A.275 AD
   • B.319-320 AD✓ Correct Answer
   • C.335 AD
   • D.58 BC

   Explanation: Gupta Samvat was started by Chandragupta-I during 319-20 AD.

4. Q4.Who is called the 'Napoleon of India' by historian A.V. Smith?

   • A.Chandragupta Maurya
   • B.Samudragupta✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chandragupta II
   • D.Skandagupta

   Explanation: Historian A.V. Smith called Samudragupta the 'Napoleon of India' for his great military conquests in his book 'Early History of India'.

5. Q5.The Prayaga Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription) is associated with which Gupta ruler?

   • A.Chandragupta I
   • B.Samudragupta✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kumaragupta
   • D.Skandagupta

   Explanation: The Ashoka pillar inscription of Allahabad (Prayaga Prashasti) is associated with Samudragupta and lists his political and military achievements.

6. Q6.Who composed the Prayaga Prashasti?

   • A.Kalidasa
   • B.Harisena✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Ravikirti
   • D.Banabhatta

   Explanation: Prayaga Prashasti is considered a most important historical document of the classical Gupta age written in excellent Sanskrit by Harisena.

7. Q7.Which Gupta ruler is known as 'Sakari' or the 'Conqueror of Sakas'?

   • A.Samudragupta
   • B.Chandragupta II✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kumaragupta I
   • D.Skandagupta

   Explanation: Chandragupta-II 'Vikramaditya' was known as the 'Saka Conqueror' as he alleviated Saka power by defeating the last Saka king Rudrasimha-III.

8. Q8.Which Gupta king is associated with the Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription?

   • A.Chandragupta I
   • B.Samudragupta
   • C.Chandragupta II✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Buddhagupta

   Explanation: The Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription mentions a king named 'Chandra', widely identified as Chandragupta II, who set up the pillar as a standard of Lord Vishnu.

9. Q9.Who among the following was NOT one of the 'Nine Gems' (Navaratnas) of Chandragupta II?

   • A.Kalidasa
   • B.Dhanvantari
   • C.Varahamihira
   • D.Aryabhatta✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Nine Gems were Kalidasa, Dhanvantari, Varahamihira, Amar Singh, Shanku, Kshapanak, Vararuchi, Vetala Bhatta, and Ghata Karpara. Aryabhatta is not listed among them in the text.

10. Q10.Which Gupta ruler adopted the title 'Mahendraditya'?

    • A.Chandragupta I
    • B.Samudragupta
    • C.Kumaragupta I✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Skandagupta

    Explanation: Kumaragupta I (415-455 AD) is referred to as 'Mahendraditya'.

11. Q11.During whose reign did the first Huna invasion take place?

    • A.Chandragupta II
    • B.Kumaragupta I
    • C.Skandagupta✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Buddhagupta

    Explanation: The first invasion of Hunas took place during the reign of Skandagupta (455 AD) and they were comprehensively defeated by him.

12. Q12.Which inscription mentions the war between Skandagupta and the Hunas?

    • A.Eran Inscription
    • B.Bhitari Pillar Inscription✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Junagarh Inscription
    • D.Mehrauli Inscription

    Explanation: The description of the war between Skandagupta and Hunas is mentioned in the Bhitari Pillar inscription found in Ghazipur district.

13. Q13.The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called:

    • A.Dinara
    • B.Rupaka✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Karshapana
    • D.Pana

    Explanation: Chandragupta II launched silver coins after defeating the Sakas, and they were called 'Rupaka' in the Gupta rule.

14. Q14.What were the gold currencies called during the Gupta period?

    • A.Rupaka
    • B.Dinara✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Nishka
    • D.Satamana

    Explanation: Coins issued by Gupta rulers were found in various places and the gold currencies were called Dinara.

15. Q15.The first epigraphic evidence of 'Sati Practice' in India is found in which inscription?

    • A.Allahabad Pillar
    • B.Eran Inscription✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Aihole Inscription
    • D.Gwalior Inscription

    Explanation: The first evidence of 'Sati Practice' in India is mentioned in the Eran inscription of Bhanugupta (510 AD).

16. Q16.Which port in Bengal was a prominent centre for trade with South-East Asia during the Gupta period?

    • A.Bhrigu Kachchha
    • B.Sopara
    • C.Tamralipti✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kaveripattanam

    Explanation: The Tamralipti port in Bengal was a prominent port during the Gupta period from where trade was conducted with South-East Asia, China, etc.

17. Q17.Which physician was one of the Navratnas of Chandragupta II?

    • A.Charaka
    • B.Sushruta
    • C.Dhanvantari✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Vagbhata

    Explanation: Dhanvantari was one of the Navratnas of Chandragupta II and was a master in Ayurveda.

18. Q18.Who wrote the play 'Mrichchhakatika' which describes society during the Gupta period?

    • A.Kalidasa
    • B.Sudraka✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vishakhadatta
    • D.Bhasa

    Explanation: 'Mrichchhakatika' written by Sudraka tells about the change in society and administration system during the Gupta period.

19. Q19.The Nalanda University came into existence during which period?

    • A.Maurya Period
    • B.Kushan Period
    • C.Gupta Period✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Pala Period

    Explanation: The University of Nalanda came into existence during the Gupta Period. Initially, Kumaragupta I gave donations to it.

20. Q20.What was the land tax called in Gupta inscriptions?

    • A.Bali
    • B.Udrang✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Hiranya
    • D.Shulk

    Explanation: Land revenue is known as 'Udrang' and 'Bhag' in Gupta inscriptions.