Gupta Empire MCQ: Harshavardhana, the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty & Gupta Mathematics

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

1. Q1.Who was the court poet of Harsha and author of 'Harshacharita'?

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

   Explanation: Banabhatta was the court poet of Harsha. He wrote 'Harshacharita' and 'Kadambari'.

2. Q2.Which Gupta ruler is associated with the title 'Vikramaditya'?

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

   Explanation: Chandragupta II is famously known as 'Chandragupta Vikramaditya'.

3. Q3.Where was the most famous place where Gupta coins were found?

   • A.Hastinapur
   • B.Bayana (Bharatpur)
   • C.Sarnath✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Pataliputra

   Explanation: The most famous place where coins of Gupta rulers were found is Bharatpur (Bayana).

4. Q4.Which of the following was a cash tax in the Mauryan period mentioned in the context of tax types?

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

   Explanation: 'Hiranya' was the cash tax in the Mauryan period, while land tax was called Udrang in Gupta inscriptions.

5. Q5.Who was the founder of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty?

   • A.Mihir Bhoja
   • B.Vatsaraja
   • C.Nagabhata I
   • D.Harichandra✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The founder of the Gurjara-Pratihar dynasty was Nagabhata I (730-756 AD).

6. Q6.What were the guilds (Shrenis) in ancient India responsible for?

   • A.Religious rituals
   • B.Military conquest
   • C.Regulation of trade and judicial power over members
   • D.Collection of central taxes✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Guilds were established by merchants for proper regulation of trade. They had judicial power over their members and ensured salary, rules, and standards.

7. Q7.Which Gupta ruler defeated the last Saka king Rudrasimha III?

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

   Explanation: Chandragupta-II 'Vikramaditya' alleviated Saka power by defeating the last Saka king Rudrasimha-III in the first decade of the 5th century.

8. Q8.The 'Ashtanga Yoga' was outlined by which sage?

   • A.Kapila
   • B.Gautama
   • C.Patanjali
   • D.Jaimini✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Maharshi Patanjali is known as the founder of 'Yoga Darshan' and outlined 'Ashtanga Yoga' (eight-limbed yoga) in Yoga Sutras.

9. Q9.According to Puranas, the capital of Chandravansh was originally at Prayag but later shifted to:

   • A.Hastinapur
   • B.Mathura
   • C.Pratishthanpur
   • D.Kaushambi✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: After a natural calamity, the Chandravanshi king Samvaram established his capital in Pratishthanpur (present Jhunsi, Allahabad).

10. Q10.Which mathematician wrote 'Mahabhaskariya' and 'Laghubhaskariya'?

    • A.Aryabhatta
    • B.Brahmagupta
    • C.Bhaskara I
    • D.Bhaskara II✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Bhaskara I was a Gupta contemporary who wrote Mahabhaskariya and Laghubhaskariya.

11. Q11.Kumaragupta I was the eldest son of Chandragupta II and which queen?

    • A.Kuberanaga
    • B.Dhruvadevi
    • C.Kumaradevi✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Dattadevi

    Explanation: Kumaragupta I 'Mahendraditya' (415-455 AD) was the eldest son born to Dhruvadevi, wife of Chandragupta II.

12. Q12.Which industry was the principal industry of the Gupta period?

    • A.Metal industry
    • B.Garment industry
    • C.Pottery industry✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Ivory industry

    Explanation: Gujarat, Bengal, Deccan and Tamil Nadu were famous for the production of garments. The garment industry was the principal industry of the Gupta period.

13. Q13.Who among the Navratnas of Chandragupta II was a Lexicographer?

    • A.Vararuchi
    • B.Amar Singh
    • C.Shanku✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kshapanak

    Explanation: Amar Singh was a Lexicographer and one of the Nine Gems (Navratnas) of Chandragupta II.

14. Q14.Which mathematician described the cyclic quadrilateral?

    • A.Aryabhatta
    • B.Brahmagupta
    • C.Varahamihira✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Bhaskara I

    Explanation: Brahmagupta described the cyclic quadrilateral. Development in mathematics was notable in the Gupta period.

15. Q15.In which ancient texts are Sine, Cosine, and Inverse sine mentioned?

    • A.Lilavati and Bijaganita
    • B.Surya Siddhanta and Aryabhatiya
    • C.Mahabhaskariya and Laghubhaskariya✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Brahmasphutasiddhanta and Khandakhadyaka

    Explanation: Sine, Cosine, and Inverse sine were known in the 5th Century and are mentioned in 'Surya Siddhanta' and 'Aryabhatiya'.

16. Q16.Which inscription shows the territory of the Huna ruler Mihirakula?

    • A.Eran Inscription
    • B.Gwalior Inscription
    • C.Mandsaur Inscription✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Junagarh Inscription

    Explanation: Mihirakula was a central Asian Huna origin emperor. The Gwalior inscription showed his territory which included Gwalior.

17. Q17.The Maukharis, who were feudatories of the Guptas, were originally residents of which place?

    • A.Kannauj
    • B.Gaya
    • C.Thanesar✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Ujjain

    Explanation: Maukhari were the feudatories of the Guptas, who were originally residents of Gaya. The rulers of the Maukhari dynasty later made Kannauj their capital.

18. Q18.With whom did Harsha rule over Kannauj jointly?

    • A.Grahavarman
    • B.Rajyashri
    • C.Rajyavardhana✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Prabhakarvardhana

    Explanation: Chinese sources revealed that Harsha and his sister Rajyashri ruled together over Kannauj.

19. Q19.Where was the 'Mahamoksha Council' held every fifth year during Harsha's rule?

    • A.Kannauj
    • B.Thanesar
    • C.Prayag
    • D.Ujjain✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: A function used to be held at the Sangam region of Prayag every fifth year of Harsha's rule, which is stated as 'Mahamoksha council.'

20. Q20.Which Rashtrakuta king was born in a military camp at Sribhavan?

    • A.Dantidurga
    • B.Govinda III
    • C.Amoghavarsha I
    • D.Krishna I✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Rashtrakuta Raja Amoghavarsha I was born in 800 AD in the military camp of Sribhavan, on the banks of river Narmada.