Gupta Empire MCQ: Nalanda, Vikramshila & the Ajanta-Ellora Cave Paintings

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

1. Q1.Which Pratihara ruler destroyed the large army of the Mlechcha king (Arab ruler)?

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

   Explanation: The Gwalior inscription shows that Nagabhata I had destroyed the large army of Mlechcha king, which was probably the Arab ruler of Sindh.

2. Q2.Where is the first description of the Gurjara caste found?

   • A.Harshacharita
   • B.Aihole Inscription
   • C.Gwalior Inscription✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Rajatarangini

   Explanation: The first description of the Gurjara caste is in the Aihole text of Pulakeshin II.

3. Q3.Who established the Odantipur education centre?

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

   Explanation: Odantipur (Uddandapura) was situated in Magadha and was established by the Pala emperor Gopala first.

4. Q4.During the Buddhist period, Nalanda was the main centre for which sect of Buddhism?

   • A.Hinayana
   • B.Mahayana
   • C.Vajrayana✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Theravada

   Explanation: Nalanda was the main centre for the education for Mahayana Buddhism and Vallabhi for Hinayana Buddhism.

5. Q5.Who established the Vikramshila Mahavihara?

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

   Explanation: Vikramshila Mahavihara was established by Pala King Dharmapala.

6. Q6.Who composed 'Siddhanta Shiromani' and 'Lilavati'?

   • A.Aryabhatta
   • B.Brahmagupta
   • C.Bhaskara I
   • D.Bhaskaracharya

   Explanation: Bhaskaracharya was a great astronomer and mathematician who composed 'Siddhanta Shiromani' and 'Lilavati'.

7. Q7.What does the word 'Stupa' mean in the Rig Veda?

   • A.Mound
   • B.Tree stem
   • C.Fire altar✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Sacred place

   Explanation: The word stupa has been used for the first time in Rig Veda. In Rig Veda texts, stupa means 'tree stem.'

8. Q8.Who wrote the book 'Light of Asia' on the life of Gautama Buddha?

   • A.Max Muller
   • B.Edwin Arnold
   • C.V.A. Smith✓ Correct Answer
   • D.James Prinsep

   Explanation: Gautama Buddha is known as 'Light of Asia'. The book 'Light of Asia' on the life of Gautama Buddha was written by Edwin Arnold.

9. Q9.Who among the Navratnas of Chandragupta II was a Magician?

   • A.Kshapanak
   • B.Shanku
   • C.Vetala Bhatta
   • D.Ghata Karpara✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Vetala Bhatta was one of the Nine Gems of Chandragupta II and was a Magician.

10. Q10.Which Gupta ruler is known to have donated villages to Nalanda University initially?

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

    Explanation: Initially Kumaragupta I gave donations to Nalanda Buddhist Vihara.

11. Q11.Who was the Diplomat among the Navratnas of Chandragupta II?

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

    Explanation: Ghata Karpara was the Diplomat among the Nine Gems of Chandragupta II.

12. Q12.The 'Bhumisparsha Mudra' of Buddha symbolizes:

    • A.First Sermon
    • B.Mahaparinirvana
    • C.Earth as witness to enlightenment
    • D.Birth of Buddha✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: This gesture represents the moment of the Buddha's awakening as he claims the earth as the witness of his enlightenment.

13. Q13.Which of the following was NOT a Navratna of Chandragupta II?

    • A.Kshapanak
    • B.Shanku
    • C.Vararuchi
    • D.Aryabhatta

    Explanation: The Nine Gems were Kalidasa, Dhanvantari, Varahamihira, Amar Singh, Shanku, Kshapanak, Vararuchi, Vetala Bhatta, and Ghata Karpara. Aryabhatta is not in this list.

14. Q14.Who was the Astrologer among the Navratnas of Chandragupta II?

    • A.Varahamihira
    • B.Kshapanak
    • C.Shanku✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Vetala Bhatta

    Explanation: Kshapanak was the Astrologer among the Nine Gems. Varahamihira was an Astronomer.

15. Q15.In the Gupta period, who was the Architect among the Navratnas?

    • A.Shanku
    • B.Amar Singh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Dhanvantari
    • D.Kalidasa

    Explanation: Shanku was the Architect among the Navratnas of Chandragupta II.

16. Q16.Apart from Ajanta, which other caves contain paintings from the Gupta period?

    • A.Ellora Caves
    • B.Bagh Caves
    • C.Elephanta Caves✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Nasik Caves

    Explanation: There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One is Ajanta and the other is Bagh caves (Madhya Pradesh).

17. Q17.The huge image of Varaha Avatar (Boar Incarnation) of Lord Vishnu is found in which caves?

    • A.Ellora
    • B.Udayagiri
    • C.Elephanta✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Ajanta

    Explanation: The huge statue of Varaha Avatar of Lord Vishnu is described in the Udayagiri caves of Madhya Pradesh. It is a 5th-century creation.

18. Q18.Which Gupta period scholar wrote the encyclopedic work 'Brihat Samhita'?

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

    Explanation: Varahamihira wrote 'Brihat Samhita'. He was one of the Navratnas of Chandragupta II.

19. Q19.Who is the author of the epic poem 'Kiratarjuniyam'?

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

    Explanation: Bharavi wrote 'Kiratarjuniyam', an epic poem describing the combat between Arjuna and Lord Shiva.

20. Q20.Which book describes the adventures of 10 princes and was written by Dandin?

    • A.Dashakumaracharita
    • B.Mrichchhakatika✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Kadambari
    • D.Panchatantra

    Explanation: 'Dashakumaracharita' was written by Dandin and describes the adventures of 10 princes.