Gupta Empire MCQ: Panchatantra, the Kailasa Temple & Gupta-Era Literature

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

1. Q1.Besides 'Mudrarakshasa', which other drama was written by Vishakhadatta?

   • A.Devichandraguptam
   • B.Malavikagnimitram✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Svapnavasavadattam
   • D.Ratnavali

   Explanation: Besides Mudrarakshasa, Vishakhadatta wrote 'Devichandraguptam'.

2. Q2.Who is attributed with the compilation of 'Panchatantra'?

   • A.Vishnu Sharma
   • B.Narayan Pandit✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kalidasa
   • D.Banabhatta

   Explanation: The compilation of Panchatantra (Indian animal fables) is attributed to Pandit Vishnu Sharma.

3. Q3.Which of the following plays is authored by Emperor Harsha?

   • A.Ratnavali
   • B.Priyadarshika
   • C.Nagananda
   • D.All of the above

   Explanation: Harsha is supposed to be the author of three plays: 'Ratnavali', 'Priyadarshika' and 'Nagananda'.

4. Q4.Who performed the 'Hiranyagarbha' (Mahadan) Yajna in Ujjaini?

   • A.Dantidurga
   • B.Harsha✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Pulakeshin II
   • D.Amoghavarsha

   Explanation: It is said that Dantidurga, the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, conducted a Hiranyagarbha Yajna in Ujjaini.

5. Q5.Who built the Kailasa Temple at Ellora?

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

   Explanation: Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I built the Kailasa temple of Ellora, which is an example of rock-cut architecture.

6. Q6.Which caves are famous for the 'Trimurti' statue?

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

   Explanation: Elephanta caves are famous for the 'Trimurti' (three-headed Shiva) statue.

7. Q7.Which city was the capital of the Maukhari dynasty?

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

   Explanation: The rulers of the Maukhari dynasty made Kannauj their capital.

8. Q8.Who was the leader of the second Huna attack on India?

   • A.Mihirakula
   • B.Toramana
   • C.Kanishka✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Rudradaman

   Explanation: Toramana (Tormad) was the leader of the second Huna attack on India.

9. Q9.Which prominent port on the western coast was used for trade during the Gupta period?

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

   Explanation: The Western coast had an important port of Bhrigu Kachchha (Bharuch) from where Gupta rulers used to trade with western countries.

10. Q10.Which book has four parts: Lilavati, Bijaganita, Ganitadhyay, and Goladhayay?

    • A.Aryabhatiya
    • B.Brahmasphutasiddhanta
    • C.Siddhanta Shiromani
    • D.Surya Siddhanta✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Bhaskaracharya's book 'Siddhanta Shiromani' has four parts - Lilavati, Bijaganita, Ganitadhyay, and Goladhayay.

11. Q11.Who wrote the play 'Mattavilasa Prahasana'?

    • A.Harsha
    • B.Mahendra Varman
    • C.Narasimhavarman✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Pulakeshin II

    Explanation: 'Mattavilasa Prahasana' was written by the versatile Pallava ruler and scholar Mahendra Varman.

12. Q12.In which year did Arabs first use 'Zero' after learning it from India?

    • A.750 AD
    • B.873 AD
    • C.900 AD✓ Correct Answer
    • D.650 AD

    Explanation: 'Zero' was discovered by an anonymous Indian. It was found that the Arabs firstly used zero in 873 A.D.

13. Q13.Ayurvedacharyas like Charaka and Jivaka studied at which university?

    • A.Nalanda
    • B.Vikramshila
    • C.Taxila
    • D.Vallabhi✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Kautilya, Chandragupta Maurya, and Ayurvedacharyas Charaka and Jivaka studied at Taxila University.

14. Q14.Which Pala king established the Vikramshila University?

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

    Explanation: King Dharmapala of Bengal established the Vikramshila University (770-810 AD).

15. Q15.The Odantipur education centre was established by whom?

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

    Explanation: Odantipur (Uddandapura) was established by the Pala emperor Gopala first.

16. Q16.In which ancient text are Sine, Cosine, and Inverse sine mentioned?

    • A.Lilavati
    • B.Siddhanta Shiromani
    • C.Surya Siddhanta
    • D.Mahabhaskariya✓ Correct Answer

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

17. Q17.Who wrote 'Rajatarangini', the history of Kashmir?

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

    Explanation: Kalhana was the author of Rajatarangini (River of Kings) which gives an account of the history of Kashmir.

18. Q18.Who wrote the epic poem 'Geet Govind'?

    • A.Jayadev
    • B.Surdas✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Tulsidas
    • D.Kalidasa

    Explanation: 'Geet Govind' is an epic poem written in Sanskrit by Jayadev, the royal poet in the court of King Lakshman Sen.

19. Q19.Who wrote 'Shishupalavadha'?

    • A.Bharavi
    • B.Magha
    • C.Sriharsha✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Bhasa

    Explanation: Magha wrote 'Sisupalavadha', an epic poem based on the Mahabharata.

20. Q20.Which text is considered the earliest metrical work on Brahminical Dharma?

    • A.Arthashastra
    • B.Manusmriti
    • C.Natyashastra✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kamasutra

    Explanation: Manusmriti, also known as Manav Dharam Shastra, is considered the earliest metrical work on Brahminical Dharma.