Post-Gupta Period MCQ: Mihirakula, Pulakesin II's Victory Over Harsha & Chinese Travelers

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

1. Q1.Tormad was from the racial group of?

   • A.Sithian
   • B.Huna
   • C.Yaochi✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Saka

   Explanation: Tormad (Toramana) was the leader of the second Huna invasion on India. He belonged to the Huna racial group.

2. Q2.Who amongst the following had defeated Huna ruler Mihirakula?

   • A.Budhagupta
   • B.Yashodharman
   • C.Shashanka✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Prabhakaravardhana

   Explanation: Mihirakula, a Huna ruler, suffered a defeat by the Aulikara king Yasodharman of Malwa in 528 AD.

3. Q3.Chinese traveller 'Sungyun' came to India in?

   • A.515 AD to 520 AD
   • B.525 AD to 529 AD✓ Correct Answer
   • C.545 AD to 552 AD
   • D.592 AD to 597 AD

   Explanation: Chinese traveller 'Sungyun' came to India in 518 AD and stayed till 521 AD. He collected texts of Buddha's preaching.

4. Q4.The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on?

   • A.A conflict between Gods and Demons
   • B.A romantic story of an Aryan prince and a tribal woman
   • C.The story of the power struggle between two Aryan tribes
   • D.The court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya

   Explanation: Visakhadatta's play 'Mudrarakshasa' describes the actions of Chandragupta Maurya and the intrigues (Durabhisandhi) in his court.

5. Q5.With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as?

   • A.ports handling foreign trade
   • B.capitals of powerful kingdoms✓ Correct Answer
   • C.places of exquisite stone art
   • D.important Buddhist pilgrimage centers

   Explanation: During the Gupta period, Ghantasala, Kadura, and Chaul were well-known ports handling foreign trade.

6. Q6.The game of 'Chess' is said to have originated in?

   • A.China
   • B.Iran
   • C.Indonesia
   • D.India

   Explanation: The game of chess originated in India during the Gupta period and was known as 'Chaturanga'. It reached Iran and then Europe from India.

7. Q7.'Mrichchhakatika' an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with?

   • A.The love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan
   • B.The victory of Chandragupta II over the Shaka Kshatrapas✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The military expeditions of Samudragupta
   • D.The love affairs between a Gupta King and a Princess of Kamarupa

   Explanation: 'Mrichchhakatika' (The Little Clay Cart) deals with the love story of Charudatta, a rich merchant, and Vasantasena, the daughter of a courtesan. It also describes changes in society during the Gupta period.

8. Q8.Whose contribution is there in ancient Sankhya Darshan?

   • A.Kapila
   • B.Gautam✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Nagarjuna
   • D.Charvak

   Explanation: Maharshi Kapila is known as the 'Acharya' (founder) of Sankhya Darshan. He composed 'Sankhya Sutra'.

9. Q9.The system of philosophy propounded by Kapila Muni is?

   • A.Purva Mimansa
   • B.Sankhya Philosophy
   • C.Nyaya Philosophy✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Uttar Mimansa

   Explanation: Kapila Muni propounded the Sankhya Philosophy, which is one of the most ancient philosophical schools of India.

10. Q10.With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Samkhya School: 1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth. 2. Sankhya holds that self-knowledge leads to liberation. Which of the statements is/are correct?

    • A.Only 1
    • B.Only 2
    • C.Both 1 and 2✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Neither 1 nor 2

    Explanation: Sankhya philosophy accepts the theory of rebirth (so statement 1 is incorrect). It holds that self-knowledge (knowledge of the self) leads to liberation (so statement 2 is correct).

11. Q11.Among the following rulers who had defeated Harshavardhana?

    • A.Kirtivarman II
    • B.Vikramaditya II
    • C.Pulkeshin I
    • D.Pulakeshin II

    Explanation: Emperor Harsha's southward march was stopped on the Narmada River by Pulakeshin II. This incident is mentioned in the Aihole inscription of Pulakeshin II and the description of Hiuen Tsang.

12. Q12.The Chalukyan ruler Pulakesin's victory over Harsha was in the year?

    • A.612 A.D.
    • B.618 A.D.
    • C.622 A.D.✓ Correct Answer
    • D.634 A.D.

    Explanation: Researchers claim that the date of Pulakeshin's triumph over Harsha could be fixed at 618 AD based on a copper plate inscription. (Note: Older estimates placed it between 630-634 AD).

13. Q13.Poet Bana was inhabitant of?

    • A.Pataliputra
    • B.Thanesar
    • C.Bhojpur
    • D.Aurangabad (Bihar)

    Explanation: Banabhatta was born in the village Prithikuta, on the bank of Son River in Aurangabad district (Present Bihar). He was the court poet of Harsha.

14. Q14.In whose reign-period the Chinese Traveller Hiuen Tsang visited India?

    • A.Chandragupta II
    • B.Harsha
    • C.Chandragupta Maurya✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Chandragupta I

    Explanation: The arrival of Hiuen Tsang was the most important event of Harsha's period. He departed for India in 629 AD and wrote a book named 'Sei-Yu-Kei'.

15. Q15.Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the 'Hundi' generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?

    • A.An advisory issued by the king
    • B.A diary for daily accounts
    • C.A bill of exchange
    • D.An order from the feudal lord✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: In the sources of the post-Harsha period, Hundi was treated as a 'bill of exchange'. It refers to financial instruments used in trade and credit transactions.

16. Q16.The famous Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of?

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

    Explanation: Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (375-415 AD).

17. Q17.Which statement regarding Hiuen Tsang's account of India is correct?

    • A.Roads were completely immune from robbery.
    • B.Ordeals by fire, water and poison were used for punishment.
    • C.Tradesmen did not pay any duties.✓ Correct Answer
    • D.None of the above.

    Explanation: According to Hiuen Tsang, punishment was harsh and ordeals by fire, water, and poison were used to determine innocence or guilt. However, roads were not immune from robbery as he himself was robbed.

18. Q18.Who sent Hiuen-Tsang as an emissary in the court of Harsha?

    • A.Taai-Sunga
    • B.Tung-Kuaan
    • C.Ku-Yen-Vu
    • D.None of above

    Explanation: Hiuen Tsang was not sent as an emissary. He came to India on his own accord for religious study, despite a ban on foreign travel by the Chinese emperor Taai-Sunga.

19. Q19.During Hiuen Tsang tour in India most famous city for the production of cotton clothes was?

    • A.Varanasi
    • B.Mathura
    • C.Pataliputra✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kanchi

    Explanation: According to Hiuen Tsang, Mathura was famous for the production of cotton textiles, while Varanasi was famous for silk textiles.

20. Q20.The term 'Kausheya' has been used for?

    • A.Cotton
    • B.Flax
    • C.Silk
    • D.Wool✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: In the Gupta and later Gupta period, the word 'Kausheya' was used to denote silk.