Post-Gupta Period MCQ: Pala Dynasty, the Lakshman Era & Varahamihira's Works

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

1. Q1.Jejakabhukti was the ancient name of?

   • A.Baghelkhand
   • B.Bundelkhand
   • C.Malwa✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Vidarbha

   Explanation: Jejakabhukti was the ancient name of Bundelkhand. It was named after Jay Singh or Jeja, the grandson of the founder Chandel King Nannuk.

2. Q2.Nalanda University was destroyed by?

   • A.Alauddin Khalji
   • B.Bakhtiyar Khilji
   • C.Sher Shah Suri✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Balban

   Explanation: Nalanda University was ransacked and destroyed by the army of Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193 AD.

3. Q3.Who was the founder of Pala dynasty?

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

   Explanation: Gopala was the founder of the Pala dynasty. He was elected as the king of Bengal.

4. Q4.Vallabhi University was situated in?

   • A.Bihar
   • B.Uttar Pradesh
   • C.Bengal
   • D.Gujarat

   Explanation: Vallabhi was an important center of Buddhist learning situated in Gujarat. It was famous for Hinayana Buddhism.

5. Q5.Who is the author of 'Prithviraj Raso'?

   • A.Kalhana
   • B.Bilhana
   • C.Jayanaka
   • D.Chand Bardai

   Explanation: Chand Bardai was the author of 'Prithviraj Raso'. It describes the life of Prithviraj Chauhan.

6. Q6.Aalha-Udal were related to?

   • A.Chanderi
   • B.Vidisha
   • C.Mahoba
   • D.Panna✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Aalha and Udal were related to Mahoba. They were commandants of the Chandel King Parmardev.

7. Q7.Who is the author of 'Rajatarangini'?

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

   Explanation: 'Rajatarangini' was written by Kalhana. It is a history of the kings of Kashmir.

8. Q8.Who is the author of 'Geet Govind'?

   • A.Jayadeva
   • B.Surdasa✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kesava
   • D.Mira

   Explanation: Geet Govind is an epic poem written in Sanskrit by Jayadeva. He was the court poet of Lakshman Sen of Bengal.

9. Q9.Who had composed 'Lilavati'?

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

   Explanation: Bhaskaracharya composed 'Lilavati', which is a text based on mathematics.

10. Q10.Which ruler of the Gupta dynasty first assumed the title of 'Maharajadhiraja'?

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

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

11. Q11.The Lakshman Era was started by which of the following dynasty?

    • A.Pratiharas
    • B.Palas
    • C.Chauhans
    • D.Senas

    Explanation: Lakshman Sen of the Sena dynasty initiated a new Samvat called 'Laxmana Samvat'.

12. Q12.Who wrote 'Mattavilasa Prahasana'?

    • A.Harsha
    • B.Mahendra Varman
    • C.Jaidev✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Bhasa

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

13. Q13.The social status assigned to the foreigners in Indian society by Manu was of the?

    • A.Kshatriyas
    • B.Fallen Kshatriyas
    • C.Vaishyas✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Sudras

    Explanation: The foreign invaders who did not follow priestly customs (like Shakas, Kushans) were stated as 'Fallen Kshatriyas' (Vratya Kshatriyas) in Manusmriti.

14. Q14.The term 'Apabhramsa' was used in medieval Sanskrit texts to denote?

    • A.Outcasts among the Rajputs
    • B.Deviations from Vedic rituals
    • C.Early forms of some of the modern Indian languages
    • D.Non-Sanskrit verse metres✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The term 'Apabhramsa' was used in medieval Sanskrit texts to denote early forms of some of the modern Indian languages.

15. Q15.Who is the author of 'Daskumarcharitam'?

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

    Explanation: 'Daskumarcharitam' was written by Dandin (Dandi).

16. Q16.Which of the following works is authored by the versatile scholar Varahamihira?

    • A.Kiratarjuniyam
    • B.Brihat Samhita
    • C.Mrichchhakatikam✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Dasarupaka

    Explanation: Varahamihira wrote 'Brihat Samhita'. 'Kiratarjuniyam' is by Bharavi and 'Mrichchhakatikam' by Sudraka.

17. Q17.'Pankodakasannirodhe' was the penalty in Mauryan administration, charged for?

    • A.Filthy drinking water
    • B.Slushing the road
    • C.Throwing garbage✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Stenching temples

    Explanation: 'Pankodakasannirodhe' was the penalty in Mauryan administration for throwing dirt or causing mud and water to collect on the roads.

18. Q18.The system governing villages through autonomous elected panchayats was evolved by?

    • A.Kushans
    • B.Cholas (Dravids)
    • C.Aryans✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Mauryans

    Explanation: The system to govern villages through autonomous elected panchayats was evolved by Cholas (Dravids).

19. Q19.Which ancient Indian book allows divorce to a wife deserted by her husband?

    • A.Kamasutra
    • B.Manavadharmashastra
    • C.Sukra Nitisara
    • D.Arthashastra

    Explanation: Kautilya's 'Arthashastra' allows divorce to a wife deserted by her husband.

20. Q20.Who is the author of 'Kiratarjuniyam'?

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

    Explanation: 'Kiratarjuniyam' was written by Bharavi.