Post-Mauryan Period MCQ: Kharavela's Hathigumpha Inscription & Kushan Religious Practices

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

1. Q1.Who was the last ruler of the Kanva dynasty?

   • A.Vasudeva
   • B.Susharma
   • C.Narayana✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Bhumimitra

   Explanation: According to Vayu Purana, the last ruler of the Kanva dynasty, Susharma, was deposed by his Andhrian servant Simuka.

2. Q2.The Hathigumpha inscription records the events of Kharavela's life up to which year of his reign?

   • A.10th year
   • B.13th year
   • C.20th year✓ Correct Answer
   • D.25th year

   Explanation: The Hathigumpha inscription records Kharavela's life up to his 38th year, including 13 years of his reign.

3. Q3.According to the Hathigumpha inscription, Kharavela brought back the statue of which figure from Magadha?

   • A.Buddha
   • B.Jina (Jinsen)
   • C.Vishnu✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Shiva

   Explanation: According to the inscription, King Kharavela took away the statue of King Jinsen (Jina) from Magadha.

4. Q4.Which of the following confederacies did Kharavela defeat?

   • A.Saka, Kushan, Huna
   • B.Chola, Chera, Pandya
   • C.Anga, Vanga, Magadha✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Kuru, Panchala, Matsya

   Explanation: The Hathigumpha inscription shows that Kharavela defeated the three states of the South: Chola, Chera, and Pandya.

5. Q5.What was the capital of the Chedi Mahajanapada?

   • A.Suktimati
   • B.Mahishmati✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Viratnagar
   • D.Indraprastha

   Explanation: The capital of Chedi Mahajanapada was 'Kotthivati' which is known as 'Suktimati' in Mahabharata.

6. Q6.Which deity is referred to as 'Devdevas' (God of Gods) in the Besnagar Garuda Pillar inscription?

   • A.Shiva
   • B.Vasudeva
   • C.Indra✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Brahma

   Explanation: In the engraved article on the Besnagar pillar, Vasudeva was called 'Devdevas' or God of the Gods.

7. Q7.Panini mentioned the worshippers of Vasudeva as:

   • A.Bhagavata
   • B.Vasudevak
   • C.Pancharatra✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Sattvata

   Explanation: Maharishi Panini named Vasudeva worshipers as 'Vasudevak'.

8. Q8.Greek writers identified the deity worshipped in Mathura (Sursen) as:

   • A.Apollo
   • B.Zeus
   • C.Heracles
   • D.Dionysus✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: According to Greek ambassador Megasthenes, the people of Sursen (Mathura) were worshipers of 'Heracles', which is related to Vasudeva Krishna.

9. Q9.Which Indo-Greek ruler was the first to introduce bilingual legends on his coins?

   • A.Menander
   • B.Demetrius
   • C.Agathocles
   • D.Eucratides✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Agathocles was the first Greco-Bactrian ruler to introduce bilingual legends on his coins, primarily in Greek and Brahmi.

10. Q10.The Kushan empire extended in the north up to which region?

    • A.Tashkent
    • B.Turpan (China)
    • C.Bactria✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Sogdiana

    Explanation: The empire of the Kushan dynasty was expanded over northern Turpan of China.

11. Q11.Which Chinese general defeated Kanishka when he proposed to marry a Chinese princess?

    • A.Pan Chao
    • B.Ho Ti✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Shi Huang Ti
    • D.Pan Yang

    Explanation: According to Chinese texts, Kanishka marched on Pan Chao with a force but was defeated when his request to marry Princess Han was denied.

12. Q12.Evidence from Periplus and Arikamedu proves that Kushan trade operated through which route?

    • A.Silk Route only
    • B.Persian Bay and Red Sea
    • C.Bay of Bengal✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Indian Ocean only

    Explanation: Evidence proves that Kushan's trade was operated through Persian Bay and the Red Sea.

13. Q13.Which social ceremony was abolished for females during the Kushan period?

    • A.Vivaha
    • B.Upanayana
    • C.Namakarana✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Antyesthi

    Explanation: Abolition of 'Upanayana' in females and the custom of child marriage brought them to the lowest stage of society during the Kushan period.

14. Q14.Who is called 'one of the world's four great guiding powers' by Hiuen Tsang?

    • A.Ashvaghosha
    • B.Nagarjuna
    • C.Vasumitra✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Charaka

    Explanation: Hiuen Tsang called Nagarjuna one of the world's four great guiding powers.

15. Q15.Which work is authored by Ashvaghosha?

    • A.Mahabhasya
    • B.Saundaranand
    • C.Madhyamika Karika✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Indica

    Explanation: Ashvaghosha's major compositions were Saundaranand, Buddhacharita, and Sariputraprakaran.

16. Q16.Who was the Greek ambassador who accepted the Bhagavata religion?

    • A.Megasthenes
    • B.Deimachus
    • C.Heliodorus
    • D.Dionysus✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Heliodorus, the Greek Ambassador of Taxila, accepted Bhagwat Religion and established the Garuda pillar at Vidisha.

17. Q17.Who constructed the dam on Sudarshan Lake originally?

    • A.Ashoka
    • B.Rudradaman
    • C.Pushyagupta
    • D.Skandagupta✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Pushyagupta, a provincial governor of Chandragupta Maurya, constructed the dam for irrigation on Sudarshan Lake.

18. Q18.The Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman is the earliest specimen of which style?

    • A.Dravidian style
    • B.Kavya style
    • C.Pali script✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kharoshthi script

    Explanation: The earliest specimen of 'Kavya' style is found in the Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman.

19. Q19.Which era was started to celebrate the victory over Sakas in 57 BC?

    • A.Saka Samvat
    • B.Vikram Samvat
    • C.Gupta Samvat✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Kali Samvat

    Explanation: To celebrate the victory over Sakas in 57 BC, a new calendar called Vikram Samvat was started.

20. Q20.What was the tenure of the Indo-Greek ruler Strato-II?

    • A.100 BC - 75 BC
    • B.25 BC - 10 AD
    • C.78 AD - 101 AD✓ Correct Answer
    • D.57 BC - 1 AD

    Explanation: The tenure of Strato-II is considered from 25 BC to 10 AD. He issued lead coins.