The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity — Hard

Q1. Arrange the following Gupta rulers in correct chronological order of their reign (earliest first): I. Samudragupta II. Chandragupta II (Vikramāditya) III. Chandragupta I

• A. I, II, III
• B. III, I, II
• C. II, III, I
• D. III, II, I

Q2. Read the two statements about the Gupta gold coin shown in Fig. 7.4 and choose the correct option: Statement I: One face of the coin shows Chandragupta I with his queen Kumāradevī. Statement II: The reverse depicts a seated goddess identified as Lakṣhmī.

• A. Only Statement I is correct
• B. Only Statement II is correct
• C. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• D. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect

Q3. Assertion (A): Many defeated kings continued to rule their own kingdoms after being conquered by Samudragupta. Reason (R): Samudragupta reinstated many defeated kings, accepting tribute from them, instead of directly annexing every territory.

• A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true, R is false.
• D. A is false, R is true.

Q4. Consider the following statements about titles in the Gupta era: I. Gupta rulers adopted titles such as 'mahārājādhirāja', 'samrāṭ' and 'chakravartin'. II. Earlier rulers had used simpler titles like 'rājan' and 'mahārāja'. III. These imperial titles reflected the Guptas' claim to supreme authority over other rulers. Which of the statements is/are correct?

• A. I and II only
• B. II and III only
• C. I and III only
• D. I, II and III

Q5. The chapter recalls Kauṭilya's idea that rulers should form alliances (mitra) as one of the components of the saptāṅga. Which Gupta-era practice BEST shows this principle being applied?

• A. The Hūṇa invasions on the empire in the 6th century CE
• B. Chandragupta I's marriage with the Licchavi princess Kumāradevī
• C. Faxian's pilgrimage to Buddhist sites in India
• D. Issuing aśhvamedha commemorative gold coins

Q6. Which of the following was NOT a source of revenue for the Gupta state, as described in the chapter?

• A. Taxes on mines and irrigation
• B. Taxes on trade and crafts
• C. Fines collected by the state
• D. Income tax on personal salaries

Q7. Which of the following statements about Gupta-era external trade is correct?

• A. India imported textiles and spices from China during the Gupta era.
• B. India exported textiles, spices, ivory and gemstones to the Mediterranean world, Southeast Asia and China.
• C. Gupta India had no trade contacts beyond the Indian subcontinent.
• D. Indian Ocean trade routes had collapsed by the Gupta period.

Q8. Archaeological evidence found on Socotra Island — pottery, Brāhmī-script inscriptions and Buddhist stūpa designs — is used in the chapter to establish that

• A. Socotra was politically a part of the Gupta Empire.
• B. Indian traders were present on the island over several centuries, sharing space with traders from Egypt, Arabia, Rome and Greece.
• C. The Hūṇas had set up a colony on the island.
• D. Faxian permanently settled on Socotra during his pilgrimage.

Q9. Āryabhaṭa gave the length of a year as 365 days, 6 hours, 12 minutes and 30 seconds. The modern accepted value is 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds. What does this BEST illustrate?

• A. His calculation was completely wrong by modern standards.
• B. His estimate, made around 500 CE, was only a few minutes off from the modern value — a remarkable achievement.
• C. Modern astronomers simply copied his exact value.
• D. Āryabhaṭa rejected the idea that a year has a fixed length.

Q10. Match the Gupta-era scholar with the city or text he is associated with, and choose the correct option: A. Āryabhaṭa — 1. Ujjayinī B. Varāhamihira — 2. Kusumapura (near Patna) C. Kālidāsa — 3. Meghadūtam

• A. A–1, B–2, C–3
• B. A–2, B–1, C–3
• C. A–3, B–1, C–2
• D. A–2, B–3, C–1

Q11. Assertion (A): Āryabhaṭa gave a correct explanation for solar and lunar eclipses. Reason (R): Āryabhaṭa proposed that the Earth is stationary at the centre of the universe.

• A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true, R is false.
• D. A is false, R is true.

Q12. Consider the following statements about the Iron Pillar of Delhi: I. The pillar is over 1,600 years old and still stands without rusting. II. Scientists believe a unique thin layer, formed from the special iron and oxygen, protects it from corrosion. III. The pillar is hollow and weighs less than one tonne. Which of the statements is/are correct?

• A. I and II only
• B. II and III only
• C. I and III only
• D. I, II and III

Q13. Which of the following present-day regions did the Pallava dynasty gradually consolidate its power over, while the Guptas ruled in the north?

• A. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
• B. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat
• C. Assam, West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand
• D. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand

Q14. According to the chapter, the decline of the Gupta Empire by the 6th century CE was caused by which combination of factors?

• A. Roman invasions and a sudden change in climate
• B. Repeated Hūṇa attacks from Central Asia AND internal conflicts due to rising regional rulers
• C. Faxian's writings turning the people against the Guptas
• D. A long civil war between Āryabhaṭa and Varāhamihira's supporters

Q15. Priya reads that Kānchīpuram, the Pallava capital, is often known as the 'city of a thousand temples' and developed as a major centre of learning. Which Pallava-era institution mentioned in the chapter BEST supports this 'centre of learning' description?

• A. Aśhvamedha yajña sites
• B. Ghaṭikās — centres of learning that fostered education and intellectual growth
• C. Saptāṅga councils
• D. Prayāga praśhasti recitation halls