UPSC Static Quiz – Ancient & Medieval India : 9 August 2024

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Consider the following statements. Samudragupta was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the grand title of maharajadhiraja. Allahabad pillar inscription was composed as a Kavya by Harishena. Allahabad pillar inscription is of a special kind known as a prashasti meaning ‘in praise of’. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1, 2 b) 2 only c) 2, 3 d) 1, 2, 3 Correct Solution: c) Chandragupta was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the grand title of maharaj-adhiraja, a title that his son Samudragupta also used. His great grandfather and grandfather are mentioned simply as maha-rajas. It seems as if the family gradually rose to importance. Allahabad pillar inscription was composed as a Kavya by Harishena, who was a poet and a minister at the court of Samudragupta. This inscription is of a special kind known as a prashasti, a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘in praise of’. Incorrect Solution: c) Chandragupta was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the grand title of maharaj-adhiraja, a title that his son Samudragupta also used. His great grandfather and grandfather are mentioned simply as maha-rajas. It seems as if the family gradually rose to importance. Allahabad pillar inscription was composed as a Kavya by Harishena, who was a poet and a minister at the court of Samudragupta. This inscription is of a special kind known as a prashasti, a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘in praise of’.

#### 1. Question

Consider the following statements.

• Samudragupta was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the grand title of maharajadhiraja.

• Allahabad pillar inscription was composed as a Kavya by Harishena.

• Allahabad pillar inscription is of a special kind known as a prashasti meaning ‘in praise of’.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: c)

Chandragupta was the first ruler of the Gupta dynasty to adopt the grand title of maharaj-adhiraja, a title that his son Samudragupta also used. His great grandfather and grandfather are mentioned simply as maha-rajas. It seems as if the family gradually rose to importance.

Allahabad pillar inscription was composed as a Kavya by Harishena, who was a poet and a minister at the court of Samudragupta. This inscription is of a special kind known as a prashasti, a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘in praise of’.

Solution: c)

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question In the Gupta empire, Paramabhattaraka was a a) Minister for foreign affairs b) In charge of granaries c) Council of Peace and conflict d) Title adopted by Gupta Kings Correct Solution: d) The Gupta kings patronized Brahmanical Hinduism. In other words, the period witnessed the ascendancy of Brahmanical religious beliefs like Vaishnavism, Saivism, Shakti worship etc. The rulers themselves were ardent worshippers of Vishnu and accepted Vaishnavite titles like Parama Bliagabata, Parama Bhattaraka etc. Incorrect Solution: d) The Gupta kings patronized Brahmanical Hinduism. In other words, the period witnessed the ascendancy of Brahmanical religious beliefs like Vaishnavism, Saivism, Shakti worship etc. The rulers themselves were ardent worshippers of Vishnu and accepted Vaishnavite titles like Parama Bliagabata, Parama Bhattaraka etc.

#### 2. Question

In the Gupta empire, Paramabhattaraka was a

• a) Minister for foreign affairs

• b) In charge of granaries

• c) Council of Peace and conflict

• d) Title adopted by Gupta Kings

Solution: d)

The Gupta kings patronized Brahmanical Hinduism. In other words, the period witnessed the ascendancy of Brahmanical religious beliefs like Vaishnavism, Saivism, Shakti worship etc. The rulers themselves were ardent worshippers of Vishnu and accepted Vaishnavite titles like Parama Bliagabata, Parama Bhattaraka etc.

Solution: d)

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following pairs regarding the administration of Harshavardhana. Administrative post: Responsibility Sandhi-vigrahika Chief banker Prathama-kulika Minister of war and peace Maha-danda-nayaka Chief Judicial Officer Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched? a) 1, 2 b) 3 only c) 2, 3 d) 1, 2, 3 Correct Solution: b) Under Harshavardhana’s rule, some important administrative posts were hereditary. This means that sons succeeded fathers to these posts. For example, the poet Harishena was a maha-danda-nayaka, or chief judicial officer, like his father. Sometimes, one person held many offices. For instance, besides being a maha-danda-nayaka, Harishena was a kumar-amatya, meaning an important minister, and a sandhi-vigrahika, meaning a minister of war and peace. Besides, important men probably had a say in local administration. These included the nagarashreshthi or chief banker or merchant of the city, the sarthavaha or leader of the merchant caravans, the prathama-kulika or the chief craftsman, and the head of the kayasthas or scribes. Incorrect Solution: b) Under Harshavardhana’s rule, some important administrative posts were hereditary. This means that sons succeeded fathers to these posts. For example, the poet Harishena was a maha-danda-nayaka, or chief judicial officer, like his father. Sometimes, one person held many offices. For instance, besides being a maha-danda-nayaka, Harishena was a kumar-amatya, meaning an important minister, and a sandhi-vigrahika, meaning a minister of war and peace. Besides, important men probably had a say in local administration. These included the nagarashreshthi or chief banker or merchant of the city, the sarthavaha or leader of the merchant caravans, the prathama-kulika or the chief craftsman, and the head of the kayasthas or scribes.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following pairs regarding the administration of Harshavardhana.

Administrative post: Responsibility

• Sandhi-vigrahika Chief banker

• Prathama-kulika Minister of war and peace

• Maha-danda-nayaka Chief Judicial Officer

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

• d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: b)

Under Harshavardhana’s rule, some important administrative posts were hereditary. This means that sons succeeded fathers to these posts. For example, the poet Harishena was a maha-danda-nayaka, or chief judicial officer, like his father.

Sometimes, one person held many offices. For instance, besides being a maha-danda-nayaka, Harishena was a kumar-amatya, meaning an important minister, and a sandhi-vigrahika, meaning a minister of war and peace.

Besides, important men probably had a say in local administration. These included the nagarashreshthi or chief banker or merchant of the city, the sarthavaha or leader of the merchant caravans, the prathama-kulika or the chief craftsman, and the head of the kayasthas or scribes.

Solution: b)

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question The places Kanchipuram, Aihole and Vatapi are commonly associated as a) Ports handling foreign trade b) Capital of South Indian kingdoms c) Important Buddhist pilgrimage centres d) None of the above Correct Solution: b) The Pallavas and Chalukyas were the most important ruling dynasties in south India during this period. The kingdom of the Pallavas spread from the region around their capital, Kanchipuram, to the Kaveri delta, while that of the Chalukyas was centred around the Raichur Doab, between the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra. Aihole, the capital of the Chalukyas, was an important trading centre The Chalukya inscriptions suggest that Pulakeshin made Vatapi his capital by constructing a fort there. Incorrect Solution: b) The Pallavas and Chalukyas were the most important ruling dynasties in south India during this period. The kingdom of the Pallavas spread from the region around their capital, Kanchipuram, to the Kaveri delta, while that of the Chalukyas was centred around the Raichur Doab, between the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra. Aihole, the capital of the Chalukyas, was an important trading centre The Chalukya inscriptions suggest that Pulakeshin made Vatapi his capital by constructing a fort there.

#### 4. Question

The places Kanchipuram, Aihole and Vatapi are commonly associated as

• a) Ports handling foreign trade

• b) Capital of South Indian kingdoms

• c) Important Buddhist pilgrimage centres

• d) None of the above

Solution: b)

The Pallavas and Chalukyas were the most important ruling dynasties in south India during this period. The kingdom of the Pallavas spread from the region around their capital, Kanchipuram, to the Kaveri delta, while that of the Chalukyas was centred around the Raichur Doab, between the rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra. Aihole, the capital of the Chalukyas, was an important trading centre

The Chalukya inscriptions suggest that Pulakeshin made Vatapi his capital by constructing a fort there.

Solution: b)

The Chalukya inscriptions suggest that Pulakeshin made Vatapi his capital by constructing a fort there.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Uttiramerur inscriptions are related to a) Parantaka I’s naval expedition to Sri Lanka. b) Nataraja temple at Chidambaram. c) Military administration of Maurya Kingdom d) Village administration under Chola administration Correct Solution: d) The founder of the Imperial Chola line was Vijayalaya. He captured Tanjore from Muttaraiyars in 815 A.D. and built a temple for Durga. His son Aditya put an end to the Pallava kingdom by defeating Aparajita and annexed Tondaimandalam. Parantaka I was one of the important early Chola rulers. He defeated the Pandyas and the ruler of Ceylon. But he suffered a defeat at the hands of the Rashtrakutas in the famous battle of Takkolam. Parantaka I was a great builder of temples. He also provided the vimana of the famous Nataraja temple at Chidambaram with a golden roof. The two famous Uttiramerur inscriptions that give a detailed account of the village administration under the Cholas belong to his reign. Incorrect Solution: d) The founder of the Imperial Chola line was Vijayalaya. He captured Tanjore from Muttaraiyars in 815 A.D. and built a temple for Durga. His son Aditya put an end to the Pallava kingdom by defeating Aparajita and annexed Tondaimandalam. Parantaka I was one of the important early Chola rulers. He defeated the Pandyas and the ruler of Ceylon. But he suffered a defeat at the hands of the Rashtrakutas in the famous battle of Takkolam. Parantaka I was a great builder of temples. He also provided the vimana of the famous Nataraja temple at Chidambaram with a golden roof. The two famous Uttiramerur inscriptions that give a detailed account of the village administration under the Cholas belong to his reign.

#### 5. Question

Uttiramerur inscriptions are related to

• a) Parantaka I’s naval expedition to Sri Lanka.

• b) Nataraja temple at Chidambaram.

• c) Military administration of Maurya Kingdom

• d) Village administration under Chola administration

Solution: d)

The founder of the Imperial Chola line was Vijayalaya. He captured Tanjore from Muttaraiyars in 815 A.D. and built a temple for Durga. His son Aditya put an end to the Pallava kingdom by defeating Aparajita and annexed Tondaimandalam. Parantaka I was one of the important early Chola rulers. He defeated the Pandyas and the ruler of Ceylon. But he suffered a defeat at the hands of the Rashtrakutas in the famous battle of Takkolam. Parantaka I was a great builder of temples. He also provided the vimana of the famous Nataraja temple at Chidambaram with a golden roof. The two famous Uttiramerur inscriptions that give a detailed account of the village administration under the Cholas belong to his reign.

Solution: d)

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