Challenge Prelims V1.0 – Day 30 – GS Paper (Ancient History)

1. With reference to the Gupta period, who among the following were the court scholars/ poets of Chandragupta II?

1. Ravikirti
2. Amarasimha
3. Kalidasa

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

2. Consider the following statements regarding the legal system during the Gupta period:

1. Civil and criminal laws were clearly defined and demarcated during this period.
2. Laws were based on differences in varnas.
3. Guilds of artisans, merchants were governed by their own laws.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

3. Consider the following statements regarding Gupta period:

1. Chandalas appeared for the first time during this period.
2. The castes proliferated into numerous sub-castes during this period.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

4. Which reference to social conditions during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?

5. With reference to the King Harshavardhana of Vardhana dynasty, consider the following statements:

1. King Harshavardhana was the founder of the Pushyabhuti Dynasty or the Vardhana Dynasty during the 7th century A.D.
2. Fa-Hien, a famous Chinese traveler visited India during the Harshavardhana period and studied at Nalanda University.
3. He defeated Chalukya king, Pulakesin II, and extended his kingdom beyond the Narmada river to the south.

How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?

6. With reference to religion during the Gupta period, consider the following statements:

1. The Gupta period saw the rise of Bhagvatism, centered on the worship of Vishnu and his incarnations.
2. The Gupta rulers were strict followers of Hinduism and persecuted Buddhist followers in large numbers.
3. Due to the rise of tantrism, worship of female deities was introduced in Hinduism and Buddhism.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

7. With reference to the rulers of the Gupta period, consider the following statements:

1. Samudragupta, like Ashoka believed in the policy of peace and non-aggression as mentioned in the Allahabad (Prayagraj) inscription.
2. Chandragupta II was the first to adopt the title Vikramaditya to mark his victory over Kshatrapas of western India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

8. Which of the following personalities were associated with the reign of Gupta king Chandragupta II?

1. Fa-Hien
2. Kalidasa
3. Amarasimha
4. Hieun Tsang

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

9. Which of the following was/were the potential reasons for the fall of the Gupta Empire?

1. Invasion by the Hunas from Central Asia
2. Rise of feudatories in the Empire
3. Reduction in revenues due to increased land grants to Brahmans

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

10. Pilupati and Asvapati during Gupta Empire were:

11. In the context of the economic conditions of the Gupta Empire, consider the following statements:

1. The period witnessed an increase in taxes on trade and commerce, while the land taxes were decreased.
2. Villagers were subjected to forced labour by the royal army and officials.
3. Daily transactions by the people residing in the empire were done through the dinars (gold coins).

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

12. In the context of the Gupta administration, consider the following pairs:

Official name: Role or function

1. Vishayapati: Head of the district
2. Kumaramatyas: Village headmen
3. Uparika: Head of the province/division

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

13. Consider the following statements regarding trade and economy during the Gupta period:

1. The Guptas issued the largest number of gold coins in ancient India.
2. Gupta period saw an increase in long-distance trade.
3. This period witnessed the emergence of a class of priestly landlords.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

14. How many of the following statements is/are correct regarding the social conditions during the Gupta period?

1. The caste system became rigid during the Gupta period.
2. Women and Shudras were allowed to listen to religious texts.
3. Women of upper varna were free to earn their livelihood.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

15. How many of the following are the important dynasties that emerged as a result of the decline of the Gupta empire?

1. Maukharies
2. Pushyabhutis
3. Maitrakas

Select the correct answer using the code given below.