Gupta and Post-Gupta Period

1. Which among the following was not a member of the Adhishthana Adhikara

Which among the following was not a member of the Adhishthana Adhikarana of Kotivarsha in the Gupta period?

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Sarthavaha
Mahattara
Prathama-kayastha
Prathama-kulika
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In the Adhishthana Adhikarana (district headquarters council) of the Gupta period, the Mahattara was typically not one of the specific, named representatives constituting the board, unlike the Sarthavaha, Prathama-kulika, and Prathama-kayastha.
The Adhishthana Adhikarana at the Vishaya (district) level during the Gupta period was a council that included representatives from important sections of the local community, involved in administration, particularly in matters of land transactions. Key members explicitly mentioned in inscriptions were the Nagara-shreshthi (chief merchant of the city), Sarthavaha (leader of trading caravans), Prathama-kulika (chief artisan or head of craft guilds), and Prathama-kayastha (chief scribe or official).
‘Mahattara’ generally refers to village elders, headmen, or respected persons, and while they held influence, they were not typically part of the formal composition of the district-level council (Adhishthana Adhikarana) in the same defined roles as the Nagara-shreshthi, Sarthavaha, Prathama-kulika, and Prathama-kayastha who represented specific urban/economic/professional groups. The structure of the Adhishthana Adhikarana reflects a collaborative approach involving the administration and local elites/guild representatives.

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2. Who among the following kings is described in an inscription as the Su

Who among the following kings is described in an inscription as the Supreme Being, the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad ?

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Gautamiputra Shatakarni
Kanishka
Samudragupta
Harshavardhana
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The description provided (“the Supreme Being, the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad”) closely matches the eulogistic language used to describe the Gupta emperor Samudragupta in the Allahabad Pillar inscription (Prashasti), composed by his court poet and minister, Harishena. The inscription portrays Samudragupta as an ideal ruler, a conqueror, learned, and benevolent, often attributing divine qualities to him and presenting him as a force for righteousness (prosperity of the good) and order (destruction of the bad). While other rulers were also praised in inscriptions, this specific phrasing and hyperbolic praise are most famously associated with Samudragupta’s court eulogy.
– Inscriptions and Prashastis are key sources for understanding ancient Indian rulers.
– The Allahabad Pillar inscription is a famous example of a royal eulogy from the Gupta period.
Gautamiputra Shatakarni (Satavahana dynasty) is known from the Nasik inscription by his mother. Kanishka (Kushan dynasty) is known from various inscriptions including the Rabatak inscription. Harshavardhana (Pushyabhuti dynasty) is known from sources like the Harshacharita by Bana and the accounts of Xuanzang. However, the description given is most characteristic of the Allahabad Prashasti’s portrayal of Samudragupta.

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3. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the ear

From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?

  • 1. The Guptas of Magadha
  • 2. The Paramaras of Malwa
  • 3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
  • 4. The Maukharies of Kanauj
  • 5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
  • 6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1, 2 and 5
1, 3, 4 and 6
2, 3 and 4
5 and 6
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The period from the decline of the main Gupta Empire (mid-6th century) until the rise of Harshavardhana (early 7th century, Harsha reigned c. 606-647 CE) was a time of political fragmentation in Northern India.
1. The Guptas of Magadha: While the main imperial line declined by the mid-6th century, a branch known as the Later Guptas continued to rule in Magadha and parts of Bengal during this period, sometimes contesting power with the Maukharies. So, they were holding power.
2. The Paramaras of Malwa: The Paramara dynasty rose to prominence much later, in the 9th and 10th centuries, ruling from Dhar. They were not significant powers in the 6th-early 7th century.
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar: The Pushyabhuti dynasty, to which Harsha belonged, rose to power in the region of Thanesar (Kurukshetra) precisely during this period. Harsha’s father Prabhakaravardhana was a powerful ruler before Harsha. So, they were holding power.
4. The Maukharies of Kanauj: The Maukharies were a prominent ruling dynasty in the Gangetic plains, centered at Kanauj, during the late Gupta period and until the rise of Harsha. They were contemporaries and often rivals or allies of the Later Guptas and Pushyabhutis. Harsha’s sister Rajyashri was married to the Maukhari king Grahavarman. So, they were holding power.
5. The Yadavas of Devagiri: The Yadava dynasty of Devagiri rose to power in the Deccan much later, in the 12th and 13th centuries. They were not relevant to North Indian power dynamics in the 6th-7th century.
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi: The Maitraka dynasty ruled in the Valabhi region of Saurashtra (present-day Gujarat) from the late 5th century to the late 8th century. They were a significant regional power during the period in question, contemporary with the powers in North India, and are generally considered alongside them in the political landscape of the time. So, they were holding power.
Therefore, the kingdoms holding power in Northern India and surrounding areas during this period include the Guptas of Magadha, the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, the Maukharies of Kanauj, and the Maitrakas of Valabhi.
– The period is from mid-6th century to early 7th century CE.
– Major powers in North/West India included the Later Guptas, Pushyabhutis, Maukharies, and Maitrakas.
– Paramaras and Yadavas rose to power much later.
This period is often seen as a transition from the centralized Gupta Empire to the era dominated by regional kingdoms, before Harsha briefly unified a large part of North India. The relationships between these kingdoms, such as alliances through marriage (like between Pushyabhutis and Maukharies) and conflicts, were crucial to the political landscape.

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4. With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dro

With reference to the history of India, the terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” denote

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measurement of land
coins of different monetary value
classification of urban land
religious rituals
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The correct answer is A) measurement of land.
The terms “kulyavapa” and “dronavapa” are technical terms found in ancient Indian inscriptions and texts, particularly those related to land grants and administration.
These terms represent units of land measurement, often defined by the amount of seed required to sow a particular area of land. A “kulyavapa” was a smaller unit than a “dronavapa”. These measurements were crucial for revenue assessment and land administration in different historical periods and regions of India.
Other ancient units of land measurement varied across regions and time periods, but units based on seed measure like kulyavapa, dronavapa, and also nivartana (based on area) were common. These terms provide valuable insight into the agricultural and administrative practices of ancient and early medieval India.

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5. With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the to

With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as

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ports handling foreign trade
capitals of powerful kingdoms
places of exquisite stone art and architecture
important Buddhist pilgrimage centres
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During the Gupta period in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura, and Chaul were well known as important ports handling foreign trade.
The Gupta period (c. 320 to 550 CE) was a time of flourishing trade, both internal and external. Coastal towns like Ghantasala (on the east coast, modern Andhra Pradesh), Kadura (potentially another port on the east or west coast), and Chaul (on the west coast, modern Maharashtra) served as vital links in India’s trade network with the Roman Empire, Southeast Asia, and other regions. These ports facilitated the export of goods like textiles, spices, precious stones, and ivory, and the import of items like gold, silver, horses, and luxury goods.
While some of these locations might have had other significance (e.g., religious sites), their primary renown during this period, especially when mentioned together in the context of trade routes, was due to their function as ports. The Gupta economy benefited significantly from this maritime trade.

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6. With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta per

With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?

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It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
It was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
The forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.
The eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
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Statement A is correct. Vishti was a form of forced labour exacted by the state from the villagers, particularly prevalent in the Gupta period. It was considered a source of revenue or a form of tax contribution in the form of labour, rather than cash or kind produce.
Vishti was unpaid forced labour, a significant feature of the agrarian structure and state revenue system during the Gupta Empire.
Evidence from inscriptions like the Indore copper plate suggests the existence and importance of Vishti in different parts of the Gupta Empire, including Madhya Pradesh. The labour was often used for state purposes like building roads, irrigation works, or providing services to officials and the army. Statements B, C, and D are incorrect: Vishti was present in Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar (as indicated by inscriptions); forced labourers were generally not entitled to wages; there is no specific rule that only the eldest son was sent.

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7. The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India reco

The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct?

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  • 1. The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery.
  • 2. As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person.
  • 3. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations.

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
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Statements 2 and 3 are correct descriptions based on Yuan Chwang’s account of India during the reign of Harshavardhana. Statement 1 is incorrect as he himself reported being robbed.
Yuan Chwang’s “Si-Yu-Ki” (Records of the Western Regions) is a valuable historical source. He noted the judicial system sometimes employed ordeals by fire, water, poison, or weighing metal to determine guilt or innocence. He also documented that tradesmen were required to pay duties at various checkpoints, including ferries and barrier stations, which constituted a source of state revenue.
Regarding statement 1, Yuan Chwang explicitly details instances where he and his party were attacked and robbed, indicating that the roads and river routes were by no means completely safe or “immune” from robbery, although law and order were generally maintained in many areas under Harsha’s rule.

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8. Consider the following eras in early India : 1. Shaka era 2. Kalach

Consider the following eras in early India :

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  • 1. Shaka era
  • 2. Kalachuri era
  • 3. Vikrama era
  • 4. Harsha era
  • 5. Gupta era

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the above eras starting with the earliest ?

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1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
3 - 1 - 5 - 2 - 4
2 - 3 - 1 - 4 - 5
3 - 1 - 2 - 5 - 4
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The chronological order of the given eras, starting with the earliest, is based on their commencement years:
1. Vikrama Era (Vikram Samvat): Commenced in 57 BCE.
2. Shaka Era (Saka Samvat): Commenced in 78 CE.
3. Kalachuri Era (Chedi Era): Commenced in 248-249 CE.
4. Gupta Era: Commenced in 319-320 CE.
5. Harsha Era (Harsha Samvat): Commenced in 606 CE.
Arranging these based on their start dates gives the order: Vikrama (3), Shaka (1), Kalachuri (2), Gupta (5), Harsha (4), which corresponds to 3 – 1 – 2 – 5 – 4.
Understanding the start dates of major historical eras in early India is crucial for chronological ordering.
The Vikrama Samvat is associated with King Vikramaditya. The Shaka Samvat is widely believed to have been started by the Kushana ruler Kanishka, although other theories exist; it is the basis of the Indian national calendar. The Kalachuri or Chedi era was used by the Kalachuri dynasty in Central India and parts of Gujarat. The Gupta era was founded by Chandragupta I of the Gupta dynasty. The Harsha era was founded by Harshavardhana.

9. Consider the following statements about the costumes and headgear/hair

Consider the following statements about the costumes and headgear/hairstyle in India during 4th-7th century AD:
1. There was a marked preference for stitched garment as compared to any previous age.
2. Simple plaits without any floral embellishment dominated the hairstyle of women.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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The correct option is A.
Statement 1: There was a marked preference for stitched garment as compared to any previous age. The period 4th-7th century AD corresponds roughly to the Gupta period and early post-Gupta period. Historical and archaeological evidence suggests that while traditional unstitched garments (like dhoti, sari, antariya, uttariya) remained prevalent, the influence of foreign contacts (like Kushanas and Sakas before and during the Gupta period) led to increased use and popularity of stitched garments such as tunics (choga, jama), coats, trousers (shalwar). Compared to the earlier Vedic or Maurya periods where unstitched garments were dominant, the stitched garments saw a significant rise in preference, particularly among certain sections of society (royalty, nobility, military) and in specific regions. Therefore, stating a ‘marked preference’ (meaning noticeable increase and favour) for stitched garments compared to previous ages appears correct for this period.

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Statement 2: Simple plaits without any floral embellishment dominated the hairstyle of women. Sculptural depictions and paintings from the Gupta period (e.g., Ajanta murals, sculptures from Sanchi, Deogarh) show a wide variety of elaborate and complex hairstyles worn by women, often involving intricate buns, multiple braids, coils, and ringlets. These hairstyles were frequently adorned with flowers, pearls, jewels, and other ornaments. Simple plaits existed, but they did not ‘dominate’ the hairstyle scene, especially among the elite and in artistic representations, nor were they typically ‘without any floral embellishment’. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

Based on the analysis, only statement 1 is correct.

The Gupta period (c. 320 to 550 CE) is often considered a golden age of Indian art, literature, and science. Clothing styles during this era reflected both tradition and foreign influences. Men’s clothing often included the antariya and uttariya, but stitched garments like tunics (often called ‘choga’) and trousers became common, especially in the north and west. Women continued to wear saris and dhotis, but stitched blouses and jackets also appeared. Hairstyles were diverse and elaborate, with extensive use of ornaments. The period saw cultural synthesis, which was reflected in attire and adornment.

10. Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period is NOT co

Which one of the following statements about the Gupta period is NOT correct ?

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Forced labour (Vishti) became more common than before in this period
A passage in the Vishnu Purana refers to the Guptas enjoying all the territories along the Ganga up to Prayaga
The Mehrauli inscription suggests that Chandragupta fought against a confederacy of enemies in Bengal and also led a campaign into the Punjab
Saurashtra was not a part of the Gupta Empire
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Saurashtra, the region comprising the Kathiawar peninsula, was a crucial part of the Gupta Empire. Chandragupta II conquered the Western Kshatrapas in this region, adding it to the empire. This conquest provided the Guptas control over important ports like Bharuch and facilitated lucrative maritime trade with the West. Therefore, the statement that Saurashtra was *not* a part of the Gupta Empire is incorrect.
The Gupta Empire reached its territorial peak under Chandragupta II, expanding its influence significantly, including the conquest of western India.
Statement A is generally considered true; forced labor (vishti) became more prevalent, especially in specific regions, due to various demands of the state and landholders. Statement B aligns with descriptions in Puranas regarding the core Gupta territories. Statement C accurately reflects the content of the Mehrauli Iron Pillar inscription (attributable to Chandragupta II), which mentions his victories in Bengal and a campaign in the Punjab region.

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