Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
Which historical period is commonly referred to as the 'Imperial Age of the Guptas'?
Answer
The period of about two centuries starting from the early 4th century CE.
Question
Why is the Gupta period known as the 'classical age' or 'golden age' of Indian history?
Answer
Because of significant material progress and advancements in literature, art, architecture, science, and culture.
Question
Which Chinese pilgrim visited India on a religious mission during the reign of Chandragupta II?
Answer
Fa-hien
Question
Who was the court poet of Samudragupta responsible for composing the Allahabad Pillar Inscription?
Answer
Harisena
Question
The Allahabad Pillar Inscription is also known as the _____.
Answer
Prayaga Prashasti
Question
According to Fa-hien's accounts, what was the nature of the penal code during the Gupta period?
Answer
The penal code was mild, with offences usually punished by fines only.
Question
Who was the first independent Gupta king to adopt the title 'Maharajadhiraja'?
Answer
Chandragupta I
Question
Which Gupta ruler extended his empire by marrying the Lichchhavi princess Kumaradevi?
Answer
Chandragupta I
Question
Which Gupta king is famously known as the 'Napoleon of India' due to his bravery and generalship?
Answer
Samudragupta
Question
How did Samudragupta's policy towards the twelve rulers of Dakshinapatha differ from his policy towards the rulers of Aryavarta?
Answer
He liberated the rulers of Dakshinapatha and allowed them to rule again, whereas he uprooted the rulers of Aryavarta.
Question
Which musical instrument is Samudragupta shown playing on some of his coins?
Answer
The veena
Question
What specific title did Chandragupta II adopt after conquering the Sakas of Western India?
Answer
Sakari
Question
Which historian noted that the annexation of Saurashtra gave Chandragupta II direct touch with European commerce through Egypt?
Answer
Dr. Vincent Smith
Question
The court of Chandragupta II was famously adorned by a group of nine scholars known as the _____.
Answer
Nine Gems
Question
On his gold coins, Chandragupta II is often represented slaying a _____.
Answer
Lion
Question
Which barbarian tribe from Central Asia first invaded India during the reign of Kumaragupta I?
Answer
The Hunas
Question
Which Gupta prince is credited with giving the Hunas a crushing defeat, securing India for 50 years?
Answer
Skandagupta
Question
Unlike the centralised Mauryan Empire, the Gupta administrative system is described as being _____ in nature.
Answer
Decentralised
Question
What was the collective name for the Council of Ministers that advised Gupta rulers?
Answer
Mantri-Parishad
Question
In Gupta administration, what was the primary responsibility of the high officer known as the 'sandhivigrahika'?
Answer
Acting as the minister of peace and war.
Question
Term: Bhuktis
Answer
Definition: The administrative provinces into which the Gupta Empire was divided.
Question
Who was the head of a 'bhukti' (province) in the Gupta administration, usually appointed by the king?
Answer
Uparika
Question
In the Gupta administrative hierarchy, provinces were further divided into districts called _____.
Answer
Vishayas
Question
What was the title of the officer in charge of a 'vishaya' or district?
Answer
Vishayapati
Question
Who were the 'purapala' in the context of the Gupta Empire?
Answer
Officers placed in charge of towns.
Question
Which officer was specifically responsible for the collection of tolls on commodities in the Gupta period?
Answer
Shaulkika
Question
What were the 'shreshthi' in the context of Gupta town administration?
Answer
Guilds of merchants.
Question
Which Gupta king is credited with the establishment of Nalanda University?
Answer
Kumaragupta I
Question
Name the three great libraries that were part of Nalanda University.
Answer
Ratnasagar, Ratnodadhi, and Ratnaranjak.
Question
According to accounts, what was the approximate admission success rate for students at Nalanda University?
Answer
Hardly 20 per cent.
Question
Which Gupta-era scientist first proposed that the Earth moves round the Sun?
Answer
Aryabhatta
Question
What was the value of $\pi$ calculated by Aryabhatta?
Answer
$3.1416$
Question
Aryabhatta explained the true causes of which astronomical phenomena in his work 'Surya Siddhanta'?
Answer
Solar and lunar eclipses.
Question
Who is referred to as the 'Father of Plastic Surgery' for his medical techniques described in the 'Sushrutha Samhita'?
Answer
Sushrutha
Question
Which medical practitioner of the Gupta period wrote a comprehensive guide to holistic healthcare and preventive medicine?
Answer
Charaka
Question
The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli, which has remained rust-free for centuries, is a testament to the Gupta's progress in _____.
Answer
Metallurgy
Question
What architectural style was characteristic of the temples built during the Gupta period?
Answer
Nagara style
Question
Name the famous stone temple at Deogarh known for its carvings of Lord Vishnu.
Answer
Vishnu Temple (or Dashavatara Temple)
Question
Which language became the official language for administrative purposes and the language of the learned during the Gupta period?
Answer
Sanskrit
Question
Who is regarded as the greatest poet and playwright of the Gupta Age, often compared to Shakespeare?
Answer
Kalidasa
Question
Which dramatic work by Kalidasa narrates the love story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala?
Answer
Abhijnanashakuntalam
Question
According to the source, what was the status of women during the Gupta period as reflected in Kalidasa's works?
Answer
The status of women declined.
Question
In Gupta education, what were 'shishyas' required to learn as part of the 'fourteen sections of science'?
Answer
The four Vedas, six Vedangas, Puranas, Mimansa, Nyaya, and Dharma.
Question
The grants of villages given by Gupta rulers to support teachers were known as _____.
Answer
Agraharas
Question
Which astronomer and mathematician of the Gupta period mentioned the law of gravitation centuries before Newton?
Answer
Brahmagupta
Question
What does the term 'Sagar marh' mean in relation to the Dashavatara temple?
Answer
The temple on the tank.
Question
Which Gupta ruler was a follower of Brahmanism and worshipped Lord Vishnu while remaining tolerant of other religions?
Answer
Samudragupta
Question
What was the 'Ashvamedha Yajna' performed by Samudragupta?
Answer
A horse sacrifice.
Question
Who were the 'Kumaramatyas' in the Gupta administrative system?
Answer
The chief cadre for recruiting high-level civil and military functionaries.
Question
According to Fa-hien, what charitable institution was found in Pataliputra that provided for the sick and poor?
Answer
A hospital endowed by benevolent citizens.
Question
Which goddess appeared on many Gupta gold coins as a symbol of prosperity?
Answer
Lakshmi
Question
The smallest unit of Gupta administration, often managed by a village headman, was the _____.
Answer
Village
Question
Which Gupta ruler succeeded Samudragupta and assumed the title 'Vikramaditya'?
Answer
Chandragupta II
Question
What primary material was used for the construction of temples in the Gupta period, marking a shift from earlier practices?
Answer
Solid materials like bricks and stone.
Question
Which Gupta-era text by Aryabhatta deals with astronomy and mathematics?
Answer
Aryabhattiyam
Question
Which Gupta ruler is depicted slaying a tiger on some of his coins?
Answer
Samudragupta
Question
The Prayaga Prashasti describes Samudragupta as being equal to which four Hindu gods?
Answer
Kubera, Varuna, Indra, and Yama.
Question
How did the Gupta kings maintain a check on royal power despite being attributed divine elements?
Answer
The Brahmans, as custodians and interpreters of law, exercised a check on power.
Question
What role did guilds play in the administration of Gupta towns like Vaishali?
Answer
Leading men from guilds of artisans and merchants were associated with town administration.
Question
According to the source, what was the primary source of information about the Nalanda University faculty?
Answer
Inscriptions and the accounts of Hiuen Tsang.