UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

PRELIMS 2019 SPECIAL

LECTURE 7

MCQs – STATIC – HISTORY

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GUPTA EMPIRE

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The first ruler and the founder was Sri Gupta (reign from 240 AD to 280 AD).1

Sri Gupta was succeeded by his son Ghatotkacha who reigned between 280 – 319 AD.2

CHANDRAGUPTA – I (AD 319 – 335)

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He was the first important king of the Gupta Dynasty and he started Gupta Era in 319-320AD. He was successfulin building small principality into a great kingdom.

1

Matrimonial Alliances used to be an important way of expanding the influence, power and prestige. So hemarried Kumara Devi – princess of Lichchhavi clan of Nepal. (Acquired Magadha)

2

He extended his kingdom through conquests. His territory extended from the Ganges River to Prayaga by 321 AD.He assumed the title of Maharajadhiraj.

4

He issued coins in the joint name of his queen and himself.3

IMPORTANT CONGRESS SESSIONS

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SAMUDRAGUPTA (AD 335 – 375)

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Son of Chadragupta I and Kumaradevi. He enlarged the Gupta Kingdom enormously.1

He believed in the policy of war and conquest and because of his bravery and general ship he is called as the‘Napoleon of India’ (historian V.A. Smith).

2

Samudragupta is said to have composed numerous songs. Though a follower of Brahmanical religion, he wastolerant of other faiths.

4

His court poet – Harisena wrote a glowing account of the military exploits. In a long inscription at the PrayagPrashasti pillar (Allahabad), the poet enumerated the people and the countries that were conquered.

3

He received a missionary from Meghavarman, the ruler of Sri Lanka seeking his permission to build buddhisttemple at Gaya.

5

CHANDRAGUPTA II (AD 380 – 413)

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Samudragupta was succeeded by Ramgupta but Chandra Gupta II killed him and married his queen Dhruvadevi.1

He also entered into matrimonial alliance with the Nagas (upper and central provinces) by marrying princessKubernaga whose daughter Prabhavati was married to Rudrasena – II of the Vakataka family.

2

He took the title of Vikramaditya by defeating Rudrasimha III, a Kshatrap king Ujjain. He also took the title ofSimhavikrama.

3

CHANDRAGUPTA II (AD 380 – 413)

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He was the first ruler to issue silver coins, and he also issue copper coins.1

His court was adorned by celebrated nine gems (navratnas) including Kalidasa, Amarsimha, Varahmihir andDhanvantri.

2

Chinese pilgrim Fa Hein/Faxian visited India at his time.3

KUMARAGUPTA – I (AD 413 – 455)

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He succeeded his father Chandragupta II. He founded Nalanda University.1

In the last years of his reign, the pece and prosperity of the empire was disturbed due to the invasion of Turko-Mongol tribe – Hunas.

2

Kumargupta was followed by Skandagupta – who faced Hunas effectively.3

SKANDAGUPTA (AD 455-467)

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He is associated with the restoration of Sudarshan Lake.1

After his death the great days of Gupta Empire were over. The Empire continued but central control weakened,and local governors became feudatory kings with hereditary rights.

2

GUPTA ART

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Buddha image of Bamiyan (Afghanistan) belongs to Gupta Period1

Ajanta Paintings and Paintings at Bagh near Gwalior belong to this period.2

2 mt high bronze image of Buddha belonging to the Mathura School of Art Belongs to this period.3

GUPTA LITERATURE

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The Gupta Period also witnessed the development of Sanskrit grammar based on Panini and Patanjali.1

Sudraka Mrichchakatikam

Bharavi Kirtajuniya

Dandin Kavyadarshana and Dasakumarcharita

Bhasa Charudatta

Vishakhadatta Mudrarakshasa and Devi Chandraguptam

Vishnu Sharma Panchtantra and Hitopdeshi

Amarsimha Amarkosha

GUPTA LITERATURE

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Kalidasa, the great Sanskrit dramatist, belonged to this period. His books are: Abhigyanshakuntalam,Ritusamhara, Meghadutam, Kumarasambhavam, Malvikagnimitram, Raghuvamsa etc were the epics.

1

GUPTA SCIENCE

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Aryabhatta a renowned astronomer belonged to this period. He is well known for discovering and proving thatthe earth revolves around the sun and rotates on its axis. He also discovered the cause of solar and lunareclipses.

1

Aryabhatta Aryabhatiya and Suryasiddhanta

Varahamira Panchasi dhantika and Brihatsamhita

Brahmagupta Brahma-sphutic Siddhanta (Law of Gravitation)

Vagbhatta Was a distinguished physician of Ayurvedic system of medicine

Palakapya Hastyagarved – a treatise on disease of elephants

Q. Consider the following statements:

1) He also entered into matrimonial alliance with the Nagas.

2) He was the first ruler to issue silver coins.

3) Prominent scholars like Kalidasa, Dhanvantri, Vaarahmihir adorned his court

Which of the following kings is being refered to ?

a) Harshvardhana

b) Chandragupta I

c) Samudragupta

d) Chandragupta II

Answer : d

QUESTION 1

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Q. Consider the following statements with regards to Gupta Empire:

1) It was founded by Chandragupta I who was the first great king of Gupta dynasty

2) Most of the territory of the Gupta Empire was an outcome of the conquest of Chandragupta I

3) Gupta Age is referred to as the golden age in the history of ancient India

Which of the above statements are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 3 only

d) All of the above statements are correct

Answer : c

QUESTION 2

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Match the following:

Select the correct code:

a) A-2; B-4; C-1; D-5; E-3

b) A-5; B-4; C-1; D-2; E-3

c) A-2; B-4; C-1; D-5; E-3

d) A-5; B-4; C-1; D-3; E-5

Answer : b

QUESTION 3

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A- Chandragupta I 1) Matrimonial Alliance with Nagas

B- Samudragupta 2) Founded Nalanda University

C- Chandragupta II 3) Restored Sudarshan Lake

D- Kumaragupta 4) Napoleon of India

E- Skandagupta 5) Acquired the title of Maharajadhiraj

Q. Match the following:

Select the correct code:

a) A-1; B-2; C-3; D-4

b) A-2; B-1; C-3; D-4

c) A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2

d) A-4; B-3; C-1; D-2

Answer : d

QUESTION 4

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A- Kalidasa 1) Panchtantra

B- Vishakhadatta 2) Charudatta

C- Vishnu Sharma 3) Mudrarakshasa

D- Bhasa 4) Malvikagnimitram

Q. Consider the following statements regarding scientific developments in ancient India:

1) Aryabhatta discovered zero

2) People in Gupta age mastered the art of metallurgy

Which of the above is/are incorrect?

a) 1 Only

b) 2 Only

c) All of the above

d) None of the above

Answer : a

QUESTION 5

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