The Age of Empires — Guptas and Vardhanas: Exercise Solutions
Use this page alongside the official Samacheer Kalvi textbook. Solve every exercise question on your own first, then check the solutions below.
I. Choose the Correct Answer (MCQs)
Q1. ___ was the founder of the Gupta dynasty.
- (a) Chandragupta I
- (b) Sri Gupta
- (c) Samudragupta
- (d) Ghatotkacha
Sri Gupta was the founder of the Gupta dynasty around 240 CE. He was succeeded by Ghatotkacha and then Chandragupta I.
Q2. Prayog Prashasti was composed by ___.
- (a) Kalidasa
- (b) Banabhatta
- (c) Harisena
- (d) Visakhadatta
Harisena, the court poet of Samudragupta, composed the Allahabad Pillar Inscription known as Prayog Prashasti, which details Samudragupta's military conquests.
Q3. The monolithic iron pillar of Chandragupta is at ___.
- (a) Mehrauli
- (b) Sarnath
- (c) Pataliputra
- (d) Mathura
The famous Iron Pillar at Mehrauli (Delhi), installed during the reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), has remained rust-free for over 1,600 years, demonstrating the advanced metallurgical skills of the Gupta period.
Q4. ___ was the first Indian to explain the process of surgery.
- (a) Charaka
- (b) Sushruta
- (c) Dhanvantri
- (d) Aryabhatta
Sushruta is known as the father of Indian surgery. His work Sushruta Samhita describes over 300 surgical procedures and 120 surgical instruments.
Q5. ___ was the Gauda ruler of Bengal.
- (a) Sasanka
- (b) Prabhakar Vardhana
- (c) Rajyavardhana
- (d) Harsha
Sasanka was the powerful Gauda ruler of Bengal who was a rival of Harsha and opposed his expansion.
II. Match the Statement with the Reason
Q1. Assertion (A): Chandragupta I crowned himself as monarch of a large kingdom after eliminating small states in Northern India.
Reason (R): Chandragupta I married Kumaradevi of the Lichchavi family.
The Lichchavi alliance gave Chandragupta I significant political and military support, enabling him to consolidate power and eliminate smaller states. The marriage was a strategic move that directly led to his rise.
Q2. Statement I: Chandragupta II did not have cordial relationship with the rulers of South India.
Statement II: The divine theory of kingship was practised by Gupta rulers.
Chandragupta II actually maintained cordial relations with southern rulers through matrimonial alliances (his daughter Prabhavati married the Vakataka king). The divine theory of kingship was indeed practised by Gupta rulers.
Q3. Which is arranged in chronological order?
- (a) Srigupta — Chandragupta I — Samudragupta — Vikramaditya
- (b) Chandragupta I — Srigupta — Vikramaditya — Samudragupta
- (c) Samudragupta — Srigupta — Vikramaditya — Chandragupta I
- (d) Vikramaditya — Samudragupta — Chandragupta I — Srigupta
The correct chronological order of the main Gupta rulers is: Sri Gupta (founder) → Ghatotkacha → Chandragupta I → Samudragupta → Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
Q4. (1) Lending money at a high rate of interest was practised. (2) Pottery and mining were the most flourishing industries.
While lending money at interest was indeed practised, it is incorrect to say pottery and mining were the "most flourishing" industries. Mining and metallurgy were flourishing, but other industries like textiles, ivory work, and metalwork were also important.
Q5. Circle the odd one out:
First set: Pushyamitra, Vasumitra, Samudragupta, Devabhuti
Samudragupta was a Gupta emperor, while the others were rulers from different dynasties (Sunga and post-Mauryan).
Second set: Harshacharita, Kadambari, Ratnavali, Meghaduta
Meghaduta was composed by Kalidasa, while Harshacharita and Kadambari were written by Banabhatta, and Ratnavali was written by Harsha himself.
III. Fill in the Blanks
1. Srimeghavarman, the king of Ceylon, was a contemporary of Samudragupta.
2. Fahien, a Buddhist monk from China, visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II.
3. Hun invasion led to the downfall of the Gupta Empire.
4. Land tax was the main revenue to the Government during the Gupta period.
5. The official language of the Guptas was Sanskrit.
6. Vishnugopa, the Pallava king, was defeated by Samudragupta.
7. Harsha Vardhana was the popular king of the Vardhana dynasty.
8. Harsha shifted his capital from Thaneswar to Kanauj.
IV. True or False
Dhanvantri was a renowned scholar of Ayurveda during the Gupta period and is considered one of the pioneers of Indian medicine.
Correction: The structural temples of the Gupta period resemble the Dravidian style, not the Indo-Aryan style.
Correction: Sati was practised during the Gupta period. References to Sati are found in Gupta-era inscriptions and literary sources.
Correction: Harsha belonged to the Mahayana school of Buddhism, not the Hinayana school. He was initially a worshipper of Lord Shiva but later embraced Mahayana Buddhism.
Correction: Harsha was known for his religious tolerance. Although he was a Buddhist, he supported Brahmins, Jains, and other sects. He organised the Kannauj assembly to promote inter-faith harmony.
V. Match the Following
A.
| Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Mihirakula | Skandagupta | 3 |
| Aryabhatta | Astronomy | 1 |
| Painting | Bagh | 5 |
| Nalanda University | Kumaragupta | 2 |
| Sarthavaga | Caravan trader | 4 |
B.
| Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Bana | Harshacharita | 3 |
| Harsha | Ratnavali | 4 |
| Nalanda University | 10,000 students | 1 |
| Hiuen-Tsang | Si-Yu-Ki | 5 |
| Buddhist Assembly | Prayag | 2 |
VI. Very Short Answer Questions (One or Two Sentences)
Q1. Who was given the title Kaviraja? Why?
Q2. What were the subjects taught at Nalanda University?
Q3. Explain the Divine Theory of Kingship.
Q4. Highlight the achievements of the Guptas in metallurgy.
Q5. Who were the Huns?
Q6. Name the three kinds of tax collected during Harsha's reign.
Q7. Name the books authored by Harsha.
VII. Short Answer Questions
Q1. Write a note on Prashasti.
Q2. Give an account of Samudragupta's military conquests.
- Defeating the Pallava king Vishnugopa in the south
- Conquering nine kingdoms in northern India
- Reducing twelve southern Indian rulers to feudatory status
- Receiving homage from rulers of East Bengal, Assam, Nepal, and various tribes of Rajasthan and Punjab
His achievements are recorded in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription composed by his court poet Harisena.
Q3. Describe the land classification during the Gupta period.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Kshetra | Cultivable land |
| Khila | Wasteland or uncultivated land |
| Aprahata | Jungle or forest land |
| Vasti | Habitable or residential land |
| Gapata Saraha | Pastoral land for grazing |
Q4. Write about Sresti and Sarthavaha traders.
- Sresti — Settled traders who lived at a fixed place and conducted business from a standard location. They were usually wealthy and influential in urban guilds.
- Sarthavaha — Caravan traders who carried their goods from place to place along trade routes. They travelled in large groups for safety and facilitated long-distance trade.
Both types of traders played a crucial role in the economic prosperity of the Gupta period.
Q5. Highlight the contribution of the Guptas to architecture.
Q6. Name the works of Kalidasa.
Famous dramas:
- Abhijnana Shakuntalam (Sakunthala)
- Malavikagnimitra
- Vikramorvashiyam
Other works:
- Meghaduta (Cloud Messenger — lyric poetry)
- Raghuvamsa (epic on the Raghu dynasty)
- Kumarasambava (epic on the birth of Kartikeya)
- Ritusamhara (description of the six seasons)
Q7. Estimate Harshavardhana as a poet and dramatist.
VIII. Detailed / Long Answer Questions
Q1. Write about the Gupta administration.
- Central Government: The king was the supreme authority, assisted by ministers and advisors. High-ranking officials included Dandanayakas and Mahadandanayakas who maintained law and order.
- Provincial Administration: Provinces (deshas or bhuktis) were administered by governors called Uparikas, usually members of the royal family.
- District Administration: Districts (vishayas) were controlled by Vishyapatis.
- Village Level: Villages were managed by Gramika and Gramadhyaksha.
- Military: Designations included Baladhikrita (infantry commander), Mahabaladhikrita (cavalry commander), and Dutakas (spies).
- Revenue: Land tax was the main source of government revenue. Other taxes included Bali, Kara, and Hiranya.
Q2. Describe the scientific achievements of the Gupta period.
- Mathematics: The invention of zero and the decimal system was the greatest Gupta legacy. Brahmagupta and Aryabhatta made foundational contributions.
- Astronomy: Aryabhatta, in his Surya Siddhanta, explained the true causes of solar and lunar eclipses. He was the first Indian astronomer to declare that the Earth rotates on its own axis. Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, covering astronomy, geography, and meteorology.
- Medicine: Dhanvantri was a famous Ayurvedic scholar. Charaka was a medical scientist who composed the Charaka Samhita. Sushruta was the first Indian to explain surgery and composed the Sushruta Samhita.
Q3. Write about Fahien's visit to India.
- People of Magadha were happy and prosperous
- Justice was mildly administered; there was no death penalty
- Gaya was desolated and Kapilavasthu had become a jungle
- Pataliputra was still rich and prosperous
- Buddhism was flourishing alongside Hinduism
Fahien's observations confirm that the Gupta period was a time of relative peace, prosperity, and religious tolerance.
IX. HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)
Q1. The gold coins issued by the Gupta kings indicate ___.
- (a) they had large armies
- (b) they had many enemies
- (c) the prosperity of the kingdom
- (d) they were very religious
The issuance of gold coins (dinars) by Gupta rulers indicates the economic prosperity of their kingdom, as gold coinage is possible only when there is abundant wealth and stable trade.
Q2. The famous ancient paintings at Ajanta were painted on ___.
- (a) walls of caves
- (b) cloth
- (c) pots
- (d) leaves
The Ajanta paintings were executed on the walls and ceilings of rock-cut caves, depicting Jataka stories and scenes from the life of the Buddha.
Q3. The Gupta period is remembered for ___.
- (a) renaissance in literature and art
- (b) the beginning of the Saka era
- (c) the introduction of Islam in India
- (d) the invasion of Alexander
The Gupta period is celebrated as a renaissance era because of extraordinary achievements in Sanskrit literature (Kalidasa), art (Ajanta), architecture (structural temples), and science (Aryabhatta, Sushruta).
Q4. What did Indian scientists achieve in astronomy and mathematics during the Gupta period?
- Invention of zero and the decimal system — the greatest mathematical legacy of the Gupta era
- Aryabhatta explained the true causes of solar and lunar eclipses and was the first Indian astronomer to declare that the Earth revolves around its own axis
- Varahamihira and Brahmagupta made significant contributions to astronomy and mathematics
- In medicine, Dhanvantri specialised in Ayurveda, Charaka was a medical scientist, and Sushruta was the first Indian to explain the process of surgery
X. Answer Grid
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who was Toromana? | Chief of the White Huns (Ephthalites) |
| High-ranking officials of the Gupta Empire | Dandanayakas and Mahadandanayakas |
| Gupta kings who performed Asvamedha yagna | Samudragupta and Kumaragupta I |
| Book explaining eclipses | Surya Siddhanta |
| First Gupta king to find a place on coins | Samudragupta |
| Main source for Samudragupta's reign | Allahabad Pillar Inscription |
| Harsha initially worshipped | Lord Shiva |
| University that reached fame during Harsha | Nalanda |
| Harsha shifted capital from | Thaneswar to Kanauj |
| Three taxes during Harsha's reign | Bhaga, Hiranya, and Bali |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Confusing the founder of the Gupta dynasty. Sri Gupta founded the dynasty, not Chandragupta I. Chandragupta I expanded it through the Lichchavi alliance.
2. Saying Gupta temples resembled Indo-Aryan style. Gupta structural temples resembled the Dravidian style, not the Indo-Aryan (Nagara) style.
3. Claiming Sati was not practised. Sati was indeed practised during the Gupta period, as evidenced by inscriptions and literary sources.
4. Saying Harsha followed Hinayana Buddhism. Harsha was a follower of Mahayana Buddhism. He initially worshipped Shiva but later became a devout Buddhist of the Mahayana school.
5. Calling Harsha religiously intolerant. Harsha was known for religious tolerance. Although Buddhist, he supported Brahmins and other faiths.
6. Confusing Samudragupta's title. The title Kaviraja was given to Samudragupta because of his love for poetry and music, not because he was a great warrior (though he was that too).
7. Mixing up the Huns with earlier invaders. The Huns (White Huns/Ephthalites) entered India during the late Gupta period and contributed to its decline. They were different from the earlier Indo-Greeks, Sakas, and Kushanas.
Exam Checklist
- [ ] Sri Gupta founded the Gupta dynasty; Chandragupta I expanded it through Lichchavi alliance
- [ ] Samudragupta — called Kaviraja, Allahabad Pillar Inscription by Harisena
- [ ] Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) — Fahien's visit, Mehrauli Iron Pillar, Nalanda University
- [ ] Land classification: Kshetra, Khila, Aprahata, Vasti, Gapata Saraha
- [ ] Scientific achievements: zero, decimal system, Aryabhatta's Surya Siddhanta, Sushruta's surgery
- [ ] Kalidasa's works: Sakunthala, Meghaduta, Raghuvamsa, Kumarasambava
- [ ] Hun invasion led by Toromana and Mihirakula caused Gupta decline
- [ ] Harsha Vardhana — capital shifted from Thaneswar to Kanauj, author of Ratnavali, Nagananda, Priyadharshika
- [ ] Three taxes under Harsha: Bhaga, Hiranya, Bali
- [ ] Sresti (settled traders) and Sarthavaha (caravan traders)
- [ ] Divine Theory of Kingship practised by Gupta rulers
- [ ] Fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavana organised by Kanishka (not Gupta — common confusion point)