Mauryan & Gupta — Set 1
Indian History · मौर्य और गुप्त · Questions 1–10 of 100
Which Mauryan ruler is known for defeating the Greek general Seleucus Nicator?
Correct Answer: A. Chandragupta Maurya
• **Chandragupta Maurya** defeated **Seleucus Nicator** (~305 BCE); secured NW borders of Mauryan Empire. • Treaty gave Chandragupta **Bactria, Arachosia, Gedrosia** — Seleucus got 500 war elephants. • Seleucus sent **Megasthenes** as ambassador to Pataliputra — wrote 'Indica' about Mauryan India. • 💡 Ashoka = Chandragupta's grandson (did not fight Seleucus); Bindusara = son; Dasharatha = later king — only Chandragupta defeated Seleucus.
The 'Prayag Prasasti' or Allahabad Pillar Inscription describes the military achievements of which Gupta ruler?
Correct Answer: A. Samudragupta
• **Prayag Prasasti** = composed by poet **Harisena** (also Foreign Minister/Sandhivigrahika) in praise of **Samudragupta**. • Found on **Allahabad Pillar** (Ashoka's pillar reused); details conquests in North and South India. • Called **'Napoleon of India'** by historian V.A. Smith based on this inscription's records. • 💡 Chandragupta II = Samudragupta's son; Skandagupta = later; Chandragupta I = Samudragupta's father — Prayag Prasasti is specifically about Samudragupta.
Who was the author of the famous Sanskrit drama 'Mudrarakshasa'?
Correct Answer: C. Vishakhadatta
• **Mudrarakshasa** = written by **Vishakhadatta**; historical Sanskrit play about Chandragupta Maurya's rise to power. • Play narrates how **Chanakya** used the minister **Rakshasa's** own seal (Mudra) to outwit the Nanda loyalists. • Primary literary source for Chandragupta-Chanakya political story; set during Nanda–Maurya transition. • 💡 Shudraka = wrote Mrichchhakatika; Kalidasa = Shakuntalam/Meghaduta; Bhasa = earlier playwright — Mudrarakshasa is exclusively Vishakhadatta's.
The 'Saptanga Theory' of the state was propounded in which ancient text?
Correct Answer: B. Arthashastra
• **Saptanga Theory** = propounded by **Kautilya** in the **Arthashastra**; 7 essential elements of a state. • 7 elements: **Swami** (king), **Amatya** (ministers), **Janapada** (territory), **Durga** (fort), **Kosha** (treasury), **Danda** (army), **Mitra** (ally). • This theory is the world's first systematic political science framework — predates Machiavelli by 1,800 years. • 💡 Mahabhasya = Patanjali's grammar commentary; Manusmriti = law code; Indica = Megasthenes' account — Saptanga Theory is from Arthashastra only.
Which Gupta ruler founded the Nalanda University?
Correct Answer: C. Kumaragupta I
• **Kumaragupta I** = credited with founding **Nalanda University** (5th century CE); premier Mahayana Buddhist center. • Nalanda supported by revenue of **100 villages**; taught medicine, logic, grammar, Vedas alongside Buddhism. • Destroyed by **Bakhtiyar Khilji** in 1193 CE — a key. • 💡 Skandagupta = fought Huns; Chandragupta II = Vikramaditya; Samudragupta = Napoleon of India — Nalanda's founder is Kumaragupta I.
In the Mauryan administration, the official known as 'Sannidhata' was responsible for which department?
Correct Answer: B. Treasury and Storehouse
• **Sannidhata** = chief custodian of **state treasury and storehouse** (kosha) in Mauryan administration. • He managed storage of **grain, gold, silver, and goods**; distinct from **Samaharta** (tax collector). • Key pair: **Samaharta** (collects revenue) + **Sannidhata** (stores and guards revenue) — both from Arthashastra. • 💡 Tax collection = Samaharta's job; Foreign affairs = separate dept; Espionage = Gudhapurusha — Sannidhata managed only treasury/storehouse.
Which style of temple architecture began to evolve significantly during the Gupta period?
Correct Answer: B. Nagara
• **Nagara style** = North Indian temple architecture; developed during **Gupta period** (~4th–6th century CE). • Key feature: **curvilinear shikhara** (tower) over the garbhagriha (sanctum). • Gupta period = transition from **rock-cut caves** to **free-standing stone temples** — architectural revolution. • 💡 Dravida = South Indian style (pyramid-shaped gopuram); Vesara = mixed style; Hoysala = later medieval style — Nagara is the North Indian Gupta style.
The Sudarshana Lake in Gujarat was repaired during the reign of which Gupta ruler?
Correct Answer: A. Skandagupta
• **Skandagupta** repaired **Sudarshana Lake** (Gujarat) after embankment burst due to heavy rains. • **Junagadh inscription** records the repair by his governor **Chakrapalita** — vital source for 3 dynasties. • Same lake: originally built by **Chandragupta Maurya's governor Pushyagupta**, repaired by **Rudradaman I** (Saka), then Skandagupta. • 💡 Buddhagupta, Samudragupta, Kumaragupta = different Gupta rulers — Sudarshana Lake repair is specifically Skandagupta's record.
Which ancient Indian mathematician wrote 'Aryabhatiya'?
Correct Answer: B. Aryabhatta
• **Aryabhatta** wrote **Aryabhatiya** (499 CE) during Gupta period — covers math and astronomy. • Stated earth rotates on its axis; gave value of **Pi ≈ 3.1416**; explained solar/lunar eclipses scientifically. • Aryabhatta was born in **Kusumapura** (Pataliputra); wrote at age 23 — one of history's greatest scientists. • 💡 Varahamihira = wrote Brihat Samhita (encyclopedic); Brahmagupta = wrote Brahmasphutasiddhanta; Bhaskara = later medieval mathematician — Aryabhatiya is solely Aryabhatta's work.
The famous 'Iron Pillar' at Mehrauli is generally attributed to which ruler?
Correct Answer: C. Chandragupta II
• **Mehrauli Iron Pillar** = attributed to **Chandragupta II** ('Chandra' in inscription); now in Qutb Minar complex, Delhi. • **1,600+ years old** yet no significant corrosion — Gupta-era metallurgy used **98% pure wrought iron** with phosphorus coating. • Inscription records Chandra's conquests across **Vanga (Bengal)** and victories in the West (Indus). • 💡 Kanishka = Kushan ruler; Harsha = post-Gupta; Ashoka = iron pillar is separate from Ashokan stone pillars — Mehrauli Iron Pillar = Chandragupta II.