Mauryan & Gupta — Set 4
Indian History · मौर्य और गुप्त · Questions 31–40 of 100
Which ancient port was the most important for Mauryan trade on the east coast?
Correct Answer: B. Tamralipti
• **Tamralipti** = modern **Tamluk, West Bengal**; principal east-coast port of **Mauryan Empire**. • Gateway for trade with **Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka**; Ashoka's mission (Mahendra, Sanghamitra) sailed from here. • Fa-Hien also embarked from Tamralipti on his return to China — a key maritime hub across multiple eras. • 💡 Muziris = Kerala west-coast Roman trade port; Sopara = west coast (Maharashtra); Bharuch = Gujarat port — east coast Mauryan port = Tamralipti.
Who wrote the Sanskrit dictionary 'Amarakosha'?
Correct Answer: B. Amara Simha
• **Amara Simha** = one of **Chandragupta II's Navratnas**; wrote **Amarakosha** — Sanskrit thesaurus in verse form. • Amarakosha has **3 kandas (sections)**: Swarga Kanda, Bhumi Kanda, Samanya Kanda — covering ~10,000 words. • It classifies synonyms by **subject** (gods, plants, animals, grammar) — used as a standard Sanskrit dictionary for centuries. • 💡 Kalidasa = drama/poetry; Patanjali = Mahabhasya (grammar); Panini = Ashtadhyayi — Sanskrit dictionary/thesaurus = Amara Simha.
The 'Huns' invaded India primarily during the reign of which Gupta ruler?
Correct Answer: D. Skandagupta
• **Skandagupta** = defeated **Huna (White Hun) invasion** around **455 CE**; called 'restorer of Gupta glory'. • His victory is recorded in **Bhitari** and **Junagadh** pillar inscriptions; also repaired **Sudarshana Lake** dam. • After Skandagupta's death, successive weak rulers allowed Hunas to penetrate — leading to **Gupta decline**. • 💡 Samudragupta = conquered 21 kingdoms (no Hunas); Chandragupta I = early Gupta founder; Ramagupta = weak/dishonored — Huna repeller = Skandagupta.
Which Ashokan edict identifies the king by his personal name 'Ashoka' instead of titles?
Correct Answer: B. Maski
• **Maski Minor Rock Edict** = only edict (at first discovery) to use personal name **'Ashoka'** — not just 'Piyadassi'. • Maski is in **Raichur, Karnataka**; discovery **confirmed** that 'Devanampiya Piyadassi' of edicts = **Ashoka of Buddhist texts**. • Later, **Gujarra** (MP) and **Nittur** (Karnataka) edicts also mention 'Ashoka' — but Maski was the first such find. • 💡 Kalsi = Dehradun, major rock edict; Girnar = Gujarat, 14 edicts; Shahbazgarhi = NW Frontier — personal name 'Ashoka' = Maski.
What was the primary language used in the Ashokan inscriptions found in the Indian subcontinent?
Correct Answer: C. Prakrit
• **Prakrit** = primary language of Ashokan inscriptions; written in **Brahmi script** for common people across India. • Northwest region used **Kharosthi** script; Kandahar (Afghanistan) edicts in **Greek and Aramaic** — showing multilingual policy. • Prakrit was the **spoken language of masses** (not Sanskrit, which was elite); Ashoka deliberately chose Prakrit for reach. • 💡 Pali = language of Theravada Buddhism (different from Prakrit); Sanskrit = Brahmin/elite; Tamil = South India texts — Ashokan edicts heartland = Prakrit.
Who was the first Gupta ruler to assume the title 'Maharajadhiraja'?
Correct Answer: C. Chandragupta I
• **Chandragupta I** = first Gupta ruler with title **'Maharajadhiraja'** (King of Kings) — marked shift from feudatory to emperor. • Married **Kumaradevi** of **Licchavi clan** — issued joint gold coins showing both; Licchavis gave legitimacy and political alliances. • His reign (**320–335 CE**) is marked as start of **Gupta Era** (Gupta Samvat begins 320 CE). • 💡 Samudragupta = 'Kaviraja' title; Sri Gupta = dynasty founder but not Maharajadhiraja; Ghatotkacha = feudatory ruler — Maharajadhiraja first = Chandragupta I.
The rock-cut caves at Udayagiri are associated with which dynasty?
Correct Answer: D. Gupta
• **Udayagiri Caves** = rock-cut caves in **Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh**; associated with **Gupta period** (Chandragupta II). • Famous for monumental **Varaha avatar** relief — Vishnu as boar rescuing goddess Earth (Prithvi) from ocean. • An inscription here names **Chandragupta II's Sandhivigrahika (Foreign Minister) Virasena** — confirms Gupta patronage. • 💡 Satavahana = Ajanta/Ellora early phase; Mauryan = Barabar Caves; Kushan = Gandhara art — Udayagiri Gupta Varaha = Gupta dynasty.
Which text details the espionage system of the Mauryas?
Correct Answer: B. Arthashastra
• **Arthashastra** by **Kautilya (Chanakya)** = comprehensive manual on statecraft; detailed **espionage system** of Mauryas. • Describes **types of spies**, their disguises (monks, merchants, astrologers), and use of **female agents (Vishakanya)**. • Arthashastra also covers **military tactics, taxation, diplomacy, and judicial systems** — complete governance blueprint. • 💡 Ramayana/Mahabharata = epics; Harshacharita = Banabhatta's biography of Harsha; Manu Smriti = law text — Mauryan espionage = Arthashastra.
The Bagh Caves in Madhya Pradesh are known for paintings from which era?
Correct Answer: D. Gupta
• **Bagh Caves** = rock-cut caves in **Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh**; mural paintings from **Gupta period** (5th–6th century CE). • Paintings are **stylistically similar to Ajanta** but more **secular** — showing royal scenes, musicians, and processions. • 9 caves; Cave 4 (**Rang Mahal**) has the best-preserved murals — painted with **natural pigments** on plastered walls. • 💡 Chola = bronze sculptures; Mauryan = polished stone pillars; Kushan = Gandhara/Mathura art — Bagh Caves murals = Gupta era.
The Third Buddhist Council was convened at which city?
Correct Answer: D. Pataliputra
• **Third Buddhist Council** = held at **Pataliputra, 250 BCE** under **Ashoka's patronage**; presided by **Moggaliputta Tissa**. • Objective: **purify Sangha** from heretics + compile **Abhidhamma Pitaka** (the 3rd basket of Pali canon). • After the council, Ashoka sent **Dhamma missionaries** to 9 regions including Sri Lanka, Burma, and Central Asia. • 💡 1st Council = Rajgir (Mahakassapa presided); 2nd Council = Vaishali (Sabakami presided); 4th Council = Kashmir under Kanishka — 3rd = Pataliputra.