Mauryan & Gupta — Set 5
Indian History · मौर्य और गुप्त · Questions 41–50 of 100
Who was the founder of the Gupta Dynasty?
Correct Answer: A. Sri Gupta
• **Sri Gupta** = founder of **Gupta Dynasty**; ruled as a minor feudatory in **Bengal** around **240–280 CE**. • He built a **temple for Chinese pilgrims** near Bodh Gaya — mentioned by I-Tsing; only historical record of Sri Gupta. • Succeeded by son **Ghatotkacha**, then **Chandragupta I** — Sri Gupta was the dynasty's ancestor, not an emperor. • 💡 Ghatotkacha = son of Sri Gupta (not the Mahabharata's Ghatotkacha); Chandragupta I = first Maharajadhiraja; Samudragupta = conqueror — Gupta dynasty founder = Sri Gupta.
Which book is NOT written by Kalidasa?
Correct Answer: D. Ratnavali
• **Ratnavali** = Sanskrit play written by **King Harsha (Harshavardhana)** — NOT by Kalidasa; hence the odd one out. • **Kalidasa's works**: Dramas — **Abhijnana Shakuntalam, Vikramorvasiya, Malavikagnimitram**; Epics — **Raghuvamsa, Kumarasambhava**; Lyric — **Meghaduta**. • Kalidasa = greatest poet of **Gupta Golden Age**; court of **Chandragupta II**; called 'Shakespeare of India'. • 💡 Raghuvamsa ✓ Kalidasa; Kumarasambhava ✓ Kalidasa; Meghaduta ✓ Kalidasa; Ratnavali ✗ = Harsha — NOT Kalidasa.
The 'Barabar Caves', the oldest surviving rock-cut caves, date to which period?
Correct Answer: B. Mauryan
• **Barabar Caves** = oldest surviving rock-cut caves; **Mauryan period** — 4 caves by **Ashoka**, 3 more by his grandson **Dasharatha**. • Donated to **Ajivika sect** ascetics — the Ajivikas were a rival philosophical school to Buddhism. • Famous for **Mauryan polished finish** — walls mirror-smooth using a technique lost after the Mauryan period. • 💡 Shunga = Sanchi stupa development; Kushan = Gandhara art; Gupta = Udayagiri, Bagh, Ajanta phase 2 — oldest rock-cut caves = Barabar (Mauryan).
What was the 'Bhaga' in the context of ancient Indian taxation?
Correct Answer: A. Land revenue share
• **Bhaga** = king's share of agricultural produce; primary form of **land revenue** in ancient India. • Fixed at **1/6th of produce** (Shadbhaga) in standard practice; reduced to **1/8th by Ashoka** at Lumbini as special exemption. • Bhaga was distinct from **Bali** (additional tax) and **Hiranya** (cash payment) — three main revenue streams. • 💡 Irrigation tax = Udaka Bhaga (water-tax); Religious tax = different category; Toll tax = Sulka — Bhaga = land revenue share (1/6th).
The play 'Mrichchhakatika' (The Little Clay Cart) was written by:
Correct Answer: B. Shudraka
• **Shudraka** = author of **Mrichchhakatika** ('The Little Clay Cart') — 10-act Sanskrit comedy-drama. • Depicts love between **Charudatta** (poor Brahmin) and **Vasantasena** (courtesan) — unique for its social realism. • Shows vivid picture of **urban life, gambling dens, courts, and political intrigue** of early India; no religious themes. • 💡 Bhavabhuti = Uttaracharitra, Malatimadhava; Kalidasa = Shakuntalam; Bhasa = Svapnavasavadatta — Mrichchhakatika = Shudraka.
Which Mauryan officer was in charge of the city administration?
Correct Answer: D. Nagaraka
• **Nagaraka** = city administrator in **Mauryan system**; maintained law and order, hygiene, and population records. • Megasthenes describes **Pataliputra's city council** of **30 members in 6 committees** — Nagaraka headed this system. • Responsible for **market regulation, artisan guilds, and foreign visitor records** — comprehensive urban governance. • 💡 Sitadhyaksha = agriculture superintendent; Antapal = frontier officer; Samaharta = revenue chief — city administration head = Nagaraka.
The 'Licchavi Dauhitra' (Grandson of Licchavis) epithet was used for:
Correct Answer: B. Samudragupta
• **Samudragupta** = used epithet **'Licchavi Dauhitra'** (grandson of Licchavis) — through his mother **Kumaradevi**, a Licchavi princess. • The Licchavi connection boosted Gupta prestige — Licchavis were a prestigious ancient republican clan from Vaishali. • Samudragupta's **Prayag Prasasti** (by poet Harisena) lists his military conquests and praises his Licchavi heritage. • 💡 Chandragupta I = married Kumaradevi (Licchavi); Skandagupta = defeated Hunas; Chandragupta II = Vikramaditya — 'Licchavi Dauhitra' = Samudragupta.
Which script was written from right to left?
Correct Answer: C. Kharosthi
• **Kharosthi** = ancient script written **right to left** (like Aramaic); used in **northwest India** (modern Pakistan/Afghanistan). • Used in **Ashokan edicts** of Mansehra and Shahbazgarhi; derived from **Aramaic script** of Persian Achaemenid administration. • Deciphered by **James Prinsep** in 1838 (one year after Brahmi); extinct — no continuous tradition, unlike Brahmi. • 💡 Brahmi = left to right, ancestor of all Indian scripts; Grantha = Tamil-Sanskrit hybrid; Devanagari = modern Hindu/Sanskrit — right to left = Kharosthi.
Who presided over the first Buddhist Council? (Note: Contextual to lineage)
Correct Answer: C. Mahakassapa
• **Mahakassapa** = senior disciple of Buddha; presided over **First Buddhist Council** at **Rajgir, 483 BCE** — right after Buddha's death. • **Purpose**: compile Buddha's teachings — Ananda recited **Sutta Pitaka**; Upali recited **Vinaya Pitaka** (monastic code). • The four councils form a key sequence: 1st (Rajgir) → 2nd (Vaishali) → 3rd (Pataliputra) → 4th (Kashmir under Kanishka). • 💡 Moggaliputta Tissa = 3rd Council (Pataliputra/Ashoka); Sabakami = 2nd Council (Vaishali); Vasumitra = 4th Council (Kanishka) — 1st Council = Mahakassapa.
Which Gupta ruler is depicted playing the Veena on his coins?
Correct Answer: B. Samudragupta
• **Samudragupta** = depicted playing **Veena** on **gold coins** — evidence of his exceptional musical talents. • **Prayag Prasasti** (by court poet Harisena) praises him as **'Kaviraja'** (King of Poets) and master of music. • He also issued **Ashvamedha coins** (horse sacrifice) and **Tiger-slaying coins** — showing multiple facets of his reign. • 💡 Skandagupta = Bhitari inscription (Hun war); Kumaragupta = Peacock coins (Mahendraditya); Chandragupta I = Licchavi joint coins — Veena coins = Samudragupta.