Gupta and Post-Gupta Period Questions and Answers – Page 2

Correct answer: Gupta period. The Narada, Katyayana, Yajnavalkya and Brihaspati Smritis are broadly associated with the Gupta or early post-Gupta legal and social milieu, though individual texts developed over time. This makes the selected option factually and chronologically appropriate. The Mauryan and Vedic periods are too early for this collective association, while the Mughal period is many centuries too late. The incorrect choices are plausible only at a broad level; each belongs to a different author, ruler, monument, office, text or historical phase. Reading the exact wording and matching it with the relevant source prevents shifted-field errors.

Correct answer: Bhitargaon near Kanpur. Bhitargaon near Kanpur preserves a major Gupta-period brick temple noted for its tall structure and terracotta decorative panels. Deogarh’s Dashavatara temple, the Bhumara temple and the Tigawa temple are principally stone structures.

Correct answer: Dashavatara Temple. The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh in Uttar Pradesh is a landmark early structural temple, usually dated to the Gupta period and dedicated to Vishnu. The generic alternatives point to other locations or lack the specific established name of the Deogarh monument.

Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu, served as a major dynastic emblem of the Guptas and appears on seals, standards and coins. Lion, bull and peacock symbols occur in Indian art and other dynastic contexts, but they were not the characteristic Gupta dynastic emblem asked here.

Vishnugupta, ruling in the mid-sixth century, is generally treated as the last known ruler of the imperial Gupta line, whereas Skandagupta was the last great imperial ruler. Bhanugupta and Budhagupta were earlier late-Gupta rulers, and Skandagupta belonged to the fifth century. The incorrect choices are plausible only at a broad level; each belongs to a different author, ruler, monument, office, text or historical phase.

Skandagupta successfully resisted major Huna pressure in the mid-fifth century and is remembered as the last powerful ruler of the imperial Gupta line. Kumaragupta I preceded him, Chandragupta II is noted for defeating the Western Kshatrapas, and Vishnugupta was a much later ruler. The incorrect choices are plausible only at a broad level; each belongs to a different author, ruler, monument, office, text or historical phase.

Skandagupta appointed Parnadatta governor of Saurashtra, and Parnadatta’s son Chakrapalita supervised repair of the Sudarshana lake, as recorded in the Junagadh inscription. Malwa, Bengal and Magadha were important regions, but the Parnadatta appointment is specifically tied to Saurashtra.

Correct answer: Kumaragupta I. Nalanda’s foundation is traditionally associated with Kumaragupta I, often identified with Shakraditya in later accounts, although the institution expanded greatly under later rulers. Dharmapala founded Vikramashila and later supported Buddhist institutions, Harsha patronised Nalanda after its foundation, and Chandragupta II is not the standard founder attribution. The incorrect choices are plausible only at a broad level; each belongs to a different author, ruler, monument, office, text or historical phase.

Correct answer: Kumaragupta I. Kumaragupta I is commonly credited in examination literature with the largest number of known inscriptions among Gupta rulers, reflecting his long reign and wide administration. Skandagupta, Samudragupta and Chandragupta II all issued important records, but the conventional numerical comparison favours Kumaragupta I. The incorrect choices are plausible only at a broad level; each belongs to a different author, ruler, monument, office, text or historical phase.

Correct answer: Rudrasena II. Chandragupta II’s daughter Prabhavati Gupta married the Vakataka ruler Rudrasena II, creating an important dynastic alliance in the Deccan. Pravarasena I and Vindhyashakti were earlier Vakataka figures, while Harishena was a much later Vakataka ruler. The incorrect choices are plausible only at a broad level; each belongs to a different author, ruler, monument, office, text or historical phase.