Post-Gupta Period MCQ Online Practice Test: Ancient Indian History - Exam Scorer

Ancient Indian History: Post-Gupta Period MCQ Online Test

Q1. Who was the founder of the Karnata dynasty of Mithila (Bihar)?

Correct Answer: Option A (Nanyadeva)

Detailed Explanation: Nanyadeva founded the Karnata dynasty of Mithila in 1097 CE, making Simraungadh his capital.

Q2. Who was the last ruler of the Karnata dynasty of Mithila?

Correct Answer: Option A (Harisimha (Harisimhadeva))

Detailed Explanation: King Harisimhadeva was the last Karnata ruler. During his reign in 1324 CE, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq invaded Mithila, ending the dynasty.

Q3. In which historical era was Nalanda University founded?

Correct Answer: Option A (Gupta Era (5th Century CE))

Detailed Explanation: Nalanda University was founded during the Gupta Golden Age in the early 5th century CE.

Q4. Who was the original founder of Nalanda Mahavihara University?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kumaragupta I (Shakraditya))

Detailed Explanation: Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta I (referred to as Shakraditya by Chinese pilgrims) established Nalanda Mahavihara.

Q5. The destruction of Nalanda University in 1193 CE was caused by:

Correct Answer: Option A (Bakhtiyar Khilji's invasion)

Detailed Explanation: Turkish commander Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed and burned Nalanda University and its massive library (Dharmaganja) around 1193 CE.

Q6. Ancient Nalanda University was world-famous specifically for:

Correct Answer: Option A (Buddhist Philosophy and Mahayana Learning)

Detailed Explanation: Nalanda was the premier global center for Buddhist philosophy, metaphysics, logic, and secular sciences.

Q7. The famous Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) studied at which Indian university?

Correct Answer: Option A (Nalanda University)

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang spent several years studying Yogachara philosophy under Abbot Shilabhadra at Nalanda.

Q8. Thanesar (Sthanvishvara in Haryana) was the early capital of which royal dynasty?

Correct Answer: Option A (Vardhana / Pushyabhuti Dynasty)

Detailed Explanation: Thanesar was the original capital of the Pushyabhutis before Harshavardhana moved the capital to Kannauj.

Q9. Who composed the famous Sanskrit biography 'Harshacharita'?

Correct Answer: Option A (Banabhatta)

Detailed Explanation: Court poet Banabhatta composed Harshacharita, detailing the early life and deeds of King Harshavardhana.

Q10. During whose reign did Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) visit India?

Correct Answer: Option A (Harshavardhana)

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang visited India during King Harsha's reign, staying between 629 and 645 CE.

Q11. Who was the founder of the Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) dynasty of Thanesar?

Correct Answer: Option A (Pushyabhuti)

Detailed Explanation: The Vardhana dynasty was founded by Pushyabhuti in Thanesar after the collapse of the Gupta Empire.

Q12. In which year did Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang embark on his journey to India?

Correct Answer: Option A (629 AD)

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang departed China in 629 CE and reached India via Central Asia.

Q13. Which queen is associated with Chandragupta I in Gupta coin types?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kumaradevi (Licchavi Princess))

Detailed Explanation: Chandragupta I married Licchavi princess Kumaradevi, issuing joint gold coins celebrating the alliance.

Q14. Which royal inscription is associated with Samudragupta's military achievements?

Correct Answer: Option A (Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription))

Detailed Explanation: Prayag Prashasti, composed by court poet Harishena, records Samudragupta's extensive conquests.

Q15. Which title was assumed by Chandragupta II after defeating the Western Shakas?

Correct Answer: Option A (Vikramaditya (and Shakari))

Detailed Explanation: Chandragupta II assumed the title 'Vikramaditya' after defeating the Shakas of Gujarat and Malwa.

Q16. What was the title assumed by Gupta Emperor Kumaragupta I?

Correct Answer: Option A (Mahendraditya (and Shakraditya))

Detailed Explanation: Kumaragupta I was styled as 'Mahendraditya' on his coins and inscriptions.

Q17. Who wrote the famous historical chronicle of Kashmir titled 'Rajatarangini'?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kalhana)

Detailed Explanation: Kalhana composed Rajatarangini ('River of Kings') in Sanskrit during 1148–1149 CE.

Q18. In the pre-Gupta period, lead coins were circulated in maximum quantity by:

Correct Answer: Option A (The Satavahanas)

Detailed Explanation: The Satavahanas issued extensive lead, potin, and copper coinage in the Deccan.

Q19. Who was the author of the epic poem 'Kiratarjuniya'?

Correct Answer: Option A (Bharavi)

Detailed Explanation: Bharavi composed Kiratarjuniya, describing Arjuna's combat with Shiva disguised as a Kirata hunter.

Q20. Harshavardhana shifted his imperial capital from Thanesar to:

Correct Answer: Option A (Kannauj (Kanyakubja))

Detailed Explanation: After rescuing his sister Rajyashri, Harsha united Thanesar and Maukhari kingdom at Kannauj.

Q21. What was the capital city of King Harshavardhana's empire?

Correct Answer: Option A (Kannauj)

Detailed Explanation: Kannauj served as the political center of Northern India under Harsha.

Q22. Who was the founder of the Pala dynasty of Bengal?

Correct Answer: Option A (Gopala)

Detailed Explanation: Gopala was elected as king by local chieftains around 750 CE to end anarchy ('Matsyanyaya') in Bengal.

Q23. What were the 'Five Indies' conquered and controlled by King Harshavardhana?

Correct Answer: Option A (Punjab, Kannauj, Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha)

Detailed Explanation: Harsha consolidated control over 5 major regions of Northern India.

Q24. Where did Harshavardhana organize quinquennial Grand Assemblies (Maha Moksha Parishad)?

Correct Answer: Option A (Prayag (and Kannauj))

Detailed Explanation: Harsha organized 5-yearly charity assemblies at Prayag, distributing his accumulated wealth.

Q25. Before making Kannauj his capital, Harshavardhana was the ruler of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Thanesar)

Detailed Explanation: Harsha initially ruled Thanesar before merging it with Kannauj.

Q26. Harshavardhana was associated with which ancient Indian dynasty?

Correct Answer: Option A (Pushyabhuti Dynasty)

Detailed Explanation: He belonged to the Pushyabhuti (Vardhana) family of Thanesar.

Q27. The Aihole inscription composed by Ravikirti describes the victory of Pulakeshin II over:

Correct Answer: Option A (Harshavardhana)

Detailed Explanation: Ravikirti records Pulakeshin II defeating Harsha on the banks of Narmada River.

Q28. Which Chinese traveler visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana?

Correct Answer: Option A (Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang))

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang traveled in India during Harsha's reign.

Q29. Who was the chief court poet of King Harshavardhana?

Correct Answer: Option A (Banabhatta)

Detailed Explanation: Banabhatta composed Harshacharita and Kadambari in Harsha's court.

Q30. Xuanzang visited India during the reign of:

Correct Answer: Option A (Harshavardhana)

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang spent over a decade in India during Harsha's rule.

Q31. Which Chinese Buddhist monk spent 17 years traveling in India between 627 to 643 AD studying at Nalanda?

Correct Answer: Option A (Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang))

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang traveled across India collecting Sanskrit Buddhist texts.

Q32. Which three major dynasties engaged in the centuries-long 'Tripartite Struggle' for Kannauj?

Correct Answer: Option A (Gurjara-Pratiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas)

Detailed Explanation: These three regional powers fought for over a century to control Kannauj and Gangetic plains.

Q33. Which Chinese pilgrim stayed at Nalanda both as a student and as a teacher?

Correct Answer: Option A (Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang))

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang studied Yogachara at Nalanda and later taught philosophy there.

Q34. Banabhatta was the court poet of which king?

Correct Answer: Option A (King Harshavardhana)

Detailed Explanation: Banabhatta was the Asthana Kavi in Harsha's court.

Q35. After Harsha's death in the 7th century, which group rose to regional dominance in Northern India?

Correct Answer: Option A (The Rajputs)

Detailed Explanation: Multiple Rajput clans (Pratiharas, Chauhans, Paramaras, Solankis) established kingdoms post-Harsha.

Q36. The Chinese Buddhist traveler Yijing (I-Tsing) stayed for 3 years to learn Sanskrit at:

Correct Answer: Option A (Tamralipti)

Detailed Explanation: Yijing arrived at Tamralipti port in 673 CE and studied Sanskrit before proceeding to Nalanda.

Q37. Who was the founder of Vikramashila University in the 8th-9th century CE?

Correct Answer: Option A (Dharmapala)

Detailed Explanation: Pala King Dharmapala founded Vikramashila in Bhagalpur, Bihar.

Q38. The pastoral and hunting tribal community 'Mongols' originally inhabited:

Correct Answer: Option A (Central Asia)

Detailed Explanation: Mongols were nomadic pastoral tribes native to the steppes of Central Asia.

Q39. Who was the founder of the Vakataka dynasty in the Deccan?

Correct Answer: Option A (Vindhyashakti)

Detailed Explanation: Vindhyashakti founded Vakataka rule around 250 CE in Central India/Vidarbha.

Q40. Which last Mauryan ruler's assassination is mentioned by Banabhatta in Harshacharita?

Correct Answer: Option A (Brihadratha)

Detailed Explanation: Banabhatta records Pushyamitra Shunga assassinating Brihadratha during a military review.

Q41. Which ancient kings were directly elected by the public/assemblies?

Correct Answer: Option A (Gopala (Pala dynasty) and Nandivarman Pallavamalla (Pallava dynasty))

Detailed Explanation: Gopala in Bengal and Nandivarman II in Kanchi were elected to kingship by citizens/assembly.

Q42. Which Buddhist stupa features 'Ayaka-Stambha' (Ayaka pillar) platform structures?

Correct Answer: Option A (Amaravati Stupa)

Detailed Explanation: Amaravati Maha-Chaitya features rectangular Ayaka platforms holding 5 Ayaka pillars.

Q43. Which two stupas in Andhra Pradesh possess 'Ayaka-Stambha' platform features?

Correct Answer: Option A (Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda)

Detailed Explanation: Both Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda in Krishna river valley feature Ayaka platforms.

Q44. Which Vakataka king performed four Ashvamedha Yajnas?

Correct Answer: Option A (Pravarasena I)

Detailed Explanation: Pravarasena I was the only Vakataka ruler to assume the title 'Samrat' and perform 4 Ashvamedha sacrifices.

Q45. Vallabhi University, a famous Hinayana Buddhist learning center, was situated in:

Correct Answer: Option A (Gujarat)

Detailed Explanation: Vallabhi in Saurashtra (Gujarat) was patronized by Maitraka rulers.

Q46. In the 6th–7th centuries, a lesser-known branch of the Mauryan dynasty was ruling at:

Correct Answer: Option A (Lata (Southern Gujarat))

Detailed Explanation: Later Maurya lineages ruled small principalities in Konkan and Lata (Gujarat).

Q47. Banavasi, the ancient capital of the Kadamba dynasty, is located in:

Correct Answer: Option A (Karnataka (Uttara Kannada / Goa border))

Detailed Explanation: Banavasi (ancient Jayantipura) served as the capital of Mayurasharma's Kadamba dynasty.

Q48. What currency coin name is mentioned in Gurjara-Pratihara inscriptions?

Correct Answer: Option A (Dramma)

Detailed Explanation: Silver and base coins issued by Pratiharas were termed Dramma.

Q49. What ancient city in MP was established by Emperor Harshavardhana?

Correct Answer: Option A (Harsud)

Detailed Explanation: Local tradition attributes the founding of Harsud (Khandwa, MP) to King Harsha.

Q50. Emperor Harshavardhana organized two major religious assemblies at:

Correct Answer: Option A (Kannauj and Prayag)

Detailed Explanation: Harsha held a grand Buddhist assembly at Kannauj and a 5-yearly charity assembly at Prayag.

Q51. Which Chinese pilgrim visited India during the reign of King Harshavardhana?

Correct Answer: Option A (Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang))

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang traveled in India during Harsha's rule.

Q52. During whose reign did Xuanzang travel across Northern India?

Correct Answer: Option A (Harshavardhana)

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang's account 'Si-Yu-Ki' describes Harsha's empire.

Q53. The Sanskrit biography 'Harshacharita' was written by:

Correct Answer: Option A (Banabhatta)

Detailed Explanation: Banabhatta was the court poet of Harsha.

Q54. King Shashanka, against whom Harsha declared war, ruled over which kingdom?

Correct Answer: Option A (Gauda (Bengal))

Detailed Explanation: Shashanka of Gauda treacherous killed Harsha's elder brother Rajyavardhana.

Q55. Who was the author of the biographical text 'Harshacharita'?

Correct Answer: Option A (Banabhatta)

Detailed Explanation: Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita in Sanskrit prose.

Q56. 'Harshacharita' is the biography of King Harshavardhana composed in Sanskrit prose by:

Correct Answer: Option A (Banabhatta)

Detailed Explanation: Banabhatta composed Harshacharita.

Q57. Which Chinese pilgrim came to India in search of authentic Buddhist manuscripts during Harsha's reign?

Correct Answer: Option A (Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang))

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang traveled across India collecting scriptures.

Q58. In what year did Chalukya King Pulakeshin II defeat Harshavardhana on the Narmada river?

Correct Answer: Option A (618 AD)

Detailed Explanation: Pulakeshin II halted Harsha's expansion around 618 CE.

Q59. Harshavardhana ascended the throne after the death of his elder brother:

Correct Answer: Option A (Rajyavardhana)

Detailed Explanation: Harsha ascended the throne at age 16 in 606 CE after Rajyavardhana was slain.

Q60. The Kadri Manjunath Temple at Mangaluru is dedicated to an avatar of Lord Shiva associated with:

Correct Answer: Option A (Lokeshwara / Manjunatha)

Detailed Explanation: Kadri Manjunath features a famous 10th-century bronze statue of Lokeshwara (Avalokiteshvara/Shiva).

Q61. Who was the first Indian astronomer to calculate the time taken by Earth to orbit the Sun?

Correct Answer: Option A (Bhaskaracharya (Bhaskara II))

Detailed Explanation: Bhaskara II in Siddhanta Shiromani calculated sidereal year length as 365.2588 days.

Q62. Match the visit years of foreign traveler Faxian (Fa-hien):

Correct Answer: Option A (399 to 414 AD)

Detailed Explanation: Faxian visited India between 399 and 414 CE.

Q63. Match the visit years of foreign traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang):

Correct Answer: Option A (629 to 645 AD)

Detailed Explanation: Xuanzang traveled in India between 629 and 645 CE.

Q64. Match the visit years of foreign traveler Yijing (I-Tsing):

Correct Answer: Option A (671-72 to 693-94 AD)

Detailed Explanation: Yijing visited India between 671 and 694 CE.

Q65. Match the visit years of Arab traveler Al-Masudi:

Correct Answer: Option A (915 to 916 AD)

Detailed Explanation: Al-Masudi of Baghdad visited India in 915–916 CE during Gurjara-Pratihara Mahipala I's reign.

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