History

Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

3,486 Questions

Ancient and medieval Indian rulers cover dynasties, major empires, administrative reforms, and historical monuments. This is a highly scored area in history sections of competitive exams. Practice these questions to strengthen your history foundation.

Maratha administrationGupta dynastyAncient kingdomsMedieval income sourcesRashtrakuta empire

Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following rulers of the Gupta Empire do the given statements refer to?

  1. During the last days of his reign, the Gupta Empire was threatened by the invasion of the White Huns.
  2. He issued new coins with images of Lord Kartikeya.

  1. Chandragupta Vikramaditya

  2. Kumaragupta I

  3. Skandagupta

  4. Samudragupta
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Kumaragupta I (Mahendraditya) was the ruler of the Gupta Empire from 415-455 CE. He retained, intact, the vast empire, which extended from North Bengal to Kathiawar and from the Himalayas to the Narmada. However during the last days of his reign, the Gupta Empire was threatened by the rebellion of Pushyamitras of central India and invasion of the White Huns. However, Kumaragupta was successful in defeating both threats and performed Ashvamedha Yajna (horse sacrifice) to celebrate his victory. He issued new coins with images of Lord Kartikeya. Note: It is statement 2 which helps a student to arrive at the right answer as the reign of Skandagupta (which is a distracter here) too witnessed threats from the Huns.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Prabhakar Vardhan was the first king of the Vardhana dynasty with his capital at Thaneswar.
  2. After Prabhakar Vardhan's death in 606 CE, his eldest son, Harshavardhana, ascended the throne.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both of these

  4. Neither of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Prabhakar Vardhan was the first king of the Vardhana dynasty with his capital at Thaneswar. After Prabhakar Vardhan's death in 606 CE, his eldest son, Rajyavardhana, ascended the throne. With the commencement of the 7th century, Harshavardhana (606-647 A.D.) ascended the throne of Thaneshwar and Kannauj on the death of his elder brother, Rajyavardhana. By 612 Harshavardhana consolidated his kingdom in northern India.

Multiple choice

Which of the following taxes was/were not collected during the Gupta period?

  1. Bhoga
  2. Uparikara
  3. Klipta

  1. Only 2 and 3

  2. Only 2

  3. Only 3

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In the Gupta Empire, a number of taxes had to be paid to the king. These were: Bhaga (1/6th of produce); Bhoga (taxes in kind fruits, wood, flowers, etc.); Kara (periodic tax on farmers); Uparikara (extra taxes); Udianga (probably water tax); Sulka (modern customs tax); Klipta and Upaklipta (purchase and sales taxes).

Multiple choice

Who among the following Gupta rulers founded the city of Nalanda?

  1. Srigupta

  2. Chandragupta II

  3. Skandagupta

  4. Kumaraguta
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nalanda (Rajagriha, Bihar) was founded by Kumaragupta (A.D. 450) and was famous for its tests. There was free education. It had 10,000 students, 1,500 teachers and 300 classrooms, and a big three-storey library. I-Tsing (A.D. 675) records a donation by Sri Gupta, for the University.

Multiple choice

With whom among the following did the Pandyas ally themselves in order to revive their empire by defeating the Cholas?

  1. Cheras
  2. Sinhalese
  3. Kalabhras

  1. Only 2

  2. Only 2 and 3

  3. Only 1 and 2

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The early Pandyan Dynasty of the Sangam Literature faded into obscurity upon the invasion of the Kalabhras. They again went into decline with the rise of the Cholas in the 9th century and were in constant conflict with them. The Pandyas allied themselves with the Sinhalese and the Cheras in harassing the Chola empire until they found an opportunity for reviving their fortunes during the late 13th century.

Multiple choice

Which of the following facts about the Cholas is/are not correct?

  1. The Chola kings were avid builders.
  2. They pioneered a centralised form of government and established a disciplined bureaucracy.
  3. It was in the age of the Cholas that the whole of South India was, for the first time, brought under a single government.

  1. Only 3

  2. Only 2

  3. Only 2 and 3

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Cholas left a lasting legacy. Their patronage of Tamil literature and their zeal in building temples has resulted in some great works of Tamil literature and architecture. The Chola kings were avid builders and envisioned the temples in their kingdoms not only as places of worship but also as centres of economic activity. They pioneered a centralised form of government and established a disciplined bureaucracy. In the age of the Cholas, the whole of South India was, for the first time, brought under a single government, when a serious attempt was made to face and solve the problems of public administration.

Multiple choice

Identify the incorrect statement.

  1. The first gold coins were issued by Mauryas.

  2. Piyadassi is pleasant to behold.

  3. Devanampiya is beloved of gods.

  4. James Prinsep could decipher ‘Asokan Brahmi’.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Kushanas issued the gold coins for the first time.

Multiple choice

During the Gupta era, the officer responsible for land records was called

  1. Dhruvadhikarana

  2. Saulika

  3. Karanika

  4. Jihatra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

During the Gupta period, Karanika was the officer responsible for maintaining land records and revenue matters. The Gupta administration had a well-organized bureaucracy with specific officials for different functions. Land revenue was a major source of income, making accurate record-keeping essential.

Multiple choice

Among the following, who was celebrated with the title of 'Gangai-Konda'?

  1. Rajaraja-I

  2. Rajendra-I

  3. Kulottunga

  4. Mahendravarman
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Rajendra I Chola, son of Rajaraja I, earned the title 'Gangai-Konda' (Conqueror of the Ganges) after his successful military campaigns that reached the Ganges river in northern India. He defeated the Pala dynasty and brought Ganges water back in a ceremonial procession, commemorating this achievement.