gupta & post gupta period Practice Questions Answers Test with Solutions

Answer: (d)

Vikramshila Mahavihara was one of the two most important centres of Buddhist learning in India during the Pala dynasty.

Established by King Dharmapala (783 to 820 CE), it is located about 50 km east of Bhagalpur and about 13 km north-east of Kahalgaon railway station on Bhagalpur-Sahebganj section of eastern railway.

The area is under the protected jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Answer: (d)

The Chinese traveller Fa-Hein visited India in the reign of Chandragupta-II. The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Fa-Hein, who spent six years (405–411) in India during Chandragupta II’s reign, spoke highly of the system of government, the means for dispensing charity and medicine (the emperor maintained free rest houses and hospitals), and the goodwill of the people.

But he never visited the emperor or his court. Chandragupta II was a devout Hindu, but he also tolerated the Buddhist and Jain religions.

The court of Chandragupta was made even more illustrious by the fact that it was graced by the Navaratna (nine jewels), a group of nine who excelled in the literary arts. Amongst these men was the immortal Kalidasa whose works dwarfed the works of many other literary geniuses, not only in his own age but in the ages to come.

Kalidasa was particularly known for his fine exploitation of the shringara (romantic) element in his verse.

Answer: (d)

Dharampala established the Somapura Mahavihara, a good educational centre of the time. Somapura Mahavihra, or the Great Monastery, was a renowned intellectual centre until the 12th century. Its layout perfectly adapted to its religious function, this monasterys city represents a unique artistic achievement.

Answer: (b)

Apart from these literary sources, there are inscriptions like the Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription and the Allahabad Pillar inscription. The first refers to the achievements of Chandragupta I. The most important source for the reign of Samudragupta is the Allahabad Pillar inscription. It describes his personality and achievements.

This inscription is engraved on an Ashokan pillar. It is written in classical Sanskrit, using the Nagari script. It consists of 33 lines composed by Harisena.

It describes the circumstances of Samudragupta’s accession, his military campaigns in North India and the Deccan, his relationship with other contemporary rulers, and his accomplishments as a poet and scholar.

Answer: (d)