Gupta & Post Gupta Period Practice Questions Answers Test With Solutions

Answer: (a)

Pallava period was a great age of temple building. The Pallavas introduced the art of excavating temples from the rock. In fact, the Dravidian style of temple architecture began with the Pallava rule. It was a gradual evolution starting from the cave temples to monolithic rathas and culminated in structural temples.

The development of temple architecture under the Pallavas can be seen in four stages. Mahendravarman I introduced the rock-cut temples. This style of Pallava temples is seen at places like Mandagappattu, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Dalavanur, Tiruchirappalli, Vallam, Siyamangalam and Tirukalukkunram.

The second stage of Pallava architecture is represented by the monolithic rathas and Mandapas found at Mamallapuram. Narasimhavarman I took the credit for these wonderful architectural monuments.

Answer: (c)

In the courtyard of the Quwat-ul-Islam mosque of Delhi stands the famous Iron pillar in the memory of Chandragupta II. The height of the pillar, from the top of its capital to the bottom of its base, is 7.21 m (23.7 ft), 1.12 m (3 ft 8 in) of which is below ground.

Its bell pattern capital is 1.07 m (3 ft 6 in) in height and its bulb-shaped base is 0.71 m (2 ft 4 in) high. The base rests on a grid of iron bars soldered with lead into the upper layer of the dressed stone pavement.

The pillar’s lower diameter is 420 mm (17 in), and its upper diameter 306 mm (12.0 in). It is estimated to weigh more than six tons.

Answer: (d)

The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called Rupaka. The silver coin was called Rupaka based on Sakas of Ujjaini weighing 32–36 grains.

According to Fa Hien, cowries were very common means of exchange. In Delhi Sultanate, gold coins were called Tanka which was equivalent to the Greek Drachm standard of 67 grains. The silver coins were called Drama.

Answer: (d)

The Kumaramatyas were the high officers and the personal staff of the emperor and were appointed by the king in the home provinces and possibly paid in cash. Recruitment was not confined to the upper varnas only and several offices came to be combined in the hands of the same person, and posts became hereditary.

A high ranking official heard for the first time in the Gupta records was the Sandhivigrahika (the foreign minister). The provinces or divisions called bhuktis were governed by Uparikas directly appointed by the kings. The province was often divided into districts known as Vishayas which were ruled by Kumaramatyas, Ayuktas or Vishayapatis.

His appointment was made by the provincial governors. Land revenue was the main source of the state’s income besides the fines. In Samudragupta’s time, we hear of an officer Gopasramin working as Akshapataladhikrita whose duty was to enter numerous matters in the accounts registers, recover royal dues, to check embezzlement and recover fines.

Answer: (b)

Balaiyankutai in the Pallava age was the name of a pond or tank. Majority of the irrigation tanks were built from the 6th to the 10th centuries of our era during the dynasty of the Pallavas.

One will understand the importance of these systems of irrigation by noting that about one-third of the surface area of the state is actually irrigated by these omnipresent tanks (about 40,000 such tanks), the two-thirds of water needs come from the exploitation of groundwater.