Maurya and Gupta Empires

Question 1

Chandragupta Maurya's advisor was:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Chanakya — Chanakya (Kautilya) was the chief advisor. He authored the Arthashastra.‌​‍

Answer

Megasthenes

Answer

Aryabhata

Answer

Kalidasa

Question 2

Ashoka converted to Buddhism after which war?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Kalinga — The Kalinga War (261 BCE) and its bloodshed led Ashoka to embrace Buddhism.‌​‍

Answer

Panipat

Answer

Hydaspes

Answer

Plassey

Question 3

The national emblem of India is from:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Sarnath Lion Capital — The four lions of Ashoka's Sarnath pillar capital form India's national emblem.‌​‍

Answer

Sanchi Pillar

Answer

Dhamek Stupa

Answer

Amaravati Stupa

Question 4

'Satyameva Jayate' is from:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Mundaka Upanishad — 'Truth Alone Triumphs' is from the Mundaka Upanishad, inscribed below the national emblem.‌​‍

Answer

Rig Veda

Answer

Bhagavad Gita

Answer

Arthashastra

Question 5

Megasthenes was the ambassador of:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Seleucus Nicator — Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador of Seleucus Nicator at Chandragupta Maurya's court. ‌​‍He wrote 'Indica'.

Answer

Alexander

Answer

Darius

Answer

Caesar

Question 6

Nalanda University was founded by:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Kumaragupta I — Kumaragupta I (Gupta dynasty) founded Nalanda, one of the world's greatest ancient universities.‌​‍

Answer

Ashoka

Answer

Chandragupta II

Answer

Harsha

Question 7

The 'Napoleon of India' is:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Samudragupta — Historian V.A. ‌​‍Smith called Samudragupta the 'Napoleon of India' for his military conquests.

Answer

Ashoka

Answer

Chandragupta I

Answer

Chandragupta II

Question 8

Kalidasa lived during which period?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Gupta — Kalidasa was one of the Nine Gems in Chandragupta II's (Vikramaditya) court. ‌​‍Gupta period = Golden Age.

Answer

Maurya

Answer

Mughal

Answer

British

Question 9

Aryabhata is known for:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Value of Pi and astronomy — Aryabhata calculated Pi as 3.1416, explained Earth's rotation, and wrote Aryabhatiyam.‌​‍

Answer

Grammar

Answer

Medicine

Answer

Architecture

Question 10

Fa Hien visited India during:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Chandragupta II's reign — Fa Hien (Chinese traveller) visited India ~399-414 CE during Chandragupta II (Gupta dynasty).‌​‍

Answer

Ashoka's reign

Answer

Harsha's reign

Answer

Akbar's reign

Question 11

The iron pillar at Mehrauli (Delhi) is from which period?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Gupta — The rust-resistant iron pillar dates to the Gupta period — a testament to ancient Indian metallurgy.‌​‍

Answer

Maurya

Answer

Mughal

Answer

British

Question 12

Ajanta caves are famous for:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Buddhist paintings — Ajanta caves (Maharashtra) are famous for Buddhist murals and paintings, dating from 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE.‌​‍

Answer

Rock-cut temples

Answer

Jain sculptures

Answer

Hindu carvings

Question 13

Ashoka sent missionaries to Sri Lanka led by:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Mahendra and Sanghamitra — Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka.‌​‍

Answer

Fa Hien

Answer

Megasthenes

Answer

Chanakya

Question 14

The Gupta period is called the 'Golden Age' because of achievements in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Art, science, literature — The Gupta period saw peak achievements in art (Ajanta), science (Aryabhata), literature (Kalidasa), and metallurgy.‌​‍

Answer

Military conquest only

Answer

Trade only

Answer

Agriculture only

Question 15

The last great Gupta ruler was:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Skandagupta — Skandagupta was the last great Gupta ruler. ‌​‍He defeated the Huns but the empire weakened after him.

Answer

Chandragupta II

Answer

Kumaragupta I

Answer

Buddhagupta

Maurya and Gupta Empires