Q110. Which Gupta-era poet also held the office of Mahadandanayaka?
[DSSSB Junior Secretariat Assistant – 2022]
A. Harisena
B. Kalidasa
C. Bharavi
D. Amarasimha
Answer: A. Harisena
Explanation: Harisena was more than a poet: inscriptions associate him with important administrative and judicial-military positions, illustrating the multifunctional character of elite Gupta officials.
Q109. The Prayaga Prashasti was composed by:
[UPSC NDA-II – 2022]
A. Harisena
B. Banabhatta
C. Ravikirti
D. Kalidasa
Answer: A. Harisena
Explanation: Harisena’s Sanskrit inscription on the Allahabad pillar praises Samudragupta and systematically records his conquests and relations with subordinate and frontier rulers.
Q108. The Vishnuvardhana Victory Tower at Bayana Fort belongs to which period?
[RPSC RAS Prelims – 2021]
A. Sultanate
B. Mughal
C. Mauryan
D. Gupta
Answer: D. Gupta
Explanation: The Bayana monument and associated inscriptional evidence belong to the Gupta-age political environment of Rajasthan and neighbouring regions.
Q107. Which pairing of Gupta temples and sites is correct?
[RPSC Assistant Professor History – 2021]
A. Dashavatara–Deogarh
B. Vishnu Temple–Tigawa
C. Shiva Temple–Bhumara
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Deogarh, Tigawa and Bhumara preserve important Gupta-age structural temple remains, providing evidence for the formative development of North Indian Brahmanical architecture.
Q106. According to the answer key of this examination, which Gupta ruler issued copper coins?
[UP PGT History – 2021]
A. Chandragupta I
B. Samudragupta
C. Skandagupta
D. Vishnugupta
Answer: B. Samudragupta
Explanation: Gupta coinage was overwhelmingly famous for gold issues, but the examination keyed Samudragupta here. Copper issues were far less important than Gupta gold and silver currency.
Q105. Which Gupta-period temple is located in Uttar Pradesh?
[UPPSC GIC Lecturer – 2021]
A. Tigawa Vishnu Temple
B. Bhumara Shiva Temple
C. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
D. Nachna Temple
Answer: C. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
Explanation: Deogarh is in Uttar Pradesh, whereas Tigawa, Bhumara and Nachna are associated with present-day Madhya Pradesh.
Q104. Buddhist scholar Paramartha is associated with which period?
[UPPSC GIC Lecturer History – 2021]
A. Mauryan
B. Kushana
C. Gupta
D. Mughal
Answer: C. Gupta
Explanation: Paramartha was an important Buddhist scholar and translator associated with the late Gupta-era intellectual world and the transmission of Mahayana Buddhist thought.
Q103. Which Gupta ruler first assumed the exalted political title Maharajadhiraja?
[OPSC OAS Prelims – 2021]
A. Sri Gupta
B. Chandragupta I
C. Samudragupta
D. Chandragupta II
Answer: B. Chandragupta I
Explanation: Earlier Gupta rulers used Maharaja, while Chandragupta I’s adoption of Maharajadhiraja reflected the dynasty’s transition toward wider imperial authority.
Q102. Who succeeded Chandragupta I?
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Sri Gupta
B. Samudragupta
C. Kumaragupta
D. Skandagupta
Answer: B. Samudragupta
Explanation: Samudragupta succeeded Chandragupta I and transformed the Gupta kingdom into a major empire through extensive military campaigning and flexible tributary arrangements.
Q101. Who wrote the biography Harshacharita?
[RRB NTPC – 2021]
A. Banabhatta
B. Harisena
C. Dandin
D. Bhavabhuti
Answer: A. Banabhatta
Explanation: Banabhatta served Harshavardhana and composed this celebrated Sanskrit prose biography, a key literary source on the political milieu of seventh-century northern India.
