Q60. Which of the following was NOT traditionally included among Chandragupta II’s Navaratnas?
[SSC CPO – 2019]
A. Kalidasa
B. Varahamihira
C. Surdas
D. Amarasimha
Answer: C. Surdas
Explanation: Surdas belonged to the much later Bhakti tradition, whereas Kalidasa, Varahamihira and Amarasimha appear in traditional lists associated with Vikramaditya.
Q59. Which Gupta ruler was called the “Napoleon of India”?
[SSC CGL – 2019]
A. Samudragupta
B. Chandragupta II
C. Kumaragupta
D. Skandagupta
Answer: A. Samudragupta
Explanation: The designation reflects the scale of Samudragupta’s military activity described by Harisena, though it is a modern historiographical comparison rather than an ancient title.
Q58. The Gupta gold coin was commonly called a:
[SSC CHSL – 2019]
A. Dinara
B. Jital
C. Tanka
D. Dam
Answer: A. Dinara
Explanation: Gupta Dinaras were high-quality gold coins bearing varied royal iconography and religious symbols and constitute exceptionally valuable sources for Gupta political culture.
Q57. Which Chinese pilgrim visited India during Chandragupta II’s reign?
[SSC CGL – 2019]
A. Faxian
B. Xuanzang
C. Yijing
D. Al-Biruni
Answer: A. Faxian
Explanation: Faxian’s journey focused on Buddhist scriptures and sacred locations, but his writings also preserve observations on administration, social practices and urban prosperity.
Q56. Which Gupta-period scholar wrote Brihat Samhita?
[SSC MTS – 2019]
A. Varahamihira
B. Aryabhata
C. Brahmagupta
D. Kalidasa
Answer: A. Varahamihira
Explanation: Brihat Samhita is Varahamihira’s encyclopedic Sanskrit work covering astronomy, astrology, architecture, omens, meteorology and numerous aspects of contemporary knowledge.
Q55. The Prayaga Prashasti provides the most detailed account of whose conquests?
[SSC CGL – 2019]
A. Samudragupta
B. Harsha
C. Skandagupta
D. Kumaragupta
Answer: A. Samudragupta
Explanation: Harisena classified rulers according to whether they were annexed, reinstated, tributary or frontier powers, revealing Samudragupta’s flexible imperial strategy.
Q54. Which city developed into Harshavardhana’s principal capital?
[SSC CHSL – 2019]
A. Kannauj
B. Ujjain
C. Pataliputra
D. Taxila
Answer: A. Kannauj
Explanation: Harsha’s shift toward Kannauj increased that city’s political importance and helped establish it as a major centre of early medieval northern Indian power.
Q53. In approximately 618 CE, Harshavardhana was checked by:
[SSC CHSL – 2019]
A. Pulakeshin II
B. Mahendravarman I
C. Narasimhavarman I
D. Dantidurga
Answer: A. Pulakeshin II
Explanation: The Chalukya monarch stopped Harsha’s advance at the Narmada, maintaining Deccan independence from the dominant northern ruler.
Q52. Harisena was associated with which Gupta emperor?
[SSC CGL – 2019]
A. Samudragupta
B. Chandragupta I
C. Kumaragupta
D. Skandagupta
Answer: A. Samudragupta
Explanation: Harisena was a court poet and senior official whose celebrated Prashasti transformed Samudragupta’s achievements into one of ancient India’s most important political inscriptions.
Q51. Which ruler’s conquests opened western coastal trade regions to Gupta control?
[SSC CGL – 2019]
A. Chandragupta II
B. Sri Gupta
C. Ghatotkacha
D. Vishnugupta
Answer: A. Chandragupta II
Explanation: By defeating the Western Kshatrapas, Chandragupta II acquired Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra and improved Gupta access to economically important western ports.
