Q180. Who was the celebrated court poet of Harshavardhana?
[RRB NTPC Graduate – 2026]
A. Banabhatta
B. Harisena
C. Kalhana
D. Bilhana
Answer: A. Banabhatta
Explanation: Bana enjoyed the patronage of Harsha and wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari. His works are central literary sources for Sanskrit literature and early seventh-century society.
Q179. Who checked Harshavardhana’s expansion south of the Narmada?
[RRB NTPC Graduate – 2026]
A. Pulakeshin II
B. Narasimhavarman II
C. Rajaraja I
D. Dantidurga
Answer: A. Pulakeshin II
Explanation: The powerful Badami Chalukya monarch Pulakeshin II resisted Harsha’s southern ambitions, a success praised in Ravikirti’s celebrated Aihole inscription.
Q178. In the political structure of post-Gupta India, the term Samanta generally referred to a:
[RRB NTPC Graduate – 2026]
A. Buddhist monk
B. Feudatory or subordinate lord
C. Village artisan
D. Merchant guild
Answer: B. Feudatory or subordinate lord
Explanation: Samantas were subordinate chiefs or landed magnates owing varying degrees of allegiance to superior rulers. Their increasing prominence reflected decentralization in early medieval politics.
Q177. The famous Sheshashayana panel at Deogarh depicts which deity?
[DSSSB MTS – 2026]
A. Shiva
B. Vishnu
C. Surya
D. Karttikeya
Answer: B. Vishnu
Explanation: The panel shows Vishnu reclining on the cosmic serpent Ananta or Shesha, surrounded by divine figures, and is a masterpiece of Gupta Vaishnava sculpture.
Q176. Harshavardhana died around which year?
[SSC MTS – 2026 (2025 cycle)]
A. 606 CE
B. 630 CE
C. 647 CE
D. 712 CE
Answer: C. 647 CE
Explanation: Harsha ruled from approximately 606 to 647 CE. His death without a strong successor contributed to renewed political fragmentation in northern India.
Q175. Gupta gold coins were commonly known as:
[SSC MTS – 2026 (2025 cycle)]
A. Tankas
B. Dinaras
C. Jitals
D. Karshapanas
Answer: B. Dinaras
Explanation: Gupta rulers issued abundant high-quality gold coins generally termed Dinaras. Their designs provide important evidence regarding royal titles, religion, ceremonies, warfare and courtly culture.
Q174. Consider: Assertion—Gupta achievements resulted mainly from state-funded scientific institutions. Reason—Indian mathematicians developed or systematized important concepts of zero and decimal notation. Which is correct?
[MP Police SI – 2026]
A. Both are true, and R explains A
B. Both are true, but R does not explain A
C. Assertion is false, Reason is true
D. Assertion is true, Reason is false
Answer: C. Assertion is false, Reason is true
Explanation: Mathematical advances were real, but attributing the entire Gupta intellectual flourishing specifically to a modern-style state-funded STEM institutional system is historically anachronistic.
Q173. Which commodity was an important import into India during the post-Gupta/early medieval period?
[Bihar Police SI – 2026]
A. Horses
B. Rice
C. Cotton
D. Pepper
Answer: A. Horses
Explanation: High-quality war horses were imported from Central and West Asia because cavalry became increasingly important. Horse trade consequently held strategic importance for early medieval kingdoms.
Q172. Which observations are associated with Faxian’s account of Gupta India? (1) mild administration, (2) prosperity, (3) marginalized Chandalas living outside settlements.
[MP Police SI – 2026]
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Faxian described generally prosperous conditions and comparatively mild punishments while also recording severe social exclusion faced by Chandalas in contemporary society.
Q171. Which Chinese pilgrim visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana?
[MP Police SI – 2026]
A. Faxian
B. Xuanzang
C. Marco Polo
D. Megasthenes
Answer: B. Xuanzang
Explanation: Xuanzang travelled extensively through India in the seventh century, visited Harsha’s court and Nalanda, and left detailed accounts of politics, religion and education.
