Q150. Which Gupta ruler defeated the Western Kshatrapas and became strongly associated with the title Vikramaditya?
[SSC GD Constable – 2024]
A. Chandragupta I
B. Samudragupta
C. Chandragupta II
D. Kumaragupta I
Answer: C. Chandragupta II
Explanation: Chandragupta II conquered the Saka Kshatrapas of western India, giving the empire access to Gujarat, Saurashtra and important western maritime trade routes.
Q149. What was the correct descending order of Gupta administrative territorial units?
[UPPSC RO/ARO – 2024]
A. Bhukti → Vishaya → Vithi → Grama
B. Vishaya → Bhukti → Grama → Vithi
C. Vithi → Bhukti → Vishaya → Grama
D. Grama → Bhukti → Vishaya → Vithi
Answer: A. Bhukti → Vishaya → Vithi → Grama
Explanation: A Bhukti was a province, Vishaya a district, Vithi a smaller territorial unit and Grama the basic village-level administrative unit.
Q148. Which Gupta ruler successfully resisted the Hunas?
[WBCS Mains – 2023]
A. Skandagupta
B. Budhagupta
C. Vishnugupta
D. Narasimhagupta
Answer: A. Skandagupta
Explanation: Skandagupta repelled early Huna invasions and is generally regarded as the last powerful Gupta emperor before the empire experienced accelerated political decline.
Q147. Which Gupta ruler took the title Vikramaditya?
[WBCS Mains – 2023]
A. Chandragupta I
B. Samudragupta
C. Chandragupta II
D. Skandagupta
Answer: C. Chandragupta II
Explanation: Chandragupta II is widely known as Vikramaditya and greatly strengthened Gupta power by defeating the Western Kshatrapas and expanding toward western India.
Q146. Who is traditionally credited with composing Nagananda and Ratnavali?
[WBCS Mains – 2023]
A. Harshavardhana
B. Kalidasa
C. Banabhatta
D. Bharavi
Answer: A. Harshavardhana
Explanation: Harsha is traditionally credited with three Sanskrit plays—Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika—demonstrating the literary interests of his court.
Q145. Which ruler is traditionally associated with the celebrated “Nine Jewels” or Navaratnas?
[WBCS Mains – 2023]
A. Samudragupta
B. Chandragupta II
C. Kumaragupta
D. Harsha
Answer: B. Chandragupta II
Explanation: Later tradition associates Vikramaditya’s court with nine eminent scholars, although historians caution that the complete traditional Navaratna list is not securely contemporary evidence.
Q144. The earliest important epigraphic evidence frequently cited for the practice of sati belongs to which broad historical period?
[SSC CGL – 2023]
A. Harappan
B. Gupta
C. Mauryan
D. Sultanate
Answer: B. Gupta
Explanation: The Eran inscription concerning Goparaja’s wife, dated to 510 CE, is among the earliest clear epigraphic references commonly discussed in connection with sati.
Q143. The brick temple at Bhitargaon is an important example of architecture from which period?
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Gupta
B. Maurya
C. Kushana
D. Mughal
Answer: A. Gupta
Explanation: Bhitargaon’s fifth-century brick temple, with terracotta panels and an early tall superstructure, is among the most significant surviving Gupta structural temples.
Q142. Bhitargaon, famous for its Gupta-period brick temple, is situated in:
[SSC MTS – 2023]
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Bihar
C. Gujarat
D. Odisha
Answer: A. Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Bhitargaon lies near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and preserves one of India’s earliest substantial brick Hindu temples with a surviving roofed sanctum.
Q141. Who wrote Harshacharita?
[SSC CPO – 2023]
A. Banabhatta
B. Harisena
C. Kalidasa
D. Dandin
Answer: A. Banabhatta
Explanation: Bana’s ornate Sanskrit biography of Harsha combines historical information with literary embellishment and remains a major source for seventh-century northern India.
