Class 9 The Age of the Guptas Mock Test (ICSE)

Topics in The Age of the Guptas

• Sources: Fa-hien and the Allahabad Pillar inscription
• Gupta kings
• Gupta administration
• Contributions to education, science, medicine and culture

The Age of the Guptas practice questions with answers

1. Q1Multiple choice·1 mark
   During the Gupta administrative system, what were the provinces of the empire known as?

   1. (a)Vithis
   2. (b)Grama
   3. (c)Bhuktis
   4. (d)Vishayas
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (c)+1

   Answer: (c)
2. Q2Multiple choice·1 mark
   Who wrote the famous classical Sanskrit drama 'Abhijnanashakuntalam' during the Gupta period?

   1. (a)Kalidasa
   2. (b)Varahamihira
   3. (c)Aryabhata
   4. (d)Shudraka
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (a)+1

   Answer: (a)
3. Q3Multiple choice·1 mark
   Which Gupta ruler assumed the title 'Kaviraaja' due to his proficiency in music and poetry, as depicted on his gold coins?

   1. (a)Chandragupta I
   2. (b)Chandragupta II
   3. (c)Skandagupta
   4. (d)Samudragupta
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (d)+1

   Answer: (d)
4. Q4Multiple choice·1 mark
   Who composed the Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayaga Prashasti) which serves as a major source of information for the Gupta period?

   1. (a)Harishena
   2. (b)Visakhadatta
   3. (c)Banabhatta
   4. (d)Kalidasa
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (a)+1

   Answer: (a)
5. Q5Short answer·2 marks
   State any two important observations made by the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien regarding the social and economic condition of India during the Gupta rule.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. First observation, any one of: the people were prosperous and happy; trade and commerce flourished; taxes were light and people could move freely without permits; punishments were mild, mostly fines, with no death penalty; most people were vegetarian and did not drink wine or eat onion and garlic; the Chandalas (untouchables) lived outside towns and had to announce their approach; free hospitals and rest houses were run by charity; or any other valid observation of Fa-hien.+1
   2. Second observation, a different one from the same list.+1

   Answer: Any two of: people prosperous and happy, flourishing trade, light taxes and free movement, mild punishments, widespread vegetarianism, Chandalas living outside towns, free hospitals and rest houses.
6. Q6Long answer·4 marks
   With reference to the prominent Gupta rulers, answer the following questions: (a) State two military achievements of Samudragupta as recorded in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription. (b) Mention any two notable achievements or contributions of Chandragupta II during his reign.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. (a) First achievement, any one of: he defeated and uprooted the kings of Aryavarta (North India) and annexed their kingdoms; he defeated twelve kings of Dakshinapatha (South India), then freed them and restored their kingdoms as tributaries; he made the rulers of the forest kingdoms (atavika rajyas) his subordinates; frontier kingdoms (such as Samatata, Kamarupa and Nepal) and tribal republics paid him tribute; foreign rulers such as the Shakas and Kushanas, and the king of Sri Lanka, sent him gifts or accepted his authority; or any other valid achievement recorded in the inscription.+1
   2. (a) Second achievement, a different one from the same list.+1
   3. (b) First achievement, any one of: he defeated the Shakas (Western Kshatrapas), annexing Gujarat, Malwa and Saurashtra and the western ports; he made marriage alliances with the Nagas and the Vakatakas; he took the title Vikramaditya and made Ujjain a second capital; he patronised art and learning, and his court had the Navaratnas, including the poet Kalidasa; or any other valid achievement.+1
   4. (b) Second achievement, a different one from the same list.+1

   Answer: (a) Any two of: conquest of Aryavarta, defeat and release of the kings of Dakshinapatha, subjugation of the forest kingdoms, tribute from frontier kingdoms and republics, submission of foreign rulers. (b) Any two of: defeat of the Shakas and gain of the western ports, marriage alliances with the Nagas and Vakatakas, the title Vikramaditya, patronage of the Navaratnas including Kalidasa.

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