The Guptas and Vardhanas Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Notes
We have provided here The Guptas and Vardhanas Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Notes by our Experienced Teacher. This Extra Questions and Answers Notes consists of MCQ Questions and Answers; Very Short Type Questions and Answer & Short Type Questions and Answers.
MCQs
1.) Who is considered the founder of the Gupta Empire?
A) Chandragupta I
B) Samudragupta
C) Chandragupta II
D) Harisena
Answer: A)
2.) Which Sanskrit poet and dramatist belonged to the age of Chandragupta II?
A) Aryabhata
B) Kalidasa
C) Varahamihira
D) Charaka
Answer: B)
3.) What is the name of the famous drama written by Kalidasa?
A) Abhijnana Shakuntala
B) Meghadoota
C) Raghuvamsha
D) Kumarasambhava
Answer: A)
4.) What was the reason for the decline of the Gupta Empire?
A) Continuous attacks by the Huns
B) Weak administration
C) Economic instability
D) Lack of religious texts
Answer: a)
5.) Who is credited with inventing ‘the zero’ and mastering algebra?
A) Chandragupta I
B) Samudragupta
C) Aryabhata
D) Varahamihira
Answer: C)
6.) Which Chinese traveler wrote about the Vardhanas’ rule in India?
A) Aryabhata
B) Kalidasa
C) Harisena
D) Hiuen Tsang
Answer: D)
7.) What was the major source of income for the Vardhana kingdom?
A) Trade
B) Land tax
C) Feudatory chiefs
D) Religious donations
Answer: B)
8.) Which famous university was associated with Buddhism and patronized by Harshavardhana?
A) Nalanda
B) Pataliputra
C) Taxila
D) Vikramashila
Answer: A)
9.) Who wrote the book on astronomy named Panchasiddhantika?
A) Chandragupta II
B) Samudragupta
C) Aryabhata
D) Varahamihira
Answer: D)
10.) What was the name of the 25-meter tall bronze image of Buddha gifted to Nalanda by Harshavardhana?
A) Buddha’s Visage
B) Buddha’s Icon
C) Buddha’s Idol
D) Buddha’s Image
Answer: D)
One liners:
1.) Who was the founder of the Gupta Empire?
Ans-Chandragupta I
2.) What title was given to Chandragupta I?
Ans- Maharajadhiraja
3.) Which Sanskrit poet wrote the Allahabad prashasti to commemorate Samudragupta’s achievements?
Ans- Harisena
4.) Which famous Indian playwright belonged to the age of Chandragupta II?
Ans: Kalidasa
5.) What is the story of Shakuntala, a famous drama by Kalidasa, based on?
Ans:The Mahabharata
6.) What did Sage Durvasa curse Shakuntala with in the story?
Ans: Forgetfulness by her beloved
7.) What object could bring back Dushyanta’s memories of Shakuntala in the story?
Ans: A ring
8.) Which external threat led to the decline of the Gupta Empire?
Answer -Attacks of the Huns
9.) Who are the prominent scientists from the Gupta period mentioned in the text?
Ans- Varahamihira, Bhaskara-I, Aryabhata, Charaka, Sushruta
10.) Which famous scientist is believed to have invented ‘the zero’?
Ans:Aryabhata
Short answer type:
1.) Who was Chandragupta I and what is significant about his rule in the Gupta Empire?
A: Chandragupta I was a ruler of the Gupta Empire who married a Licchavi princess, strengthening her kingdom. His reign in 320 BC marked the beginning of the Gupta era and was known as Maharajadhiraja.
2.) Which famous Sanskrit poet belonged to the Gupta period and what are his notable literary works? Answer: Kalidasa, a famous Sanskrit poet, lived in the Gupta era. His notable works include Meghadoota, Raghuvamsha, Kumarasambhava, Ritu Samhara and the notable play Abhijnana Shakuntala.
3.) What factors contributed to the decline of the Gupta Empire?
Answer: The Gupta Empire fell due to constant attacks by the Huns, lack of a large fully equipped army and the growing power of vassal kings. Economic recession, trade restrictions and social complexity also played their part.
4.) Who were the prominent scholars and scholars of the Gupta period and what were their contributions?
Answer: Prominent scholars and scholars of the Gupta era include Aryabhata, who made significant contributions to astronomy and mathematics, and Varahamihira, known for his works on astronomy, astrology and other works.
5.) What is the importance of Aryabhata and what are his main contributions to science?
Answer: Aryabhata, a famous astronomer and mathematician, is credited with inventing from scratch and making significant contributions to astronomy and mathematics. He discovered the causes of solar and lunar eclipses.
6.) Who founded the Vardhanas dynasty and what were the most important events during the reign of Harshavardhana?
Answer: Pushyabhuti founded the Vardhanas dynasty. During the reign of Harshavardhana, he conquered Kanauj, was defeated by Chalukya Pulakeshi II, and spread Buddhism, especially in Nalanda University.
7.) What role did bureaucracy and land grants play in the administration of the Vardhanas kingdom?
Answer: The kingdom of Vardhanas had a bureaucratic system consisting of officials like Mahasandhivigraha, Mahabaladhikruta and Bhogapati. Land grants were given to various communities and religious figures, and feudal lords played a prominent role.
8.) Why was Nalanda famous during the Vardhanas period and who were the prominent scholars associated with it?
Answer: Nalanda was known as an ancient university with royal patronage. Scholars like Nagarjuna, Dinnaga and Dharmapala taught there. Hiuen Tsang’s writings describe in detail the structures and meaning of Nalanda.
9.) Which event caused the destruction of many texts at Nalanda and which contributed to the veneration of the university?
A: As a result of the fire, many texts were destroyed in Nalanda. The Gupta kings and Harshavardhana were famous patrons who contributed to the glory of the university.
10.) How did Vardhan ruler Harsha expand his empire and what were the consequences of his defeat against Pulakesh II?
Answer: Harsha expanded his empire by conquering Kanauj and attacking the king of Bengal. But his defeat against the Chalukya Pulakesh II stopped his progress and he lost the joy (Karm) he experienced during his earlier conquests.
Long answer type:
1.) Who were the main rulers of the Gupta Empire and what were their major contributions during their reign?
A: The Gupta Empire was ruled by eminent rulers. Chandragupta I ushered in the Gupta era in 320 AD. And he strengthened the empire by marrying a Licchavi princess. His son Samudragupta expanded the empire through military conquests and his achievements are celebrated in the Allahabad prashasti. Chandragupta II, also known as Vikramaditya, further expanded the empire and promoted literature and art. The famous poet and dramatist Kalidasa belonged to that era.
2.) What factors led to the decline of the Gupta Empire and how did it affect society and business?
A:The Gupta Empire faced constant attacks from the Huns, which contributed to its decline. The Guptas relied on vassal kings for their army, which made the vassals powerful over time. This led to landowners controlling local residents, farmers and artisans, making society more complex.
Economically, the collapse of shopping centers with western regions and restrictions on internal trade led to the decline of shopping centers. Pataliputra, once a prosperous city, declined. This decline in trade affected the economic system of the empire.
3.) Who were the prominent scholars and scholars of the Gupta period and what were their important contributions?
A:Great scientists and scholars were born during the Gupta period. Aryabhata, a famous astronomer and mathematician, made significant contributions to astronomy and mathematics. He is credited with inventing “zero” and explaining the reasons for solar and lunar eclipses. Varahamihira, an astronomer and scholar in various fields, wrote important works on astronomy, astrology and others such as Panchasiddhantika and Bruhat Samhita.
4.) How did the Vardhan dynasty rise to power and what were the main achievements and challenges of Harshavardhana during his reign?
A:The Vardhan dynasty arose after the decline of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century. Pushyabhuti founded the dynasty and famous rulers like Prabhakaravardhana and Harshavardhana followed.
Harshavardhana faced challenges as he conquered Kanauj and expanded his power, but was stopped in the south by the Chalukya king Pulakeshi II. Despite his territorial victories, Harshavardhana lost his joy over these defeats.
5.) Describe the importance of Nalanda University during the Gupta and Vardhan periods, including its patrons and eminent scholars.
A: Nalanda University was of immense importance during both Gupta and Vardhan periods. It was a center of Buddhist learning attended by royal patrons including the Gupta kings and Harshavardhana. Famous scholars like Nagarjuna, Dinnaga and Dharmapala taught at Nalanda and the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang described the university in detail. The university had stupas, viharas, meditation rooms and lecture halls that showed their grandeur. Unfortunately, many of the Nalanda texts were lost in a fire accident.