Gupta and Post-Gupta Period (Part-I)

1. In travel through India, Fahhien has mentioned a hospital, it was located at [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Ujjain
(b) Kaushambi
(c) Tamralipti
(d) Pataliputra

Correct Answer: (d) Pataliputra

Solution:Fa Hien has mentioned a hospital at Patliputra (capital) which was endowed by benevolent citizens. The poor and helpless patients suffering from any king of diseases were taken care of and doctors attended them and they were given food and medicine as per their wants.

2. Who of the following among the Nine Gems of Chandragupta was associated with Astrology ? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2008]

(a) Vararuchi
(b) Sanku
(c) Kshapanak
(d) Amar Singh

Correct Answer: (c) Kshapanak

Solution:The Nine Gems of Chandragupta II were (1) Kalidasa (Poet), (2) Dhanvantari (physician), (3) Varahamihira (Astronomer), (4) Amar Singh (Lexicographer), (5) Shanku (Architect) (6) Kshapanak (Astrologer), (7) Vararuchi (Grammarian), (8) Vetal Bhatta (Magician) (9) Ghata Karpara (Diplomat).

3. Kalidasa was in the ruling period of - [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]

(a) Samudragupta
(b) Ashoka
(c) Chandragupta-I
(d) Chandragupta-II

Correct Answer: (d) Chandragupta-II

4. Who among the following was the first to explain that the rotation of the earth on its own axis accounts for the daily rising and setting of the sun ? [64ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018]

Correct Answer: (a) Aryabhatta

Solution:Aryabhatta, a mathematician and astronomer, wrote 'Aryabhatiyam'. He stated that day and night were caused by the rotation of earth on its axis even though it seems as if the sun is rising and setting every day. He developed a scientific explanation for eclipses as well. He also found a way of calculating the circumference of a circle, which is nearly as accurate as the formula we use today.

5. Which (among these are Gupta's gold coins ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1992]

(a) Kaudi
(b) Dinara
(c) Nishka
(d) Pan

Correct Answer: (b) Dinara

Solution:Gold coins issued by Gupta rulers were known as Dinar. According to Fa hien, people used Dinar for daily business the term "nishka" was used to describe a gold coin or ornament that was used for trade, as currency, or as barter. The Rigveda mentions nishka as a payment, decoration, gift, or neck ornament. It was also described as both gold and silver, and it likely had a definite weight and worth.

6. Gupta gold coin was called - [U.P.R.P./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]

(a) Karshapana
(b) Dinara
(c) Nishka
(d) Suvarna

Correct Answer: (b) Dinara

Solution:Gold coins issued by Gupta rulers were known as Dinar. According to Fa hien, people used Dinar for daily business.

7. The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996, U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2002]

(a) Karshapana
(b) Dinara
(c) Rupaka
(d) Nisc

Correct Answer: (c) Rupaka

Solution:The silver coins issued by the Gupta ruler was known as "rupaka". The Gupta coins have been found from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Orissa. Bharatpur (Bayana) in Rajasthan is the place from where a maximum number of coins have been found.

8. Who among the following was the first Gupta ruler to issue coins ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]

(a) Chandragupta-I
(b) Ghatotkacha
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Srigupta

Correct Answer: (a) Chandragupta-I

Solution:Chandragupta-I was the first Gupta ruler who issued the coins. There is no evidence available for issuance of coins by Ghatokacha and Srigupta, the early rulers of Gupta dynasty. Samudragupta also issued various types of coins, but his tenure was after Chandragupta-I.

9. In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta period women and Sudras speak : [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Sanskrit
(b) Prakrit
(c) Pali
(d) Sauraseni

Correct Answer: (b) Prakrit

Solution:In Sanskrit plays, written during Gupta period, women and Sudra spoke in Prakrit language while upper varnas (class) person used Sanskrit to speak.

10. The first inscriptional evidence of the Satipratha has been found from - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

(a) Eran
(b) Junagarh
(c) Mandsaur
(d) Sanchi

Correct Answer: (a) Eran

Solution:The first evidence of 'Satipratha' has been found from the inscription of Eran. This inscription belongs to 510 AD in which practice of Satipratha has been mentioned for a lady who was the wife of war commander named 'Gopraj.'