Gupta and Post-Gupta Period (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

31. Read the following statements carefully - [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]

1. Gupta Emperors claimed divine rights for themselves
2. Their administration was highly centralized
3. They extended the tradition of land grants.
Answer on the basis of the following codes :

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 are true
Solution:There was a monarchy in the Gupta Empire. they Believed in their supernatural origin (opposite to Mauryas). They extended the tradition of land donation. Thought it was not centralised, but the federal system was followed.

32. With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct ? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (a) It was considered a source of income for the state, a sort of tax paid by the people
Solution:Vishti was a form of forced labour enforced by either state, provincial Governor or local chief. It is also mentioned in Gupta copper inscriptions that list out a variety of taxes. Junagarh inscription mentions vishti as one form of tax, which indicates that it was imposed in Gujarat and Malwa region.

Since it was forced labour in lieu of tax, it was not wage labour. Wage labour existed in ancient India, but it was not called Vishti. Vishti could be imposed on anyone, not in particular on eldest son only.

33. The game of 'Chess' is said to have originated in - [U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2004]

Correct Answer: (d) India
Solution:The game of chess originated in India during the Gupta period was known as 'Chaturanga.' It reached Iran and then Europe from India.

34. 'Mrichhhakatika' an ancient Indian book written by Shudraka deals with : [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2003]

Correct Answer: (a) The love affair of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan
Solution:'Mrichchhakatika" or "The Little clay Cart" written by Sudrakadeals with the love story of a rich merchant with the daughter of a courtesan. It also tells about the changes in the society during the Gupta period. It also provides information about some shudra officers in Ujjayini.

35. Whose contribution is there in ancient Sankhya Darshan ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (a) Kapila
Solution:Sankhya Darshan is one of the most ancient philosophical schools of India. Maharshi Kapila is known as the 'Acharya' of Sankhya Darshan. He composed 'Sankhya Sutra' and Tatvasamas.

36. The system of philosophy propounded by Kapila Muni is : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998]

Correct Answer: (b) Sankhya Philosophy
Solution:Sankhya Darshan is one of the most ancient philosophical schools of India. Maharshi Kapila is known as the 'Acharya' of Sankhya Darshan. He composed 'Sankhya Sutra' and Tatvasamas.

37. 'Sankhya' Philosophy is propounded by - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (c) Kapila
Solution:Sankhya Darshan is one of the most ancient philosophical schools of India. Maharshi Kapila is known as the 'Acharya' of Sankhya Darshan. He composed 'Sankhya Sutra' and Tatvasamas.

38. With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Samkhya School [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2013]

1. Sankhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of the soul.
2. Sankhya holds that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Correct Answer: (b) Only 2
Solution:The Sankhya School is a part of six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy. Sankhya philosophy accepts the theory of rebirth or transmigration of the soul.

Nescience is the cause of sorrow and self-enlightenment by knowledge is the solution of liberation from them. Sankhya held that it is the self-knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.

39. Read the following statements and choose the correct option : [Chhatisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Statement I : Kapila is the earliest exponent of Samkhya system
Statement II : Kapila teaches that a man's life is shaped by the forces of nature and not by the forces of nature and not by any divine agency

Correct Answer: (a) Statement I and Statement II both are true
Solution:Kapila Muni is earliest exponent of Samkhya philosophy. As per the philosophy, man's life is shaped by the forces of nature and not by any divine entity.

40. Who propagated 'Yoga Darshan'? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2007, 1997, U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2002, 2003]

Correct Answer: (a) Patanjali
Solution:Maharshi Patanjali is known as the founder of 'Yoga Darshan.' Although the history of yoga in Indian tradition is very old. The description about yoga is found in Upanishad, Mahabharat, Bhagavad Geeta, Jain and Buddha texts. However, Maharshi Patanjali explained it as a compact philosophical theory. So it is called as 'Patanjali Darshan'.