Gupta and Post-Gupta Period (Part-IV)

Total Questions: 40

11. Which Chinese traveller visited India during Harshavardhana's rules ? [56ᵗʰ to 59ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Fa-Hien
(b) Hiuen-Tsang
(c) I-Tsing
(d) Taranath

Correct Answer: (b) Hiuen-Tsang

Solution:The arrival of Hiuen-Tsang was the most important event of Harsha's period. His desire was to visit the places related to Mahatma Buddha and study Buddhist texts, which was available in India. He departed for India in 629 AD from Changan, the capital of Tang Ruler. He wrote a book on his tour to India named 'Sei-Yu-Kei'.

12. The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang), who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]

1. The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery.
2. As regards punishment for offences ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person.
3. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below

(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3

Solution:Hiuen-Tsang stayed in India and visited almost every province of the country. According to Hiuen Tsang, the roads and river-routes were not completely immune from robbery. He himself was robbed many times during his voyages and travels. Thus, statement (1) is incorrect. According to Hiuen Tsang, punishment for the crime was harsh during that time. Ordeals by fire, water and poison were used to determine the innocence or guilt of a person. From the records of Hiuen Tsang, this fact is highlighted that tax was levied on trade routes, banks of rivers, products and goods etc. by which the state collected an ample amount of money. Therefore, statement 2 and 3 are correct.

13. Who sent Hiuen-Tsang as an emissary in the court of Harsha ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2007]

(a) Taai-Sunga
(b) Tung-Kuaan
(c) Ku-Yen-Vu
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (d) None of the above

Solution:Hiuen-Tsang was a contemporary of Taai-Sunga. Taai-Sunga had banned the foreign tours in the West for his citizens, but which Hiuen-Tsang came to India by silk-route in 629 AD. After 13 years of his migration, when he went back to China, the emperor welcomed him and appointed him as his spiritual advisor. On emperor's request, he composed his experiences in- "A Record of the Western Regions."

14. During Hiuen Tsang tour in India most famous city for the production of cotton clothes was - [41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Varanasi
(b) Mathura
(c) Pataliputra
(d) Kanchi

Correct Answer: (b) Mathura

Solution:The traveller of china Hiuen-Tsang arrived in India during harsha's period and stayed here. According to Hiuen-Tsang, Mathura was famous for the production of cotton textiles. He also mentioned that the reason for the prosperity of Thanesar was its trade. Ujjayini as well as Kannauj were economically prosperous too.

15. The term 'Kausheya' has been used for - [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]

(a) Cotton
(b) Flax
(c) Silk
(d) Wool

Correct Answer: (c) Silk

Solution:In Gupta and later Gupta period, the word 'Kausheya' was used to denote silk. The word kausheya comes from the Sanskrit word kosh, which means "cocoon of a silkworm". The ancient Sanskrit grammarian Pāṇini is credited with deriving the word. The Gupta period was a time of great artistic, architectural, and religious developments in South Asia, from around 320-647 C.E. The Guptas exported luxury products like silk, leather goods, fur, iron products, ivory, pearl, and pepper.

16. Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang studied at the University of - [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995, 46ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2003]

(a) Taxila
(b) Vikramshila
(c) Magadh
(d) Nalanda

Correct Answer: (d) Nalanda

Solution:The Traveller from China, Hiuen Tsang arrived in India during Harsha's period and went to Nalanda University in 637 AD. Acharya Sheelbhadra was the Vice-Chancellor of there almost one and half year. He also delivered a speech during his second visit to Nalanda University.

17. The major reason behind remembering Hiuen-Tsang is - [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1992]

(a) Respect for Harsha
(b) Study in Nalanda
(c) Trust in Buddhas
(d) Composition of Sei-Yu-Kei

Correct Answer: (d) Composition of Sei-Yu-Kei

Solution:Hiuen Tsang wrote a text 'Sei-yu-Kei' based on his journey. He is remembered for this composition as it consists of several information about ancient India.

18. The Chinese traveller who visited Bhinmal was : [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2007]

(a) Fahien
(b) Sangyun
(c) Hieun Tsang
(d) I-tsing

Correct Answer: (c) Hieun Tsang

Solution:Hiuen Tsang was a Chinese traveller who arrived in India during harsha's period. He also travelled to Bhinmal. His composition is known as 'Sei-Yu-Ki'. He was a Buddhist.

19. The famous Travelogue 'Si-Yu-Ki' is linked with [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

(a) Fahien
(b) Al Biruni
(c) Magasthenes
(d) Hiuen-Tsang

Correct Answer: (d) Hiuen-Tsang

Solution:Si-Yu-Ki is a Buddhist record composed by Chinese traveller Hiuen-Tsang. It contains the record of his travels. Hiuan Tsang (Yuan Chwang), a Chinese Buddhist pilgrim who came to India during the reign of King Harshabardhan. He was arriving in 630 A.D. He stayed for 15 years, studying Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism in such monasteries as Kashmir, Sialkot, Kanauj, and Nalanda.

20. Chinese traveller I-Tsang was on the tour of Bihar in about [40ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1995]

(a) 405 A.D.
(b) 635 A.D.
(c) 637 A.D.
(d) None of the above