Indian History and World History (Part-8)

Post Gupta Period

Total Questions: 43

21. From the foreign travellers mentioned in the options below, who was the earliest to visit India? [S.S.C. JE Electrical Exam 28.10.2020 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (b) Megasthenes
Solution:

The first of the given foreign travellers, ‘Megasthenes’ (messenger of Seleucus Nicator), came to India during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.

The name of the book written by him is ‘Indica’. Fahein came to India during the reign of Chandragupta Vikramaditya. I-tsing came to India in the 7th century. Hieun Tsang came to India in 7th century.

TravellerCountryPeriod (Approx.)Visited Ruler / DynastyKey Contribution
MegasthenesGreece (Greek Ambassador)4th century BCEChandragupta Maurya (Mauryan Empire)Wrote “Indica”, describing Mauryan administration, society
Fa-HienChina5th century CEGupta Empire (Chandragupta II)Described society, economy, and Buddhism in India
Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang)China7th century CEHarshavardhana (Vardhana Dynasty)Wrote “Si-Yu-Ki”, rich details of Indian religion, education, politics
Al-BiruniCentral Asia (Khwarezm)11th century CEMahmud of GhazniWrote “Tahqiq-i-Hind”, scientific and cultural insights
Marco PoloItaly (Venetian)13th century CEDuring Yadava dynasty (Deccan region)Described India's wealth, trade, and culture
Ibn BattutaMorocco14th century CEMuhammad bin Tughlaq (Delhi Sultanate)Wrote “Rihla”, detailed account of political & social life
Niccolò de ContiItaly15th century CEVijayanagara EmpireGave details of South India’s trade and culture
Duarte BarbosaPortugal16th century CEVijayanagara EmpireObserved India's coastal trade and society
Francisco PelsaertNetherlands17th century CEMughal Empire (Shah Jahan)Described economic life and Mughal administration

22. Which among the following was NOT a Chinese pilgrim to India? [S.S.C. Online MTS (T-I) 14.10.2017 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (a) Al-Biruni
Solution:

Among the options given are all other Chinese travellers except Alberuni. Alberuni came to India during the invasion of Mahmud Ghaznavi.

TravellerCountryPeriod (Approx.)Visited Ruler / DynastyKey Contribution
MegasthenesGreece (Greek Ambassador)4th century BCEChandragupta Maurya (Mauryan Empire)Wrote “Indica”, describing Mauryan administration, society
Fa-HienChina5th century CEGupta Empire (Chandragupta II)Described society, economy, and Buddhism in India
Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang)China7th century CEHarshavardhana (Vardhana Dynasty)Wrote “Si-Yu-Ki”, rich details of Indian religion, education, politics
Al-BiruniCentral Asia (Khwarezm)11th century CEMahmud of GhazniWrote “Tahqiq-i-Hind”, scientific and cultural insights
Marco PoloItaly (Venetian)13th century CEDuring Yadava dynasty (Deccan region)Described India's wealth, trade, and culture
Ibn BattutaMorocco14th century CEMuhammad bin Tughlaq (Delhi Sultanate)Wrote “Rihla”, detailed account of political & social life
Niccolò de ContiItaly15th century CEVijayanagara EmpireGave details of South India’s trade and culture
Duarte BarbosaPortugal16th century CEVijayanagara EmpireObserved India's coastal trade and society
Francisco PelsaertNetherlands17th century CEMughal Empire (Shah Jahan)Described economic life and Mughal administration

23. King Shashanka, against whom Harshvardhana declared war, was a ruler of the ______ kingdom. [S.S.C. Online M.T.S. (T-I) 14.10.2021 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (a) Gauda
Solution:King Shashanka, against whom Harshavardhana declared war, was the ruler of the Gaur kingdom. Harshavardhana declared war against the killing of elder brother Rajyavardhana by the Gaur king Shashanka.

24. The leaning temple of Huma is dedicated to ______. [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 24.01.2017 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (b) Shiva
Solution:The Leaning Temple of Huma is situated on the banks of Mahanadi in the Sambalpur district of Odisha state. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

25. Who was the first ruler of Pala dynasty? [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 25.01.2017 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (a) Gopala
Solution:Gopala was the first ruler of the Pala dynasty. He was a believer of Buddhism and built a vihara at Nalanda. Gopala ruled from about 750-770 AD.

26. Who was the founder of Pala Dynasty? [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 17.03.2020 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (b) Gopala
Solution:Gopala was the first ruler of the Pala dynasty. He was a believer of Buddhism and built a vihara at Nalanda. Gopala ruled from about 750-770 AD.

27. Vikramshila University was founded by—. [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 30.08.2016 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (c) Dharmapala
Solution:The ruler of the Pala dynasty ‘Dharmapala’ (770-810 AD), founded Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur in Bihar in the late 8th or early 9th century. In addition to Buddhism and philosophy, education, philosophy, grammar, etc., were taught here.

28. Who founded the famous Vikramshila University in the ninth century? [S.S.C. Online C.H.S.L. (T-I) 10.08.2021 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (c) Dharmapala
Solution:The ruler of the Pala dynasty ‘Dharmapala’ (770-810 AD), founded Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur in Bihar in the late 8th or early 9th century. In addition to Buddhism and philosophy, education, philosophy, grammar, etc., were taught here.

29. Vikramashila University was founded by a Pala king. [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 4.06.2019 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (a) Dharmapala
Solution:The ruler of the Pala dynasty ‘Dharmapala’ (770-810 AD), founded Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur in Bihar in the late 8th or early 9th century. In addition to Buddhism and philosophy, education, philosophy, grammar, etc., were taught here.

30. Who founded the Vikramshila University and revived the Nalanda University? [S.S.C. Online CGL (T-I) 24.08.2021 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (a) Dharmapala
Solution:The pala ruler Dharmapala (770-810 AD) founded Vikramshila University and recieved the Nalanda University. Vikramshila University developed into a major centre of Buddhism after the fall of Nalanda University. In the middle of 1203 AD, Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed Vikramshila University.