Ancient History - Eras and kingdoms specific Flashcards
Gupta, Pandya, Chera...
1
Q
True or False: Coins are an important historical source material for Mauryan Period
A
False
A lot of coins were found for Post-Mauryan and Gupta periods
2
Q
Guptas’ language was ___
A
Sanskrit
3
Q
Sushruta was during which era?
A
Gupta
4
Q
Father of Indian Surgery
A
sushruta
5
Q
Architectural developments peaked in which period?
A
Gupta Era
6
Q
The title Vikramaditya was assumed by which king?
A
Chandragupta II
7
Q
Play about events in the life of Chandragupta Vikramaditya
A
Devichandraguptam
8
Q
author of Devichandraguptam
A
Vishakhadatta
9
Q
True or False: The play Mricchakatika enumerate royal events in the Gupta era
A
False
Set in Ujjain, Pradyota Dynasty
Wikipedia
10
Q
author of Malavikaagnimitram
A
Kalidasa
11
Q
Which play depicts events from the time of Pushyamitra Shunga
A
Malavikaagnimitram
12
Q
Chronological sequence of ruling dynasties of Northern India from Mauryan decline to rise of Guptas
A
Mauryans, Shungas, Kanvas, Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Guptas
13
Q
Last great ruling dynasty of Magadha
A
Gupta
14
Q
The greatest Gupta conqueror
A
Samudragupta
15
Q
Which Gupta king was called indian Napoleon
A
Samudragupta
16
Q
True or False: Samudragupta was an accomplished Sitar player
A
False
Veena
17
Q
Mehrauli Iron Pillar describes conquest of which king?
A
Chandragupta II
18
Q
Which Gupta king was known as Vikramaditya
A
Chandragupta II
19
Q
During which Gupta king’s rule did Fa-hien visit?
A
Chandragupta II
20
Q
Aryabhatta was known for?
A
Astronomy and mathematics
21
Q
Aryabhatta associated with whose rule?
A
Gupta era
22
Q
What were Gupta artists best at
A
Sculpture
23
Q
Reasons for Gupta decline
A
- Hun invasion
- Weak later rulers
- Independence of later Gupta chiefs
24
Q
Which North Indian city gained prominence after the decline of the Guptas?
A
Kannauj
25
Which era coins reveal the kings' love for music?
Gupta
26
Kalidasa lived in whose court?
Chandragupta II
27
Which Gupta ruler assumed the title of Maharajadhiraj
Adityasen
28
Ajanta cave paintings are of which era
Gupta
29
True or False: Chandragupta II embraced Jainism
False
| Chandragupta Maurya did
30
Religion of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
Vaishnavism
31
Religion of Samudragupta
Vaishnavism
32
In Sanskrit plays of the Gupta period, what language do women and sudras speak?
Prakrit
33
Founder of Gupta empire
Sri Gupta
34
Gupta administration was significant at how many levels?
1. Central
2. Military
3. Provincial
35
True or False: The Gupta rulers were considered divinities on Earth
True
36
What did Gupta titles like Maharajadhiraja, Paramabhattaraka, Chakravarti, Paramesvara signify
That they ruled over lesser kings
37
True or False: Guptas firmly believed in primogeniture
False.
| The throne didn't always go to the eldest son
38
Duties of the Gupta kings
1. to decide the policy of the state during war and peace.
2. to protect his countrymen from any invasion.
3. to lead the army in case of war.
4. to appoint his central and provincial officers.
39
True or False: Gupta kings were brahmins
False
| Vaishyas
40
True or False: The office of minister to the Gupta king was hereditary
True
41
The most important officials in the Gupta bureaucracy
kumaramatyas
| AKA Officers of the Crown Prince
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
42
Who were the Kumaramatyas?
Officers of the Crown Prince - Gupta Era
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
43
What was the Mahapratihara?
chief of the palace guards - Gupta Era
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
44
Who was the Pratihara
Person who regulated ceremonies and granted the necessary permits for admission to the royal presence - Gupta Era
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
45
How was the Gupta empire divided?
1. Kingdom into Bhuktis - under Uparikas
2. Bhuktis into Vishayas - under Vishayapatis
3. Vishayas --> Vithis --> Villages (E. India)
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
46
Largest political unit of territory classification under the Guptas
Bhuktis
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
47
Who administered the Bhuktis
Uparikas
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
48
Bhuktis were divided into?
Vishayas
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
49
Who administered the Vishaya
Vishayapati
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
50
True or False: Across the Gupta empire, the Vishayas were divided into Vithis, which in turn were divided into villages
False
| This only happened in E. India part of Gupta kingdom
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
51
Who was in charge of the village unit in Gupta times?
Ganpati aka Gramadhyaksha aka Village headman
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
52
Who was the Ganpati/ Gramadhyaksha in Gupta times?
Village headman
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
53
True or False: There were no organized or politically strong guilds in the Gupta kindgom
False
| Guilds became strong during this time and played a political role.
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
54
Who was the Nagarsheth in Gupta times?
Guild chief
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
55
Duties of Gupta vassal kingdoms/ feudatories
1. Personally attend the king at court
2. Pay tribute
3. Present daughters to the king in marriage
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
56
The vassals of Gupta rulers received charters to rule their areas marked with ____ seal
Garuda
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
57
Higher Gupta officials were paid in:
1. Gold coins
2. Land Grants
3. Both
4. Neither
3 - Both
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
58
True or False: The Gupta bureaucracy was larger than the Maurya bureaucracy
False
| It was smaller
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
59
Reasons for smaller size of Gupta bureaucracy:
1. Much of the imperial administration was managed by feudatories and beneficiaries.
2. The state did not participate in economic activities on a large scale, as it did in Mauryan times.
3. The participation of leading artisans, merchants, elders, etc., in rural and urban administration also lessened the need to maintain a large entourage of officers.
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
60
Who was at the head of the Gupta military administration?
Sandhi-Vigrahika aka Minister in charge of peace and war
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
61
Who was the Pilupati
| Gupta Era
Master of Elephants
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
62
Who was the Asvapati
| Gupta era
Master of Horses
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
63
Who was the Narapati
| Gupta Era
Head of Foot Soldiers
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
64
Who was the Ranabhandagarika?
| Gupta era
Military officer-in-charge of stores
## Footnote
NEXT IAS
65
What were the primary sources of Gupta state revenue?
1. Fines
2. Land revenue
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
66
True or False: The Gupta era saw an increase in taxes on trade and commerce
False
| Trade taxes reduced and land revenue/ taxes increased
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
67
How much land revenue was collected by the Gupta kings
Between 1/4th to 1/6th of the produce
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
68
Under which king's rule did Gopasramin work?
Samudragupta
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
69
What was Gopasramin's role?
Akshapataladhikrita - keeper of royal records
| Samudragupta's Court
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
70
Who was the Akshapataladhikrita?
| Gupta era
Keeper of Royal Records
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
71
True or False: The Gupta Era had a special department overseeing land revenue
True
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
72
What was Upakarikara
| Gupta era
Tax levied on goods taken from one city to another
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
73
What was Sulka
| Gupta Era
Commercial tax paid by traders' organizations / guilds
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
74
True or False: In the Gupta era, non payment of Sulka tax was punishable by death
False
| Non payment of Sulka was punishable by fine 8x the value of the tax
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
75
What was Visthi?
| Gupta era
Forced labor claimed by the king
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
76
What are 10 types of tax levied by the Guptas
1. Bali - Compulsory offerings
2. Bhaga - 1/6th of the produce
3. Bhoga - Gifts
4. Shulka - Customs tax/ tax on trade organizations
5. Udinanga - Social security tax
6. Upakarikara - Tax levied on goods taken from one city to another
7. Klipta - Tax on selling and purchasing land
8. Halivakara - Ploughshare tax
9. Hiranya - Gold tax
10. Kara - Irregular tax
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
77
In the Gupta era, any treasure troves found beneath the ground were claimed by
A. The finder
B. The Brahmins
C. The Vishyapati
D. The King's Treasury
D. The King's Treasury
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
78
True or False: In the Gupta era, income from royal lands and forests was considered as King’s income.
True
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
79
What is Bali?
| Gupta era
Compulsory offerings
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
80
What was the tax of 1/6th of the produce in Gupta era called?
Bhaga
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
81
What was Bhoga
| Gupta era
Gifts
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
82
What was the tax for selling or purchasing lands in Gupta era called?
Klipta
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
83
What was Udinanga?
| Gupta era
Social security tax
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
84
What was the ploughshare tax in Gupta era called?
Halivakara
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
85
What was irregular tax in the Gupta era called?
Kara
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
86
What was Hiranya?
| Gupta era
Gold tax
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
87
What were Gupta kings' sources of income?
1. Taxes and land revenue
2. Treasure troves found underground
3. Fines from not paying taxes
4. Income from royal lands and forests
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
88
What specific rights did the King's treasury have over the land in the Gupta era?
1. Right to treasure troves found underground
2. Right over income from royal forests and lands
3. Right to dig mines
4. Right to manufacture salt
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
89
Who was the Pustapala?
| Gupta era
The record keeper, who was responsible for enquiring before recording any transaction.
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
90
Who was the Mahanandanayaka?
| Gupta Era
Chief Justice
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
91
In whom did supreme judicial rights vest in the Gupta era?
The King
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
92
Criminal and civil law were clearly demarcated for the first time in the ____ era
Gupta
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
93
True or False: The legal system in Gupta times didn't differentiate based on varna or caste
False
| It did
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
94
True or false: In the Gupta era, guilds of artisans, merchants and others were governed by their own laws.
True
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
95
True or False: Capital Punishment was common during the Gupta era
False
| Fa-Hien states there was no capital punishment
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
96
Who was in charge of judicial matters within villages in the Gupta era?
Village headman assisted by elders
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
97
Who was in charge of judicial matters within provinces in the Gupta era?
| aka Bhuktis
Upakarikas
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
98
Who was in charge of judicial matters within districts in the Gupta era
Vishyapatis
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
99
When did the Gupta era begin
319 AD
100
When did Eastern Madhya Pradesh become historically significant?
Gupta era - 4th and 5th c. AD
101
Gupta era timeline
319-550 AD
102
Capital of the Pandya Empire
Madurai
103
Height of Pandya era
Sangam age
104
First historian to mention the Pandyas
Pliny the Elder
105
Pandyan empire declined following what event
Kalabhras Invasions
106
With what kingdom or Empire did the Pandyas have strong trade relations
Romans
107
To which Roman emperor did the Pandyas send embassies
Augustus
108
Founder of Pandya Empire
Korkai
109
Beginning of Pandya Era
6th c. BC
110
True or False: Pandyas were known for their patronage of Tamil literature
True
111
True or False: Pandyas were great exporters of emeralds
False.
| Pearls
112
Last famous Pandya king
Uggira Peruvaludhi
113
Religion of the Pandyas
Vedic traditions / brahmanism
114
What tamil dynasty was known for rejection for Brahmanism
Kalabhras
115
Initial capital of the Pandyas
Korkai
116
Key commodities of the Pandyas
1. Spices - pepper, ginger, cinnamon
2. Ivory
3. Precious stones, especially **pearls**
4. Silk and muslin textiles
117
True or False: The Kalabhras invasion wiped the Pandyas out completely
False
| The Pandyas later revived their dynasty
118
Why was the Kalabhras defeat of the Pandyas also known as the **Kalabhras Interregnum**
Because the Pandyas later revived their dynasty
119
True or False: The Pandyas had strong maritime trade links only towards the East
False
| East and West
120
Pandyas important trading partners
1. Eastern
a. Malaya archipelago (modern SE Asia)
b. China
2. Western
a. Egypt
b. Arabia
c. Roman empire
121
True or False: Megasthenes mentioned the Pandyas in his writings
True
## Footnote
Source: NEXT IAS
122
Poem depicting the sociopolitical events of the Pandya era
Maduraikkanji
| by Mangudi Maruthanar
123
Who wrote Maduraikkanji
Mangudi Maruthanar
124
What literary tradition does _Maduraikkanji_ belong to?
Sangam literature
125
Prominent language influenced by Tamil due to the Pandyas
Greek
126
What are some greek words that were influenced by Tamil
1. oryza - rice
2. zingiberis - ginger
3. kinnamomon - cinnamon
127
Cheras also known as
Keralas
128
Cheras ruled over
Parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu
129
Capital of Cheras
Vanji/ Vanchi/ Karur
130
Important port cities of Cheras
1. Tondi
2. Musiri (Muziris)
131
Which inscription details the Chera exploits
Pugalur inscription
132
Tamil literary text that discusses important Chera kings
Padirruppattu
133
Which Chera kings are discussed in Padirruppattu
1. Perum Sorru Udhiyan Cheralathan
2. Imayavaramban Nedum Cheralathan
3. Cheran Senguttuvan.
134
What was Perum Sorru Udhiyan Cheralathan known for?
Generosity towards his subjects and his army
135
What does Perum Sorru mean
great food provider
136
What was Imayavaramban Nedum Cheralathan known for?
conquests and territorial expansion
137
The king of which dynasty was known as Great Food Provider
Chera
| Perum Sorru Udhiyan Cheralathan
138
What does Imayavaramban mean?
refers to extending his kingdom to the Himalayas
139
Which Chera king was known as Perum Sorru
Udhiyan Cheralathan
140
Which Chera King was known as Imayavaramban?
Nedum Cheralathan
141
Who was the greatest Chera king?
Cheran Senguttavan
142
Cheran Senguttavan was also known as
Good Chera or Red Chera
143
What was Cheran Senguttavan's religion
Pattini cult
144
Who did the Pattini cult worship
Kannagi as the ideal wife
145
True or False: Cheran Senguttavan led an expedition to the coast
False
| It was to the Himalayas
146
Who killed the Chola king Karikala
Cheras
147
True or False: Cholas and Cheras never formed a marriage alliance
False
148
True or False: Cheras and Cholas formed an alliance against the Pandyas
False
| the Cheras allied with the Pandyas against the Cholas but were defeated
149
Significant trading partner of the Cheras
Roman Empire
150
Primary exports of the Cheras
1. Pepper
2. Spices
3. Pearls
151
Primary Roman import to the Cheras
1. Luxury goods
2. Gold coins
152
Roman temple dedicated to ____ constructed in Chera territory
Augustus
153
True or False: The Cheras patronized temple architecture
True
154
Which dynasty inspired the name Coromandel Coast
Cholas - as their territory was called Cholamandalam
155
Capital of the Cholas
Uraiyur aka Thiruchirappalli
156
Control over what trade allowed the Cholas to strengthen their economic position?
Cotton
157
Chola empire was located between which rivers?
Pennar and Velar rivers
158
Why were the Cholas successful at growing cotton?
Fertile land around the rivers
159
Which Chola king successfully invaded and ruled Sri lanka for 50 years
Elara
160
Founder of the Chola Empire/ Chola resurgence
Vijayalaya Chola
161
Who was Vijayalaya Chola originally
Feudal lord under the Pallavas
162
When did Chola king Elara invade Sri Lanka
2nd c. BC
163
When did Karikala Chola rule
2nd c. AD
164
Significance of Puhar
Capital of the Cholas
165
Capital of the Cholas
Kaveripattinam aka Puhar
166
The ruler Karikala features in legends of which literary work
Silappadhikaram
167
Karikala was a king of which dynasty
Chola
168
Who built Kaveripattanam
King Karikala
169
In which river's delta did the Chola kingdom exist
Cauvery
170
Earliest era of Tamil history
Sangam Age
171
What does Sangam era represent in the history of S. India?
1. Period when an assembly of Tamil poets was held at Madurai
2. Literary cultural phase of the Thamizhakam during the first 3 centuries AD
172
Trade during Sangam age from Muziris, Kaveripattanam and Arikamedu to which area?
Romans
173
Which were the ruling dynasties of the Sangam age?
1. Cholas
2. Cheras
3. Pandyas
174
Which Chola ruler subdued the Ganges?
Rajendra Chola I
175
Most of the Hindu colonies in SE Asia were founded during the reign of the ____
Cholas
176
Which ruler was known as Gangai Konda Cholan
Rajendra Chola I
177
Which southern dynasty excelled as a naval power?
Cholas
178
Which Chola ruler conquered northern Sri Lanka?
Rajaraja Chola I
179
Who established Kaveripattanam/ Puhar as a major port?
Karikala Chola
180
True or False: Rajaraja Chola I constructed an extensive embankment along the Kaveri River to prevent floods and promote agriculture.
False
| Karikala Chola
181
Significant military victory for Karikala Chola at ____
Battle of Venni
182
Under whom was the Chola navy strengthened
Karikala Chola
183
New Chola capital under Vijayalaya Chola
Thanjavur
184
Vijayalaya Chola captured Thanjavur from ____
Mutharaiyars
185
When did Vijayalaya Chola rule?
mid 9th c. AD
186
When did Aditya Chola I rule?
871–907 AD
187
Who succeeded Vijayalaya Chola?
Aditya Chola I
188
When did Parantaka Chola I rule?
907–955 AD
189
What was Aditya Chola I's significant military achievement
Expanded Chola territory by defeating the Pallavas and annexing them
190
Who succeeded Aditya Chola I?
Parantaka Chola I
191
What was Parantaka Chola I's significant military achievement
Expanded Chola territory by defeating the Pandyas and annexing their territory
192
Focuses of Parantaka Chola I's reign
1. Agriculture
2. Temple architecture
193
When did Rajaraja Chola I reign?
985–1014 AD
194
Who constructed the Brihadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur?
Rajaraja Chola I
195
What was Rajaraja Chola I's significant military achievement?
He expanded the empire’s borders significantly, conquering territories in South India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, establishing the Chola Empire as a maritime power.
196
True or False: The Cholas had a strong naval fleet
True
197
Who succeeded Rajaraja Chola I?
Rajendra Chola I
198
Reign of Rajendra Chola I
1014–1044 AD
199
What was Rajendra Chola I's significant military achievement?
- Launched successful naval expeditions to Southeast Asia, specifically the Srivijaya Empire.
- Annexed territories in northern India
200
Capital of the Cholas under Rajendra Chola I
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
201
Who constructed the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple
Rajendra Chola I
202
Whose reign marked the height of Chola territorial and military power?
Rajendra Chola I
203
Who succeeded Rajendra Chola I
Rajadhiraja Chola I
204
Reign of Rajadhiraja Chola I
1044–1054 AD
205
What was Rajendra Chola I's significant military achievement?
He led several successful campaigns in Sri Lanka and against the Chalukyas but was killed in battle
206
Whose death marked the beginning of a slow decline in Chola fortunes
Rajadhiraja Chola I
207
Who restored stability to the Chola kingdom after the death of Rajadhiraja Chola I
Kulottunga I
208
Reign of Kulottunga I
1070–1122 AD
209
Notable achievements of Kulottunga I's reign
- Consolidation of Chola authority and peace within the empire
- Administrative reforms and economic prosperity
- Good relations with neighboring kingdoms
- Focused on trade relations with Southeast Asia
210
Whose reign marked the immediate decline of the Cholas
Rajaraja Chola III
211
Who was the last ruler of the Chola dynasty
Rajendra Chola III
212
Which kingdom emerged dominant after the fall of the Cholas
Pandyas
213
Administrative units of the Chola empire
Mandalams (Provinces) > Nadus (Districts) > Kottams (Smaller units)
214
True or False: The Chola empire didn't have a well structured bureaucracy
False
215
Functions of the Chola's naval force:
1. Controlled the Bay of Bengal
2. Secured trade routes extending to Southeast Asia
3. Protected merchant ships
4. Expanded Chola influence over nearby island nations, including parts of Sri Lanka.
5. Spread Indian culture, religion, and trade networks to Southeast Asia.
216
The Cholas had a marginal role in South Indian politics during which timeline
4th - 9th c. AD
