UPSC Prelims · Ancient History PYQ

Gupta Empire UPSC PYQ — Golden Age, Art & Science

Gupta rulers and administration, achievements in art, literature and science often called India's 'Golden Age', and the empire's decline.

18 Questions · 1995–2025

Take as Test → Timed, negative marking, year-wise scoring

1 1999

The following persons came to India at one time or another:
1. Fa-Hien
2. I-Tsing
3. Megasthenese
4. Hieun-Tsang

The correct chronological sequence of their visits is:
1. A3, 1, 2, 4
2. B3, 1, 4, 2
3. C1, 3, 2, 4
4. D1, 3, 4, 2
Reveal answer

Correct answer: B. 3, 1, 4, 2

Explanation

Megasthenes visited in the 4th century BCE. Fa-Hien came during the reign of Chandragupta II (5th century CE). Hieun-Tsang arrived in the 7th century CE. I-Tsing visited in the 8th century CE.
2 1999

From the third century AD when the Hun invasion ended the Roman Empire, the Indian merchants relied more and more on the
1. AAfrican trade
2. BWest-European trade
3. CSouth-East Asian trade
4. DMiddle-Eastern trade
Reveal answer

Correct answer: C. South-East Asian trade

Explanation

The Hun invasion disrupted trade with the Roman world, leading to economic decline in western trade routes. Indian merchants shifted focus to South-East Asia, where trade flourished via ports like Tamralipta.
3 1999

Which one of the following ports handled the north Indian trade during the Gupta period?
1. ATamralipti
2. BBroach
3. CKalyan
4. DCambray
Reveal answer

Correct answer: A. Tamralipti

Explanation

Tamralipti was the principal port for north Indian trade during the Gupta period. Located in the Ganga delta, it connected India with Southeast Asian regions.
4 1997

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I
A. Varahamihira
B. Visakhadatta
C. Sudraka
D. Bilhana

List II
1. Prabandha Chintamani
2. Mrchchhakatikam
3. Brhat-Samhita
4. Devi Chandraguptam
5. Vikramankadevacharita
1. A3 4 2 5
2. B3 1 4 2
3. C5 3 4 2
4. D1 3 5 2
Reveal answer

Correct answer: A. 3 4 2 5

Explanation

Varahamihira authored Brhat-Samhita. Visakhadatta is known for Mudrarakshasa and Devi Chandraguptam. Sudraka wrote Mrchchhakatikam. Bilhana composed Vikramankadevacharita.
5 1997

The silver coins issued by the Guptas were called
1. ARupaka
2. BKarshapana
3. CDinara
4. DPana
Reveal answer

Correct answer: A. Rupaka

Explanation

Gold coins of the Gupta period were called Dinaras. Silver coins were known as Rupaka, modeled after the Saka coinage of Ujjain.
6 1996

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists:
List I
A. Visakhadatta
B. Sushruta
C. Charaka
D. Brahmagupta

List II
1. Medicine
2. Drama
3. Astronomy
4. Mathematics
1. A1 3 4 2
2. B2 1 3 4
3. C2 4 1 3
4. D3 1 2 4
Reveal answer

Correct answer: C. 2 4 1 3

Explanation

Visakhadatta authored Drama (Mudrarakshasa). Charaka and Sushruta are foundational figures in Medicine. Brahmagupta pioneered Mathematics and Astronomy, but in this matching list, Brahmagupta aligns with Mathematics and Varahamihira (not listed) with Astronomy, making the code 2 4 1 3.
7 1996

Who among the following is known for his work on medicine during the Gupta period?
1. ASaumilla
2. BSudraka
3. CShaunaka
4. DSusrutha
Reveal answer

Correct answer: D. Susrutha

Explanation

Susrutha was a legendary physician and surgeon, author of Susruta Samhita, known for pioneering surgical techniques like rhinoplasty and ophthalmic surgery.
8 1995

In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta Period, women and sudras speak
1. ASanskrit
2. BPrakrit
3. CPali
4. DSauraseni
Reveal answer

Correct answer: B. Prakrit

Explanation

Language differentiation was a key dramatic device: higher classes spoke Sanskrit, while women and Shudras spoke Prakrit, a vernacular dialect. This reflected social hierarchy.
9 1994

Toramana belonged to the ethnic horde of the
1. AScythians
2. BHunas
3. CYue-chis
4. DSakas
Reveal answer

Correct answer: B. Hunas

Explanation

Toramana was a prominent ruler of the Huna (Hephthalite) Empire. He ruled parts of northwestern and central India during the late 5th to early 6th century CE.
10 1994

In ancient Indian historical geography the name 'Ratnakara' denoted
1. Athe Arabian Sea
2. Bthe Bay of Bengal
3. Cthe Indian Ocean
4. Dthe confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati at Prayaga
Reveal answer

Correct answer: C. the Indian Ocean

Explanation

Ratnakara is a Sanskrit term meaning 'creator of jewels'. It refers to the Indian Ocean, symbolizing its vastness and wealth in ancient Indian cosmology.
11 1993

Who among the following is NOT associated with medicine in India?
1. ADhanvantri
2. BBhaskaracharya
3. CCharaka
4. DSusruta
Reveal answer

Correct answer: B. Bhaskaracharya

Explanation

Bhaskaracharya was a mathematician and astronomer, authored works like Lilavati. Dhanvantri, Charaka, and Susruta are foundational figures in Ayurvedic medicine.
12 1993

Among the four works mentioned below, which one is encyclopedic in nature?
1. AAmarakosa
2. BSiddhantasiromani
3. CBrihat Samhita
4. DAshtangahrdaya
Reveal answer

Correct answer: C. Brihat Samhita

Explanation

Brihat Samhita, written by Varahamihira, is truly encyclopedic, covering astrology, astronomy, weather, architecture, agriculture, gems, rituals, and more.
13 1992

Burma was known to ancient Indians as
1. ASuvarnabhumi
2. BSuvarnadvipa
3. CYavadvipa
4. DMalayamandalam
Reveal answer

Correct answer: A. Suvarnabhumi

Explanation

The term Suvarnabhumi ('Land of Gold') is commonly thought to refer to the Southeast Asian Peninsula, including lower Burma and the Malay Peninsula.
14 1992

Fresco paintings in the Ajanta Caves were done, while which of the following dynasties was flourishing?
1. AGuptas
2. BSungas
3. CKanvas
4. DMauryas
Reveal answer

Correct answer: A. Guptas

Explanation

While the caves date back earlier, the fresco paintings were added during the Gupta period (5th-6th centuries CE), known for its patronage of art and culture.
15 2020

With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as
1. Aports handling foreign trade
2. Bcapitals of powerful kingdoms
3. Cplaces of exquisite stone art and architecture
4. Dimportant Buddhist pilgrimage centres
Reveal answer

Correct answer: A. ports handling foreign trade

Explanation

Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were important ports on India's coastline that facilitated the flourishing foreign trade of the Gupta period.
16 2019

With reference to forced labour (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?
1. AIt was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.
2. BIt was totally absent in the Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar regions of the Gupta Empire.
3. CThe forced labourer was entitled to weekly wages.
4. DThe eldest son of the labourer was sent as the forced labourer.
Reveal answer

Correct answer: A. It was considered a source of income for the State, a sort of tax paid by the people.

Explanation

Vishti was an unpaid, compulsory labour obligation imposed by the state, functioning effectively as a form of taxation extracted in labour rather than in cash or kind.
17 2006

The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following?
1. AMahapadma Nanda
2. BChandragupta Maurya
3. CAshoka
4. DSamudragupta
Reveal answer

Correct answer: D. Samudragupta

Explanation

The Allahabad Pillar (Prayaga Prashasti), composed by Harishena, eulogises the military conquests and personal accomplishments of the Gupta emperor Samudragupta.
18 2025

Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
1. ASamudragupta
2. BChandragupta II
3. CKumaragupta I
4. DSkandagupta
Reveal answer

Correct answer: B. Chandragupta II

Explanation

Fa-hien visited India between 399-414 CE, during the reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), and left valuable accounts of Gupta-era society and Buddhism.

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