Changing Times
Short Questions
1. Who were the Indo-Greeks known as in Indian tradition?
Answer: They were known as ‘Yavanas.’
2. What was the first Shaka king’s name who conquered Gandhara?
Answer: Maues, also known as Moga.
3. Which Kushana king organized the fourth Buddhist Council?
Answer: Kanishka.
4. Who founded the Gupta dynasty?
Answer: Srigupta.
5. What title did Chandragupta II adopt after defeating the Shakas?
Answer: Vikramaditya.
6. Which Chinese traveler provided information about the Vardhan Empire?
Answer: Yuan Chwang.
7. Who was the founder of the Karkotaka dynasty in Kashmir?
Answer: Durlabhavardhan.
8. What was the primary source of Indo-Greek history?
Answer: Their coins.
9. Which Shaka king’s inscription records repairs to Sudarshan lake?
Answer: Rudradaman.
10. What were the two capitals of the Kushana Empire under Kanishka?
Answer: Purushpur (Peshawar) and Mathura.
11. Which Gupta king performed the Asvamedha sacrifice?
Answer: Samudragupta.
12. What was the name of the court poet who wrote Harshacharita?
Answer: Banabhatta.
13. Which port in Maharashtra was a key center for Indo-Roman trade?
Answer: Sopara.
14. What style of art blended Indian themes with Greek influences?
Answer: Gandhara style.
15. What was the name of the iron pillar from the Gupta period that remains rust-free?
Answer: Mehrauli Iron Pillar.
Long Questions
1. What was the significance of the Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman?
Answer: The Junagarh inscription, written in Sanskrit below Ashokan Prakrit edicts, highlights Rudradaman’s victory over the Satavahanas and Yaudheya Republics. It records repairs to the Mauryan-era Sudarshan lake, indicating its prolonged use. This inscription reflects the Shakas’ adoption of Indian culture and their administrative capabilities.
2. How did the Kushana Empire expand under Kanishka?
Answer: Kanishka expanded the Kushana Empire from Kabul to Pataliputra and Kashmir to Malwa by defeating Shaka kings. He established two capitals, Purushpur and Mathura, for effective governance. His empire facilitated cultural exchanges, as seen in the organization of the fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir.
3. Why is the Gupta period considered the Classical Age of Indian history?
Answer: The Gupta period is called the Classical Age due to its political stability, economic prosperity, and cultural advancements. It saw remarkable progress in art, literature (e.g., Kalidasa’s Shakuntalam), and science, with innovations like the rust-free Mehrauli Iron Pillar. The patronage of scholars and the flourishing of temple architecture further enhanced its cultural significance.
4. What role did land grants play in the Gupta economy?
Answer: Land grants, or Agraharas, were given to farmers, religious institutions, and officers instead of salaries, promoting agricultural productivity. These tax-free grants shifted economic power to local landlords, laying the foundation for feudalism. This system reduced royal revenue, contributing to the decentralization of power.
5. How did Indo-Roman trade impact Maharashtra’s economy?
Answer: Indo-Roman trade boosted Maharashtra’s economy through ports like Sopara and Kalyan, which exported textiles, pepper, and ivory. Imports like wine and gold coins increased prosperity, as evidenced by Roman pottery and coin replicas found at sites like Ter and Nevasa. This trade also supported the growth of urban centers and Buddhist establishments.
6. What were the key features of Gupta administration?
Answer: The Gupta administration was decentralized, with the king assisted by princes, ministers, and advisors. Provinces were divided into Vishayas, managed by Vishayapatis, with Kumaramatyas and Ayuktaks overseeing provincial and district affairs. This structured hierarchy ensured efficient governance and local decision-making.
7. How did the Gandhara style of art differ from the Mathura style?
Answer: The Gandhara style, influenced by Greek art, emphasized physical beauty in Buddhist sculptures, blending Indian themes with Greco-Roman techniques. In contrast, the Mathura style was distinctly Indian, focusing on portrait sculptures of Buddha and deities like Vishnu and Shiva. While Gandhara was prominent in northwest India, Mathura became a central hub for Indian sculptural art.
8. What contributions did Harshavardhan make to education in his empire?
Answer: Harshavardhan promoted education by supporting universities like Nalanda and Vallabhi, which attracted students from China, Tibet, and Sri Lanka. These institutions became global centers of learning, fostering intellectual exchanges. His patronage, as noted in Yuan Chwang’s accounts, enhanced the cultural prestige of his empire.
9. How did Lalitaditya expand the Karkotaka Empire?
Answer: Lalitaditya, also known as Muktapeed, extended the Karkotaka Empire from Tibet to the Kaveri River through two victorious expeditions. He defeated foreign tribes in the Amudarya basin and conquered regions like Avanti and Pragjyotishpur with allies like Yashovarma. His conquests, possibly reaching Sri Lanka, made his empire comparable to the Guptas.
10. What was the impact of Gupta coinage on trade and economy?
Answer: Gupta gold coins, renowned for their craftsmanship, standardized trade by serving as a reliable medium of exchange. Featuring portraits of kings and deities, they reflected royal authority and cultural synthesis. Their widespread use in Indo-Roman trade and internal commerce boosted economic integration and prosperity.
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