Post-Gupta Period (Harshavardhana, Chalukyas, Pallavas) | MROY Class
Post-Gupta Period (Harshavardhana, Chalukyas, Pallavas) Questions & Answers
After the decline of the Gupta Empire, the Pushyabhuti (or Vardhana) dynasty established its initial capital at: – Thanesar (Kurukshetra)Harshavardhana ascended the throne of Thanesar in 606 CE. This year marks the beginning of which era? – Harsha EraHarsha’s sister, Rajyashri, was married into which prominent ruling family of Kannauj? – The MaukharisWho treacherously assassinated Harsha’s elder brother, Rajyavardhana? – Shashanka of Gauda (Bengal)To efficiently administer his vast empire and support his sister, Harsha shifted his capital from Thanesar to: – KannaujThe detailed biography of Harsha, titled Harshacharita, was written in Sanskrit by his court poet: – BanabhattaBesides the Harshacharita, Banabhatta is also famous for authoring which classic Sanskrit novel? – KadambariWhich famous Chinese Buddhist pilgrim visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana and spent about eight years in his dominions? – Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang)Harshavardhana’s southward expansion was decisively halted on the banks of the Narmada River by which Chalukyan king? – Pulakeshin IIEmperor Harsha was not only a great patron of learning but also an accomplished dramatist. Which of the following plays was NOT written by him? – MudrarakshasaHarsha used to organize a grand religious assembly every five years at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna. This assembly was held at: – Prayag (Allahabad)A special religious assembly convened by Harsha specifically to honor Hiuen Tsang and propagate Mahayana Buddhism was held at: – KannaujThe ancient Maitraka dynasty, which ruled contemporaneously with Harsha and outlasted him, had its capital at: – Vallabhi (Gujarat)Similar to Nalanda in the east, Vallabhi became a highly renowned international center for learning, particularly associated with: – Hinayana BuddhismIn Harsha’s administration, the term Udranga referred to: – The king’s share of the agricultural produceThe Chalukyas of Badami (Vatapi) were a major power in the Deccan. The dynasty was founded by: – Pulakeshin IThe most powerful ruler of the Badami Chalukyas, whose achievements are recorded in the Aihole Inscription, was: – Pulakeshin IIThe Aihole Inscription, a masterpiece of classical Sanskrit poetry detailing Pulakeshin II’s victories, was composed by: – RavikirtiPulakeshin II sent an embassy to, and received an envoy from, Khusrau II, the ruler of which empire? – Sassanid Empire (Persia)Which powerful Pallava king successfully invaded the Chalukyan kingdom, defeated and killed Pulakeshin II, and captured their capital? – Narasimhavarman IFollowing the capture of the Chalukyan capital, Narasimhavarman I assumed the victorious title of: – VatapikondaAihole, known for its concentration of early Chalukyan temples, is often famously referred to as the: – Cradle of Indian Temple ArchitectureThe Chalukyan architects are credited with developing a hybrid style of temple architecture that blended northern and southern features, known as the: – Vesara styleThe magnificent Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband’s (Vikramaditya II) victory over the: – PallavasThe independent collateral branch known as the Eastern Chalukyas, which ruled for over five centuries, had its capital at: – VengiThe Chalukyas of Badami were ultimately overthrown in the mid-8th century by which rising power? – The RashtrakutasThe Pallava Dynasty, which dominated the southern peninsula from the 6th to 9th centuries, had its capital at: – KanchipuramThe real founder of the imperial Pallava line, who defeated the Kalabhras and extended his territory up to the Kaveri river, was: – SimhavishnuThe great Sanskrit poet Bharavi, who authored the epic Kiratarjuniya, lived in the court of: – SimhavishnuPallava King Mahendravarman I initially patronized Jainism but was famously converted to Shaivism by the influence of which Nayanar saint? – Appar (Thirunavukkarasar)Mahendravarman I authored a famous Sanskrit satirical play that mocks the ascetic sects of his time. The play is named: – Mattavilasa PrahasanaThe monolithic rock-cut temples known as the ‘Pancha Rathas’ (Five Chariots) at Mahabalipuram were commissioned during the reign of: – Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla)Due to his patronage of the coastal city and its rock-cut architecture, Mahabalipuram is also known by the name of Narasimhavarman I’s title, which is: – MamallapuramWhich Pallava king sent two successful naval expeditions to Sri Lanka to help his friend, the exiled Sinhalese prince Manavamma, regain his throne? – Narasimhavarman IHiuen Tsang visited the Pallava capital of Kanchipuram and noted it was a great center of learning. He visited during the reign of: – Narasimhavarman IThe Pallava architecture transitioned from rock-cut to large structural temples during the reign of Narasimhavarman II, who is also known as: – RajasimhaThe famous Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, one of the oldest structural stone temples in South India, was built by: – Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)The magnificent Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram, which served as the trendsetter for the Dravidian style of architecture, was also built by: – Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)The renowned Sanskrit prose writer Dandin, who authored Dasakumaracharita (Tales of the Ten Princes), graced the court of: – Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)In Pallava society and administration, what was a ‘Ghatika’? – An advanced college or center for Brahmanical learningWhich famous Vaisnava Alvar saint was a contemporary of the Pallava king Nandivarman II? – Thirumangai AlvarThe Vaikuntha Perumal temple at Kanchipuram, known for its intricate sculptures depicting the history of the Pallava dynasty, was built by: – Nandivarman IIIn the context of early medieval land grants, lands gifted exclusively to temples were known as: – DevadanaThe land gifted specifically to Jaina institutions in South India was known as: – PallichchhandamDuring the Pallava period, the village assemblies were highly organized. An assembly consisting entirely of Brahmana landowners in an agrahara village was called a: – SabhaAn assembly of ordinary non-Brahmana tax-paying villagers during the Pallava and Chola periods was called the: – UrThe massive open-air rock relief at Mahabalipuram, depicting the descent of the sacred river Ganga or Arjuna’s penance, was carved during the reign of: – Narasimhavarman IWhich kingdom consistently acted as a buffer state between the Chalukyas of Badami in the Deccan and the Harsha Empire in the north? – The Gurjara-PratiharasThe Pallava dynasty met its final end in the late 9th century when the last ruler, Aparajitavarman, was defeated by the: – Cholas (under Aditya I)Hiuen Tsang’s accounts provide a grim picture of the untouchables of the Post-Gupta period, who were forced to live outside the city walls and strike a piece of wood to announce their presence. He was primarily referring to the: – Chandalas
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📌 Quick Summary — Post-Gupta Period
Harsha Empire: Founded at Thanesar by the Pushyabhuti dynasty. Harsha shifted capital to Kannauj to govern effectively alongside his sister. He organized major assemblies at Prayag and Kannauj.Literature under Harsha: His court poet Banabhatta authored the Harshacharita and Kadambari. Harsha himself was a great dramatist, writing Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, and Nagananda.Foreign Visitors: Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) visited India, leaving valuable accounts of Harsha’s reign, the Pallavas, and society (e.g., the plight of Chandalas).Chalukyas of Badami: Founded by Pulakeshin I. Pulakeshin II was the greatest ruler; he halted Harsha’s southern expansion at the Narmada River (recorded by Ravikirti in the Aihole Inscription).Chalukyan Architecture: Aihole is considered the ‘Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture’. They pioneered the Vesara style, blending northern (Nagara) and southern (Dravida) temple features.Pallava Dynasty: Capital at Kanchipuram, real founder was Simhavishnu. Known for intense rivalry with the Chalukyas and remarkable rock-cut and structural architecture.Pallava Architecture: Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) built the Pancha Rathas at Mamallapuram. Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha) built the iconic Shore Temple and the Kailasanatha Temple.Society & Admin: Highly organized village assemblies: Sabha for Brahmana villages, Ur for others. Learning flourished in Ghatikas (Brahmanical colleges) and Buddhist centers like Vallabhi and Nalanda.
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