GENERAL QUESTIONS ON EARLY & MEDIEVAL INDIAN HISTORY
Q1. Which Pallava ruler was a contemporary of Sankaracharya?
Dantivarman.
Q2. Who built the famous Vaikunta Perumal temple at Kanchi?
Nandivarman II
Q3. Who founded Mamallapuram also called Mahabalipuram?
Narasimhavarman I.
Q4. What were "Ghatikas"?
Brahmanical institutions for higher studies.
Q5. Which temple at Patadakal in Karnataka is said to begin the Deccan style of architecture?
Papanatha Temple.
Q6. Which Pallava ruler is considered as the greatest because of his military achievements and cultural contributions?
Narasimhavarman I.
Q7. During which Pallava ruler's period, the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited Kanchi?
Narasimhavarman I.
Q8. Who were the Nayanmars and Saivaite saints of the Pallava period?
Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar.
Q9. Who were the only Pallava rulers to worship Vishnu, from among the various Pallava rulers?
Simhavishnu and Narndivarman II.
Q10. Where was the first pitched battle fought between Pulakesin II and Mahendravarman I?
Manimangalam
Q11. Who was known as "Vichitra Chitta"?
Vichitra Chitta means 'curious minded'. Mahendra Varman I was known so.
Q12. Which place is considered as the birthplace of South Indian architecture and sculpture?
Mahabalipuram.
Q13. Where do we have the life like portrait images of the Pallava Kings and Queens?
Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchi.
Q14. Which animal appears in most of the pillars and structures of the Pallavas?
Lion.
Q15. What does "Kshanma" refer to?
A type of cloth.
Q16. Mention the administrative units of Harsha Empire in the descending order?
Rashtra, Bhukti, Mandala, Vithi.
Q17. The monolithic stone temples at Mamallapuram consists of how many Pagodas?
Eight - 1. Dharmaraja 2. Bhima 3. Arjuna 4. Sahadeva 5. Draupadi 6. Ganesa 7. Pidari and 8. Valaiyankuttai. However, they are better known as "Seven Pagodas".
Q18. What are the two most famous sculptures of Mamallapuram?
1. Descent of the Ganga and 2. Arjuna's Penance.
Q19. Who were the famous Tamil saints who propagated the "Bhakti" movement?
Nayanmars (Saivaites), Alwars (Vaishnavites). The Saivaite saints were Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar while Vaishnavite saint was a female by name Andal.
Q20. Who was the author of "Dasakumaracharitham"?
Dandin - he was in the court of Nandivarman II.
Q21. What was the book written by Mahendra Varman I?
Matta Vilasa Prahasana.
Q22. What is a Prasasti?
Euology of a King. (Euology = speech or writing in praise of a person or a thing, especially one recently deceased or retired).
Q23. Early Gupta emperors modeled their coinage after the gold coins of which dynasty?
Kushanas.
Q24. Which Gupta emperor is represented on his coins as playing the flute or veena?
Samudragupta.
Q25. Who were the first and the last Gupta rulers?
1. Sri Gupta -- Last - Vishnugupta.
Q26. Gupta Era is considered to have been started by?
Chandragupta I - AD 319-320.
Q27. Which literary work tell us about the succession of Chandragupta I to the throne?
Kaumudi Mahotsava.
Q28. Who is the author of the famous Allahabad Prasasti?
Harisena.
Q29. Which Gupta ruler has the maximum inscriptions about his period?
Kumaragupta I.
Q30. Which Gupta ruler embraced Buddhism towards the end of his career?
Kumaragupta.
Q31. Which Puranas give us information about the genealogy of the Guptas?
Vishnu, Skanda, Vayu, Matsya, Brahmana and Markandeya.
Q32. Which ancient city became a nodal point for trade route for all the four directions during pre-Gupta and Gupta periods?
Ujjain.
Q33. Which ancient city was regarded as the best silk cloth producer?
Varnasi.
Q34. Which Gupta ruler was the first to issue Silver coins on the model of ?
Chandragupta II on the model of Sakas of western and central India.
Q35. What does the term "Karada" meant post Gupta period?
Tributaries.
Q36. What does the term "Kara sasana" meant post Gupta period?
A type of land charter.
Q37. Who made the first land grant and to whom?
Kushanas made it to the Brahmins.
Q38. How much of royal revenues was earmarked for the endowment of great public servants during the reign of Harsha?
25%.
Q39. What was "serfdom" and when it began?
The practice of transferring peasants along with the land to the beneficiaries.It began i) in the mountainous or backward regions and later spread to the peripheral areas; ii) with the plots of land then came to include whole villages. iii) It started during III century AD by the Pallavas.
Q40. What does the "Gapata Sarah" meant?
Pasture land.
Q41. How was the Superintendent, during Gupta period, called?
Gaulmika.
Q42. Which Gupta ruler mentioned his father as "Samanta Chudamanih" (the best feudatories) found in the Barbara Hill cave inscriptions?
Anantavarman, the Mankhari ruler.
Q43. What was "Karyalekha" in post Gupta period?
A private agreement about land.
Q44. What are Nivartana, Hala and Pataka?
Land measurements of different sizes.
Q45. What are Adhvapa, Dronavapa and Kulyavapa in relation to Eastern India?
Land measurements of different units.
Q46. Mention the ancient law makers in the chronological order?
Manu, Yajnavalkya, Narada and Medhatithi.
Q47. "Aahara" means food. This term was continued to be used as an administrative units during Gupta and post Gupta periods. Where was it?
Western India.
Q48. Which dynasty were the first to transfer all sources of revenue to the Brahmins?
Vakatakas.
Q49. How was the forced labour known in ancient days and where it assumed a wide significance?
It was known as "Sarvavisti" and it was widely used in Central India.
Q50. What was "Bhottavisti" and where was it enforced?
It was a special kind of forced labour imposed on peasants in the borders of Tibet.
Q51. Which ancient text provide us with the earliest literary evidence for land grants to officials?
Manu Smriti.
Q52. What did "Samanta" mean in the ancient days?
A feudatory neighbour.
Q53. What was the earliest epigraphic evidence to "visti", a forced labour?
Junagarh inscription of Rudraman I.
Q54. Which work gives us different types of Samantas (feudatories) of Harsha?
Bana's "Harshacharita".
Q55. When did the practice of mortgaging land for taking loan begin?
During the Gupta period.
Q56. What are Dirgula, Tadaga and Vapi?
Tanks.
Q57. Mandosar inscription belongs to?
Yaso Dharman.
Q58. Which text dealt with meteorological observations providing guidance to cultivators?
Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita.
Q59. Who was the first to describe Sudras as a class of agriculturists?
Hiuen Tsang - the Chinese traveler.
Q60. Harsha belonged to which dynasty?
Pushyabhuti.
Q61. What was Harsha's early day's capital?
Thanesar.
Q62. Who was Harsha's brother in law and he belonged to?
Grahavarman and belonged to Mankharis dynasty.
Q63. What was the title assumed by Harsha after coming to the throne?
Siladitya.
Q64. Which Chinese traveler visited Harsha's court?
Hiuen Tsang.
Q65. Which inscription gives us information about Harsha's conquest of Valabhi?
Nausari copper plate.
Q66. Who was the author of "Vikramankacharita"?
Bilhana.
Q67. Which ancient University was founded by Dharmapala of the Palas?
Vikramasila University (near Bhagalpur, Bihar)
Q68. Who was the last ruler of the Pala dynasty?
Madana Pala.
Q69. Which ruler of Sumatra (Indonesia) established a monastery at Nalanda?
King Balaputra - with the help of Vijayapala of the Pala Dynasty.
Q70. Who was the famous Vaishnavite poet who was in the court of Lakshmana Sena?
Jaya Deva - the author of "Gita Govinda". ( The other celebrated poets who were to grace his court were Dhoyi, author of Pavandhuta and Govardhana the author of Arya Saptasati.)
Q71. What is the major architectural contribution of Krishna I of Rashtrakutas?
The magnificient rock cut monolithic temples at Ellora - also known as "kailasa".
Q72. What was the book written by Amoghavarsha of the Rashtrakutas?
"Kaviraja Marga" and "Ratnamalika".
Q73. Ghazni Mohammad's invasion of Somnath Temple in Gujarat began during which Indian ruler's period?
Bhima I of the Solankis.
Q74. Who built the famous Dilwara Temple at Mount Abu, Rajasthan?
Bhima I of the Solankis.
Q75. Who built the famous "Rudra Mahakala" temple at Siddhapura in Gujarat?
Jayasinha Siddharaja of the Solankis.
Q76. Mohammad Ghori invaded Gujarat, though unsuccessfully, during whose period?
Mularaja II of the Solankis in 1178 AD.
Q77. During whose period Gujarat was lost to the Muslim ruler Qutub-ud-din?
Mularaja II in 1197 AD.
Q78. Who wrote "Kalpadruma" a book on laws and procedures?
Lakshmidhara, a minister in the court of Govindachandra of Gahadvala dynasty of Kanauj.
Q79. Which decisive battle marked the beginning of a larger muslim rule in India?
1193 AD - Battle between Jayachandra of Gahadvala dynasty and Muiz-ud-din Mohammad Ghori between Chandwara and Etawah, in which Jayachandra was defeated and killed.
Q80. Who was the great Sanskrit scholar who was liberally patronized by Jayachandra of Gahadvala dynasty and what are his literary contributions?
Sri Harsha - his literary contributions are "Naisadhacharita" and "Khandana-Khanda Khadya".
Q81. Bundelkhand(Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh) region was earlier known as?
Chedi Kingdom and the rulers were known as Chedis.
Q82. Which Chola King built India's oldest dam and where is it?
Karikala Cholan - built a dam across river Kaveri in the first century AD, called the Kallanai near Thanjavur, Tamilnadu.
Q83. Which Chola King built the famous Brihadeeswara Temple, Tanjore?
Raja Raja Chola.
Q84. Who built the famous "Gangaikonda Cholapuram" temple and town?
Rajendra I - after his success in the Ganges valley and built this town and temple and also made it his capital.
Q85. Which Chola ruler brought the entire Ceylon under Chola rule?
Rajendra I.
Q86. What are the famous literary works written during Chola period?
1. Seevaka Chinthamani
2. Ramayana by Kambhar
3. Kalingattu Parani by Jayamkondar
4. Nalavennba by Pugalendhi
5. Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar
Q87. Who was the famous poet during Chalukya Kings?
Bilhana - the court poet Vikramaditya VI.
Q88. What are the Art and Architectural contributions of the Hoysalas?
1. Kesava Temple at Somnathpur near Srirangapattinam, Mysore.2. Chenna Kesava Temple at Belur, Karnataka.3. Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebid.
Q89. What does the term "Malaimandalam" referred to in medieval history mean?
Malabar Coast - falling in the western ghats of Kerala.
Q90. "Minakshi" the fish eyed Goddess of the Pandyas of Madurai is identified with?
Parvati - a Hindu Goddess.
Q91. Jaina Temples at Dilwara, Rajasthan are built by?
Solanki King - Bhima I.
Q92. The title of "Uttarapathasvamin" was assumed by which ruler?
Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty.
Q93. Which Cambodian ruler sent a chariot as a present to Raja Raja Chola in 1012 AD?
Suryavarman I.
Q94. Who is referred to as the South Indian "Manu"?
Apasthamba.
Q95. Which legendary literary work records local origin of Gods?
Stala Mahatmyas.
Q96. The famous Sun Temple at Konarak was built by?
Narasimha Deva of Eastern Ganga dynasty between 1236 - 1264.It is a World Heritage site.
Q97. Battle of Waihind in 1001 AD was between?
Jayapala of Hindu Shahi Dynasty and Mohammad Ghazni.
Q98. "Gita Govinda" by Jayadeva deals with the cult of?
Krishna - a Hindu God.
Q99. "Hiranya Garba" denotes the?
The religious ceremony of passing one's body through a golden cow.
Q100. When did the Sailendra ruler of Sri Vijaya build a Buddhist monastery at Nagapattinam (Tamilnadu) with the permission of the Chola ruler?
1005 AD
Q101. Which Chola Emperor received a letter on Golden leaves from the Burmese King Kyanzittha?
Kulottunga I.
Q102. Who built the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri and the Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar in Odisha (Orissa)?
Anantavarman Chodagangadev of the Ganga dynasty.
Q103. What was the original name of Vishnuvardhna of the Hoysala empire? Which temple he built?
Bittideva/Bhittiga - Hoysaleswara at Halebid, Karnataka.
Q104. That the body guards of the Chola emperors burnt themselves on the funeral pyres of their masters when they died is known to us from?
Marco Polo.
Q105. "Pattinams" called in earlier days were?
Ports - eg: Ngapattinam, Adirampattinam, Visakhapattinam Machilipattinam, Chennapattinam.
Q106. What were "Rajavamsavalis"?
Chronicles of dynasties.
Q107. Which Kalyani Chalukyan ruler performed "Paramayoga" by drowning himself in the Tungabhadra?
Somesvara I.
Q108. Where did Ramanuja serve for long as the head priest of a temple?
Srirangam (Trichy, Tamilnadu)
Q109. Battle of "Takkolam" was fought between?
Krishna III of Rashtrakutas and Parantaka I of Cholas.
Q110. What was the emblem of Chola empire?
Tiger.
Q111. Who was the first Rashtrakuta ruler to successfully invade north India?
Dhruva.
Q112. Who was the Solanki ruler when Mahmud of Ghazni invaded and plundered the Somnath Temple, in Gujarat?
Bhima I.
Q113. Who was the founder of the Sena dynasty?
Vijayasena.
Q114. The famous Chaturbhuja temple at Kajuraho dedicated to Lord Vishnu was built by?
Yasovarman of the Chandella dynasty.
Q115. Which Tomar dynasty ruler is credited to have founded the city of Delhi?
Anang Pal.
Q116. Which Rashtrakuta ruler built the famous Kailasa Temple of Siva at Ellora?
Krishna I.
Q117. Who founded the famous Vikramasila Buddhist University?
Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty (Bengal).
Q118. The famous poet Jayadeva of "Gita Govinda" fame, was in the court of?
Lakshmana Sena of the Sena dynasty.
Q119. Who built the "Dasavatara" and " Ravana ka Khai" at Ellora?
Dantidurga of the Rashtrakutas.
Q120. Which Chola ruler sent an embassy of 72 merchants to China in 1077 AD?
Kulottunga I
Q121. What was the original name of Chola ruler Raja Raja I?
Arulmozhivarman.
Q122. How were the towns and townships called during the Chola period?
Tankurrams.
Q123. In which part of India the "Nagara" style of architecture are found?
Odisha (Orissa) Eg: Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneswar.
Q124. Lakshmana Sena's (sena dynasty) court was adorned by which famous poet and noble?
Dhananjay.
Q125. Where did a foreign trader from the Malabar coast establish a Nanadeshivimsagar temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the 13th century AD?
Pagan in Burma (Myanmar).
Q126. Which two Buddhist monk of medieval period were responsible for Buddhism to spread in Tibet?
Atisha Dipankara and Santarakshita.
Q127. What was "Ayyavole" during medieval period?
It was a prominent trade guild which controlled the internal trade of Deccan region.
Q128. When did Rajendra Chola I send his famous naval expedition to the Sri Vijaya empire (Sumatra)?
1025 AD.
Q129. The famous Uttiramerur (Tamilnadu) inscription belongs to the reign of?
Parantaka
Q130. The term "mlechcha bhoja" refers to?
Wheat.
Q131. 'Idangai' and 'vadangai' were?
South Indian social divisions.
Q132. What does "Nanadeshi" refer to?
Merchants involved in international trade.
Q133. Arrange the administrative units of the Chola period in the descending order?
Mandalams, Valanadus, Nadus and Kurrams.
Q134. What was "kulinism" and who introduced it?
It is a system of nobility among the Brahmins and Kayasthas of Bengal.It was introduced by Vijayasena.
Q135. What was the capital of Hindu Shahis?
Udabhanda (Muzzafarabad in J & K.)
Q136. Who was that trader who obtained princely privileges, exemption from all taxes and the grant of the revenue of a traders quarter of the port of Cranganore, Malabar Coast?
Issuppu Irappan.
Q137. Which kingdom was referred to as "Ruhmi" by the Arab merchant Sulaiman?
Pala (Bengal)
Q138. Which Pala ruler was defeated by Rajendra Chola during his Gangetic expedition?
Mahipala I
Q139. Which Sena ruler wrote "Dhanasagara" and "Adbhutasagara:?
Ballala Sena.
Q140. Jinasena was a famous Jain scholar and wrote "Adipurana". He was in whose court?
Amoghavarsha - Rashtrakuta ruler.
Q141. Sena dynasties described themselves as?
Brahma Kshatriya.
Q142. Which Chauhan ruler wrote "Harikela Nataka"?
Vigraharaja III
Q143. Which Gahadvala king imposed the tax "turushkadanda"?
Chandradev
Q144. The kings of "Dahala Mandala" were popularly known as?
Kalachuris of Chedi.
Q145. Which Rashtrakuta king built the new capital at Manyakheta by transferring it from Ellora?
Amoghavarsha I.
Q146. Which Pala ruler is said to have been elected by the people themselves to remove anarchy and establish law and order?
Gopala.
Q147. Jayadeva and Dhoyi, the 12th century poets belonged to the court of?
Lakshmana Sena.
Q148. Under whose leadership did the Pratiharas rise into prominence due to the stiff resistance that they put to the Arabs of Sind?
Nagabhatta I.
Q149. Which Rashtrakuta ruler is credited with defeating and preventing the incursion of the Arabs of Sind into Gujarat?
Dhruva.
Q150. Rajasekhara the famous poet was in the court of?
Mahipala.
Q151. Who was the first Pratihara ruler to capture and occupy Kanauj?
Vatsaraja.
Q152. Tailapa the founder of Chalukyas of Kalyani, later to be known as western Chalukyas, defeated and overthrew which Rashtrakuta ruler?
Karka.
Q153. Which Chola ruler was defeated by the Rashtrakuta King Krishna III in the famous battle of Takkolam?
Parantaka.
Q154. Which Chola ruler conquered the Sri Vijaya Empire of the Sailendra rulers through a naval expedition?
Rajendra I.
Q155. Which Chola King gave permission to the Sailendra ruler of Sri Vijaya to build a Buddhist Vihara (monastery) at Nagapattinam, Tamilnadu?
Raja Raja I
Q156. Which Chola ruler united the Vengi Kingdom with the Chola empire around the end of 12th century?
Kulottunga I
Q157. Haribhadra a famous Buddhist author, was at the court of?
Dharmapala.
Q158. Which king adopted titles such as "Paran Bhagaveta" and "Maharajadhiraja Sri Battaraka"?
Chandragupta II.
Q159. Description about Indian Society are recorded in which book?
Fo-Kero-Ki by Fa-hien.
Q160. Iron pillar at Mehrauli (near Delhi) was built during?
Gupta dynasty.
Q161. In which year Ashoka waged the Battle of Kalinga?
261 BC
Q162. Gandhara and Mathura school of Art developed during the rule of?
Kanishka.
