Daily Static Quiz (Ancient and Medieval India) November 12, 2025

Daily Static Quiz (Ancient and Medieval India) November 12, 2025

Question 1

With reference to the schools of art that emerged during the early Christian era, consider the following statements:

1. The Gandhara school of art employed grey and green schist, which allowed for intricate detailing of facial expressions and drapery
2. The Mathura school predominantly used spotted red sandstone and depicted Buddha emphasizing physical vitality and indigenous Indian traditions
3. Both Gandhara and Mathura schools were entirely influenced by Greco-Roman artistic conventions
4. The Amaravati school used white marble and limestone, creating narrative reliefs and monumental architecture

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 2, and 4 only
(B) 1 and 2 only
(C) 2, 3, and 4 only
(D) All of the above

Question 2

During the Gupta period, the position of women underwent significant changes. Analyze the following statements in this context:

1. Women were generally prohibited from studying religious texts including the Vedas and sacred mantras
2. The practice of Swyamvara (women’s choice in marriage) was abandoned during the Gupta period
3. Early marriages before puberty became increasingly common
4. Widow remarriage was completely prohibited for all varnas under the Manusmriti

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 2, and 3 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1, 2, and 3 only
(D) 1 and 4 only

Question 3

Consider the following literary and philosophical works with their authors and periods:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(A) 1 and 3 only
(B) 1, 2, and 3 only
(C) 2, 3, and 4 only
(D) All of the above

Question 4

The Rashtrakuta dynasty underwent significant territorial expansion during the 8th-9th centuries. With reference to this, consider the following:

1. Dantidurga founded the Rashtrakuta dynasty by defeating Kirtivarman II, the last ruler of the Chalukyas of Badami, in 753 CE
2. Dhruva defeated both the Pala emperor Dharmapala and Pratihara emperor Nagabhatta II, capturing Kannauj during the Tripartite Struggle
3. Under Govinda III, the Rashtrakuta empire extended from the Himalayas to deep into southern India, reaching multiple regions in a series of military campaigns
4. The Tripartite Struggle was primarily fought over the control of Kannauj

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 2, and 4 only
(B) 1, 2, 3, and 4
(C) 2 and 4 only
(D) 1 and 3 only

Question 5

The Pala dynasty (8th-12th centuries CE) made exceptional contributions to Buddhist art and learning. Regarding the Pala period, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Pala rulers patronized Nalanda and Vikramashila monasteries and universities as centers of Mahayana Buddhism
2. Pala sculpture was characterized by stone and bronze works depicting Buddhist deities with intricate details
3. The Pala dynasty also sent Buddhist scholars to Tibet, Nepal, and Southeast Asia, influencing their religious traditions
4. Pala art came to an abrupt end in the early 13th century after the destruction of Buddhist monasteries

Which of the above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 2, and 4 only
(B) 1, 2, 3, and 4
(C) 1, 2, and 3 only
(D) 2, 3, and 4 only

Question 6

The Pallavas of Kanchi established a sophisticated administrative and cultural system. Consider the following statements:

1. The Pallava state was divided into administrative units called Kottams, managed by officers appointed by the king
2. Local autonomous assemblies such as Sabha and Urar were the basic units of village administration
3. The Pallavas assumed the title “Chakravartin” to denote their universal sovereignty
4. Land revenue was the primary source of income for the Pallava state

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 2, and 4 only
(B) 1, 2, and 3 only
(C) 2, 3, and 4 only
(D) All of the above

Question 7

The Pandya kingdom of Madurai was one of the earliest and longest-ruling dynasties in South India. Which of the following statements about the Pandyas is/are correct?

1. The Pandyas controlled the districts of Madurai and Tinnevelly, with portions extending to South Travancore and surrounding regions
2. Madurai was enclosed by walls on three sides with the Vaigai river on the fourth side according to literary sources like Maduraikkanchi
3. The Pandyas maintained maritime trade and appointed a specialized officer called Kalatika to supervise pearl fisheries
4. Maravarman Rajasimha II was defeated by Parantaka I of the Cholas at the Battle of Velur in 910 AD

Which of the above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 2, and 3 only
(B) 1, 3, and 4 only
(C) All of the above
(D) 2, 3, and 4 only

Question 8

The Chola Empire is celebrated for its maritime expansion and architectural achievements. Consider the following statements in this context:

1. Vijayalaya Chola founded the Imperial Chola dynasty in the 9th century by capturing Tanjore, as recorded in the Tirunedungalam Inscription
2. The Brihadeeswara Temple was constructed by Rajaraja Chola I in the 11th century
3. Rajendra Chola I (not Rajaraja Chola I) defeated the Pala king Mahipala and assumed the title “Gangaikonda Cholam”
4. The Chola naval power declined in the 13th century due to territorial conflicts with the Pandyan dynasty

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 2, and 3 only
(B) 1, 2, 3, and 4
(C) 2 and 4 only
(D) 1 and 3 only

Question 9

Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced several administrative and monetary reforms during his reign (1325-1351 CE). With reference to his token currency experiment, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. According to historian Barani, Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency because the treasury was depleted due to his military campaigns and schemes of expansion
2. The token coins were issued in copper (according to Barani) and brass (according to Ferishta), materials which had not been used for coinage by earlier sultans
3. The token coins had inscriptions in both Persian and Arabic to distinguish them from forged coins
4. The token currency experiment ultimately succeeded in stabilizing the economy during Muhammad’s reign

Which of the above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 2, and 3 only
(B) 1 and 4 only
(C) 2, 3, and 4 only
(D) 1 and 3 only

Question 10

The Vijayanagara Empire, founded in 1336, emerged as a dominant force in South India with distinctive administrative features. Which of the following statements about the empire is/are correct?

1. The empire was established by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, initially as feudatories of the Hoysala kingdom before becoming independent
2. The Sangama dynasty ruled from 1336 to 1485 and established the Nayankara system, where military officers supervised estate management and troop mobilization
3. Deva Raya I undertook construction of a dam across the Tungabhadra River and commissioned a 24 km aqueduct to supply water to the capital around 1410
4. Hampi, the capital city of Vijayanagara, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986

Which of the above is/are correct?

(A) 1, 2, and 3 only
(B) 1, 2, 3, and 4
(C) 2, 3, and 4 only
(D) 1 and 2 only

ANSWER KEY WITH EXPLANATIONS

Question 1: Answer – (A)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. The Gandhara school of art primarily used grey and green schist (also termed phyllite or mica schist). These fine-grained materials from the Swat Valley allowed for precise rendering of facial features, curly hair, and drapery folds. Stucco became more prevalent from the 3rd century onwards.

Statement 2 is correct. The Mathura school used spotted red sandstone as its primary material (from the Sikri quarries nearby). The sculptures depicted a robust, muscular Buddha with a shaven head, emphasizing indigenous Indian artistic traditions and showing influences from earlier Yaksha representations rather than Greco-Roman conventions.

Statement 3 is incorrect. While Gandhara was heavily influenced by Greco-Roman (Hellenistic) conventions, the Mathura school developed as an entirely indigenous Indian tradition. It reflected native elements such as lotus motifs, meditative expressions, and connections to earlier Indian sculptural forms.

Statement 4 is correct. The Amaravati school, associated with the Satavahana period (2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE), primarily used white marble and cream limestone. These materials enabled fine detailing and intricate narrative reliefs depicting events from Buddha’s life on the Amaravati Stupa panels.

Question 2: Answer – (C)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. During the Gupta period, women were prohibited from studying religious texts including the Vedas and reciting Vedic mantras. This represented a decline from earlier Vedic periods when women had participated in Vedic education and rituals. The Manusmriti, which gained prominence during this era, explicitly restricted women’s access to Vedic knowledge.

Statement 2 is correct. The practice of Swyamvara (where women could choose their own husband) was abandoned during the Gupta period. The Manusmriti advocated against Swyamvara and promoted arranged marriages where patriarchal authority determined the bride’s match.

Statement 3 is correct. Early marriages before puberty became increasingly common during Gupta society. This reflected the patriarchal consolidation and institutionalization of female subjugation. Pre-puberty marriages were advocated by the Manusmriti and other Dharmashastra texts of this period.

Statement 4 is incorrect. While widow remarriage was discouraged and considered with disfavor during the Gupta period, particularly for higher varnas, it was not completely prohibited. Historical sources indicate that widow remarriage was permitted among Shudras and in certain specific circumstances for higher varnas. The Manusmriti was not absolutely prohibitive on this matter.

Question 3: Answer – (B)

Explanation:

Pair 1 – Kavirajamarga by Amoghavarsha I (9th century) – Correct. Kavirajamarga, written around 850 CE, is the earliest known work on Kannada poetics and rhetoric. It was written/co-authored by Rashtrakuta King Amoghavarsha I (814-878 CE) and marked the standardization of Kannada as a literary language.

Pair 2 – Dasakumaracharita by Dandin (7th-8th century) – Correct. Dandin authored this famous Sanskrit prose narrative (“The Tale of the Ten Princes”) in the 7th-8th centuries CE (estimates range from 6th-8th century based on various scholarly analysis). It represents important secular literature in the post-Gupta period.

Pair 3 – Sankhyakarika by Ishvara Krishna (Gupta period) – Correct. Ishvara Krishna’s Sankhyakarika belongs to the 4th-5th century CE (Gupta era). It is the earliest extant philosophical text of the Samkhya school of Indian philosophy and represents the flourishing of philosophical thought during the classical Gupta period.

Pair 4 – Mahabhashya by Patanjali (2nd century BCE) – Incorrect. Patanjali’s Mahabhashya is a commentary on Panini’s Ashtadhyayi and belongs to the 2nd century BCE (Shunga period), which is pre-Gupta. The author was a famous grammarian but lived well before the Gupta period.

Question 4: Answer – (B)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. Dantidurga was the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. According to the Ellora records, he defeated the Chalukyas in 753 CE, specifically defeating Kirtivarman II (the last Badami Chalukya ruler according to some sources) and took the titles Rajadhiraja and Parameshvara, establishing Rashtrakuta dominance in the Deccan.

Statement 2 is correct. Dhruva (c. 780-793 CE) was the first Deccan ruler to capture Kannauj. Through his military campaigns, he defeated both Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty and Nagabhatta II of the Gurjara-Pratiharas. The Sanjan inscription records these victories, consolidating Rashtrakuta power during the Tripartite Struggle.

Statement 3 is correct. Under Govinda III (793-814 CE), the Rashtrakuta empire achieved extensive territorial expansion. The Sanjan inscription poetically describes how his horses drank from Himalayan springs and his campaigns extended from multiple directions, reaching from the north to southern regions through a series of military expeditions.

Statement 4 is correct. The Tripartite Struggle was fought specifically for control of Kannauj. Kannauj represented the fertile Gangetic Plains, was the former capital of Harshvardhana’s empire, and connected to the Silk Road. It symbolized political supremacy and authority in northern India, making it the primary prize contested between Rashtrakutas, Palas, and Gurjara-Pratiharas for approximately two centuries.

Question 5: Answer – (B)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. The Pala rulers, particularly Dharmapala (8th century), were great patrons of Buddhism. They supported the renowned universities of Nalanda and established Vikramashila (also spelled Vikramashila) monastery. These institutions became major centers of learning for Mahayana Buddhism and attracted scholars from across Asia.

Statement 2 is correct. Pala sculpture is renowned for exquisite stone and bronze works depicting Buddhist deities. The sculptures are characterized by intricate detailing and refined craftsmanship. Pala artists created masterpieces that combined Indian traditions with influences from Tibet and Southeast Asia, exemplifying the Gupta sculptural tradition at its height.

Statement 3 is correct. Pala Buddhism extended beyond India’s borders. Buddhist scholars from the Pala empire, such as Atisha, traveled to Tibet, Nepal, and Southeast Asia to propagate Buddhism. Many Pala monks and artists fled to Nepal after Muslim invasions in the early 13th century, continuing and reinforcing Buddhist traditions in these regions.

Statement 4 is correct. The Pala artistic tradition came to an abrupt end in the early 13th century when Muslim invaders destroyed the great Buddhist monasteries and universities. This destruction marked the decline of Buddhism in India and led to the dispersion of Pala scholars and monks to neighboring regions like Nepal and Tibet.

Question 6: Answer – (A)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. The Pallava state was divided into Kottams, which were administrative divisions. Each Kottam was managed by officers appointed by the king, forming a hierarchical administrative structure based on royal authority. This system facilitated territorial governance and revenue collection.

Statement 2 is correct. Local autonomous assemblies were crucial in Pallava administration. Sabha and Urar are mentioned in Pallava inscriptions as popular assemblies that functioned at the village level. They operated through sub-committees managing irrigation, agriculture, road construction, temple management, and local disputes.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Pallava rulers assumed the title “Dharma-Maharaja” (the righteous king), not “Chakravartin.” While Chakravartin was used by some Indian rulers, it was not the distinctive Pallava title. The “Dharma-Maharaja” title emphasized the ruler’s role as protector of dharma (righteousness) and moral authority.

Statement 4 is correct. Land revenue was the primary source of income for the Pallava state. Additionally, the Pallavas levied taxes on professions, marriages, salt and sugar manufacture, textiles, and draught cattle, but agricultural revenue remained the most significant income source for maintaining the state apparatus and military.

Question 7: Answer – (C)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. The Pandya kingdom controlled the districts of Madurai and Tinnevelly, with portions extending into South Travancore. This territorial configuration made the Pandyas one of the prominent powers in South India, as evidenced by their interactions with northern empires and maritime powers.

Statement 2 is correct. Literary sources such as Maduraikkanchi (a classical Tamil work) describe Madurai as a grand city enclosed by walls on three sides with the Vaigai river forming a natural defense on the fourth side. This geographical description reflects the historical accounts of the Pandya capital’s fortification.

Statement 3 is correct. The Pandyas were actively involved in maritime trade, particularly in pearls and other valuables. The Kalatika was a specialized administrative officer specifically responsible for supervising pearl fisheries and related maritime commerce. This indicates the sophistication of Pandya administrative organization.

Statement 4 is correct. Maravarman Rajasimha II (900-920 AD) was the last major Pandya king. He was defeated by Parantaka I of the Cholas at the Battle of Velur in 910 AD. After this defeat, Parantaka I captured Madurai and assumed the title “Madurakond,” marking a significant decline in Pandya power.

Question 8: Answer – (B)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. Vijayalaya Chola (847-871 CE) founded the Imperial Chola dynasty by capturing Tanjore (Thanjavur) in the 9th century. The Tirunedungalam Inscription explicitly records this achievement, marking the beginning of what would become one of South India’s most powerful empires.

Statement 2 is correct. Rajaraja Chola I (985-1014 CE) constructed the magnificent Brihadeeswara Temple (also called Rajarajeshwara Temple) in Tanjavur in the 11th century. This temple represents the zenith of Chola architectural achievement and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exemplifying Dravidian temple architecture at its finest.

Statement 3 is correct. It was Rajendra Chola I (Rajaraja’s son, 1014-1044 CE), not Rajaraja Chola I, who defeated Mahipala, the Pala king of Bengal and Bihar, around 1019-1024 CE. Rajendra I undertook a northern expedition to the Ganges, defeated multiple rulers including Mahipala, and assumed the title “Gangaikonda Cholam” (One who reached the Ganges). He even brought Ganges water for ritual ablutions.

Statement 4 is correct. The Chola naval power and territorial dominance declined in the 13th century. The Cholas faced challenges from multiple sources: the resurgent Pandyan dynasty under Jatavarman Sundara Pandya defeated Chola power, and the Cholas became increasingly embroiled in terrestrial conflicts rather than maintaining maritime expansion.

Question 9: Answer – (A)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. According to Barani, the contemporary chronicler, Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency because the imperial treasury had been depleted. Barani attributed this partly to the Sultan’s schemes of conquest and military campaigns, as well as his boundless generosity and lavish rewards that exhausted the treasury.

Statement 2 is correct. According to Barani, the token coins were made of copper. However, Ferishta (another contemporary source) mentioned brass/bronze. Archaeological finds support the brass theory. Notably, no earlier Delhi sultan had issued coins in these base metals, making this a novel monetary innovation in medieval Indian coinage.

Statement 3 is correct. To distinguish genuine token coins from counterfeits, the coins bore inscriptions in both Persian and Arabic. Regular coins typically had only Arabic inscriptions (usually religious content). The token coins carried Persian inscriptions such as “Issued during the reign of Muhammad Tughlaq” to mark them as official.

Statement 4 is incorrect. The token currency experiment ultimately failed. Despite its theoretical soundness for expanding money supply during the worldwide silver shortage of the 14th century, practical implementation failed due to widespread counterfeiting and public confusion. The currency lost all credibility, described as becoming “as worthless as stones and potsherds.” The Sultan eventually withdrew the currency, and it contributed to economic instability rather than success.

Question 10: Answer – (B)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, two brothers of the Sangama dynasty, founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336. They were initially feudatories of the declining Hoysala kingdom under Veera Ballala III before establishing their independence with guidance from the sage Vidyaranya, creating a powerful Hindu kingdom to counter Islamic sultanate expansion.

Statement 2 is correct. The Sangama dynasty ruled the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1485 CE. Bukka Raya I established the Nayankara system, a sophisticated administrative arrangement where military officers (Nayakas) received land grants and functioned as local governors. They were responsible for estate management, troop mobilization, tax collection, and territorial administration.

Statement 3 is correct. Deva Raya I (1406-1422 CE), recognizing the critical water scarcity affecting the capital city’s growth, undertook significant hydraulic engineering projects. Around 1410, he commissioned the construction of a barrage/dam across the Tungabhadra River and a 24-kilometer-long aqueduct to channel water to Vijayanagara (Hampi), substantially improving irrigation and city growth.

Statement 4 is correct. Hampi, the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. The site was recognized for its outstanding universal value, encompassing the architectural ruins of temples, palaces, and administrative structures spanning centuries of the empire’s glory.

also read: Early Medieval India