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Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - UPSC MCQ


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10 Questions MCQ Test History for UPSC CSE - Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age

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Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 1

Consider the following statements:

  1. Kingship during the Gupta period was hereditary but did not adhere to the principle of primogeniture, often leading to uncertainty over succession.
  2. The Gupta administration adopted grandiose titles such as "Parmeshvar" and "Maharajadhiraj" for its rulers.
  3. Land taxes were decreased while taxes on trade and commerce were increased during the Gupta era.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 1
  • Statement 1 is correct: Kingship was hereditary in the Gupta era, but it did not follow primogeniture. The throne did not automatically pass to the eldest son, creating uncertainty which the royal family exploited.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The Gupta administration did indeed use grandiose titles for its rulers, reflecting their esteemed position and divine right to rule.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: During the Gupta period, land taxes increased, and taxes on trade and commerce decreased. This shift was part of broader economic policies aimed at promoting agriculture and self-sufficiency.
Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 2

Consider the following statements:

  1. The judicial system during the Gupta period was more developed than in earlier times, with clear demarcation between civil and criminal law.
  2. Guilds of artisans and merchants were governed by state laws rather than their own.
  3. Kings tried cases with the help of Brahmanas, reflecting the influence of the varna system on judicial processes.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 2
  • Statement 1 is correct: The Gupta era saw a more developed judicial system, with civil and criminal laws clearly demarcated, indicating advancements in legal frameworks.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Guilds of artisans and merchants were actually governed by their own laws rather than state laws, allowing them autonomy in managing internal affairs and maintaining discipline.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The involvement of Brahmanas in the judicial process alongside kings underscores the influence of the varna system on governance and legal proceedings.
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Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 3

Consider the following statements regarding the Gupta period's administration:

  1. The bureaucracy was more elaborate than during the Maurya era due to the extensive use of feudatories in administration.
  2. Kumaramatyas were officials appointed by the king in the home provinces, signifying central control over administrative functions.
  3. The state interfered extensively in the economy, similar to the Mauryan administration.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 3
  • Statement 1 is incorrect: The bureaucracy was actually less elaborate than during the Mauryas, as much of the imperial administration was delegated to feudatories, and the state did not interfere as much in the economy.
  • Statement 2 is correct: Kumaramatyas were indeed officials appointed by the king in the home provinces, but this fact contradicts the statement that the bureaucracy was more elaborate, making the context of statement 1 incorrect.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: Contrary to the Maurya era, the Gupta state did not interfere as much in the economy, marking a departure from Mauryan policies.
Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 4

Consider the following statements regarding trade during the Gupta period:

  1. Fa Hsien observed that the rich people of Magadh supported Buddhism through their wealth.
  2. The decline in foreign trade after 550 AD was primarily due to Rome learning the art of silk production, reducing its imports from China and India.
  3. The Gupta period saw an increase in foreign trade due to extensive maritime explorations.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 4
  • Statement 1 is correct: Fa Hsien noted the support of Buddhism by the affluent in Magadh, indicating the social impact of trade and wealth on religious patronage.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The decline in foreign trade, especially after Rome began producing its own silk, underscores the global interconnectedness of ancient economies and the impact of technological diffusion.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: The Gupta period did not particularly see an increase in foreign trade due to maritime explorations; in fact, trade declined partly due to the reasons mentioned in statement 2.
Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 5

Consider the following statements about society during the Gupta period:

  1. The Gupta era saw the proliferation of castes into numerous sub-castes due to the assimilation of foreigners and tribal communities into Hinduism.
  2. Untouchables, referred to as "chandalas ", experienced a significant increase in population and lived outside the village, dealing primarily in meat and leather.
  3. The position of women and shudras improved marginally, with both groups being allowed to listen to Puranas and worship Krishna.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 5
  • Statement 1 is correct: The Gupta era witnessed an expansion of the caste system into numerous sub-castes. This was due in part to the assimilation of foreigners and tribal people into Hinduism, each recognized as separate sub-castes, reflecting the fluid and evolving nature of social stratification.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The population of untouchables, or "chandalas", indeed grew significantly. These individuals were relegated to the peripheries of settlements and engaged in occupations considered impure by upper-caste standards, illustrating stark social hierarchies and exclusions.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The Gupta period saw slight improvements in the status of women and shudras. They were granted more religious liberties, such as listening to Puranas and worshipping Krishna, signaling a gradual shift in social attitudes, albeit within a still rigid caste framework.
Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 6

Consider the following statements regarding agriculture during the Gupta period:

  1. Land grants made to priests helped bring virgin lands under cultivation, contributing to agricultural expansion.
  2. The emergence of priestly landlords came at the cost of local peasants, who faced increased exploitation and loss of land.
  3. Agriculture festivals were stripped of their religious significance to emphasize purely agricultural productivity.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 6
  • Statement 1 is correct: The Gupta administration's policy of granting land to priests indeed facilitated the expansion of agriculture by bringing previously uncultivated lands under plow. This was part of a broader strategy to promote agrarian expansion and support the ruling class.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The rise of priestly landlords, a direct result of land grants, often disadvantaged local peasants. These peasants found themselves increasingly marginalized, either through direct exploitation or via encroachments on their traditional rights and lands, highlighting the socio-economic shifts of the period.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: Rather than being divested of their religious significance, agricultural festivals during the Gupta period were given a religious garb. This blending of religious celebration with agricultural activities underscores the syncretic nature of Gupta society, where even economic activities were imbued with spiritual meaning.
Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 7

Consider the following statements about art and culture during the Gupta period:

  1. The Gupta Age is known as the Golden Age of Indian Art, with significant achievements in sculpture, painting, and literature.
  2. The architecture of the Gupta period was highly advanced, rivaling that of earlier and later Indian civilizations.
  3. Bronze statue of Buddha near Bhagalpur and Ajanta paintings are examples of the artistic excellence achieved during the Gupta era.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 7
  • Statement 1 is correct: The Gupta Age is indeed considered a Golden Age for Indian art, characterized by remarkable achievements across various domains, including sculpture (e.g., the bronze statue of Buddha), painting (e.g., Ajanta caves), and literature (e.g., works of Kalidasa).
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Despite the Gupta period's achievements in many areas of culture and art, architecture was not among its most advanced contributions. Most Gupta-era temples were made of brick and were relatively modest compared to the grand stone temples of later periods.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The bronze statue of Buddha near Bhagalpur and the paintings at Ajanta are quintessential examples of Gupta artistic excellence. These works highlight the era's sophisticated aesthetic sensibilities and technical prowess.
Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 8

Consider the following statements regarding science and technology during the Gupta period:

  1. Aryabhata's work during the Gupta era laid the foundations for future advancements in mathematics and astronomy.
  2. The invention of zero and the development of the decimal system are attributed to the Gupta period, marking significant milestones in mathematical history.
  3. The Gupta period saw the spread of Indian numerals and the decimal system to the Western world, where they were known as Arabic numerals.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 8
  • Statement 1 is correct: Aryabhata, one of the most renowned mathematicians and astronomers of ancient India, made groundbreaking contributions during the Gupta period. His work, including the Aryabhatiya, laid crucial foundations for future advancements in both mathematics and astronomy, indicating the era's significant intellectual and scientific achievements.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The Gupta period was indeed a pivotal era for mathematical innovation, particularly with the invention of zero and the development of the decimal system. These contributions are among the most notable achievements in the history of mathematics, facilitating more complex calculations and the advancement of various scientific disciplines.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The numerals developed during the Gupta period, along with the concept of zero and the decimal system, eventually spread beyond India's borders. Through trade and cultural exchanges, these innovations reached the Arab world, where they were adopted and further disseminated to Europe, becoming known as "Arabic numerals." This global transmission underscores the profound impact of Gupta mathematics on world history.
Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 9

Consider the following statements about the religious and social life during the Gupta period:

  1. Brahmanism came to the forefront, with a significant emphasis on the worship of Shiva and Vishnu.
  2. Buddhism received considerable royal patronage, similar to Brahmanism, during the Gupta era.
  3. The Gupta period witnessed the composition of influential texts such as the Vishnupurana and the Bhagavad Gita, reflecting the era's religious and philosophical advancements.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 9
  • Statement 1 is correct: During the Gupta period, Brahmanism indeed became more prominent, with a significant emphasis on the worship of gods such as Shiva and Vishnu. This shift is reflected in the religious practices and literary compositions of the time, indicating the period's religious orientation.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Contrary to the considerable patronage Brahmanism received, Buddhism did not enjoy the same level of royal support during the Gupta era. While the Gupta kings practiced religious tolerance and did not persecute Buddhists or Jains, the focus and patronage shifted more towards Brahmanism, affecting the religious landscape.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The Gupta period was marked by the composition of several key religious texts, including the Vishnupurana and the Bhagavad Gita (though the Gita itself is part of the Mahabharata, which reached its final form during this era). These texts played a crucial role in shaping Hindu philosophy and religious practices, reflecting the era's intellectual and spiritual achievements.
Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 10

Consider the following statements regarding governance and society during the Gupta period:

  1. The Gupta Empire's administration was characterized by a highly centralized bureaucracy, surpassing even the Mauryan system in its scope and efficiency.
  2. Land grants to priests and the rise of priestly landlords were instrumental in transforming agricultural practices and enhancing social stratification.
  3. The Gupta period saw a decline in the importance of village headmen, with provincial and local administration being directly managed by central authorities.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Detailed Solution for Test: Old NCERT (RS Sharma) - Life in the Gupta Age - Question 10
  • Statement 1 is incorrect: The Gupta administration was actually less elaborate and centralized compared to the Mauryan bureaucracy. While it maintained a structured form of governance, the empire relied more on feudatories for imperial administration, indicating a degree of decentralization.
  • Statement 2 is correct: The practice of issuing land grants to priests and the subsequent rise of priestly landlords had a significant impact on agricultural practices and society. These grants facilitated agricultural expansion but also contributed to greater social stratification, as priestly landlords gained considerable influence and wealth at the expense of local peasants.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: Far from declining in importance, village headmen became more significant during the Gupta period. They played a key role in local governance, often in collaboration with councils of elders, reflecting the empire's reliance on local administrative structures to manage its vast territories effectively.
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