Very Short Answer Questions: Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries

Very Short Answer Questions

Q1: In which year did Harṣhavardhana become king, and where did he establish his rule?

Ans: Harṣhavardhana became king in 606 CE at Kannauj, which was also known by its ancient name Kānyakubja. He belonged to the Puṣhyabhūti dynasty.

Q2: What does the title 'Mahārājādhirāja' mean?

Ans: The title 'Mahārājādhirāja' means 'Great King of Kings'. This title was given to Harṣhavardhana after he expanded his empire over large parts of northern and eastern India.

Q3: Name the plays written by Harṣha and the scholar he patronised who wrote his biography.

Ans: Harṣha was a poet and dramatist who wrote three plays in Sanskrit. He patronised the scholar Bāṇabhaṭṭa, who wrote Harṣhacharita, which was Harṣha's biography.

Q4: Why did Xuanzang visit India between 630-644 CE?

Ans: Xuanzang was a Chinese pilgrim who came to India to visit Buddhist sites and learn from Indian teachers. He brought back over 600 Buddhist manuscripts to China.

Q5: Which three dynasties fought for control of Kannauj during the 8th and 9th centuries?

Ans: The Pālas from the east, the Gurjara-Pratīhāras from the west, and the Rāṣhṭrakūṭas from the Deccan fought for control of Kannauj during the 8th and 9th centuries.

Q6: Who founded the Pāla dynasty, and how did he come to power?

Ans: Gopāla founded the Pāla dynasty in 750 CE. He was chosen by the people to restore stability in Bengal after a period of political turmoil.

Q7: Which important educational institutions did Dharmapāla establish or patronise?

Ans: Dharmapāla founded Vikramaśhilā monastery in Bihar and Somapura monastery in present-day Bangladesh. He also patronised Nālandā university, supporting Mahāyāna Buddhism and learning.

Q8: What was unique about the admission system at Vikramaśhilā University?

Ans: Vikramaśhilā University had six colleges, and each college had a dvārapaṇḍita, which means 'scholar gatekeeper'. These scholars tested students before allowing them admission to the university.

Q9: What was Nāgabhaṭa I famous for in the mid-8th century?

Ans: Nāgabhaṭa I founded the Gurjara-Pratīhāra dynasty in the mid-8th century. The Gurjara-Pratīhāras were famous for pushing back Arab invasions into northwest India.

Q10: Which king overthrew the Chālukyas and founded the Rāṣhṭrakūṭa dynasty?

Ans: Dantidurga became the first independent Rāṣhṭrakūṭa ruler in the mid-8th century. He overthrew the Chālukyas in the Deccan and established the capital at Mānyakheṭa.

Q11: What is special about the Kailaśhanātha temple at Ellora?

Ans: The Kailaśhanātha temple at Ellora was built by Krishna I of the Rāṣhṭrakūṭas. It is the largest rock-cut temple in India and represents magnificent cultural achievement.

Q12: Who was Amoghavarṣha I, and what was his other name?

Ans: Amoghavarṣha I was also called 'Nṛipatunga', meaning 'peak of kings'. He ruled for 64 years in the 9th century, ensuring peace and prosperity in the kingdom.

Q13: What is the meaning of Kalhaṇa's work Rājatarangiṇī?

Ans: Rājatarangiṇī means 'River of Kings'. It was written by scholar-poet Kalhaṇa in the 12th century and narrates the history of Kashmir's dynasties from the beginning.

Q14: What did Kalhaṇa believe about how historians should write history?

Ans: Kalhaṇa believed that historians should remain "free from love or hatred" when relating facts. He used inscriptions, temple records, and earlier works to write an accurate history.

Q15: How did Kashmir contribute to Buddhist scholarship in other regions?

Ans: Kashmir acted as a bridge for Buddhist scholarship between India, Tibet, and Central Asia. It was a major centre of Sanskrit learning, philosophy, and the arts.

Q16: Who founded the Chālukya dynasty and when?

Ans: The Chālukya dynasty was founded by Pulakeśhin I in the mid-6th century CE. His grandson Pulakeśhin II greatly expanded the Chālukya kingdom across the Deccan region.

Q17: What major achievement did Pulakeśhin II accomplish against Harṣha?

Ans: Pulakeśhin II successfully checked Harṣha's southward expansion. In the early 7th century, both Harṣhavardhana in the north and Pulakeśhin II in the south were major powers.

Q18: Who was Narasimhavarman I, and what does his title mean?

Ans: Narasimhavarman I was a Pallava king also called 'Mamalla', meaning 'wrestler' or 'warrior'. He defeated Pulakeśhin II and captured Badami, expanding Pallava power significantly.

Q19: What did Xuanzang say about the people of Kānchī?

Ans: Xuanzang praised the people of Kānchī for being "deeply attached to honesty and truth" and valuing learning. He also mentioned numerous Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples there.

Q20: What were the main exports from the Pallava kingdom through Māmallapuram?

Ans: The Pallavas traded in spices, textiles, including silk, ivory, and luxury goods, through their seaport at Māmallapuram. Ancient Chinese, Persian, and Roman coins were found during excavations.

Q21: Who revived the Chola dynasty in the 9th century?

Ans: Vijayālaya revived the Chola dynasty in the 9th century with Tanjāvūr as the capital. Later, Aditya, I defeated the Pallavas and expanded the Chola kingdom further.

Q22: What system did kings use to manage the outer regions of their kingdoms?

Ans: Kings ruled core areas directly and outer regions through sāmantas, who were vassals. Sāmantas managed local administration and armies, but they could sometimes rebel against their overlords.

Q23: What does the term Bhakti Movement refer to, and who led it in South India?

Ans: The Bhakti Movement spread across India from the 6th century, emphasising devotion to God. In South India, the Ālvārs, who were Viṣhṇu devotees, and Nāyanārs, who were Śhiva devotees, led this movement.

Q24: What important mathematical concepts did Brahmagupta explain in his work?

Ans: In the Brahmasphutasiddhānta, Brahmagupta explained operations with zero, negative numbers, and fractions. He also laid the foundations of algebra by developing new methods to solve equations.

Q25: Who conquered Sindh in the early 8th century and who defeated him later?

Ans: Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Sindh in the early 8th century and defeated King Dāhar. However, Nāgabhaṭa I of the Gurjara-Pratīhāras later defeated Arab forces successfully.