New Empire and Kingdoms

Q1. Fill in the blanks.

                       i.        We can learn about the Gupta rulers from their inscriptions and coins.

                      ii.        Kumara devi, mother of Samudragupta belonged to the Lichchhavi gana.

                     iii.        Pulakeshin II checked the advance of Harsha.

                     iv.        The Pallavas and Chalukyas were the most important ruling dynasties in south India during this period.

Q2. True/False

                         i.        His brother-in-law was the ruler of Kanauj. True

                        ii.        Harishena composed a prashasti in praise of Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni. False

                       iii.        The rulers of Aryavarta brought tribute for Samudragupta. False

                       iv.        There were twelve rulers in Dakshinapatha. True

                         v.        Taxila and Madurai were important centres under the control of the Gupta rulers. False

                      vi.        Local assemblies functioned for several centuries in south India. True

Q3. Whose court poet was Ravikriti?

Ans. Pulakeshin II

Q4. What do genealogies mean?

Ans. Genealogies mean lists of ancestors.

Q5. Name an Indian king who was known as ’musician king’.  

Ans. Samudragupta

Q6. In ancient period, who was called sarthavaha?

Ans. Leader of the merchant caravans was called as Sarthavaha.

Q7. Who was the best-known Chalukya ruler?

Ans. The best-known Chalukya ruler was Pulakeshin II.

Q8. In which language is Harshacharita written?

Ans. Harshacharita is written in Sanskrit.

Q9. What was the capital of Chalukyas?

Ans. Aihole was the capital of the Chalukyas.

Q10. Which ruler was described as equal as gods?

Ans. Samudragupta

Q11. How many rulers were there in dakshinapatha?

Ans. There were twelve rulers in dakshinapatha.

Q12. Who composed the Prashasti of Chalukya king Pulakeshin II?

Ans. Ravikirti the Prashasti of Chalukya king Pulakeshin II.

Q13. Who led an expedition to western India against Shakas?

Ans. Chandragupta II led an expedition to western India against Shakas.

Q14. Who wrote the biography of king Harshavardhana?

Ans. Banabhatta wrote the biography of king Harshavardhana.

Q15. What do you know about the mother of the greatest Gupta emperor Samudragupta?

Ans. His mother was Kumara devi and she belonged to the Lichchhavi gana.

Q16. What were the functions of assemblies in southern kingdom?

Ans. These assemblies looked after irrigation, agricultural operations, making roads, local temples, etc.

Q17. What was Ur?

Ans. The ur was a village assembly found in areas where the land owners were not brahmins.

Q18. Who was Fa Xian and what did he notice during his visit to India?

Ans. Fa Xian was a Chinese pilgrim. He noticed the plight of those who were treated as untouchables by the high and mighty.

Q19. Who was Banabhatta?

Ans. Banabhatta was the court poet of King Harshvardhana. He wrote Harshcharita, a biography of Harshavardhana.

Q20. Write about the kingdom of the Pallavas.

Ans. The kingdom of the Pallavas spread from the region around their capital, Kanchipuram, to the Kaveri delta.

Q21. What is a prashasti?

Ans. Inscription of a special kind is known as a prashasti, a Sanskrit word, meaning ‘in praise of’.

Q22. Mention three authors who wrote about Harshavardhana.

Ans. Ravikirti, Banabhatta and Xuan Zang were the three authors who wrote about Harshavardhana.