Chapter 11
Rise of the Gupta Empire
1. Write the answer-
(a) Who founded the Gupta Dynasty?
Answer: Srigupta founded the Gupta dynasty.
(b) Which of the Gupta emperors was the first to assume the title of Maharajadhiraja?
Answer: Chandragupta was the first to take the title of Maharajadhiraj.
(c) What are the names of the authors of Allahabad Prasthi?
Answer: The name of the writer of Allahabad Prashasti is Harisen.
(d) What are the names of the ports along the Ganges valley?
Answer: The names of the ports in the Ganga valley are - Tamralipti.
(e) What were the names of Kamarupa kings who were contemporaries of Samudragupta?
Answer: Samudragupta's contemporary Kamarupa king's name is Pushyavarman.
2. Write in order
Fahian, Srigupta, Harisena, Pushyavarman, Skandagupta
Answer: Srigupta, Pushyavarman, Harisena, Fahyan, Skandagupta.
3. Determine pure and impure:
(a) Chandragupta I conquered Kamarupa, Dabak.
Answer: Impure.
(b) Gupta Yuga lands were divided by lot.
Answer: Pure.
(c) In the Gupta period, the position of women was higher than that of men.
Answer: Impure.
(d) 'The earth revolves around the Sun's axis' - this idea was invented by Brahmahiri.
Answer: Impure.
(e) Kalidasa composed Natyashastra.
Answer: Impure.
4. Match the 'A' part to the 'B' part
Part ' A' | Part ' B' |
( a) Four | (a) Allahabad Prasad |
( b) Harishen | (b) Great Samhita |
( c) India | (c) Medical scholar |
( d) Brahamihi | (d) Port |
( e) Sushruta | (e) Drama |
Answer-
Part ' A ' | Part ' B ' |
A) Four | d) Port |
b) Harishen | a) Allahabad Prasad |
C) India | e) Drama |
d) Barahmihi | b) Great Samhita |
e) Sushruta | c) Medical scholar |
5. Scribbled—
(a) What metal coins were in circulation during the Gupta dynasty?
Ans: The Gupta kingdom was in circulation with black gold and silver coins.
(b) Preparation of list of goods exported to Guptaskal now.
Ans: The items exported to Guptaskal are-
1) Spices,
2) Articles made of ivory,
3) Sandalwood,
4) Gemstones,
5) Medicinal plants,
6) Fragrances,
7) Animals.
(c) What scholars lived during the Gupta kingdom?
Ans: The various scholars of the Gupta period are-
1) Cultivated farmers,
2) Traders engaged in trade,
3) Military forces engaged in national defense,
4) Puja-Patal or Upasana (Brahmins, Buddhist monks).
5) Astronomer,
6) Doctor,
7) Philosopher,
8) Sculptor.
(d) Mention five types of architecture of the Gupta period.
Ans: Five types of Gupta architecture are indicated-
1) Iron pillar of Mehruli,
2) Dashavata Mandir of Deogarh,
3) The Meditating Buddha of Saranath,
4) Durga Temple of Aihole,
5) Sanchi Vishnu Temple.
(e) What are the characteristics of Ajanta-Illora paintings?
Ans: The Gupta era artists and painters painted at different times in Ajanta and Ellora caves and temples commemorate the glory of the Gupta era.
(f) How many occult architectural influences are observed in Assam?
Answer: The influence of ancient Gupta architecture-sculpture can be observed in Teppur's Parvatiya, Nagaon's Miki's Ati and Barganga, Guwahati's Kamakhya, Dudhnaira's Barmedhi Para.
6. It notes the contributions of Guptas to literature, culture and science.
Ans: The Gupta Jaskal used to liberally patronize the spread of literature, culture and science. At that time, language and culture, which received royal patronage, helped to develop the sense of nationalism. Sanskrit was the language of high class during this period. Literature composed during this period was mainly written in Sanskrit language. There was the language of the common classes of 'natural' society. Mahakabi Kalidasa, Bharata, Shudraka and Visakhadatta are the mainstays of the literature of this era. An Egraki Pandit Harisene wrote a comprehensive account of the Allahabad inscriptions during this period. Famous books like Purana, Ramayana and Mahabharata were reprinted during this period. Chandragupta II's reign saw a gathering of black and white literary figures, who were known as Navaratna Buli.
Science, astronomy and mathematics gained popularity during this period as well as literature and culture. Many of the findings of astrology shocked the world. Aryabhatta, the famous astronomer of this age, composed the Puthikhana named 'Aryabhattiya'. The Earth is in its own orbit, the Sun moves around the Sun and the Moon eclipses the Earth - these two theories were scientifically explained by Aryabhatta in the Gupta period. Moreover, it was during this period that the first principles of scientific mathematics such as the decimal system, the use of zero and the concept of place values were developed. An eminent geographer Brahmamihira composed a remarkable treatise called 'Brithasamhita'. 'Charaka' and 'Sushruta' were two notable medical scholars of this era.
