This free Sangam age MCQ test is the fifth set in our 72nd BPSC practice series. The 25 questions open with Gupta administration, Kalidasa and Gupta art, go on to the Vakatakas and Ajanta, Harsha, Pulakeshin II and the Maitrakas, and finish with the Sangams, Tolkappiyam, Karikala and Sangam-age revenue terms. Each question shows the correct answer and an explanation as soon as you choose an option, and you can work out your score with BPSC-style negative marking at the end. For more practice, see our free BPSC mock test series.
What this test covers: The Narada Smriti, Kalidasa’s works, Deogarh and Sultanganj, Gupta officials, Samudragupta’s southern policy, Prabhavatigupta, Setubandha, the Vatsagulma branch, the Aihole inscription, Xuanzang, Harsha’s plays, Valabhi, the three Sangams, the Kaveri embankment, Pliny on Roman gold, and the aimperunkulu.
Guptas, Vakatakas, Harsha & Sangam Age
25 questions · NCERT Class 11 & 12 · BPSC prelims pattern
How this test works
Click the option you think is right. It locks, turns green if correct or red if not, and the explanation opens underneath. Your score updates in the bar at the top as you go, and Calculate final score at the bottom gives the full breakdown. Choose (E) Not attempted when you would only be guessing, exactly as you would bubble E on the BPSC OMR sheet.
+1 mark — Correct answer
−1/3 mark — Wrong answer
0 — no penalty — (E) Not attempted, the fifth bubble on every question
−1/3 mark — Row left completely blank in the real exam
Gupta empire8 questions
1. Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The post-Gupta period witnessed a gradual decline in long-distance maritime trade and monetary economy compared to the early Gupta era.
Reason (R): The loss of western trade ports following the Huna invasions and internal disintegration severely impacted imperial revenue.
Select the correct answer:
Show answer
Answer: (A) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
After the Hunas and the loss of western ports, long-distance trade and the use of coins declined, and revenue fell. Both statements are true and R explains A.
2. With reference to the judicial and administrative system of the Gupta Empire, consider the following statements:
- For the first time, civil and criminal laws were clearly demarcated in law books like the Narada Smriti.
- The empire was divided into Bhuktis, which were subdivided into Vishayas under the administrative charge of Vishayapatis.
- Forced labour, known as Vishti, was completely abolished across all provinces of the Gupta Empire.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
The Narada Smriti is credited with separating civil and criminal law, and bhuktis were divided into vishayas under vishayapatis. Statement 3 is wrong: vishti (forced labour) continued in the Gupta period.
3. Which of the following works of classical Sanskrit literature were authored by Kalidasa?
- Abhijnanashakuntalam
- Meghaduta
- Devichandraguptam
- Raghuvamsha
Select the correct answer:
Show answer
Answer: (B) 1, 2, and 4 only
Kalidasa wrote Abhijnanashakuntalam, Meghaduta and Raghuvamsha. Devichandraguptam is a play by Vishakhadatta.
4. Consider the following statements regarding the art and architecture of the Gupta period:
- The Dasavatara Temple at Deogarh is one of the earliest surviving structural stone temples in North India.
- The Sultanganj bronze statue of Buddha belongs to the Gupta style of art.
- The cave paintings at Ajanta (Caves 16 and 17) depict scenes from the Jatakas executed during this period.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1, 2, and 3
The Deogarh Dasavatara temple, the Sultanganj bronze Buddha and the Ajanta paintings in caves 16 and 17 all belong to the Gupta age. All three are correct.
5. Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Gupta period is often termed the “Golden Age” of classical India for art, literature, and science.
Reason (R): Feudal decentralisation was absent, and state administrative authority was entirely centralised without land grants.
Select the correct answer:
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Answer: (C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
The Gupta age is called a golden age for its art, literature and science (A is true). R is false: land grants and growing decentralisation were features of the period.
6. Match List-I (Gupta Official) with List-II (Department / Portfolio):
List-I (Officer)
a. Maha-sandhivigrahika
b. Mahabaladhikrita
c. Bhatasvapati
d. Mahadandanayaka
b. Mahabaladhikrita
c. Bhatasvapati
d. Mahadandanayaka
List-II (Department)
- Chief of Royal Cavalry
- Minister of Peace and War
- Commander-in-Chief of Army
- Chief Judicial Officer
Codes:
Show answer
Answer: (A) a-2, b-3, c-1, d-4
The mahasandhivigrahika handled peace and war, the mahabaladhikrita was commander-in-chief, the bhatasvapati headed the cavalry and the mahadandanayaka was the chief judicial officer. Code a-2, b-3, c-1, d-4.
7. Consider the following factors regarding the decline of the Gupta Empire:
- Repeated invasions by the White Hunas under Toramana and Mihirakula.
- Granting of land revenue (Agrahara) to Brahmins and officers leading to administrative decentralisation.
- Financial drain caused by constant military defence and loss of revenue-rich western regions.
Which of the factors listed above contributed to the decline?
Show answer
Answer: (D) 1, 2, and 3
Huna invasions under Toramana and Mihirakula, agrahara grants that weakened central control, and the financial strain of defence and lost western provinces all contributed to Gupta decline.
8. Consider the following statements about Samudragupta’s campaigns as recorded in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription:
- He pursued a policy of direct annexation (Digvijaya) towards the rulers of Dakshinapatha.
- He adopted the policy of Grahana-Moksha-Anugraha for South Indian rulers.
- Rulers of border states (Atavika rajyas and Pratyantas) paid tribute and performed obeisance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
The Allahabad prashasti shows Samudragupta defeated the southern kings but released and reinstated them (grahana-moksha-anugraha) rather than annexing their lands, while frontier states paid tribute. Statement 1 is therefore wrong.
Vakatakas4 questions
9. Which of the following Vakataka rulers is credited with performing seven types of major sacrifices and assuming the imperial title of Samrat?
Show answer
Answer: (B) Pravarasena I
Pravarasena I, the only Vakataka ruler to take the title Samrat, performed several Vedic sacrifices including four ashvamedhas.
10. Prabhavatigupta, who acted as regent for her minor sons in the Vakataka kingdom, was the daughter of which Gupta emperor?
Show answer
Answer: (C) Chandragupta II
Prabhavatigupta was the daughter of Chandragupta II, married to the Vakataka king Rudrasena II, and ruled as regent for her sons.
11. The celebrated Prakrit poetic work Setubandha is traditionally attributed to which Vakataka king?
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Answer: (B) Pravarasena II
The Prakrit poem Setubandha (Ravanavaho) is attributed to the Vakataka king Pravarasena II.
12. The rock-cut cave monuments at Ajanta, specifically Caves XVI, XVII, and XIX, were excavated under the patronage of which Vakataka branch?
Show answer
Answer: (B) Vatsagulma branch
Caves 16, 17 and 19 at Ajanta were excavated under Harishena of the Vatsagulma branch of the Vakatakas, whose minister Varahadeva donated cave 16.
Harsha & post-Gupta states6 questions
13. Match List-I (Ruler/Dynasty) with List-II (Capital/Primary Seat) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
List-I
a. Harshavardhana
b. Shashanka
c. Pushyabhuti (Early)
d. Pallavas
b. Shashanka
c. Pushyabhuti (Early)
d. Pallavas
List-II
- Kanchi
- Kannauj
- Karnasuvarna
- Thanesar
Codes:
Show answer
Answer: (B) a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1
Harsha ruled from Kannauj, Shashanka from Karnasuvarna in Bengal, the early Pushyabhutis from Thanesar and the Pallavas from Kanchi. Code a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1.
14. The famous Aihole Inscription, which gives a detailed account of the defeat of Harsha on the banks of the Narmada, was composed by:
Show answer
Answer: (B) Ravikirti
The Aihole inscription, composed by Ravikirti, the Jain court poet of Pulakeshin II, records the defeat of Harsha on the Narmada.
15. Which Chinese traveller visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana and attended both the Kannauj Assembly and the Prayag Assembly?
Show answer
Answer: (B) Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang)
Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) spent years in India during Harsha’s reign and attended the assemblies at Kannauj and Prayag.
16. Consider the following statements regarding the administration and economy under Harshavardhana:
- Land tax called Bhaga was fixed at one-sixth (1/6) of the total agricultural produce.
- Forced labour (Vishti) was completely abolished across the empire.
- Feudal grants (Samanta system) grew rapidly, with officers paid via land assignments instead of cash.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Land tax was one-sixth of produce and the samanta system of paying officers through land grants grew under Harsha. Statement 2 is wrong: forced labour was not abolished.
17. Which of the following plays was not written by King Harshavardhana?
Show answer
Answer: (D) Harshacharita
Harsha wrote the plays Ratnavali, Priyadarsika and Nagananda. The Harshacharita is a biography of Harsha by his court poet Banabhatta.
18. The Maitraka dynasty, which ruled Saurashtra in the post-Gupta period and patronised the famous Vallabhi University, had its capital at:
Show answer
Answer: (A) Valabhi
The Maitrakas ruled Saurashtra from Valabhi, whose university rivalled Nalanda as a centre of learning.
Sangam age7 questions
19. The legendary First Sangam is traditionally believed to have been held at which location under the patronage of the early Pandya kings?
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Answer: (B) Ten-Madurai
According to tradition the first Sangam met at Then-Madurai (old Madurai), the second at Kapatapuram and the third at Madurai.
20. Which ancient Sangam text is exclusively a treatise on Tamil grammar, poetics, and socio-political conventions?
Show answer
Answer: (B) Tolkappiyam
Tolkappiyam is the earliest Tamil grammar and also deals with poetics and social conventions. Silappadikaram is an epic and Pattupattu an anthology.
21. The Chola king credited with building a massive embankment across the River Kaveri during the Sangam age was:
Show answer
Answer: (B) Karikala
Karikala Chola is credited with building the Kallanai (Grand Anicut) embankment on the Kaveri and founding Puhar (Kaveripattinam).
22. In a fifth-century inscription, two brothers who donated for the construction of a temple were designated by which of the following terms?
Show answer
Answer: (C) Kshatriya-vanik
The NCERT (Themes in Indian History I, Theme 3) cites a fifth-century inscription in which two merchant brothers who donated for a temple are described as kshatriya-vaniks, an example of social mobility.
23. Assertion (A): The Sangam period witnessed active foreign maritime trade, resulting in a large inflow of gold coins into South India.
Reason (R): Pliny the Elder, in his work Naturalis Historia, lamented the drain of Roman wealth to India for luxury goods like spices and fine textiles.
Show answer
Answer: (A) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Sangam literature and Roman gold coin hoards show a large inflow of gold through trade, and Pliny complained about the drain of Roman wealth to India. Both are true and R explains A.
24. With reference to the central administration during the Sangam Age, consider the following statements regarding the governing councils mentioned in Tamil literature:
- The Aimperunkulu was a council of five ministers, while the Enperayam consisted of eight executive officers.
- Members of these assemblies served primarily in an advisory capacity, though their recommendations were rarely rejected by the king.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
The aimperunkulu (five great councillors) and enperayam (eight officials) were advisory bodies whose advice the king normally accepted. Both statements are correct.
25. In the context of the Sangam Age revenue administration, match List-I (Tax/Revenue Term) with List-II (Description):
List-I (Term)
a. Karai
b. Ulgu
c. Iravu
d. Variyar
b. Ulgu
c. Iravu
d. Variyar
List-II (Description)
- Custom duties collected at ports and inland toll stations
- Extra demand or forced gift collected by the king
- Basic land tax collected from agricultural land
- Tax collector or revenue officer
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Show answer
Answer: (A) a-3, b-1, c-2, d-4
Karai was the land tax, ulgu the customs duty, iravu an extra demand or forced gift, and variyar the tax collector. Code a-3, b-1, c-2, d-4.
Your result
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Until it runs, tally by hand: score = correct − (wrong ÷ 3).
Finished, or stopping here? This counts every question you have answered so far.
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1 A · 2 A · 3 B · 4 D · 5 C · 6 A · 7 D · 8 B · 9 B · 10 C · 11 B · 12 B · 13 B · 14 B · 15 B · 16 C · 17 D · 18 A · 19 B · 20 B · 21 B · 22 C · 23 A · 24 C · 25 A
Scoring: +1 correct, −1/3 wrong, 0 for (E) Not attempted, −1/3 for a row left blank in the real exam.
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