ECONOMY

Question 1

What was the main text on economic policies during the Gupta period?

Answer 1

Nitisara by Kamandaka.

Question 2

What was the major source of revenue for the Gupta Empire?

Answer 2

Land tax, also called Bhaga, which was 1/4th to 1/6th of the produce.

Question 3

What was Bhoga in Gupta taxation?

Answer 3

A periodic supply of fruits, firewood, and flowers that villages provided to the king.

Question 4

What was Vishti in the Gupta economy?

Answer 4

A form of forced labor, considered a type of tax, prevalent in central and western India.

Question 5

What were the two types of dykes mentioned in Narada Smriti for irrigation?

Answer 5

Bardhya (protected fields from floods) and Khara (used for irrigation).

Question 6

What was the major lake used for irrigation during the Gupta period?

Answer 6

Sudarsana Lake at the foot of Girnar Hills in Gujarat.

Question 7

What were Kshetra, Khila, and Aprahata in Gupta land classification?

Answer 7

Cultivable land, waste land, and jungle/wasteland, respectively.

Question 8

What was an Agrahara grant?

Answer 8

A tax-free land grant given to Brahmins for religious purposes.

Question 9

What were the two primary land measurement units during the Gupta period?

Answer 9

Kulyavapa and Dronavapa.

Question 10

What was Uparikara in the Gupta taxation system?

Answer 10

An extra tax imposed on landowners.

Question 11

What was Halivakara in Gupta taxation?

Answer 11

A plough tax paid by every cultivator owning a plough.

Question 12

What role did guilds (Shrenis) play in the Gupta economy?

Answer 12

They organized trade and regulated commercial activities.

Question 13

Who were Srestis and Sarthavahas in Gupta trade?

Answer 13

Srestis were settled traders, and Sarthavahas were caravan traders.

Question 14

What was the main export from Bengal during the Gupta period?

Answer 14

Fine cotton cloth.

Question 15

Which regions supplied spices like pepper and cardamom in the Gupta period?

Answer 15

Southern India.

Question 16

What was a major import during the Gupta period?

Answer 16

Horses, gold, silver, tin, and lead.

Question 17

What happened to the Roman gold trade during the Gupta period?

Answer 17

It declined after the Eastern Roman Empire learned silk production techniques from China.

Question 18

What were the major ports on the west coast during the Gupta period?

Answer 18

Broach, Cambay, Calliena (Kalyan), and Chaul.

Question 19

What were the major ports on the east coast during the Gupta period?

Answer 19

Tamralipti, Kadura, and Ghantasala.

Question 20

What was Sulka in Gupta taxation?

Answer 20

A customs duty or toll tax on goods brought into a town or harbor.

Question 21

What was Iranyavesti in the Gupta period?

Answer 21

A term referring to forced labor taxation.

Question 22

What was Vata-Bhuta in Gupta taxation?

Answer 22

Cess collected for maintaining rites for winds (Vata) and spirits (Bhuta).

Question 23

What type of coinage was dominant in the Gupta Empire?

Answer 23

Gold coins, called Dinars.

Question 24

Which Gupta ruler issued the highest number of different gold coin types?

Answer 24

Samudragupta (8 types).

Question 25

What was depicted on most Gupta coins?

Answer 25

Hindu deities, particularly Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Question 26

What was significant about the Mehrauli Iron Pillar?

Answer 26

It was made of rust-resistant iron, showcasing Gupta metallurgy skills.

Question 27

What was a major center for iron mining in the Gupta period?

Answer 27

Bihar.

Question 28

What was Bhumichchidranyaya in land tenure?

Answer 28

The right to own land by making barren land cultivable.

Question 29

What were the different categories of land tenure in the Gupta period?

Answer 29

Nivi dharma, Nivi dharma aksayana, Aprada dharma, Bhumichchidranyaya.

Question 30

What was Bali in the Gupta taxation system?

Answer 30

Initially a voluntary offering to the king, later became a compulsory tax.

Question 31

How did the Gupta rulers encourage agriculture?

Answer 31

By expanding irrigation and granting land to religious figures and officials.

Question 32

What happened to the state’s economic participation during the Gupta period?

Answer 32

It declined due to reliance on guilds for administration.

Question 33

What was Hiranya in Gupta taxation?

Answer 33

A tax payable in gold or king’s share of certain crops.

Question 34

What was the impact of the land grant system on peasants?

Answer 34

Many became serfs under religious landlords.

Question 35

How was trade made safe during the Gupta Empire?

Answer 35

Roads were well-maintained and largely free from theft.

Question 36

Which Gupta inscription provides details about taxation?

Answer 36

Paharpur Copper Plate Inscription.

Question 37

Which Chinese traveler provided insights into the Gupta economy?

Answer 37

Fa Hien.

Question 38

What was the status of commerce in the later Gupta period?

Answer 38

Declined due to the fall of the Roman trade and increased feudalism.

Question 39

How did the Gupta rulers maintain the value of gold coins in later years?

Answer 39

By reducing the gold content, leading to a decline in currency value.

Question 40

How did the decline of trade impact the Gupta economy?

Answer 40

It led to increased reliance on land revenue and feudal structures.