LITERATURE

Question 1

What was the official language of the Gupta Empire?

Answer 1

Sanskrit was the official language of the Gupta Empire.

Question 2

What script evolved from the Brahmi script during the Gupta period?

Answer 2

The Nagari script evolved from the Brahmi script.

Question 3

Name the most famous playwright of the Gupta period.

Answer 3

Kalidasa.

Question 4

Which Sanskrit drama by Kalidasa is considered one of the best 100 literary works in the world?

Answer 4

Abhijnanasakuntalam.

Question 5

Name two other plays written by Kalidasa.

Answer 5

Malavikagnimitram and Vikramorvashiya.

Question 6

Name two epics written by Kalidasa.

Answer 6

Raghuvamsa and Kumarasambhava.

Question 7

What are the two lyrical works of Kalidasa?

Answer 7

Ritusamhara and Meghaduta.

Question 8

Who wrote the play Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart)?

Answer 8

Sudraka.

Question 9

Who wrote Kiratarjuniya, a story of conflict between Arjuna and Shiva?

Answer 9

Bharavi.

Question 10

What is the significance of Mudrarakshasa by Vishakadatta?

Answer 10

It narrates the ascent of Chandragupta Maurya with the help of Chanakya.

Question 11

What is the story of Devichandraguptam by Vishakadatta?

Answer 11

It narrates how Chandragupta II dethroned his brother Ramagupta.

Question 12

What was the first regular Buddhist work on logic?

Answer 12

Vasubandhu’s Buddhist Logic.

Question 13

Name two prominent Buddhist writers of the Gupta period.

Answer 13

Vasubandhu and Dignaga.

Question 14

Who wrote the Panchatantra?

Answer 14

Vishnu Sharma.

Question 15

Who wrote Brahmasphutasiddhanta and Khandakhadyaka?

Answer 15

Brahmagupta.

Question 16

Who authored Astanga Samgraha, a medical text?

Answer 16

Vagbhata.

Question 17

What is Hastayurveda by Palakapya about?

Answer 17

It is a veterinary science book.

Question 18

What is Amarakosha, and who wrote it?

Answer 18

Amarakosha is a Sanskrit thesaurus written by Amarasimha.

Question 19

What were the major religious texts compiled during the Gupta period?

Answer 19

The Puranas, including Bhagavatha Purana, Vishnu Purana, Vayu Purana, and Matsya Purana.

Question 20

What major Hindu philosophical text was written in the 4th century AD?

Answer 20

The Bhagavad Gita.

Question 21

Who was the Chinese traveler that documented the religious and literary aspects of the Gupta Empire?

Answer 21

Fa Hien.

Question 22

Which Sanskrit grammar book was compiled by Patanjali?

Answer 22

Mahabhashya.

Question 23

Who wrote Chandravyakaranam, a Sanskrit grammar text?

Answer 23

Chandrogomia.

Question 24

Which Smriti literature was written during the Gupta period?

Answer 24

Narada Smriti, Vishnu Smriti, Brihaspati Smriti, and Katyayana Smriti.

Question 25

Who wrote Nitisara, a political treatise similar to Arthashastra?

Answer 25

Kamandaka.

Question 26

What major Jain text was compiled during the Gupta period?

Answer 26

The Jain canon of Svetambaras.

Question 27

What is the significance of Sushruta Samhita?

Answer 27

It is a major text on surgery and medicine written by Sushruta.

Question 28

Who compiled Brihatsamhita, an encyclopedia on astronomy, geography, and natural history?

Answer 28

Varahamihira.

Question 29

What is the main subject of Brihat Jataka?

Answer 29

Astrology.

Question 30

Which text by Aryabhatta introduced the concept of zero?

Answer 30

Aryabhatiyam.

Question 31

Which book by Aryabhatta explained the true cause of solar eclipses?

Answer 31

Surya Siddhanta.

Question 32

Who were the Navaratnas in the court of Chandragupta II?

Answer 32

Scholars including Kalidasa, Varahamihira, Amarasimha, and others.

Question 33

Who wrote Panchasiddhantika, a treatise on astronomy?

Answer 33

Varahamihira.

Question 34

What did Jain scholar Vimala write?

Answer 34

The Jain version of the Ramayana.

Question 35

What was the contribution of Siddasena Divakara to Jainism?

Answer 35

He laid the foundation of logic among Jain scholars.

Question 36

What is Prayaga Prashasti?

Answer 36

An inscription engraved on the Ashokan pillar composed by Harisena, detailing Samudragupta’s achievements.

Question 37

What is the significance of the Gupta period in literature?

Answer 37

It marked the golden age of Sanskrit literature, with significant contributions in drama, poetry, and religious texts.

Question 38

Which famous Jain council was held during the Gupta era?

Answer 38

The Jain council at Valabhi, where the Jain canon was compiled.

Question 39

What literary evidence suggests that women’s status declined during the Gupta period?

Answer 39

The Manusmriti suggested early marriage for girls and the practice of Sati gained social acceptance.

Question 40

Which Chinese traveler’s accounts provide insights into the literary and religious aspects of the Gupta period?

Answer 40

Fa Hien’s accounts describe the rich religious and literary culture of the Gupta Empire.