[Topic wise IAS Ancient Indian History Question Bank (1979-2015)]: (10) Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas

Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas: Polity and administration, Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women, Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture.
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Polity and administration

1. Describe the expansion of the Gupta Empire under Samudragupta with the help of the Allahabad pillar inscription. [1979, 60m]

2. Write a short essay on: “The significance of the policy of matrimonial alliances for the expansion and consolidation of the Gupta Empire.” [1986, 20m]

3. Write a short essay on: “Skandagupta’s war with the Hunas” [1997, 20m]

4. Write a short essay on:  “Factors that led to the rise and fall of the Gupta Empire.” [1996, 20m]

5. Who were the Maukharis? Discuss their political relations with the Later Guptas of Magadha. [2000, 60m]

6. Examine the information of Fa Hien about the political, religious, social and economic conditions of India. Make a comparative study of his account with that of Yuan Chawang. [2003, 60m]

7. What are the salient features of the administrative system of the Guptas? [2005, 60m]

8. Describe the expansion of the Gupta Empire under Samudragupta. [2006, 30m]

9.  Discuss  the  provincial  and  district  administrative  units  of  the  Gupta  Empire  with  the designations and functions of the officers. [2014, 15m]

Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women

1. How far do the coins of the Gupta’s provide clues regarding trends in economy, polity, religion and arts? Discuss them in the light of corroborating evidence from archaeology and literature. [1981, 60m]

2. Discuss the conditions of economic life in the age of the Guptas. [1982, 60m]

3. Write a short essay on “The economic prosperity in the Gupta period.” [1990, 20m]

4. Write a short essay on: “Origins and meaning of the samanta system.” [1991, 20m]

5. Assess the status of women in India from c. 4th century BC to c. 6th century AD. [2005, 60m]

6. Throw light on the condition of common man in the Gupta period. [2007, 60m]

7. Give an account of the use of gold coins by commoners in the Gupta Period. [2009, 30m]

8.  What  were  the  privileges  granted  to  the  donees  in  land-grant  charters  of  early  India? How far were these charters responsible for integration or disintegration socio-political milieu? [2014, 20m]

Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture

1. Examine the development of religion, literature and fine arts under the Guptas. [1980, 60m]

2. Discuss the ancient Indian contacts with South-East Asia with reference to causes, chronology and original home of the migrants. What was the impact of these contacts on the art of Kambuja and Java? [1980, 60m]

3. Discuss the cultural impact of India of the South-East Asia during the ancient period. [1982, 60m]

4. “The Gupta period stands at the center of Indian history.” Discuss the development of arts and literature in that Gupta period in the light of this statement. [1985, 60m]

5. In what ways does religion as reflected in the Vedic texts differ from the religion of the Gupta period? [1991, 60m]

6. Analyses the characteristics features of the Gupta art and compare them with those of the Mauryan art. [1992, 60m]

7. Write a short essay on: “Nalanda Mahavihara” [1997, 20m]

8. How did Indian culture spread in the South-east Asiatic countries during the Gupta Age? [1997, 60m]

9. Highlight the achievements of the Gupta period in the field of literature, science and technology. [1998, 60m]

Vardhanas

1. Critically examine the sources of information for the study of Harshavardhan and discuss his religious policy. [1984, 60m]

2. Harsha is described as ‘the lord of the whole of north India’. Determine the extent of his empire and discuss his political relations with Sasanka, Bhaskaravarman and Pulakesin II. [1985, 60m]

3. “Harsha owes his greatness largely not to any real achievements but to formulate descriptions by two famous men.” Discuss. [1987, 60m]

4. Write a short essay on “The Maukharis paving the way for the glory of Harshavardhana” [1988, 20m]

5. Discuss critically the role Harsha played in the history of his times. [1989, 60m]

6. “Of all the events that had a singular being on the history of India, Harsha’s death in 647 A.D. is significant.” Why? Explain. [1996, 60m]

7. Give an account of the Society in Northern and Central India since the death of Harsha to the Muslim conquest of North India. [1996, 60m]

8. “Harshvardhan was himself great, but he has been made greater by Ban and Yuan Chiang.” Critically examine the statement. [1999, 60m]