Direction (Qs.1 to 10): Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Certain words are given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of these questions.
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire, existing from approximately 240 to 590 CE. At its zenith from approximately 319 to 550 CE it covered much of the Indian subcontinent. This period is called the Golden Age of India. The ruling dynasty of the empire was founded by Sri Gupta; the most notable rulers of the dynasty were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II. The 5th century CE Sanskrit poet Kalidasa credits the Guptas with having conquered about twenty one kingdoms, both in and outside India.
The high points of this period are the great cultural developments which took place. All literary sources, such as Mahabharata and Ramayana, were canonized during this period. The Gupta period produced scholars such as Kalidasa, Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Vishnu Sharma and Vatsyayana who made great advancements in many academic fields. Science and political administration reached new heights during the Gupta era. The period gave rise to achievements in architecture, sculpture, and painting that "set standards of form and taste that determined the whole subsequent course of art, not only in India but far beyond her borders". Strong trade ties also made the region an important cultural center and established the region as a base that would influence nearby kingdoms and regions in Burma, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. The Puranas, earlier long poems on a variety of subjects, are also thought to have been committed to written texts around this period.
The empire eventually died out because of many factors such as substantial loss of territory and imperial authority caused by their own erstwhile feudatories, as well as the invasion by the Huna peoples from Central Asia. After the collapse of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century, India was again ruled by numerous regional kingdoms. A minor line of the Gupta clan continued to rule Magadha after the disintegration of the empire.
Question No : 1
According to the passage, why was the time between 319 and 550 CE called ‘The Golden Age of India’?
(1) The Guptas ruled most of the Indian subcontinent.
(2) The Guptas conquered about twenty-one kingdoms, both inside and outside India.
(3) Canonization of all literary sources. Great cultural developments took place during the time.
(4) Great cultural development took place during the time.
(5) The invasion by the Huna peoples from Central Asia.Question No : 2
Which of the following comes closest to the meaning of the word ‘zenith’?
(1) Nadir
(2) Rock-bottom
(3) Acme
(4) Beneath
(5) Meditation
Question No : 3
What did Kalidas credit the Guptas with?
(1) Conquering the twenty-one kingdoms within the Indian subcontinent only.
(2) Canonisation of literary works like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
(3) Emphasis of Gupta rulers on Scientific and political fields.
(4) None of these
(5) Writing of puranas, the long poems on a variety of subjectsQuestion No : 4
Which amongst these was not a high point in the reign of Chandragupta II?
(1) Puranas are said to have been written around the same time.
(2) Various reforms were introduced to strengthen the economic structure of the nation.
(3) All literary sources got official recognition and were deemed of high significance.
(4) Numerous accomplishments were made in arts and sculpture, which set the bar high for years to come.
(5) Sciences and political administration reached new heights in the era.Question No : 5
Which of the following comes close to the meaning of the word ‘canonised’?
(1) Culverin
(2) Precept
(3) Inscribed
(4) Distinction
(5) None of these
Question No : 6
According to the passage, who were the scholars who are said to have made advancements in the academic fields, in the reign of Guptas.
(1) Aryabhatta, Sushruta, Vishnu Sharma
(2) Vakpatiraj, Vatsyayana, Varahamihira
(3) Kalidasa, Vatsyayana, Sushruta
(4) Vatsyayana, Vishnu Sharma, Kalidasa
(5) Bhavabhuti, Aryabhatta, FirdausiQuestion No : 7
What made the Indian Empire a cultural base?
(1) Science and political administration reached new heights.
(2) Strong trade ties with neighbouring regions.
(3) Achievements in architecture, sculpture, and painting.
(4) Literature was in its golden age.
(5) None of theseQuestion No : 8
What were the main reasons of the decline of the empire?
(1) High Inflation coupled with the low economy led to a country-wide revolt.
(2) Administering the entire empire was becoming physically impossible.
(3) Loss of land due to various reasons including invasion.
(4) Dwindling standards of Monarchy, leading to re-election.
(5) Invasion of the country by the Mughals.Question No : 9
Which of the following words mean the closest to ‘feudatories’?
(1) Fjord
(2) Feodary
(3) Collateral
(4) Freeholder
(5) Envoy
Question No : 10
What happened to the Indian subcontinent after the Gupta Empire collapsed?
(1) A minor line of the Gupta clan continued to rule Magadha.
(2) The Huna peoples from Central Asia took control of the country and its administration.
(3) Numerous regional kingdoms took control of the region.
(4) After a brief period, the Guptas again came back in power.
(5) The East India Company started its expansion, finally leading to the establishment of the British Rule in the country.