Pre-Medieval Period

Q.1 Pundravardhan Bhukti was located in: (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012)

(a) North Bengal (b) Bihar (c) Odisha (d) Assam

Ans. (a)

Exp:

Pundravardhana Bhukti was an important administrative division of ancient Bengal, broadly corresponding to North Bengal. The term Bhukti denoted a major administrative province, particularly during the Gupta and post-Gupta periods.
Pundravardhana was the ancient territory associated with the Pundras. Its important centre was Pundranagara, identified with Mahasthangarh in present-day Bogura, Bangladesh.
The region broadly encompassed parts of northern Bengal, including areas of present-day northern Bangladesh and West Bengal.
Pundravardhana Bhukti is mentioned in several Gupta-period inscriptions and copper-plate grants, providing evidence of its status as an important administrative unit.

Q.2 Who was the founder of Pala dynasty? (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015)

(a) Dharmapala (b) Deopala (c) Gopala (d) Ramapala

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Gopala was the founder of the Pala dynasty in Bengal around the 8th century CE, traditionally dated to c. 750 CE. He was reportedly elected by the people/local chiefs to bring an end to a period of political disorder known as Matsyanyaya (“law of the fish,” where the stronger dominates the weaker).

· Dharmapala — He was the son and successor of Gopala. He greatly expanded Pala power and was one of the most important Pala rulers.

· Devapala — He succeeded Dharmapala and further expanded the Pala kingdom.

· Ramapala — A later Pala ruler, famous for attempting to restore Pala power after a period of decline.

Q.3 Who among the following was the founder of Vikramshila University? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016 & U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015)

(a) Gopala (b) Dharmapala (c) Devapala (d) Mahipala

Ans. (b)

Exp:

· Vikramshila Mahavihara was founded by Dharmapala, the second major ruler of the Pala dynasty, around the late 8th or early 9th century CE. It was located at Antichak in present-day Bhagalpur district, Bihar, and became one of the major centres of Buddhist learning, particularly Vajrayana Buddhism.

Q.4 Who out of the following performed a ritual called ‘Hiranya-Garbha’? (U.P.P.C.S. (Re. Exam) (Pre) 2015)

(a) Mayur Sharman (b) Harish Chandra (c) Danti Durga (d) Harsha

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Dantidurga (Dantivarman), the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, performed the Hiranyagarbha ritual.

· Hiranyagarbha literally means “Golden Womb.” It was a ritual through which a ruler, particularly one of non-Kshatriya origin, could symbolically claim or acquire Kshatriya status. The ruler was symbolically associated with being reborn from a golden womb, thereby establishing a prestigious royal/Kshatriya lineage. Dantidurga performed this ritual to strengthen his political legitimacy and Kshatriya status.

Q.5 Who among the following was born in a military camp in the course of his father’s campaign ? (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013)

(a) Amoghavarasha Rashtrakuta

(b) Bhoja Parmara

(d) Nagabhatta-II Pratihara

Ans. (a)

Exp:

· Amoghavarsha I, the famous Rashtrakuta ruler, was born in a military camp during the campaign of his father, Govinda III. He was born around c. 800 CE and succeeded his father as ruler of the Rashtrakuta Empire.

· Bhoja Parmara — Bhoja was the famous Paramara ruler of Malwa, known for his scholarship and patronage of learning. He was not the ruler referred to in this question.

· Dharmapala — The second major Pala ruler, son of Gopala. He is known for Pala expansion and patronage of Buddhism, not this birth circumstance.

· Nagabhatta II Pratihara — A major Gurjara-Pratihara ruler, but he was not born in a military camp during his father's campaign.

Q.6 Arrange the names of the following historical personalities in correct chronological order and select the correct answer from the codes given below: (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017)

1. Nagabhatta II 2. Mahipala 3. Mahendrapala 4. Vatsaraja

Codes :

(a) 2, 3, 1, 4 (b) 4, 1, 3, 2 (c) 1, 2, 3, 4 (d) 3, 1, 4, 2

Ans. (b)

Exp:

· These rulers belonged to the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty. Their chronological order is: Vatsaraja → Nagabhatta II → Mahendrapala → Mahipala

· Vatsaraja — 8th century CE: One of the early powerful Gurjara-Pratihara rulers. Ruled approximately c. 775–805 CE. Participated in the tripartite struggle for Kannauj.

· Nagabhatta II — c. 805–833 CE: Son and successor of Vatsaraja. Re-established Pratihara power after the Rashtrakuta ruler Dhruva defeated Vatsaraja. Captured Kannauj.

· Mahendrapala I — c. 885–910 CE: Successor of Mihira Bhoja. Expanded Pratihara influence considerably.

· Mahipala I — c. 910–944 CE: Successor of Mahendrapala I. His reign witnessed increasing challenges to Pratihara power.

Q.7 Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya Kingdom? (UPSC - 2017)

(a) Kakinada (b) Motupalli (c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam) (d) Nelluru

Ans. (b)

Exp:

· Motupalli was an important seaport of the Kakatiya kingdom, located on the eastern coast of present-day Andhra Pradesh. It became particularly important under the Kakatiya rulers for overseas trade, connecting the kingdom with regions across the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.

· Kakinada — An important port in modern Andhra Pradesh, but it was not the major Kakatiya port referred to in this question.

· Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam) — It became a major port and trading centre particularly in the later medieval period, especially under the Vijayanagara and subsequent regimes.

· Nelluru — Nellore was an important inland political centre in the region, but not the Kakatiya seaport identified in the question.

Q.8 Who among the following was not a part of tripartite struggle? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015)

Ans. (d)

Exp:

· The Tripartite Struggle was the prolonged struggle for control of Kannauj during the 8th–10th centuries CE among three major powers: Gurjara-Pratiharas, Palas and Rashtrakutas

(a) Pratiharas (b) Palas (c) Rastrakutas (d) Cholas· Therefore, the Cholas were not a participant in the Tripartite Struggle.

· Pratiharas — The Gurjara-Pratiharas, particularly rulers such as Vatsaraja and Nagabhatta II, fought for control of Kannauj.

· Palas — Dharmapala and later Pala rulers sought influence over Kannauj and northern India.

· Rashtrakutas — Rashtrakuta rulers such as Dhruva and Govinda III intervened in northern India and challenged the Pratiharas and Palas.

Q.9 Mahodaya is an old name of – (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012)

(a) Allahabad (b) Khajuraho (c) Kannauj (d) Patna

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Mahodaya was an ancient name associated with Kannauj, one of the most important political and cultural centres of northern India.Kannauj has been known by several names in historical sources, including:

· Kanyakubja

· Mahodaya

· Mahodaya-pura

· The city became particularly prominent during the reign of Harshavardhana (Harsha) in the 7th century CE, when it served as his major imperial centre.

Q.10 The author of Gaudavaho was – (U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014)

(a) Harishena (b) Aryabhatta (c) Vakpati (d) Banabhatta

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Gaudavaho (also known as Gaudavaha) was written by Vakpati, an important Prakrit poet of the 8th century CE. The work is composed in Prakrit and celebrates the military exploits of Yashovarman of Kannauj, particularly his victory over the ruler of Gauda (Bengal).

· Harishena — Harishena was the court poet of Samudragupta and composed the famous Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayaga Prashasti).

· Aryabhatta — Aryabhata was a famous mathematician and astronomer, author of Aryabhatiya.

· Banabhatta — Bana was the court poet of Harshavardhana and wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari.

Q.11 Consider the following pairs: (UPSC - 2016)

Famous places Regions

1. Bodhgaya : Baghelkhand

2. Khajuraho : Bundelkhand

3. Shirdi : Vidarbha

4. Nasik (Nashik) : Malwa

5. Tirupati : Rayalaseema

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 (b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 (c) 2 and 5 only (d) 1, 3, 4 and 5

Ans. (c)

Exp:

Bodh Gaya: Bodh Gaya is located in Bihar and is historically associated with the Magadha region. It is famous as the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. It is not part of the Baghelkhand region.
Khajuraho: Khajuraho is located in Madhya Pradesh and forms part of the historical Bundelkhand region. It is renowned for its group of temples, built mainly under the Chandela rulers between the 10th and 12th centuries CE.
Shirdi: Shirdi is located in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) district of Maharashtra and is not part of the Vidarbha region. Vidarbha broadly comprises eastern Maharashtra, including the Nagpur and Amravati divisions.
Nashik: Nashik is located in Maharashtra and is not part of the Malwa region. Malwa lies primarily in western Madhya Pradesh, including areas around Ujjain, Indore, Dhar and Ratlam.
Tirupati: Tirupati is located in Andhra Pradesh and is traditionally associated with the Rayalaseema region.

Therefore, only pairs 2 and 5 are correctly matched.

Q.12 With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to – (UPSC - 2016)

(a) Bonded labour

(b) Land grants made to military officers

(d) Wasteland converted to cultivated land

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Araghatta was a traditional water-lifting device used for irrigation in medieval India. It consisted of a large wheel fitted with pots/containers. As the wheel rotated, the containers lifted water from a well or water source and discharged it into an irrigation channel. The wheel could be operated using animal power.

Q.13 The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was – (UPSC - 2025)

(a) a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley

(b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes

(d) a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand

Ans. (b)

Exp:

Araghatta was a traditional water-lifting irrigation device. It consisted of a large rotating wheel fitted with a series of pots around its circumference. As the wheel rotated, the pots dipped into the water, lifted it, and emptied it into a channel or reservoir.

It was generally operated using animal power, such as bullocks.

23-09-2026

Q.14 Arrange the following Sen rulers of Bengal in ascending chronological order: (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2024)

1. Ballal Sen 2. Lakshman Sen 3. Hemant Sen 4. Vijaya Sen

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

(a) 4, 3, 2, 1 (b) 2, 1, 4, 3 (c) 1, 2, 3, 4 (d) 3, 4, 1, 2

Ans. (d)

Exp:

Hemanta Sena was the founder/early founder of the Sena dynasty in Bengal. He initially ruled as a feudatory before establishing independent power. He was followed by his son Vijaya Sena.
Vijaya Sena greatly expanded the Sena kingdom. He is regarded as the real founder/consolidator of Sena power in Bengal. He succeeded Hemanta Sena.
Ballala Sena succeeded Vijaya Sena. He is traditionally associated with the development/popularization of Kulinism (Kulin system) in Bengal. He was also a patron of Sanskrit learning.
Lakshmana Sena succeeded Ballala Sena. He was the last major Sena ruler of Bengal. His reign witnessed the invasion of Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji around 1204 CE, leading to the loss of Nadia.

Q.15 Consider the following foreign travellers and arrange them in ascending chronological order: (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2024)

1. I-Tsing

2. Al-Biruni

3. Huentsang (Hiuen Tsang)

4. Fahyan (Fa-Hien)

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 (b) 4, 3, 1, 2 (c) 2, 1, 4, 3 (d) 3, 4, 2, 1

Ans. (b)

Exp:

· Fa-Hien →

· Period: c. 399–414 CE

· Chinese Buddhist monk and traveller.

· Visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II.

· Main purpose was to study Buddhism and collect Buddhist texts.

· His travel account is known as Fo-Kuo-Ki (Record of Buddhist Countries).

· Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) →

· Period: 629–645 CE

· Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar.

· Visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana.

· Studied at Nalanda under Shilabhadra.

· His account is known as Si-Yu-Ki (Great Tang Records on the Western Regions).

· I-Tsing (Yijing) →

· Period: 671–695 CE in his broader Indian/Southeast Asian journey.

· Chinese Buddhist monk.

· Spent considerable time studying at Nalanda.

· His writings provide valuable information about Buddhist practices and education at Nalanda.

· Al-Biruni →

· Period: 11th century CE, especially around 1017–1030 CE.

· Persian scholar who came to India in the period of Mahmud of Ghazni.

· Wrote Kitab-ul-Hind (Tahqiq ma li'l-Hind).

· Studied Indian religion, philosophy, science, mathematics and society.

Q.16 Consider the following dynasties: (UPSC - 2023)

1. Hoysala 2. Gahadavala 3. Kakatiya 4. Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century AD?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) None

Ans: (d)

Exp:

The Hoysala Empire was one of the powerful forces that ruled parts of southern India between the 10th and 14th centuries. The capital of the Hoysalas was initially located at Belur but was later moved to Halebidu.
Gahadavala dynasty was a Rajput dynasty that ruled parts of the present-day states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, during 11th and 12th centuries. Their capital was located at Varanasi in the Gangetic plains, and for a brief period, they also controlled Kannauj.
The Kakatiyas emerged as an important regional power in the eastern Deccan from the 12th century CE. Their major centre was Warangal.
Yadava (Seuna) Dynasty: The Yadavas became a major power in the Deccan from the 12th century CE, with Devagiri (Daulatabad) as their capital.

Thus, none of the four dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century CE. Their emergence as significant independent political powers occurred much later, mainly from the 10th to 12th centuries CE.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer