Question 1

Which Gupta ruler assumed the throne after killing his elder brother?

Accepted Answer

Chandragupta II (380-415 AD) succeeded Ramagupta after defeating and killing him. According to 'Devichandraguptam' by Vishakhadatta, Ramagupta ruled for a short period and surrendered his queen Dhruvadevi to a Saka invader. Chandragupta II married Dhruvadevi, expanded the empire through matrimonial alliances and conquests, and defeated Rudrasimha III, the last ruler of the Saka Satraps. He performed the horse sacrifice and assumed the title 'Sakari' (destroyer of Saka) and also called himself 'Vikramaditya'. During his reign, Ujjain became an important alternative capital of the Guptas. [67th BPSC Prelims 2022]

Question 2

Who laid the foundation of the Vardhana Dynasty?

Accepted Answer

Pushyabhuti laid the foundation of the Vardhana Dynasty. The rulers of this dynasty called themselves 'Vardhanas'. They were initially feudatories of the Guptas and assumed independence after the Hun invasions. The capital was Thaneshwar (Kurukshetra district, Haryana). The first important ruler was Prabhakara Vardhana (580-605 AD). Harshavardhana (606-647 AD), also known as 'Siladitya', was the greatest ruler. He made Kannauj his new capital and his Deccan expedition was stopped due to defeat by Pulakesin II of the Chalukya dynasty. During his reign, Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited India. The Kannauj assembly (643 AD) was held in his honor to popularize the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. He authored Sanskrit plays Nagananda, Ratnavali, and Priyadarsika. 'Harshcharita', narrating the early incidents of his reign, was written by Banabhatta, who also wrote Kadambari. [67th BPSC Prelims 2022]

Question 3

Who established trade relations with the Roman Empire?

Accepted Answer

The Kushan dynasty maintained diplomatic and trade relations with the Roman Empire, Sasanian Persia, the Aksumite Empire, and the Han dynasty of China. They were central to trade between Rome and China. Ambassadors from the Kushans who met Roman Emperor Hadrian are described in the 'Historia Augusta'. [67th BPSC Prelims 2022]

Question 4

The Muslim ruler whose empire was regarded as part of Dar-al-Islam was?

Accepted Answer

Iltutmish (1211-1236 AD) ruled an empire considered part of Dar-al-Islam, a territory governed according to Islamic laws. 'Dar-al-Harb' refers to lands ruled by non-believers. Iltutmish belonged to the Ilbari tribe and was sold as a slave to Qutub-ud-din Aibak, who made him iqtadar of Gwalior. In 1211, he defeated Aram Baksh to become Sultan and shifted the capital from Lahore to Delhi. In 1229, he received the 'mansur' from the Abbasid Caliph, legitimizing his sovereignty. He introduced Arabic coinage: silver tanka and copper jital, and nominated his daughter Raziya as his successor, introducing hereditary succession in the Delhi Sultanate. Chinese traveler Fahien visited during his reign and stayed for nine years, providing valuable information on the religious, social, and economic conditions. His court had nine navratnas including Kalidasa, Amarsingh, Dhanvantari, Varahmihira, Araruchi, Ghatakarna, Kshapranak, Velabhatt, and Shanku. [67th BPSC Prelims 2022]

Question 5

Who among the following opposed the power of the Khalifa?

Accepted Answer

Both Alauddin Khilji and Muhammad Bin Tughlaq opposed the power of the Khalifa, so 'More than one of the above' is correct. [67th BPSC Prelims 2022]

Question 6

Tughril Khan raised a standard of revolt during whose reign?

Accepted Answer

Tughril Khan revolted during the reign of Balban. He was the subedar of Bengal and declared independence in 1279. Balban sent an army under Aziz Khan to counter him, but Tughril Khan defeated it. Later, Balban himself marched with a larger army to Bengal; Tughril Khan fled but was caught and killed. Bughra Khan, Balban's son, was made subedar of Bengal. [67th BPSC Prelims 2022]

Question 7

Who was the first Mughal ruler to fight against the British?

Accepted Answer

Aurangzeb (1658-1707 AD) was the first Mughal ruler to fight against the British. The Anglo-Mughal War (1686-1690), also called Child’s War, took place during his reign and was the first Anglo-Indian war on the Indian subcontinent. It was fought between the East India Company and the Mughal forces led by Aurangzeb, with the Mughals emerging victorious. Additional facts: Aurangzeb, also known as Zinda Pir, assumed the title 'Alamgir'. He created a department to enforce moral codes under an officer called 'Muhtasib', forbade music in the Mughal court, and discontinued the practice of Jarokhadarshan started by Akbar. In 1679, he reimposed the Jizya and Pilgrim tax and executed the 9th Sikh Guru, Tej Bahadur. [67th BPSC Prelims 2022]

67th Prelims 2022