Explanation: Banabhatta – His teacher’s name was Bhatsu or Bharvu. Banabhatta’s three works are famous – “Harshacharita”, “Kadambari” and “Chandishtak”. Harshvardhan was the ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty of Thaneshwar.

Explanation: Maharaja-dhiraja. Gupta Dynasty: Founder – Sri Gupta (Maharaja). Chandragupta – 1 married the Lichchhavi Princess Kumaradevi. Fahien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II. Kumaragupta laid the foundation of Nalanda University.

Explanation: Vetala Bhatta. Nine jewels (Navratna) of Chandragupta II – Amarasimha, Dhanvantari, Harisena, Kalidasa, Kshapanaka, Shanku, Varahamihira, Varuchi, Vetala- Bhatta. The great Sanskrit poet and playwright Kalidasa was the most notable of nine jewels.

Explanation: Chandragupta II (successor of Samudragupta). He adopted the title ‘Vikramaditya’. Kumaragupta I: He was also known as Shakraditya and Mahendraditya. He founded Nalanda Mahavihara in 5th century CE. His successor – Skandagupta.

Explanation: Samudragupta – He was a ruler of the Gupta dynasty. On several of his coins, he was depicted as seated on a sofa and playing a Veena. He is known as the Napoleon of India. He was given the title of Kaviraj.

Explanation: Chandragupta II – He was the son of Samudragupta and Datta Devi. He ruled the Gupta Empire from 380 to 415 AD during the Golden Age of India. He established the Mehrauli iron pillar. Gupta Empire (320 – 550 CE) – It stretched across northern, central and parts of southern India.

Explanation: Chandragupta I. Founder – Sri Gupta, Next Successors – Ghatotkacha, Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I (founded Nalanda University).

Explanation: Gupta dynasty. In Mehrauli (Delhi) an iron pillar was constructed by the famous king Chandragupta II, India, notable for the rust-resistant composition of the metal used in its construction. The inscription on the pillar is in Sanskrit, about Gupta emperor Chandragupta II.

Explanation: Nagara-shreshthi (Chief banker or merchant). Offices held by Poet Harishena: Maha-danda-Nayaka (Chief Judicial Officer), Kumar-amatya (Important minister) and a sandhi – vigrahika (Minister of War and Peace).

Explanation: Bengal. Fa-Xian (Chinese traveller) started his journey back home from Bengal by boarding a merchant ship. He traveled from China to India on foot to acquire Buddhist texts. He came to India, under the reign of Chandragupta II, and arrived at Pataliputra from the northwest.

Explanation: Bihar. Kumaragupta (Shakraditya) of the Gupta dynasty founded Nalanda University in modern Bihar in the early 5th century. Bakhtiyar Khilji (general of Qutbuddin Aibak) was demolished in the 12th century (1193 AD). Nalanda: UNESCO World Heritage Site, Institute of National Importance, Famous scholars (Nagarjuna (Madhyamika Sunyavada) and Aryabhatta), 3 buildings (Ratnasagar, Ratna Dadhi, and Ratna Ranjak), Visitors (Hiuen Tsang, I-Tsing).

Explanation: Licchavi. Samudragupta (335 -375 CE, Kaviraja) was the son of Chandragupta I and Queen Kumaradevi (Licchavi clan). He is called ‘Napoleon of India’ by V.A. Smith.

Explanation: Kaviraja. Samudragupta: Ruled under Gupta dynasty from 335 /336 CE to 375 CE; Called ‘Napoleon of India’ by V.A. Smith and Kaviraja (king among poets); His campaigns are mentioned in the Eran inscription (Madhya Pradesh).

Explanation: Administrative unit. In Gupta’s period, there was a hierarchy of administrative divisions from top to bottom. The empire was called by various names such as Rajya, Rashtra, Desha, Mandala, Prithvi, and Avani. It was divided into provinces, which were further divided into Vishayas. A Vishayapati administered the Vishaya. A part of the Vishaya was called Vithi.

Explanation: Chandragupta-I was a Gupta ruler and married a girl from the Lichchhavi clan. Chandragupta married a girl named Kumaradevi who belonged to the Lichchavi clan. The Lichchhavi clan was headquartered at Vaishali in present-day Bihar during the time of Gautama Buddha.

Explanation: Chandragupta II. Prabhavati Gupta was a Gupta princess and Vakataka queen who was the consort of Maharaja Rudrasena II. She ruled the Vakataka kingdom as regent from about 390 to 410.

Explanation: Halvakara was a kind of tax for those who owned a plough during the Gupta administration.

Explanation: Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) – Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled from China to India to study Buddhism and obtain Buddhist scriptures during the reign of King Harsha Vardhan. Assembly of Prayag (Maha Moksha Parishad) – Harsha Vardhan gave all his belongings in charity for the welfare of the public.

Explanation: Harsha Vardhan. In 641 AD Harshavardhan sent an envoy to Taizong (Tai-Tsung), the Tang emperor of China and in return, the Chinese ruler sent three embassies to Harsha court. Hiuen-Tsang, a Chinese pilgrim who visited Harsha’s court, wrote a book ‘Si-Yu-Ki’ (the world of the west) after going back to China. Hiuen-Tsang in his book also praised two other kings than Harsha Vardhan Narsimha Varman of the Pallava dynasty and Pulakesin II of the Chalukya dynasty.

Explanation: Yashovarman. He was the founder of the Varman dynasty of Kanauj and surrounding areas during the 8th and the 9th centuries. Mahendravarman (600 AD – 630 AD) was a ruler of the Pallava dynasty. Pulakeshin II (610 – 642 AD) was a ruler of the Chalukya dynasty and was a contemporary of Harshavardhana.

Explanation: 606 CE to 647 CE. Harshavardhana – Last ruler of the Vardhana Empire (Pushyabhuti dynasty); Undisputed ruler of Thaneshwar (modern -day Haryana). Empire covers present day states of Odisha, Bengal, Punjab and the whole of Indo-Gangetic plain. Chinese monk and traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) spent eight years in his empire. He was author of three Sanskrit plays – Nagananda, Ratnavali, Priyadarshika. His Court Poet – Banabhatta.

Explanation: Harishena – He was the court poet of Samudragupta (Gupta dynasty).

Explanation: Pulakesin II defeated Harshavardhana when he invaded the Chalukya kingdom in the Deccan on the banks of Narmada River. Mangalesha was a king of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi in Karnataka. Vikramaditya I was the third son and followed his father,Pulakeshin II on to the Chalukya throne. Kirttivarman I was a ruler of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi (present-day Badami) in India.

Explanation: Gauda. Karnasubarna was the capital of Gauda Kingdom during the reign of Shashanka, the first important king of ancient Bengal who ruled in the 7th century.

Explanation: Vardhana dynasty. Prabhakar Vardhana was the first notable king of the Vardhana Dynasty. The dynasty reached its glory under the last king of this dynasty, Harshavardhana.

Explanation: Rajyavardhana. He was the eldest son of Prabhakaravardhana and a member of the Pushyabhuti Dynasty. He ascended the throne after his father’s death and was succeeded by his younger brother Harsha.

Explanation: Rajaraja I: The greatest ruler of the Chola Dynasty (Founder – Vijayalaya). Other temples made by the Chola Rulers: Rajaraja I – Tiruvalisvaram temple (Brahmadesam); Aditya I – Balasuramanya temple (Kannanur); Rajendra Chola – Gangaikondachola -puram temple; Kulothunga III – Kampahareswarartemple (tribhuvanam).

Explanation: Vijayalaya. Chola Dynasty: Vijayalaya – Given the title Parakesarivarman. Other South Indian Dynasties: Chera Dynasty: Founder – Uthiyan Cheralathan (Perum Chorru). Pandya Dynasty – Kadungon. Vijayanagara Empire – Harihara I and Bukka Raya . Satavahana Dynasty – Simuka. Hoysala Dynasty – Sala / Nrip kaam dwitiya .

Explanation: Rajendra I (1014 and 1044 CE) – He was also known as Gangaikonda Chola. He led a successful military expedition to the Ganges, bringing Ganges water to his new capital in the Kaveri Delta, Gangaikonda cholapuram. He defeated Mahipala, the Pala king of Bengal and Bihar.

Explanation: Chola dynasty. Founder – Vijayalaya, capital – Tanjore.

Explanation: Chola. Ur – Assembly of common villagers. Sabha – Assembly in the villages which were inhabited predominantly by the Brahmanas. Nagaram – Assembly of merchants, traders and artisans. The Chola dynasty was founded by Vijayalaya Chola. Rajendra Chola III – the last ruler. Capital – Thanjavur (Tanjore).

Explanation: Land gifted to Brahmans. There were five types of ‘land gifts’ that Chola kings gave to their people on the basis of Chola inscriptions : Vellanvagai – For non-Brahmana, peasant proprietors. Shalabhoga – For the maintenance of a school. Devadana or Tirunamattukkani – Land gifted to temples. Pallichchhandam – Land donated to Jaina institutions.

Explanation: Rajaraja Chola II. Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple built in the Dravidian style of architecture. Dedicated to – Lord Shiva. Rajaraja Chola I – Built Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (Founder of Jaipur)..

Explanation: Forced labour. Cholas (8th – 12th century AD) – A southern region ruling dynasty began when they defeated the Pallavas to come into power. The empire was founded by Vijalaya. Some types of taxes in their empire: Kadmai or Irai – Tax on land; Pattam and ayam – Taxes imposed on non-agricultural professions like artisans and merchants; Nirvilai or nirkkirai – Water tax; Ulku and sungam – Toll tax; Tattar-pattam – A tax levied on gold -smiths; Sangam – Export and import taxes; Kannala Kanam – Marriage tax; Poorvi – War tax.

Explanation: 985. Rajaraja Chola I (985-1014 AD) is the greatest Chola ruler. He was known as “Rajaraja the Great”. Other names – Arunmozhivarman and Ponniyin Selvan. He built Rajarajeshwara temple (Brihadeshwara) in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. He conquered Sri Lanka.

Explanation: Thanjavur is an important agricultural centre located in the Kaveri Delta (Tamil Nadu), built by Vijayalaya who belonged to the Chola family of Uraiyur. Tiruppur (Located on the banks of Noyyal River in Tamil Nadu, built during the reign of Cholas and Pandyas), Madurai (Located on the river of Vaigai), Tiruchirappalli (located in Kaveri delta in Tamil Nadu).

Explanation: Rajendra I who ruled from 1014 to 1044 CE. Ghazni invaded India seventeen times. In 1018 he plundered the holy city of Mathura and also attacked Kannauj.

Explanation: Chalukyas. Chola king Rajendra-I (reigned between 1014 and 1044 CE) built a Shiva temple in his capital, Gangaikondacholapuram (north Tamil Nadu) and filled it with prized statues seized from defeated rulers such as Sun-pedestal (Chalukyas), a Ganesha statue and several statues of Durga, a Nandi statue, an image of Bhairava and Bhairavi (Kalingas of Orissa), and a Kali statue (Palas of Bengal).

Explanation: Vijayalaya founded the Chola Empire and captured Thanjavur (Capital of Chola Empire) in 850 CE. He constructed a temple for the goddess Nishumbhasudini in Thanjavur. Aditya I succeeded him in 871 CE. Parantaka I was successor of Aditya I. He was known as the destroyer of Madurai (the capital city of the Pandyas). Gandaraditya succeeded Parantaka I

Explanation: Bhillasvamin. Famous Chola dynasty temples: Moovar Koil (Kodumbalur), Koranganatha (Musiri), Valisvara Temple, Kampaheswarar Temple (Thirubuvanam). All temples mentioned above are in Tamil Nadu.

Explanation: Pandaya and Pallava. The Pallava dynasty (275 CE to 897 CE, Capital – Kanchipuram) ruled in Deccan (Tondaimandalam). Pandya (Capital – Madurai). The Cheras (Capital – Vanji), Greatest ruler of Cheras – Senguttuvan, also known as Red Chera.

Explanation: Chola bronzes are created using the lost wax technique (Cire Perdue). Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. The lost wax technique is a method of metal casting in which molten metal is poured into a mold that has been created by means of a wax model. Examples: Nataraja Bronze Casting, Shiva and Parvati (Sivagami, 1012 CE), etc.

Explanation: Cholas (8th-12th century AD) was founded by Vijayalaya in the 8 th century. Rajaraja Chola (greatest king of the Chola Empire) reigned between 985 and 1014 C.E.

Explanation: Rajaraja I (ruler of Imperial Chola). Rajendra I (1012-1044 A.D) reasserted the Chola authority over the Chera and Pandya countries. He defeated Jayasimha II, the Western Chalukya king. He founded the city of Gangaikondacholapuram and constructed the famous Rajesvaram temple in that city.

Explanation: Patanjali. “The Yoga Sutra” was also written by Patanjali. Authors and their books: Kalhana – “Rajatarangini”. Vatsayana – “Kamasutra”. Vishnu Sharma – “Panchatantra”. Kautilya – “Arthasastra”. Panini – “Ashtadhyayi”. Megasthenes – “Indica”. Jayadeva – “Gitagovinda”. Sri Harsha – “Naishadha Charita”. Banabhatta – “Harshacharita”, “Kadambari”.

Explanation: Senas Dynasty: A hindu dynasty that ruled over eastern Bengal and western Bihar for about two centuries. Important Rulers – Vijaya Sena, Ballal Sena, Lakshmana Sena. Deva dynasty – Ruled over eastern Bengal after the Sena dynasty. Maukharis dynasty – A post-Gupta dynasty that ruled over the vast plains of Ganga-Yamuna for over six generations.

Explanation: Menander: A Greek king who ruled over the Indo-Greek kingdom. Demetrios (Greek king): His capital was Takshashila. Eucratides: Expanded the Indo-Greek territories into Bactria and the northern regions of India. Pushyamitra Sunga – An Indian king who ruled over the Sunga dynasty. His capital was Pataliputra.

Explanation: Kadamba dynasty (Founder – Mayurasharma) was an ancient Indian dynasty that ruled over parts of South India, particularly the present-day Karnataka region, from the 4th to the 6th centuries CE. They are originally the tributary princes under the Kadambas of Banavasi who ruled the Kanara coast from about the 4th century AD.

Explanation: Bharhut and Amravati. Bharhut Stupa is located in Satna, Madhya Pradesh. It was discovered in a ruined state by Alexander Cunningham and his team. The discovered railing and gateway are now on display at the Indian Museum (Kolkata). Amravati Stupa was discovered by Colin Mackenzie (1797). It has a circular altar, which depicts Lord Buddha in his human form atop an elephant. The high platforms of the stupa are spread in four directions.

Explanation: Rudradaman I. Junagadh rock inscription (Girnar rock inscription) is written in the Sanskrit language. These rocks contain inscriptions Rudradaman I and Skandgupta. Inscription and Belongs to King: The Rabatak inscription (Afghanistan) – Kanishka. The Nasik prasasti inscription – Gautamiputra Satakarni. Aihole Inscription – Pulakeshin (II). Gwalior Inscription – Bhoja. Allahabad Inscription – Samudragupta.