Emergence of Regional Powers MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Emergence of Regional Powers - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - Satavahana

Key Points

• Amaravati Stupa
  • The Amaravati Stupa, also known as the Mahachaitya, is one of the oldest and most significant Buddhist monuments in India.
  • It was constructed during the period of the Satavahana dynasty, which ruled parts of Southern and Central India around the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE.
  • The stupa served as a major center for Buddhist art and culture, especially in the Andhra region.
  • The Satavahanas, under rulers such as Gautamiputra Satakarni, were known for their patronage of Buddhism, and the Amaravati Stupa reflects their contributions to Buddhist architecture and culture.
• Architectural Features
  • The stupa is renowned for its intricate carvings, which depict scenes from the Jataka tales (stories of the previous lives of Buddha).
  • It was originally built with a solid dome structure and surrounded by a stone railing.
  • The carvings on the stupa illustrate the artistic excellence of the Satavahana period and are considered masterpieces of Indian art.

Additional Information

• Satavahana Dynasty
  • The Satavahanas were among the earliest Indian dynasties to issue coins with the names of their kings, reflecting their political and economic strength.
  • They are known for their contributions to Buddhism, as well as their support for Vedic practices.
  • Their rule extended across the Deccan region, including present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
• Other Contributions to Buddhist Art
  • In addition to the Amaravati Stupa, the Satavahanas were instrumental in the development of other Buddhist sites, such as the Nagarjunakonda and Sanchi.
  • Their artistic style is characterized by detailed narrative reliefs, which became a hallmark of early Buddhist art in India.
• Preservation of Amaravati Stupa
  • Many of the original carvings and sculptures from the Amaravati Stupa are now housed in museums, including the British Museum and the Chennai Government Museum.
  • While the original structure has faced significant damage over time, it remains a significant archaeological and cultural site.

The correct answer is - Vidarbha

Key Points

• Junagadh Inscription
  • The Junagadh inscription of King Rudradaman I is a significant historical record from ancient India.
  • It provides details about the conquests and achievements of King Rudradaman I, a ruler of the Western Satraps.
• Regions Conquered by Rudradaman I
  • The inscription mentions that Rudradaman I conquered regions such as Saurashtra, Aparanta, and Anupa.
  • These regions were integral parts of his expansive kingdom and highlight his military prowess.
• Vidarbha Not Conquered
  • The Junagadh inscription does not mention Vidarbha as a region conquered by Rudradaman I.
  • This omission indicates that Vidarbha remained outside the dominion of the Western Satrap ruler.

Additional Information

• King Rudradaman I
  • He was one of the most notable rulers of the Western Satraps, a dynasty that ruled in western India.
  • Rudradaman I is renowned for his administrative reforms, patronage of art, and military conquests.
  • He was a Sanskrit scholar and the first ruler to issue inscriptions in Sanskrit.
• Significance of the Junagadh Inscription
  • The Junagadh inscription is engraved on a rock in Girnar, Gujarat.
  • It details the repair of the Sudarshana Lake, showcasing Rudradaman I's commitment to public welfare and infrastructure development.
  • The inscription is a crucial source of information about the political, cultural, and social conditions of the time.
• Other Regions Mentioned
  • Saurashtra: A region in present-day Gujarat, known for its historical and cultural significance.
  • Aparanta: Refers to the western coastal regions of India, which were strategically important for trade.
  • Anupa: Located in the Narmada valley, it was a fertile and prosperous area during ancient times.

The correct answer is - Sasanian Inscription

Key Points

• Sasanian Inscription
  • The term 'Hindustan' is inscribed in the Sasanian inscriptions, which belong to the Sasanian Empire, an important pre-Islamic Persian empire.
  • These inscriptions provide valuable historical records about the interactions between the Persian Empire and the Indian subcontinent.
  • The word 'Hindustan' was used in these inscriptions to refer to the territories in the Indian subcontinent.

Additional Information

• Junagarh Inscription
  • This inscription belongs to the period of the Mauryan Empire and is associated with Emperor Ashoka.
  • It is primarily known for its records of Ashoka's edicts and policies.
• Nasik Cave Inscription
  • These inscriptions are Buddhist and belong to the period of the Satavahana kings.
  • They provide information about donations made by various individuals to the Buddhist monastic establishment.
• Kandhara Inscription
  • This refers to inscriptions found in the region of Gandhara, which is now in modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  • Gandhara was a major center of Buddhist culture and learning.

The correct answer is - Indo-Greeks rule

Key Points

• Indo-Greeks rule
  • The Indo-Greek kings were the first to introduce gold coins in ancient India.
  • The practice began around the 2nd century BCE under the rule of the Indo-Greek king, Menander I (Milinda).
  • The gold coins minted by the Indo-Greeks were used for trade and depicted various deities and inscriptions in Greek and Kharosthi scripts.
  • The introduction of gold coins marked a significant milestone in the economic history of ancient India, facilitating trade and commerce.

Additional Information

• Kushanas
  • The Kushanas also minted gold coins, but they did so after the Indo-Greeks.
  • Under the rule of Kanishka, the Kushanas issued gold coins that were significant for their artistic value and depicted various deities.
• Parthians
  • The Parthians ruled parts of northwestern India, but they did not introduce gold coinage in India.
  • Their coinage primarily consisted of silver and copper coins.
• Satavahana dynasty
  • The Satavahanas were known for their silver and lead coinage, not gold.
  • They played a significant role in the trade networks of the Deccan region.

The correct answer is - Kanishka

Key Points

• Kanishka
  • Kanishka was a prominent ruler of the Kushan dynasty in the 2nd century CE.
  • He is renowned for his support and patronage of Buddhism.
  • During his reign, the Mahayana branch of Buddhism came into existence, which emphasized the path of the Bodhisattva and the concept of the Buddha as a transcendent being.
  • Kanishka's council, often referred to as the Fourth Buddhist Council, played a crucial role in the development and spread of Mahayana Buddhism.

Additional Information

• Pushyamitra
  • Founder of the Shunga dynasty and known for his initial support of Brahmanism.
  • His reign is often associated with the decline of Buddhism in some regions due to his Brahmanical revival policies.
• Brahadratha
  • The last ruler of the Maurya dynasty, he was overthrown by his general Pushyamitra Shunga.
  • His reign marked the end of the Mauryan Empire and has limited association with the development of Buddhism.
• Agnimitra
  • Son of Pushyamitra Shunga and the second ruler of the Shunga dynasty.
  • His reign continued the policies of his father, but there is no significant contribution to Buddhism during his rule.

The correct answer is Kushans.

• Kushans were the first kings to issue the largest hoards of gold coins in India.

Key Points

• Kushanas Coins:
  • Kushanas issued mostly gold coins and numerous copper coins which have been found in most parts of North India up to Bihar.
  • The Gold Dinara's or Suvarnas were based on the Roman denarius and were of 124 grains (8.04 grams).
    • Double and quarter Dinaras were also issued. The copper coins were large, from 26 to 28 Masas or 240 to 260 grains (15.55 to 16.85) grams.
  • The coins of Vima Kadphises bear the figure of Siva standing beside a bull.
  • In the legend on these coins, the king calls himself Maheshwara, i.e. devotee of Siva.
    • Kanishka, Huvishka and Vasudeva etc. all have this depiction on their coins.
  • Many Indian gods and goddesses are depicted on Kushana coins besides many Persian and Greek deities.

Additional Information

• Indo-Greek Coins:
  • The Indo-Greek coins show beautiful artistic features them.
  • The portrait or bust of the king on the obverse side appears to be a real portrait.
  • On the reverse, some deity is depicted.
  • We know that more than forty Indo-Greek rulers ruled in a small north-western region of India from these coins.
• Pre-Guptan and Guptan Coins:
  • Gupta kings issued the most Gold coins.
  • The Satavahanas issued coins of lead and potin (base silver).
  • Satavahanas’ copper coins with the Ujjain symbol bearing a ship were abundant in Avanti.
  • The gold coins of the Guptas (Dinara) originally approximated to the Kushana standard, but in the middle of the 5th century rose in weight to 144 grains, thus returning to the Indian standard of the copper Karsapana.

Mistake Points

• Gupta kings issued the most number of Gold coins whereas Kushans were the first kings to issue the largest hoards of gold coins in India.
• Solution Source:-  https://ncert.nic.in/textbook/pdf/lehs102.pdf  (Pg No. 44)

The correct answer is Nahapana.

Key Points

• Nahpana was an important ruler of the Western Kshatrapas, a descendant of the Indo-Scythians, in northwestern India.
  • He ruled during the 1st or 2nd century CE.
  • According to one of his coins, he was the son of Bhumaka. 
  • So, Nahapana was not a ruler of the Kushana dynasty.

Additional Information

• Kushans were one of the five Great Yueh-chi tribes.
  • The Great Yuezhi-Chi tribes dwelled in the valley of Oxus.
  • A century later the Kushans of Yuehi-Chi gained dominance over the others.
  • They were led by Kadphises.
  • In the 1st century CE, Kujula Kadphises (Kadphises I) brought these five tribes together and founded the Kushan Empire.
  • They are referred to as Guishuang in the Chinese sources.
  • They moved east towards India by defeating the Parthians and the Sakas in the 1st century AD.
  • Kujula Kadphises was the first Yuezhi chief to lay the establishment of the Kushana Empire in India.
    • He substantiated his supremacy over Kabul, Kandahar and Afghanistan.
    • His successor was his son Vima Taktu or Sadashkana (AD 80 -AD 95) who amplified the empire into northwest India.
  • Ruler Vima Kadphises was the son of Vima Taktu and the father of Kanishka.
  • Kanishka of Kushan Dynasty (127 AD – 150 AD)
    • Kanishka was by far the most powerful sovereign of the Kushana dynasty.
    • His capital was Purushpura (Peshawar).
    • During his rule, the Kushana Empire expanded from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan to Mathura and Kashmir. 
    • It was during his reign that Buddhism got divided into Mahayana and Hinayana.
    • He founded the Shaka Era of A.D. 78.
    • Kanishka patronized Buddhism and organized the 4th Buddhist council in the Kundalvana of Kashmir in 78 AD.
    • The scholars in Kanishka’s court included Vasumitra, Asvaghosa, Nagarjun, Charaka and Parsva.
    • Kanishka battled against King Han Ho-ti, the king of the Han dynasty of China.
      • Kanishka defeated him in the second attempt.
    • He invaded Patliputra and took the Buddhist monk Asvaghosa to Purushpura.
      • Ashvoghosha is considered to be the first Sanskrit dramatist.
    • The Kushana dynasty's decline commenced after his death.
  • Kanishka was succeeded by his son Vasishka.
  • Vasishka was succeeded by Huvishka and Kanishka II (son of Vasishka).
  • Kanishka II was succeeded by Vasudeva I.
  • Vasudeva I was the last great ruler of the Kushanas.
  • After his death, the empire disintegrated.

The correct answer is Pushyamitra.

• The Sunga dynasty was a dynasty of ancient India that ruled after the Mauryan dynasty.

Key Points

• They ruled from 184 AD to 75 BCE.
• Their capital was Patliputra.
• It was founded by Pushyamitra. There were ten Shunga rulers. 
• Pushyamitra was the commander of the last Mauryan emperor Vrihadratha.
• Pushyamitra killed the last emperor Vrihadrata and occupied the whole of Magadha.
• The name of the first ruler of the Mauryan dynasty of Magadha was also Vrihadratha and the name of the last ruler was also Vrihadratha.

Additional Information

• The Shunga dynasty ruled eastern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal from 185-75 BCE.
• It was established by Pushyamitra Shunga after the fall of the Mauryan Empire.
• Its capital was Pataliputra, but later rulers also held court at Besnagar (modern-day Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh).

Important Points

• ​The ancestors of Shungas originated from the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. There is both literary and archeological evidence that shows the founder and First king of the Shunga Dynasty were Viceroy of Maurya at Ujjain and his ancestors belong to Ujjain. 
• Magadha Was an ancient Indian Kingdome in Southern Bihar. 
• Magadh was the nucleus of the Shunga Kingdome.
• Shunga Dynasty (185 BC to 73 BC)
  • ​Shunga Dynasty founded by Pushyamitra who assassinated the Last Maurya Emperor Brihadratha and replaced the Mauryan dynasty.
  • He was Viceroy of the Maurya at Ujjain.
  • The capital of the Shunga Dynasty was Patliputra and its Major centers were Ujjain, Mathura, Saket, Sanchi, and Kapilvastu.
  • Vidhisha was the Capital of Later Shunga Rulers.
  • Other Rulers of the Shunga dynasty:-
    • Agnimitra (149 BC to 141 BC).
    • Bhagbhadra (around 110 BC).
    • Devbhuti (87 BC to 73 BC).

The correct answer is Kushana.

• The Kushanas had originally belonged to the regions of western China. They are also known as the ‘Yuehchis'.
• The first-ever gold coins in India were issued by the Kushana dynasty.
• The first important ruler of the Kushana dynasty was ‘Kujula Kadphises’ or Kadphises I.

Key Points

• Kanishka usurped the throne in AD 78, and then started a new era, what is known to us as the ‘Shaka era'. He was the greatest king of the Kushana dynasty.
• Kanishka is credited with convening the fourth Buddhist Council at Kundalavan, located at present day Harwan near Srinagar in J&K.
• In this council that Buddhism got split into two different schools – Hinayana and Mahayana.
• Kanishka is also known to patronize the Gandhara and Mathura schools of sculptural art.
• Kanishka also patronized the famous physician of ancient India Charaka.

The correct answer is Mathura.Key Points

• The Kushanas were a Central Asian dynasty that ruled over a vast empire in South Asia from the 1st to the 3rd century CE.
• The Kushanas had two capitals, the first being Purushpur (modern-day Peshawar in Pakistan) and the second being Mathura (in Uttar Pradesh, India).
• Mathura emerged as the second capital of the Kushanas during the reign of Kanishka I (127-150 CE), who is considered the greatest of the Kushana kings.
• Mathura was a strategically important city as it was located at the junction of two major trade routes and was also a major center of Buddhism and Hinduism.

Additional Information

• Kannauj was an important city in medieval India and served as the capital of several dynasties, including the Gurjara-Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas.
  • The classical name Kanyakubja has been distorted to become the name of the city. 
• Pataliputra was the capital of the Mauryan and Gupta empires and was also an important center of learning and culture.
  • The city of Pataliputra was founded by Udayin at the meeting point of the Son and Ganges rivers. 

The correct answer is Kanishka.

• Charak was a member of the court of Kanishka.

Key Points

• Charaka:
  • He was the court physician of Kanishka I.
  • He also contributed to ayurvedic science.
  • He compiled the medical treatise called Charaka Samhita.
• Kanishka:
  • Kanishka founded the second Kushana dynasty.
  • He was the most famous Kushana ruler, he was also known as ‘Second Ashoka’.
  • He started an era in 78 AD which is now known as the Saka Era and is used by the Government of India.
  • Kanishka was a great patron of Mahayana Buddhism.
  • During his reign, the 4th Buddhist Council was held in Kundalavana, Kashmir where the doctrines of the Mahayana form of Buddhism were finalized.

The correct answer is  "Clarifying the relationship between Kanishka and Kadphises kings."

Key Points

• The information that we get from Rabatak's Inscription is about Kanishka and the related kings of his time.
• Kanishka was the third ruler of the Kushana empire. 
• He was the grandson of Kadphises I, the founder of the Kushana empire.
• The famous Rabatak Inscription written on a rock in the Bactrian language and the Greek script presents valuable information on Kanishka.
• The most essential Bactrian inscription of the Kushan period is that of Rabātak, a record of the foundation of a temple housing the statues of Kanishka I and his ancestors as well as numerous gods and goddesses. 
• One of the most precious pieces of information provided by the Rabātak inscription is the genealogy of Kanishka I, whose lineage is traced back via his father Vima (II) Kadphises and his grandfather Vima (I) Taktu to his great-grandfather Kujula Kadphises.

​

Talking about option 2),

• Since Rabatak Inscription gave a complete account of the genealogy of the early Kushan Empire.

• Therefore, it gives us no account related to the three Mauryan kings.

Talking about option 3),

• Rabatak Inscription gives information about the Kushan deities.

• Therefore, we do not mention the worship of Vishnu.

Talking about option 4),

• Rabatak Inscription in Bactrian and Greek was found in a place called Rabatak between Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif one of the most powerful and one of the most enigmatic empires in the crossroads between India, China and Persia.

The correct answer is 2100.

Key Points

• The Satavahana kingdom was a dynasty that ruled parts of present-day India from around 230 BCE to 220 CE.
•  The kingdom was founded by Simuka, who is believed to have come from a family of local chieftains in the Deccan region.
•  The Satavahanas were known for their patronage of Buddhism and the arts, and their coins featured symbols such as the chaitya (Buddhist stupa) and the elephant.
•  The kingdom's decline was gradual and attributed to factors such as internal conflicts, invasions by foreign powers, and economic decline.

Additional Information

Satavahana Dynasty (60 BC-225 AD) -

• The Satavahana was an important successor to the Mauryan Dynasty.
• Satavahana rule began in the late second century BCE and lasted until the early third century CE.
• Although some assign the beginning of their rule to as early as the 3rd century BCE based on the Puranas.
• Simuka -
  • Simukha was the founder
  • Dharanikota near Amravati in Guntur district was the first capital of Simukha.
  • Simuka was followed by Krishna, under whom the kingdom was extended till Nasik.
  • ‘Andhras’ mentioned in the Puranas are considered to be identical with the Satavahanas.
• The Satavahanas are also referred to as the Andhras in the Puranas.
• According to the Puranas, the Andhras are believed to have ruled for 300 years, which is assigned to the Satavahana Dynasty.
• Satavahana Dynasty was an ancient Indian dynasty based in the Deccan
  • Gautamiputra Satakarni  -
    • Gautamiputra Satakarni (A.D. 106 – 130) is considered to be the greatest king of the Satavahana Dynasty.
    • He defeated the Shakas and he claimed that the Kshatriya ruler Nahapana was destroyed by him.

The correct answer is Mathura.Key Points

• The Kushanas were a Central Asian dynasty that ruled over a vast empire in South Asia from the 1st to the 3rd century CE.
• Mathura, located in present-day Uttar Pradesh, was an important center of trade, art, and religion during the Kushana period.
• It was also a strategic location for controlling the Gangetic plains and the trade routes to the northwest.
• The Kushanas made Mathura their second capital after Peshawar (in present-day Pakistan).
• They built several palaces, temples, and other structures in Mathura, which became a thriving urban center under their patronage.
• Some of the notable Kushana rulers who resided in Mathura were Kanishka, Huvishka, and Vasudeva.
• They were known for their patronage of Buddhism and other religions, as well as their military and diplomatic campaigns.

Additional Information

• Patliputra (present-day Patna) was the capital of several ancient Indian empires, including the Mauryas and the Guptas.
• It was an important political and cultural center in North India.
• Madurai, located in present-day Tamil Nadu, was a prominent city in South India, known for its rich history, art, and literature.
• Vaishali, located in present-day Bihar, was an ancient republic that played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism in India.

The correct answer is Asvaghosha, Nagarjuna, and Vasumitra.

Key Points

• Kanishka was an emperor of the Kushana dynasty under his reign (127- 150 CE) the empire reached its zenith.
• He was the greatest king of the Kushana dynasty that ruled over the northern part of Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan and areas of Central Asia.
• Most of what is known of Kanishka is derived from Chinese sources, particularly Buddhist writings.
• Some of the scholars in Kanishka's court were Parsva, Asvaghosha, Vasumitra, Nagarjuna, Charaka and Mathara.
• The contemporaries of Kanishka were Asvaghosha, Nagarjuna, and Vasumitra.
• Asvaghosha (80- 150 CE) was Buddhist philosopher, orator, dramatist and poet from India.
• Vasumitra was a scholar in his court who headed the 4th Buddhist council.
• Nagarjuna was an Indian Mahayana thinker, scholar-saint and philosopher.

 Thus, we can say that Asvaghosha, Nagarjuna, and Vasumitra were contemporaries of Kanishka.