The Gupta Empire stands as one of the most glorious periods in ancient Indian history. This dynasty ruled over a large part of the Indian subcontinent from approximately 320 CE to 550 CE. Historians often refer to the Gupta period as the “Golden Age of India” because of the remarkable progress made in science, mathematics, astronomy, literature, art and religion during this era. The empire was founded by Sri Gupta and later expanded by rulers like Chandragupta I, Samudragupta and Chandragupta II.
For students preparing for competitive exams such as UPSC, SSC, State PSCs and other government examinations, the Gupta Empire is a frequently tested topic. Questions from this era appear regularly in Indian history sections. This blog post presents 30 well-researched MCQs on the Gupta Empire that will help you strengthen your preparation and score better in your exams. Each question covers a different aspect of this great dynasty.
30 MCQs on Gupta Empire – Indian History
Q1. Who is considered the founder of the Gupta Dynasty?
(a) Chandragupta I
(b) Sri Gupta
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Kumaragupta I
Q2. The Gupta Era is believed to have started in which year?
(a) 300 CE
(b) 319-320 CE
(c) 335 CE
(d) 350 CE
Q3. Which Gupta ruler adopted the title “Maharajadhiraja” (King of Kings) for the first time?
(a) Sri Gupta
(b) Ghatotkacha
(c) Chandragupta I
(d) Samudragupta
Q4. Chandragupta I strengthened his position by marrying a princess from which dynasty?
(a) Vakataka Dynasty
(b) Lichchhavi Dynasty
(c) Saka Dynasty
(d) Kushana Dynasty
Q5. What was the name of Chandragupta I’s wife from the Lichchhavi clan?
(a) Dhruvadevi
(b) Kumaradevi
(c) Prabhavati Gupta
(d) Rajyashri
Q6. Which Gupta ruler is known as the “Napoleon of India”?
(a) Chandragupta I
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Skandagupta
Q7. The Allahabad Pillar Inscription provides detailed information about the conquests of which Gupta ruler?
(a) Chandragupta II
(b) Kumaragupta I
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Skandagupta
Q8. Who composed the Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti)?
(a) Kalidasa
(b) Harishena
(c) Varahamihira
(d) Amarasimha
Q9. Which Gupta emperor is also known as “Vikramaditya”?
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta
Q10. Chandragupta II defeated which foreign rulers to gain control over western India?
(a) Hunas
(b) Greeks
(c) Shakas (Western Kshatrapas)
(d) Kushanas
Q11. The famous Chinese traveler Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of which Gupta emperor?
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Kumaragupta I
(c) Chandragupta II
(d) Skandagupta
Q12. What was the capital of the Gupta Empire under Chandragupta I?
(a) Ujjain
(b) Pataliputra
(c) Varanasi
(d) Nalanda
Q13. Which of the following poets was part of the court of Chandragupta II?
(a) Banabhatta
(b) Kalidasa
(c) Bharavi
(d) Magha
Q14. The Navratnas (Nine Gems) were associated with the court of which Gupta ruler?
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta
Q15. Which famous university was established during the Gupta period by Kumaragupta I?
(a) Vikramashila University
(b) Taxila University
(c) Nalanda University
(d) Vallabhi University
Q16. Which Gupta ruler is credited with fighting against the Huna invasions?
(a) Chandragupta II
(b) Kumaragupta I
(c) Skandagupta
(d) Vishnugupta
Q17. The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli in Delhi is associated with which Gupta ruler?
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta
Q18. What was the official language used during the Gupta period?
(a) Pali
(b) Prakrit
(c) Sanskrit
(d) Tamil
Q19. The famous literary work “Abhijnana Shakuntalam” was written by which Gupta period scholar?
(a) Vishakhadatta
(b) Shudraka
(c) Kalidasa
(d) Varahamihira
Q20. Which astronomical text was written by Aryabhata during the Gupta period?
(a) Surya Siddhanta
(b) Aryabhatiya
(c) Brihat Samhita
(d) Pancha Siddhantika
Q21. The decimal system and the concept of zero are attributed to the scholars of which period?
(a) Maurya Period
(b) Gupta Period
(c) Mughal Period
(d) Vedic Period
Q22. The Ajanta Cave paintings are largely associated with which dynasty?
(a) Maurya Dynasty
(b) Satavahana Dynasty
(c) Gupta Dynasty
(d) Chalukya Dynasty
Q23. Which Gupta ruler issued silver coins after defeating the Western Kshatrapas?
(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Kumaragupta I
(d) Skandagupta
Q24. The Gupta gold coins were popularly known as:
(a) Nishka
(b) Dinara
(c) Karshapana
(d) Pana
Q25. The Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh was built during which period?
(a) Maurya Period
(b) Kushana Period
(c) Gupta Period
(d) Pallava Period
Q26. The Bhitari Pillar Inscription mentions the victories of which Gupta ruler?
(a) Chandragupta II
(b) Kumaragupta I
(c) Skandagupta
(d) Samudragupta
Q27. Who was the last great ruler of the Gupta Empire?
(a) Kumaragupta I
(b) Skandagupta
(c) Vishnugupta
(d) Budhagupta
Q28. Which Gupta ruler is shown playing the Veena on his coins?
(a) Chandragupta I
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Samudragupta
(d) Kumaragupta I
Q29. The land revenue during the Gupta period was generally what fraction of the produce?
(a) 1/8th
(b) 1/4th
(c) 1/6th
(d) 1/3rd
Q30. Which of the following factors led to the decline of the Gupta Empire?
(a) Huna invasions
(b) Weak successors after Skandagupta
(c) Rise of feudal lords
(d) All of the above
Correct Answers
- (b) Sri Gupta
- (b) 319-320 CE
- (c) Chandragupta I
- (b) Lichchhavi Dynasty
- (b) Kumaradevi
- (c) Samudragupta
- (c) Samudragupta
- (b) Harishena
- (b) Chandragupta II
- (c) Shakas (Western Kshatrapas)
- (c) Chandragupta II
- (b) Pataliputra
- (b) Kalidasa
- (b) Chandragupta II
- (c) Nalanda University
- (c) Skandagupta
- (b) Chandragupta II
- (c) Sanskrit
- (c) Kalidasa
- (b) Aryabhatiya
- (b) Gupta Period
- (c) Gupta Dynasty
- (b) Chandragupta II
- (b) Dinara
- (c) Gupta Period
- (c) Skandagupta
- (b) Skandagupta
- (c) Samudragupta
- (c) 1/6th
- (d) All of the above
Conclusion
The Gupta Empire remains one of the most frequently asked topics in competitive examinations across India. From the founding by Sri Gupta to the remarkable reign of Chandragupta II and the brave stand of Skandagupta against the Hunas, this dynasty shaped Indian civilization in many lasting ways. Practicing these MCQs will help you build a strong hold on this topic.
We hope these 30 MCQs on the Gupta Empire have added to your exam preparation. Make sure to revise the answers and read more about each sub-topic such as Gupta administration, art, literature, science and economy. Bookmark this page for future reference and share it with fellow aspirants who are preparing for UPSC, SSC or State PSC examinations. Regular practice of such topic-wise questions will boost your confidence on exam day.