The Pala Dynasty was the third and last ruling dynasty of the ancient Kamarupa Kingdom in Assam. This dynasty rose to power after the decline of the Mlechchha Dynasty around the 9th century CE. The Pala rulers of Kamarupa should not be confused with the Pala Dynasty of Bengal as both were separate ruling families. The Kamarupa Palas ruled from their capital at Durjaya and made lasting contributions to the political and cultural history of Assam. Their reign witnessed the growth of tantric practices and continued patronage of Hindu traditions.
The Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa produced several strong rulers who expanded the territory and strengthened the administration of the kingdom. Copper plate inscriptions issued during their rule remain valuable primary sources for historians studying ancient Assam. The dynasty eventually declined due to internal conflicts and external invasions. For students preparing for APSC, UPSC, and other competitive examinations focused on History of Assam, the Pala Dynasty is a frequently tested topic. These 30 MCQs will help you prepare thoroughly for your upcoming examinations.
30 MCQs on Pala Dynasty – History of Assam
Q1. The Pala Dynasty was the third ruling dynasty of which ancient kingdom?
A) Ahom Kingdom
B) Kamarupa Kingdom
C) Chutiya Kingdom
D) Koch Kingdom
Q2. Which dynasty did the Pala Dynasty succeed in Kamarupa?
A) Varman Dynasty
B) Koch Dynasty
C) Mlechchha Dynasty
D) Ahom Dynasty
Q3. What was the capital of the Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa?
A) Pragjyotishpura
B) Haruppesvara
C) Durjaya
D) Rangpur
Q4. The Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa came to power approximately in which century?
A) 7th century CE
B) 8th century CE
C) 9th century CE
D) 10th century CE
Q5. Who is considered the founder of the Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa?
A) Dharmapala
B) Gopala
C) Brahmapala
D) Jayapala
Q6. The Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa is different from the Pala Dynasty of which region?
A) Rajasthan
B) Bengal
C) Gujarat
D) Kashmir
Q7. Durjaya, the capital of the Pala Dynasty, is identified with which modern location?
A) Guwahati
B) Tezpur
C) North Guwahati
D) Nagaon
Q8. Which religion was patronized by the Pala rulers of Kamarupa?
A) Buddhism
B) Jainism
C) Hinduism with Tantric practices
D) Islam
Q9. How many rulers approximately belonged to the Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa?
A) 5
B) 8
C) 12
D) 15
Q10. Which of the following was a notable ruler of the Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa?
A) Bhaskaravarman
B) Pushyavarman
C) Ratnapala
D) Sasanka
Q11. The Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa ruled for approximately how many years?
A) 100 years
B) 200 years
C) 300 years
D) 400 years
Q12. Which language was used in the inscriptions of the Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa?
A) Pali
B) Prakrit
C) Sanskrit
D) Old Assamese
Q13. The decline of the Pala Dynasty marked the end of which kingdom?
A) Ahom Kingdom
B) Koch Kingdom
C) Kamarupa Kingdom
D) Chutiya Kingdom
Q14. Which of the following copper plate inscriptions belongs to the Pala Dynasty period?
A) Nidhanpur Copper Plate
B) Sualkuchi Copper Plate
C) Allahabad Pillar Inscription
D) Hathigumpha Inscription
Q15. The Pala rulers of Kamarupa claimed descent from which lineage?
A) Solar lineage
B) Lunar lineage
C) Mythological demon lineage
D) Foreign royal lineage
Q16. What was the administrative system of the Pala Dynasty based on?
A) Republican model
B) Feudal decentralized model
C) Centralized monarchical system
D) Democratic system
Q17. Which Pala ruler of Kamarupa is known for his military campaigns against neighboring kingdoms?
A) Brahmapala
B) Ratnapala
C) Indrapala
D) Gopala
Q18. The Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa patronized which form of worship prominently?
A) Vaishnavism only
B) Shaivism and Tantric worship
C) Pure Buddhism
D) Jainism
Q19. The Pala Dynasty ruled over which part of present-day India?
A) Western India
B) Southern India
C) North-Eastern India
D) Central India
Q20. Which river valley formed the geographical heartland of the Pala Dynasty’s territory?
A) Ganga River Valley
B) Brahmaputra River Valley
C) Indus River Valley
D) Narmada River Valley
Q21. What was the primary source of revenue for the Pala rulers of Kamarupa?
A) Maritime trade
B) Mining
C) Agriculture and land revenue
D) Foreign trade only
Q22. The Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa came to an end approximately in which century?
A) 10th century CE
B) 11th century CE
C) 12th century CE
D) 13th century CE
Q23. After the fall of the Pala Dynasty, the Kamarupa region was divided into?
A) Two kingdoms
B) Three kingdoms
C) Several small kingdoms
D) One large empire
Q24. Which of the following is NOT a ruler of the Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa?
A) Brahmapala
B) Ratnapala
C) Dharmapala of Bengal
D) Indrapala
Q25. The social structure during the Pala Dynasty period in Kamarupa was based on?
A) Complete equality
B) Tribal system only
C) Varna system with local adaptations
D) European feudal model
Q26. The Pala rulers of Kamarupa made land grants primarily to?
A) Buddhist monks
B) Jain scholars
C) Brahmins and temples
D) Foreign traders
Q27. Which script was used in the copper plate inscriptions of the Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa?
A) Brahmi script
B) Kharosthi script
C) Proto-Bengali or Eastern Nagari script
D) Devanagari script
Q28. The Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa is studied under which period of Assam history?
A) Modern period
B) Medieval period
C) Ancient period
D) Contemporary period
Q29. What was the main cause of the decline of the Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa?
A) British invasion
B) Mughal attack
C) Internal conflicts and external invasions
D) Natural disaster
Q30. The Kamakhya Temple gained prominence during which dynasty’s rule in Kamarupa?
A) Varman Dynasty
B) Mlechchha Dynasty
C) Pala Dynasty
D) Koch Dynasty
Correct Answers
- B) Kamarupa Kingdom
- C) Mlechchha Dynasty
- C) Durjaya
- C) 9th century CE
- C) Brahmapala
- B) Bengal
- C) North Guwahati
- C) Hinduism with Tantric practices
- C) 12
- C) Ratnapala
- C) 300 years
- C) Sanskrit
- C) Kamarupa Kingdom
- B) Sualkuchi Copper Plate
- A) Solar lineage
- C) Centralized monarchical system
- B) Ratnapala
- B) Shaivism and Tantric worship
- C) North-Eastern India
- B) Brahmaputra River Valley
- C) Agriculture and land revenue
- C) 12th century CE
- C) Several small kingdoms
- C) Dharmapala of Bengal
- C) Varna system with local adaptations
- C) Brahmins and temples
- C) Proto-Bengali or Eastern Nagari script
- C) Ancient period
- C) Internal conflicts and external invasions
- C) Pala Dynasty
Conclusion
The Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa holds a special place in the history of Assam as the last ruling family of the ancient Kamarupa Kingdom. Their reign saw the growth of Tantric traditions and continued patronage of Hindu practices. The Pala rulers maintained the administrative framework inherited from earlier dynasties while adding their own contributions. The fall of this dynasty marked the end of the unified Kamarupa Kingdom and led to the emergence of several smaller kingdoms in the region.
For aspirants preparing for APSC, UPSC, and other state-level competitive examinations, the Pala Dynasty of Kamarupa is a must-study topic. These 30 MCQs cover the origin, rulers, administration, culture, and decline of this dynasty. Regular practice of such questions will improve your accuracy and speed in examinations. Bookmark this page for quick revision and share it with fellow aspirants who are preparing for similar exams.