The Post-Gupta Period in Indian history spans roughly from the mid-6th century CE to the late 12th century CE. This era began after the decline of the mighty Gupta Empire and witnessed the rise of several regional kingdoms across the Indian subcontinent. Dynasties such as the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, the Chalukyas of Badami, the Pallavas of Kanchi, and the Rashtrakutas shaped the political landscape of India during this time.
The Post-Gupta Period is also known for remarkable achievements in art, architecture, literature, and religion. The construction of rock-cut temples at Ellora and Elephanta, the development of the Dravidian style of architecture, and the spread of Bhakti and Tantric movements took place during this age. For students preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and state-level examinations, a strong command over this period is highly rewarding. The following 30 MCQs will help you test and strengthen your knowledge of this fascinating era in Indian history.
30 MCQs on Post-Gupta Period – Indian History
Q1. Who was the founder of the Pushyabhuti dynasty of Thanesar?
(a) Harshavardhan
(b) Prabhakaravardhan
(c) Pushyabhuti
(d) Rajyavardhan
Q2. Harshavardhan ascended the throne of Thanesar and Kannauj in which year?
(a) 600 CE
(b) 606 CE
(c) 612 CE
(d) 620 CE
Q3. The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited India during the reign of which ruler?
(a) Pulakeshin II
(b) Harshavardhan
(c) Narasimhavarman I
(d) Dharmapala
Q4. Which of the following literary works was authored by Harshavardhan?
(a) Kadambari
(b) Harshacharita
(c) Priyadarshika
(d) Meghadutam
Q5. The famous work “Harshacharita” was written by which scholar?
(a) Kalidasa
(b) Dandin
(c) Banabhatta
(d) Bharavi
Q6. Harshavardhan was defeated by which Chalukya ruler on the banks of the river Narmada?
(a) Pulakeshin I
(b) Pulakeshin II
(c) Vikramaditya I
(d) Kirtivarman I
Q7. The Chalukya dynasty of Badami was founded by which ruler?
(a) Mangalesha
(b) Pulakeshin I
(c) Jayasimha
(d) Kirtivarman I
Q8. The Aihole inscription was composed by which court poet?
(a) Banabhatta
(b) Ravikirti
(c) Harishena
(d) Bilhana
Q9. The Aihole inscription is associated with which ruler?
(a) Harshavardhan
(b) Pulakeshin II
(c) Narasimhavarman I
(d) Vikramaditya II
Q10. The Pallava dynasty had its capital at which city?
(a) Madurai
(b) Thanjavur
(c) Kanchipuram
(d) Mamallapuram
Q11. The famous Shore Temple at Mamallapuram was built by which Pallava king?
(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Narasimhavarman I
(c) Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)
(d) Nandivarman II
Q12. Narasimhavarman I assumed the title of “Mahamalla” after defeating which ruler?
(a) Harshavardhan
(b) Pulakeshin II
(c) Vikramaditya I
(d) Kirtivarman II
Q13. The Kailasanatha Temple at Kanchipuram was built by which Pallava ruler?
(a) Mahendravarman I
(b) Narasimhavarman I
(c) Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)
(d) Simhavishnu
Q14. Who founded the Rashtrakuta dynasty?
(a) Amoghavarsha I
(b) Govinda III
(c) Dantidurga
(d) Krishna I
Q15. The Kailasa Temple at Ellora was constructed during the reign of which Rashtrakuta king?
(a) Dantidurga
(b) Krishna I
(c) Amoghavarsha I
(d) Govinda III
Q16. Amoghavarsha I of the Rashtrakuta dynasty authored which famous Kannada literary work?
(a) Vikramankadevacharita
(b) Kavirajamarga
(c) Pampa Bharata
(d) Gadyachintamani
Q17. The tripartite struggle for control of Kannauj was fought among which three dynasties?
(a) Palas, Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas
(b) Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas
(c) Palas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas
(d) Pratiharas, Chalukyas, Pallavas
Q18. The Pala dynasty of Bengal was founded by which ruler?
(a) Dharmapala
(b) Devapala
(c) Gopala
(d) Mahipala
Q19. Nalanda University received generous patronage from which Pala ruler?
(a) Gopala
(b) Dharmapala
(c) Devapala
(d) All of the above
Q20. The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was founded by which ruler?
(a) Mihira Bhoja
(b) Nagabhata I
(c) Vatsaraja
(d) Mahendrapala I
Q21. Which Pratihara ruler was described by the Arab traveler Al-Masudi as a great enemy of Islam?
(a) Nagabhata II
(b) Mihira Bhoja
(c) Mahendrapala I
(d) Vatsaraja
Q22. The Elephanta Caves near Mumbai are primarily dedicated to which deity?
(a) Vishnu
(b) Brahma
(c) Shiva
(d) Buddha
Q23. The Vikramashila University was established by which Pala ruler?
(a) Gopala
(b) Dharmapala
(c) Devapala
(d) Ramapala
Q24. The Chola dynasty rose to prominence during the Post-Gupta Period under which ruler?
(a) Rajendra Chola I
(b) Rajaraja Chola I
(c) Vijayalaya
(d) Kulottunga I
Q25. Which of the following religious assemblies was organized by Harshavardhan at Prayag?
(a) Buddhist Council
(b) Mahamoksha Parishad
(c) Prayag Assembly (Moksha Mahaparishad)
(d) Dharma Sabha
Q26. Harshavardhan organized a grand assembly at Kannauj primarily to honor which religion?
(a) Hinduism
(b) Jainism
(c) Buddhism
(d) Shaivism
Q27. The rock-cut cave temples of the Pallavas are best represented at which location?
(a) Ajanta
(b) Ellora
(c) Mamallapuram
(d) Badami
Q28. Which dynasty ruled over the Deccan region after the decline of the Chalukyas of Badami?
(a) Pallavas
(b) Rashtrakutas
(c) Cholas
(d) Hoysalas
Q29. Mahendravarman I of the Pallava dynasty was originally a follower of which religion before converting to Shaivism?
(a) Buddhism
(b) Vaishnavism
(c) Jainism
(d) Ajivika
Q30. The term “Mandala System” of inter-state relations during the Post-Gupta Period is derived from the ideas of which ancient thinker?
(a) Manu
(b) Kautilya
(c) Kamandaka
(d) Narada
Correct Answers
- (c) Pushyabhuti
- (b) 606 CE
- (b) Harshavardhan
- (c) Priyadarshika
- (c) Banabhatta
- (b) Pulakeshin II
- (b) Pulakeshin I
- (b) Ravikirti
- (b) Pulakeshin II
- (c) Kanchipuram
- (c) Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)
- (b) Pulakeshin II
- (c) Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha)
- (c) Dantidurga
- (b) Krishna I
- (b) Kavirajamarga
- (a) Palas, Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas
- (c) Gopala
- (d) All of the above
- (b) Nagabhata I
- (b) Mihira Bhoja
- (c) Shiva
- (b) Dharmapala
- (c) Vijayalaya
- (c) Prayag Assembly (Moksha Mahaparishad)
- (c) Buddhism
- (c) Mamallapuram
- (b) Rashtrakutas
- (c) Jainism
- (b) Kautilya
Conclusion
The Post-Gupta Period marks one of the most dynamic and transformative phases in Indian history. From the reign of Harshavardhan in the north to the powerful Chalukyas, Pallavas, and Rashtrakutas in the south and Deccan, this period shaped the political and cultural identity of medieval India. The rise of regional kingdoms also led to the flourishing of temple architecture, regional languages, and new philosophical movements.
For aspirants of UPSC, SSC, and other competitive exams, the Post-Gupta Period is a frequently tested topic. Practicing MCQs like the ones above helps in building accuracy and speed during examinations. We recommend revisiting these questions regularly and studying NCERT textbooks alongside standard reference books on ancient and medieval Indian history for thorough preparation.