Northern Kingdoms Quiz - witty version

What was Chandragupta I's clever strategy for expanding his empire?

• Conquering the entire subcontinent in one swoop

• Marrying a princess from the Licchavi kingdom

• Performing the Ashvamedha sacrifice every year

• Hiring a famous poet to write glowing tales about him

Samudragupta is famous for…

• Having the best beard in ancient India

• Running the most peaceful and uneventful reign in Gupta history

• Expanding the empire by conquering over 20 kingdoms

• Inventing the first ancient Indian board game

What peculiar feature of the Mehrauli Iron Pillar is often highlighted?

• It magically grants wishes to anyone who touches it

• It has survived over 1,600 years without rusting

• It serves as a sundial for the entire city

• It was built using the first known instance of 3D printing

Who earned the title 'Vikramaditya' after defeating the Hunas?

• Chandragupta I

• Skandagupta

• Harshavardhana

• Hsuan Tsang

Why is the period of Chandragupta II’s rule often referred to as the 'Golden Age'?

• Because gold coins were minted like confetti at a parade

• Because he introduced the first official Gupta Empire currency

• Because the empire saw flourishing trade, art, and literature

• Because he turned everything literally golden, Midas-style

Harshavardhana, the last great emperor of ancient India, was ultimately defeated by…

• Skandagupta, who came back from retirement

• Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya Dynasty

• A herd of very disgruntled elephants

• His own army, after a botched Ashvamedha ceremony

According to Hsuan Tsang, the streets in ancient India were…

• Paved with gold coins

• As spotless as a royal palace

• Circular and dirty

• Filled with sacred cows wearing garlands

What was the primary focus of education during the Gupta Empire?

• Learning to mint coins with one's face on them

• Studying religious texts and oral teachings

• Training for military conquests

• Practicing rust-resistant metallurgy

What did Harshavardhana’s empire notably export to foreign countries?

• Gold and silver statues of Gupta emperors

• Fine garments, spices, and medicinal herbs

• Rust-resistant iron pillars

• Ancient board games to amuse foreign kings

Which religion emerged as the more popular faith during the Gupta period?

• Mahayana Buddhism

• Bhagavatism, worship of Vishnu

• Jainism

• The worship of rust-free iron pillars