WorksheetsSources of Early India Quiz
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 30mins
Which of the following literary works provides a historical chronicle of the rulers of Kashmir up to the 12th century CE?
Prithvirajraso, written by Chand Bardai
Rajatarangini, written by Kalhana
Harshacharita, written by Banabhatta
Vikramankadevacharita, written by Bilhana
Which text is written in shlesha (double meaning) and tells the stories of both Ramapala and the Epic Hero Rama?
Harshacharita
Ramacharita
Vikramankadevacharita
Rajatarangini
What is the significance of Banabhatta’s Harshacharita?
It is an eulogistic biography of the Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI.
It is a historical chronicle of the Chauhan ruler Prithviraj Chauhan.
It is a royal biography of King Harshavardhana.
It is an account of the Pala dynasty rulers.
Which of the following texts is an early medieval agricultural manual from Bengal?
Lekkapaddhati
Krishi-Parashara
Ramacharita
Rajatarangini
Which of the following texts provides models of legal documents and was written in Sanskrit and Prakrit around the 13th century CE?
Harshacharita
Vikramankadevacharita
Lekkapaddhati
Rajatarangini
Which Chinese traveler visited India in the early medieval period and documented his observations?
Sulaiman
Al-Masudi
Xuanzang
Ibn Haukal
Which Arab traveler’s accounts provide information about early medieval Indian trade?
Chand Bardai
Bilhana
Ibn Haukal
Sandhyakaranandin
Which inscription was composed by Ravi Kirti and provides details about the Chalukya dynasty?
Banskhera inscription
Madhuban inscription
Aihole inscription
Uttaramerur inscription
The Banskhera inscription belongs to which ruler’s reign?
Pulakeshin II
Vikramaditya II
Harshavardhana
Rajendra I
Which inscription provides details about the local governance system in medieval South India?
Banskhera inscription
Uttaramerur inscription
Aihole inscription
Madhuban inscription
What does numismatic evidence from early medieval India tell us?
The spread of Buddhism in India
The decline of regional powers
The issuance of gold, silver, and copper coins by regional powers
The expansion of Mughal rule
Which Chola king built a new capital at Gangaikondacholapuram?
Rajendra I
Rajaraja I
Vikramaditya II
Harshavardhana
Why was the Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal built?
To commemorate the unification of South India
To celebrate the conquest of Kanchipuram by Vikramaditya II
As a pilgrimage site for Jain monks
To commemorate the victory of Rajendra I over Mahapala
What is the primary focus of early medieval sources in India?
They exclusively document religious developments.
They provide insight into society, polity, economy, and culture.
They only record the lives of kings and emperors.
They are mainly focused on military campaigns.
Which category of sources includes court poets writing royal biographies?
Archaeological sources
Literary sources
Numismatic sources
Monumental sources
Which of the following sources is an example of monumental evidence?
Harshacharita
Prithvirajraso
Gangaikondacholapuram
Lekkapaddhati
What does the term Early Medieval in Indian history refer to?
The period between 750-1206 CE
The period between 1200-1500 CE
The period between 600-1200 CE
The period between 500-1000 CE
Why are inscriptions an important source of historical information?
They provide firsthand accounts of rulers, administration, and events.
They are fictional accounts created for entertainment.
They only describe religious rituals.
They focus only on trade and commerce.
Which of the following sources provides both direct and indirect historical information?
Literary sources
Monumental sources
Epigraphic sources
Numismatic sources
The rise of samantas marked a shift from centralized to decentralized administration in early medieval India.
Samantas were initially neighboring rulers, later became tributary rulers, and had limited autonomy under the king.
Samantas were initially neighboring rulers, later became tributary rulers, and often held more power than central court officers.
Samantas were initially royal governors, later became independent rulers, and always remained loyal to the king.
Samantas were initially appointed officers, later became feudal lords, and had no political influence.
The process of samantisation led to the weakening of central authority.
It granted officers land instead of salaries, strengthened the ruler’s power, and centralized administration.
It increased the number of samantas, weakened the king’s direct control, and led to administrative fragmentation.
It reduced the influence of samantas, strengthened central officers, and enhanced royal power.
It was primarily an economic reform, reduced land grants, and increased reliance on cash payments.
Samantas played a key role in the medieval court system.
They attended the durbar, increased the king’s prestige, and remained loyal without seeking autonomy.
They attended the durbar, added to royal splendor, and sometimes aimed to dominate the samantacakra.
They attended the durbar, weakened the king’s power, and always remained subordinate to governors.
They did not attend the durbar, had no role in administration, and were not involved in political affairs.
The granting of land assignments instead of cash salaries had significant consequences.
It increased the power of the ruler, ensured administrative stability, and made samantas dependent on the king.
It led to the erosion of royal authority, encouraged samantas to seek independence, and fragmented the kingdom.
It reduced the influence of samantas, strengthened the central administration, and maintained imperial control.
It prevented samantas from acquiring more wealth, centralized administration, and ensured a loyal bureaucracy.
The title mahasamanta was given to powerful samantas in medieval India.
The king of Valabhi received this title after defeating Harsha and became a vassal of the Chalukyas.
The king of Valabhi received this title after being defeated by Harsha and gained positions such as Guardian of the Royal Gateway.
The king of Valabhi received this title for military conquests and established his own independent kingdom.
The king of Valabhi received this title after conquering northern India and abolishing the samantacakra system.
The samantacakra system contributed to political instability.
It strengthened central control, reduced the power of samantas, and prevented territorial fragmentation.
It increased royal prestige, maintained political stability, and ensured that samantas remained subordinate.
It allowed powerful samantas to challenge royal authority, reduced the king’s influence, and contributed to the kingdom’s decline.
It eliminated the need for land grants, centralized administration, and improved economic stability.
How did samantas gain more power over time?
They were granted land, gained court positions, and eventually became more influential than royal governors.
They were appointed as administrators, received fixed salaries, and always remained loyal to the king.
They were recruited as soldiers, received cash payments, and
The second Huna invasion, led by (a) , successfully overthrew the Gupta Empire and established control over Gandhar and central Punjab.
The economic impact of the Huna invasions included the decline of major trade centers such as (a) , Ujjain, and Vidisha.
The defeat of Mihirkula in 528 CE by a coalition led by (a) marked the end of Huna dominance in India and was commemorated through an inscription in Mandasaur.
Mihirkula was infamous for his (a) policies, which led to the destruction of monasteries and weakened Buddhism in the northwestern regions.
