The Big Questions: Who were the Guptas, and why is the Gupta period sometimes called the classical age in Indian history?
  • A group of Central Asian nomads known for horse breeding, called a classical age because of military conquests alone
  • A family of merchants who controlled sea trade, called a classical age because of shipbuilding
  • A powerful Indian dynasty that ruled a large part of the subcontinent, called a classical age for its achievements in literature, art, science, and governance
  • A confederation of village councils, called a classical age because most people lived in rural areas
The Big Questions: What was happening in the rest of the subcontinent during the Gupta period?
  • Most of the subcontinent was united under a single uninterrupted empire with no regional powers
  • Various regional kingdoms and tribal communities flourished alongside Gupta rule, with active trade and cultural exchange
  • Large parts of the subcontinent were uninhabited and saw little political activity
  • Only foreign empires controlled the south while the north was deserted
The Big Questions: Who were some great figures of the Gupta period, and why do their stories matter today?
  • Examples include Kalidasa, Aryabhata, and Chandragupta II, whose works in literature, science, and governance shaped later Indian culture and knowledge
  • Examples include only foreign travelers, whose stories matter because they ended Gupta rule
  • Examples include anonymous village elders, whose stories matter mainly for local myths with no later influence
  • Examples include seafaring Vikings, whose stories matter because they discovered the subcontinent
THINK ABOUT IT: Why do you think kings chose to proclaim their achievements in the form of inscriptions?
  • Because inscriptions are durable public records that can be displayed on pillars and walls to spread the king’s message widely
  • Because inscriptions were private letters intended to be kept secret by a few officials
  • Because making inscriptions automatically increased tax collection without any other effort
  • Because every kingdom was legally required to issue inscriptions every year
LET’S EXPLORE: Using the map reference (Fig. 7.8), which broad regions did the Gupta Empire cover at its peak?
  • Most of present-day north and west India, along with parts of central and east India
  • Only the southern tip of India around Kanchipura
  • Mainly the Himalayan plateau beyond the Great Himalayan Range
  • Only the far northeast near Kamarupa
Observe the painting of Prabhāvatī Gupta sitting in her court (Fig. 7.10). Based on details such as her elevated seat, formal attire, attendants, and a court setting with pillars and arches, what does the scene most strongly suggest about her role?
  • She holds authority and conducts governance as a queen or regent.
  • She is a traveling merchant meeting customers.
  • She is a scholar studying alone in a monastery.
  • She is an artisan working in a workshop.
According to the Let's Explore activity, Bhavisha and Dhruv travel with their time machine to which historical period?
  • the time of the Guptas
  • the Maurya period
  • the Mughal era
  • the Vedic period
In the Let's Explore activity, who are you getting an opportunity to meet?
  • Aryabhata and Varahamihira
  • Kalidasa and Ashoka
  • Chanakya and Panini
  • Akbar and Birbal
What are students asked to do after dividing the class into two groups in the Let's Explore activity?
  • Create a series of questions for an interview with Aryabhata and Varahamihira
  • Write a poem about clouds and weather
  • Build a model of the solar system
  • Draw a detailed map of Ujjayini
According to the passage, Ayurveda was codified during which historical period?
  • The Gupta period
  • The Mauryan period
  • The Mughal period
  • The Vedic period
Which pair of texts laid the foundation for Ayurvedic practices and were compiled and given their final shape during the Gupta period, as stated in the passage?
  • Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita
  • Rig Veda and Atharva Veda
  • Arthashastra and Manusmriti
  • Ramayana and Mahabharata
What key emphasis of Ayurveda is highlighted in the passage?
  • Holistic healing and a deep connection between mind, body, and nature
  • Exclusive reliance on surgical techniques
  • Focus only on cataloguing diseases
  • Use of imported medicines
The passage lists several topics covered by classical Ayurvedic texts. Which of the following is included?
  • Cataloguing and diagnosing diseases
  • Only the history of rulers
  • Naval architecture
  • Astronomical calculations
According to the section on art, what kind of environment did the Gupta rulers create for creativity and craftsmanship?
  • A supportive environment where creativity and craftsmanship thrived
  • A strictly controlled environment limiting artisans
  • An environment focused solely on warfare
  • A trade-only environment with no patronage for art
Which site is cited as a key centre of Gupta-era art known for exquisite sculptures of the Buddha?
  • Sarnath near Varanasi
  • Nalanda in Bihar
  • Mathura in Uttar Pradesh
  • Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh
The rock-cut caves and detailed carvings at Udayagiri are located in which present-day Indian state, as noted in the passage?
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Maharashtra
  • Gujarat
The passage states that ‘Gupta art’ set high standards in which area?
  • Aesthetics and beauty with a lasting impact
  • Military fortifications
  • Agricultural irrigation
  • Maritime trade routes
Look at the samples of Gupta sculptures in Figures 7.15.1 and 7.15.2. Based on their attributes, which deities are depicted?
  • Ganga and Yamuna
  • Shiva and Parvati
  • Rama and Lakshmana
  • Indra and Agni
In the Gupta-period sculptures of the sacred rivers, on which creature does Ganga stand?
  • A makara (mythical aquatic creature)
  • A lion
  • A bull
  • A peacock
In the Gupta-period sculptures of the sacred rivers, on which creature does Yamuna stand?
  • A tortoise
  • A swan
  • An elephant
  • A horse
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