Harshavardhana MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Harshavardhana - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is: 'Head of village administration'.

Key Points

• The term 'Bhogik' in Harsha's administration referred to the head of village administration.
  • This position was crucial in managing the daily affairs of the village.
  • The Bhogik was responsible for overseeing agricultural activities, maintaining law and order, and implementing the king's policies at the village level.

Incorrect Statements

• Collector of royal share of land production:
  • This role was typically handled by officials like the 'Bhogapati' or 'Karshapati', who collected taxes and ensured the king's share of agricultural produce was delivered.
• Collector of custom duty:
  • This function was managed by a different set of officials responsible for collecting taxes on goods that were imported and exported.
• Collector of toll tax:
  • Toll taxes were usually collected by officials assigned specifically for managing the levies on transportation and trade routes.

Hence, the correct answer is the head of village administration, and other options are related to different specific administrative roles.

Additional Information

• Harsha’s Administration:
  • Harsha Vardhana, ruling in the 7th century, had a well-organized administrative system with a strong emphasis on local governance.
  • His administration was marked by a combination of centralized authority and delegated local governance.
• Village Administration:
  • The village was the basic unit of administration, and the head was crucial in executing the king's orders and policies.
  • This local governance system allowed for efficient and effective management of resources and people at the grassroots level.

The correct answer is - Banskhera inscription

Key Points

• Banskhera Inscription
  • The Banskhera inscription is one of the most significant records from the reign of Harshavardhana, a ruler of the Vardhana dynasty.
  • This inscription is notable for carrying the signature of Harshavardhana himself, which makes it a primary source of historical evidence.
  • It provides detailed information about the political and administrative aspects of Harshavardhana's rule.
  • The inscription is written in Sanskrit and is in the form of a copper plate.
  • It describes Harshavardhana's grants and the lineage of the Vardhana dynasty.

Additional Information

• Madhuban Inscription
  • The Madhuban inscription is another historical record, but it does not carry the signature of Harshavardhana.
  • It provides information on administrative and local governance aspects during the time of Harshavardhana.
• Sonepat Inscription
  • The Sonepat inscription is an important historical document, but it is not directly associated with Harshavardhana's personal signature.
  • It provides insights into the regional history and governance structures of the area.
• Navsari Inscription
  • The Navsari inscription is related to the history of Gujarat and does not pertain to Harshavardhana.
  • It provides information about the local rulers and their administration.

The correct answer is Vardhan period.

Key Points

• The Thaneshwar City of Haryana was at the pinnacle of its glory during Vardhan Period. 
• Vardhan Period/Vardhan Dynasty:
  • The Pushyabhuti dynasty was also known as the Vardhana dynasty.
  • This dynasty ruled in northern India during the 6th and 7th centuries.
  • The dynasty reached its zenith under its last ruler Harsha Vardhana.
  • The Empire of Harsha covered much of north and north-western India, extending till Kamarupa in the east and Narmada River in the south.
  • The dynasty flourished under Prabhakarvardhana (father of Harshavardhana).
    • He assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja.
  • Harshavardhana succeeded the throne in 606 A.D.
    • Harsha was also known as Sakalottarapathanatha.
    • He conquered Magadha.
    • He established his capital at Kannauj.
    • His empire extended from Punjab to northern Orissa and from the Himalayas to the bank of Narmada.
  • The period of Harsha is well documented in Harshacharitra written by Banabhatta.
  • Chinese scholar Hiuen-Tsang visited Harsha's court in 631 A.D.
  • The empire came to an end along with the death of Harshavardhana in 647 A.D.
  • Harshavardhan wrote three Sanskrit plays viz. Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika.
  • Hiuen-Tsang mentioned the grand assembly held at Kannauj in 643 A.D. which was attended by twenty kings, four thousand Buddhist monks, and about three thousand Jains and Brahmans.
  • He also organized Mahamoksha Harishad, a religious festival, at Prayaga (Allahabad).

Additional Information

• The Gupta dynasty/Period:
  • This dynasty was founded by Srigupta in 240 AD.
  • The period of the Gupta Empire is known as the ‘Classical Age’ or the ‘Golden Age’ of Indian history.
  • Fa-Hien was a Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II on a religious mission.
  • Many literary works were composed during this period. They were: 
    • Kalidasa wrote plays such as Abhijnan Shakuntalam and Meghdootam.
    • Vishakhadatta wrote Mudrarakshasa which described Chandragupta as a great king.
    • Bhasa wrote 13 plays with themes drawn from Ramayana and Mahabharat.
    • Dandin wrote Kavyadarsha and Dasakumaracharita.
    • Bhairavi composed Kiratarjuniya which describes the battle between Kirat and Arjuna.
    • Vishnu Sharma wrote Panchtantra. It is a compilation of various stories with themes or messages.
• Sunga Dynasty/Period:
  • They ruled from 184 AD to 75 BCE.
  • Their capital was Patliputra.
  • It was founded by Pushyamitra. There were ten Shunga rulers. 
  • Pushyamitra was the commander of the last Mauryan emperor Vrihadratha.
  • The Shunga dynasty ruled eastern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
  • The ancestors of Shungas originated from the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
  • The capital of the Shunga Dynasty was Patliputra and its Major centers were Ujjain, Mathura, Saket, Sanchi, and Kapilvastu.
• The Maurya Empire/Period:
  • It was founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
  • He reigned from 321-297 BCE.
  • Bindusara was the second emperor of the Mauryan Empire. He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya. He reigned from 297-273 BCE
  • Ashoka, the most famous ruler was the son of Bindusara. He succeeded his father, Bindusara. He reigned from 268-232 BCE.
  • Brihadratha Maurya was the last ruler of the Maurya dynasty. He reigned from 187-180 BCE. He was killed by Pushyamitra Shunga who then established the Shunga dynasty.

The correct answer is Harshvardhan.

Key Points

• Grant of land by 'Sanad' was started by Harshvardhan.
  • ​Harsha’s empire marked the beginning of feudalism in India.
  • During his rule, land was granted in villages and this made the local landlords powerful.
  • This also led to the weakening of the empire and gave rise to local feuds. 
• Harshavardhana belonged to the Pushyabhuti dynasty.
  • Harshavardhana succeeded the throne in 606 A.D.
  • He conquered Magadha and established his capital at Kannauj.
  • His empire extended from Punjab to northern Orissa and from the Himalayas to the bank of Narmada.
  • The period of Harsha is well documented in Harshacharitra written by Banabhatta. 
  • Chinese scholar Hiuen-Tsang visited Harsha's court in 631 A.D. Hiuen-Tsang mentioned the grand assembly held at Kannauj in 643 A.D.
  • He was defeated by the south Indian Emperor Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya dynasty in the Battle of Narmada.
  • The empire came to an end along with the death of Harshavardhana in 647 A.D.
• Harshavardhan wrote three Sanskrit plays viz. Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika.

The correct answer is: 'A person who escorts the people coming to attend the court of the king.'

Note: This question was marked deleted from the official answer key.

Key Points

• Sthapit:
  • This statement is correct.
  • The official called Sthapit in the administration of Harsha played a significant role in managing the court's operations.
  • Sthapits were responsible for escorting people who came to attend the court of the king, ensuring proper protocol and procedures were followed.

Incorrect Statements

• A nocturnal spy:
  • This statement is incorrect.
  • A Sthapit was not involved in activities related to espionage or night watch duties.
• Inspector of the employees of Raniwas:
  • This statement is incorrect.
  • The duties of a Sthapit did not include inspecting employees of the royal quarters (Raniwas).
• A judge:
  • This statement is incorrect.
  • Sthapit was not a judicial official, hence not responsible for passing judgments or overseeing legal proceedings.

Hence, the correct answer is: 'A person who escorts the people coming to attend the court of the king.'

Additional Information

• Administration under Harsha:
  • Harsha's administration was known for its detailed and efficient governance system with designated officials handling various responsibilities.
  • Different roles were assigned to officials to ensure the smooth operation of administrative tasks and the effective management of the kingdom.
• Significance of Role:
  • Roles like that of the Sthapit were crucial in maintaining the protocol and discipline of the royal court.
  • Escorting dignitaries and attendees ensured smooth court functions and proper interaction between the king and his subjects or visitors.

The correct answer is Pulakesin II.

Important Points

• Aihole inscription was written by Ravikirti who was a poet during the reign of Pulakeshi II.
• Aihole is situated in Karnataka and is widely recognized as the Cradle of Indian Architecture.
• It served as the capital of Chalukyas.
• This inscription gives information about the conquests of Pulakesin, especially how he defeated Harshavardhana.

Additional Information

• Pulakeshin II, the King of the Chalukya dynasty defeated Harshavardhana when he seeks to enlarge his Empire into the southern peninsula of India.
• Chalukya king Pulakesin II had defeated Harshavardhan on the banks of River Narmada in 618 AD.

The correct answer is Sanskrit.

Key Points

• The Harshacharita is the biography of Indian emperor Harshavardhana, who ruled North India from 606 to 647 CE and was a ruler of the Vardhana dynasty.
• It was written by Banabhatta, who was a Sanskrit writer in the seventh century CE and was the Court Poet (Asthana Kavi) of Harshavardhana.
• It was the first composition of Banabhatta and marks the beginning of the writing of historical poetic works in the Sanskrit language.
• It was written in poetic prose which narrates the biography of the emperor Harsha in eight chapters.
• It was translated into English by Edward Byles Cowell and Frederic William Thomas in 1897.​

Additional Information

• Banabhatta also wrote the drama 'Kadambri’.
• Emperor Harshavardhana wrote the book Nagananda, Ratnavali, and Priyadarsika.
• Pushyabhuti was the founder of the Vardhana dynasty or Pushyabhuti dynasty.​

The correct answer is Harshavardhana's court poet was Harishena.

Key Points

• Banabhatta was the court poet of king Harshavardhana. Banabhatta wrote Harshvardhan's biography Harshacharita in Sanskrit.
• Harshavardhana was born in 590 AD.
• He belonged to the Vardhana dynasty.
• He ruled North India from 606 AD to 647 AD.
• Kannauj city, present-day Uttar Pradesh was his capital.
• The Chinese Traveller Xuanzang visited the king and wrote about his reign.
• Emperor Samudragupta's court poet was Harisena.

Additional Information

• Harshavardhana was defeated by the south Indian emperor Pulkesin II of the Chalukya Dynasty in the Battle of Narmada.
• Harsha is widely believed to be the author of three Sanskrit plays "Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyadarshika "
• The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visited India during his reign.
• Harshavardhana established a large centre of knowledge which was called Bhadra Vihar at Kannauj.
• Banabhatta's Harshacharita and an account of Hieun Tsang was the major source of information about Harsha's period

The correct answer is Gauda.

Key Points

• Emperor Harshavardhana
  • He is better known as Harsha, lived from 590 to 647 CE and was the last ruler of the Vardhana Empire, the last great empire in ancient India before the Islamic Invasion.
  • He ruled from 606 CE to 647 CE. After Harshavardhana's death, however, the Vardhana or Pushyabhuti Dynasty came to an end and its empire dissolved.
  • Rajyashri was Harshavardhana's sister.
  • Rajyashree was married to Maukhari King Grihavarman. After many years, Grihavarman was defeated and killed in the battle by Devagupta, the king of Malwa.
  • Widow Rajyashree was also taken prisoner. Seeing such untoward happening to his family, Rajyavardhan attacked Malwa and defeated Devgupta.
  • After this, Shashank, the ruler of the Gaur dynasty of West Bengal, made close relations with Rajyavardhan. But Shashank had met the king of Malwa.
  • Shashank betrayed and killed Rajyavardhan.
  • After his brother's death, at the age of 16, Harshavardhana became the undisputed ruler of Thaneshwar and declared war on Shashanka to avenge his brother and embarked upon a campaign of Digvijay, i.e. to conquer the world (which in this context means conquering whole India). 

Additional Information

• Kanyakubja Brahmins
  • It is a Brahmin community found in central India and certain parts of the east, mainly in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Nepal, and Orissa. The word Kanyakubja means Brahmins of the Kannauj region.
• Junagadh
  • It is a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
  • Mahabat Maqbara is the huge 19th-century mausoleum of a local ruler, which showcases intricate Indo-Islamic architectural details.
  • Uparkot Fort, founded around 300 BC, has city views from its ramparts. Within the fort are the stone-cut step-wells Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuwo, plus Buddhist caves. To the west, Darbar Hall Museum is housed in a former palace. 
• Magadha
  • It was a region and one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, 'Great Kingdoms' of the Second Urbanization in what is now south Bihar at the eastern Ganges Plain.
  • Magadha was ruled by the Brihadratha dynasty, the Pradyota dynasty, the Haryanka dynasty, and the Shaishunaga dynasty.

The correct answer is Kannauj.

Key Points

• King Harshvardhan established a large centre of knowledge which was called 'Bhadra-Vihar' at Kannauj.
• King Harshvardhan who ruled from AD 606-647 was the younger son of Prabhakarvardhana.

Important Points

• Kannauj was the capital of Harshavardhana's kingdom which was shifted by him from Thaneshwar.
• King Harshvardhan was one of the greatest kings of the Indian subcontinent.

Additional Information

• The extensive information regarding Harshavardhana's reign is provided by the Harsha Charita of Banabhatta.
• Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, described that Harsha conquered the entire country within the first six years of his reign but he did not occupy even North India completely nor his wars and conquests were limited to the first six years of his reign.

The correct answer is Pulakeshin II.

Key Points

• Pulakeshin II, the King of the Chalukya dynasty defeated Harshavardhana when he seeks to enlarge his Empire into the southern peninsula of India.
• He defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of the Narmada river in 618 AD.
• The Aihole inscription was written by Ravikirti, court poet of Chalukya King Pulakesin II who reigned from 610 to 642 CE.

Additional Information

• The Chalukya dynasty was established by Pulakeshin I in 543.
• Pulakeshin I took Vatapi (modern Badami in Bagalkot district, Karnataka) under his control and made it his capital.
• Pulakeshin I and his descendants are referred to as "Chalukyas of Badami".
• They ruled over an empire that comprised the entire state of Karnataka and most of Andhra Pradesh in the Deccan. 
• The earliest dynasty, known as the "Badami Chalukyas", ruled from Vatapi (modern Badami) from the middle of the 6th century.

The correct answer is Ratnavali

Key PointsKing Harshavardhana

• King Harshavardhana was the son of Prabhakar Vardhana, the founder of the Pushyabhuti Dynasty or the Vardhana Dynasty.
• He is considered one of the most prominent rulers of the 7th century.
• He had ascended the throne of Thaneshwar and Kannauj on the death of his brother, Rajyavardhana, and consolidated his kingdom in northern India.
• He was a Hindu who later embraced Mahayana Buddhism.
• On acquiring Kannauj, Harsha united the two kingdoms of Thanesar and Kannauj.
• He moved his capital to Kannauj.
• There were two types of territories under Harsha. One was directly under him and the other type was those that were feudatories.

1. Direct territories: Central Provinces, Bengal, Kalinga, Rajputana, Gujarat
2. Feudatories: Jalandhar, Kashmir, Kamarupa, Sind, Nepal.

• Hiuen Tsang visited India during Harsha’s reign. He has given a very favorable account of king Harsha and his empire. He praises his generosity and justice.
• Harsha was a great patron of the arts. He himself was an accomplished writer. He is credited with the Sanskrit works Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, and Nagananda.
• Banabhatta was his court poet and he composed the Harshacharita which gives an account of Harsha’s life and deeds.

The correct answer is ​Banabhatta.

Key Points

• Harshavardhana was a ruler of the Vardhana (Pushyabhuti) dynasty.
• He ruled north India from 606 CE to 647 CE.
• He belongs to Vaishya Varna.
• Harshavardhana ruled nearly 1400 years ago.
• He was a supreme devotee of Lord Shiva.
• His court poet, Banabhatta, wrote his biography, the Harshacharita, in Sanskrit.
• This gives us the genealogy of Harsha and ends with his becoming king.
• Xuan Zang also spent a lot of time at Harsha’s court and left a detailed account of what he saw.
• Harsha was not the eldest son of his father but became king of Thanesar after both his father and elder brother died.
• Harsha took over the kingdom of Kanauj and then led an army against the ruler of Bengal to take revenge of his brother-in-law, the ruler of Kanauj and he was killed by the ruler of Bengal.
• Although he was successful in the east, and conquered Magadha and probably Bengal also, he was not as successful elsewhere.
• He tried to cross the Narmada to march into the Deccan but was stopped by a ruler belonging to the Chalukya dynasty, Pulakeshin II.

Additional Information

• Kalidasa:
  • Kalidasa was a Classical Sanskrit writer, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language of India.
  • Kalidasa wrote three plays: Malavikagnimitram, Abhijnanasakuntalam and Vikramorvasiyam.
  • Kalidasa was a court poet of Chandragupta-II of the Gupta Dynasty.
• Charaka:
  • Born in 300 BC Acharya Charak was one of the key contributors to Ayurveda’s ancient art and science, medicine, and lifestyle system developed in Ancient India.
  • Charak was crowned to be the Father of Medicine.
  • Charak was the court physician of Kanishka I.
• Chanakya:
  • Chanakya, also called Kautilya or Vishnugupta, (flourished 300 BCE), Hindu statesman and philosopher who wrote a classic treatise on polity, Artha-shastra - a compilation of almost everything that had been written in India up to his time regarding artha (property, economics, or material success).
  • Kautilya, popularly known as Chanakya, was the prime minister and the chief advisor of king Chandragupta Maurya.
  • He was considered to be the main force behind the fall of the Nanda Empire and the rise of the Mauryan Empire.

The correct answer is Harshavardhana.

Key Points

• Banabhatta was an Indian poet and Sanskrit prose writer of the 7th century AD.
• He was the Asthana Kavi in the court of King Harsha Vardhana, who reigned from 606 AD to 647 AD in north India first from Sthanvishvara (Thanesar), and later Kannauj.
• The Harshacharita (Deeds of Harsha), a biography of Harsha, and Kadambari, one of the world's first novels, are among Banabhatta's most important writings. 

Additional Information

• Harshavardhana was a ruler of India who ruled throughout northern India.
• He was a member of the Vardhana dynasty, and the younger brother of Rajyavardhana, a king of Thanesar, present-day Haryana, and was the son of Prabhakaravardhana who defeated the Alchon Huna invaders.
• When Harsha attempted to expand his Empire into the southern peninsula of India, he was defeated by the south Indian Emperor Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya dynasty in the Battle of Narmada.

The correct answer is Kannauj.

Key Points

• Harshavardhana was an Indian Emperor, who ruled over the northern parts of India from 606 A.D to 647 A.D.

• His earliest capital was Thaneswar, present-day Haryana. [Mistake point]
• After his accession, King Harshavardhan united the two kingdoms of Thanesar and Kannauj.
• He also shifted his capital from Thanesar to Kannauj.
• Thus, in the 7th Century CE, the capital of Harshavardhana's Empire was Kannauj.

Additional Information

• In general, there was prosperity within the empire.
• Agriculture, industries, and trade, both internal and external, were in a flourishing condition.
• Cities like- Peshawar and Taxila in the North-West were, of course, destroyed by the invasions of the Hunas, and Mathura and Pataliputra had lost their previous significance, but Prayagraj (Allahabad), Banaras, and Kannauj were prosperous cities within the empire.
• In the 7th century CE, the capital city, Kannauj was an extensive, prosperous and well-protected city. It had large buildings, beautiful gardens, and swimming pools. It was inhabited by rich, cultured, and highly learned people.
• The people, in general, were interested in literary activities and fine arts.