๐น What is History?
Q: What is the study of the past called?
A: History
Q: From which Greek word is 'History' derived?
A: Historia
Q: Who is known as the first historian of the world?
A: Herodotus
Q: What is the title of Herodotus' only work?
A: The Histories
Q: Who first called Herodotus 'The Father of History'?
A: Cicero
๐น Historians and Philosophers
Q: Who is known as the Father of Modern History?
A: Leopold von Ranke
Q: Which German philosopher proposed the 'Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis' theory?
A: Hegel
Q: Who extended Hegel’s idea with the phrase “History repeats itself”?
A: Karl Marx
Q: Who said, “History is a continuous process of interaction…”?
A: E. H. Carr
๐น System of Dating: BC and AD
Q: What does BC stand for?
A: Before Christ
Q: What does AD stand for?
A: Anno Domini
Q: What is the meaning of Anno Domini?
A: In the year of the Lord (Jesus Christ)
Q: Who was born in 563 BC and died in 483 BC?
A: Gautama Buddha
Q: When was Alexander the Great born and when did he die?
A: Born in 356 BC, died in 323 BC
Q: When was Jesus Christ crucified?
A: 30 AD
Q: When did Kushana ruler Kanishka ascend the throne?
A: 78 AD
Q: When was Hazrat Muhammad born and when did he die?
A: Born in 570 AD, died in 632 AD
๐น Time Terminologies
Q: What is the term for a period of 10 years?
A: Decade
Q: What is the term for 25 years of a century?
A: Quarter
Q: What is the term for first 50 years of a century?
A: First Half
Q: What is the term for last 50 years of a century?
A: Second Half
Q: What is the term for a period of 100 years?
A: Century
Q: What is the term for a period of 1000 years?
A: Millennium
Q: What does the term 'Circa' or 'Ca.' indicate?
A: Approximate or uncertain date
๐น Understanding Centuries and Decades
Q: What does the first decade of 20th century mean?
A: 1901 to 1910 AD
Q: What does the fifth decade of 20th century mean?
A: 1941 to 1950 AD
Q: What does the eighth decade of 20th century mean?
A: 1971 to 1980 AD
Q: What does the last decade of 20th century mean?
A: 1991 to 2000 AD
Q: What does the first quarter of 20th century mean?
A: 1901 to 1925 AD
๐น Century and Millennium Calculation
Q: What is the time period of the fourth quarter of 20th century AD?
A: 1975 AD to 2000 AD
Q: What is the first half of 20th century AD?
A: 1901 AD to 1950 AD
Q: What is the second half of 20th century AD?
A: 1951 AD to 2000 AD
Q: 6th century BC corresponds to which years?
A: 600 BC to 501 BC
Q: 16th century AD refers to which years?
A: 1501 AD to 1600 AD
Q: What is the period of First Millennium BC?
A: 1000 BC to 1 BC
Q: What is the period of Second Millennium AD?
A: 1001 AD to 2000 AD
๐น Development of Calendars
Q: Who introduced the Julian Calendar and when?
A: Roman King Julius Caesar in 46 BC
Q: Who introduced the Christian Calendar and when?
A: Monk Dionysius Exiguus in 527 AD
Q: Who introduced the Gregorian Calendar and when?
A: Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 AD
Q: Gregorian Calendar is a modification of which calendar?
A: Christian Calendar
๐น National Calendar and Eras
Q: Which calendar is used officially in India?
A: Saka Samvata (Saka Calendar)
Q: When was the Saka Calendar adopted officially in India?
A: 22 March 1957 (1st Chaitra 1879 Saka)
๐น Important Eras and Their Founders
Q: When did Kali era begin?
A: 3102/3101 BC
Q: When did Saka era start?
A: 78 AD
Q: Who founded the Vikram Samvat era?
A: Vikramaditya (85/57 BC)
Q: Who founded the Gupta era?
A: Chandragupta I
Q: Who started the Hijri era and when?
A: Umar, second Caliph, in 622 AD
Q: Who started the Raj Saka era and when?
A: Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1674 AD
Q: Who introduced the Ilahi era and when?
A: Akbar in 1584 AD
๐น Conversion of Eras
Q: What is added to AD to convert to Vikrama era?
A: 57
E.g.: 2013 + 57 = 2070 (Vikrama)
Q: What is subtracted from Vikrama to get AD?
A: 57
E.g.: 2070 - 57 = 2013 (AD)
Q: What is subtracted from AD to get Saka era?
A: 78
E.g.: 2013 - 78 = 1935 (Saka)
Q: What is added to Saka to get AD?
A: 78
E.g.: 1935 + 78 = 2013 (AD)
Q: How is Hijri year calculated from AD?
A: (C − 622) × 33 ÷ 32
E.g.: (2013 − 622) × 33 ÷ 32 = 1434 H
Q: How is AD calculated from Hijri year?
A: (H × 32 ÷ 33) + 622
E.g.: (1434 × 32 ÷ 33) + 622 = 2013 AD
๐น Period Division of History
Q: Into how many periods is history generally divided?
A: Two (Pre-Historic and Historic)
Q: What is the period called before the beginning of writing?
A: Pre-Historic Period
Q: What is the time span of Pre-Historic Period?
A: 30,00,000 BC – 2,500 BC
Q: What is the period called with undeciphered written records?
A: Proto-Historic Period
Q: What is the time span of Proto-Historic Period?
A: 2,500 BC – 600 BC
Q: What is the period called with written records?
A: Historic Period
Q: What is the time span of Historic Period?
A: 600 BC – Till date
๐น Tripartite Division (Christoph Cellarius)
Q: Who introduced the tripartite division of history?
A: Christoph Cellarius
Q: What are the three periods of Cellarius’ history division?
A: Ancient, Medieval, Modern
๐น Indian History Four Periods Division
Q: What is the time period of Ancient India?
A: Beginning – 647 AD
Q: What is the time period of Medieval India?
A: 647 – 1757 AD
Q: What is the time period of Modern India?
A: 1757 – 1990 AD
Q: What is the time period of Post-Modern India?
A: 1991 – Till date
๐น Sub-Periods in Ancient India
Q: What is the time period of Indus Civilization?
A: 2,500 BC – 1,750 BC
Q: What is the time period of Vedic Culture?
A: 1,500 BC – 600 BC
Q: What is the time period of Maurya Period?
A: 322 BC – 185 BC
Q: What is the time period of Gupta Period?
A: 319 AD – 550 AD
Q: What is the time period of Post-Gupta/Vardhana Period?
A: 550 AD – 647 AD
๐น Medieval Period Subdivision
Q: What is the time span of Early Medieval Period?
A: 647 – 1206
Q: What is the time span of Sultanate Period?
A: 1206 – 1526
Q: What is the time span of Mughal Period?
A: 1526 – 1707
๐น Modern Period Subdivision
Q: What is the time span of Modern Period?
A: 1757 – 1990
Q: What are the phases of British Colonialism?
A: Mercantile, Industrial, Financial
Q: What is the Mercantile Phase time span?
A: 1757 – 1813
Q: What is the Industrial Phase time span?
A: 1813 – 1860
Q: What is the Financial Phase time span?
A: 1860 – 1947
๐น British Policy Towards Native States
Q: What is the time period of Ring Fence Policy?
A: 1757 – 1813
Q: What is the time period of Subordinate Isolation Policy?
A: 1813 – 1858
Q: What is the time period of Subordinate Union Policy?
A: 1858 – 1935
Q: What is the time period of Equal Federation Policy?
A: 1935 – 1947
๐น Indian National Movement Phases
Q: What is the time period of First Phase of Congress?
A: 1885 – 1905
Q: What is the time period of Second Phase of Congress?
A: 1905 – 1917
Q: What is the time period of Third Phase of Congress?
A: 1917 – 1947
๐น Historical Sources
Q: What are the two main types of historical sources?
A: Literary and Archaeological
Q: Which source is more reliable: Literary or Archaeological?
A: Archaeological
Q: Into how many categories are literary sources divided?
A: Two (Indigenous and Foreign)
Q: What are the two types of Indigenous Sources?
A: Religious and Secular
Q: Which texts are included under Brahmanic texts?
A: Shruti and Smriti texts
Q: What are Shruti texts examples?
A: Samhitas/Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads
Q: What are Smriti texts examples?
A: Vedangas, Sutras, Epics, Puranas
Q: Name the four Samhitas or Vedas.
A: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda
๐น Vedic Literature
Q: When was Rig Veda composed?
A: 1500 BC – 1000 BC
Q: In which region was Rig Veda composed?
A: Sapta Sindhu region
Q: When were Yajur, Sam, and Atharva Vedas composed?
A: 1100 BC – 600 BC
Q: In which region were Yajur, Sam, and Atharva Vedas composed?
A: Kuru-Panchala region
Q: When were Brahmanas composed?
A: 1000 BC – 600 BC
Q: When were Aranyakas composed?
A: 1000 BC – 600 BC
Q: When were Upanishads composed?
A: 1000 BC – 500 BC
Q: What is 'Para-Vidya' in Upanishads?
A: Spiritual learning, merging the soul with the supreme soul.
Q: When were Vedangas composed?
A: 600 BC – 200 AD
Q: When were Smritis composed?
A: 600 BC – 600 AD
Q: What is the composing time of Epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata)?
A: 400 BC – 400 AD
๐น Ramayana & Mahabharata
Q: Who wrote Ramayana?
A: Valmiki
Q: What does Mahabharata mention about India?
A: Describes it as “Yann Bharat Tann Bharat” and mentions Yavanas, Sakas, and Huns.
๐น Puranas
Q: When were Puranas composed?
A: 400 BC – 400 AD
Q: What are the five main topics of Puranas?
A: Sarga, Pratisarga, Vamsa, Manvantar, Vansanucharitam
Q: Name four main Vedic Puranas.
A: Matsya, Bhagawat, Vishnu, Garud Puran
๐น Buddhist Texts
Q: How are Buddhist texts divided?
A: Pali Texts and Anupalit Texts
Q: Which council compiled Vinaya Pitaka?
A: First Buddhist Council (483 BC)
Q: Which council compiled Abhidhamma Pitaka?
A: Third Buddhist Council (250 BC)
Q: What does 'Vinaya Pitaka' contain?
A: Disciplinary rules for monastic life
Q: What is the largest and most important text of Tripitaka?
A: Sutta Pitaka
Q: What is 'Jataka'?
A: Stories of previous births of Gautama Buddha
Q: When did the compilation of 'Jataka' begin?
A: 1st Century BC
Q: When was the prose part of 'Jataka' completed?
A: 2nd Century AD
Q: What is 'Abhidhamma Pitaka' about?
A: Philosophical teachings of Buddha
Q: When was 'Deep Vansha' compiled?
A: 4th Century AD
Q: When was 'Maha Vansha' compiled?
A: 5th Century AD
Q: Who is associated with 'Milindapanho'?
A: Indo-Greek ruler Menander and Buddhist monk Nagasena
Q: What is 'Divyavadana'?
A: Contains stories of Gautam Buddha and Mauryan kings
๐น Jain Texts
Q: When were Jain texts compiled?
A: 6th century AD
Q: Where was the Jain Mahasabha held?
A: Vallabhi in Gujarat
Q: How many Angas are important in Jain texts?
A: 12 Angas
Q: Which Jain text discusses Karma Phala (fruits of actions)?
A: Vyavaharyam Sutra
Q: Who wrote the most important Jain text 'Parishishtaparva'?
A: Jain Acharya Hemchandra
๐น Historical Texts
Q: Who wrote 'Arthashastra'?
A: Kautilya (Chanakya)
Q: When was 'Arthashastra' compiled?
A: 4th century BC
Q: Who wrote 'Neetisar'?
A: Kamandaka
Q: Who wrote 'Shukraneetisara'?
A: Shukra
Q: Who wrote 'Neetisar Neetikavyamrita'?
A: Somdev Suri
Q: Who composed 'Brihaspati's Arthashastra'?
A: Brihaspati
Q: What is the earliest historical writing in India?
A: Rajatarangini by Kalhana
Q: When was 'Rajatarangini' written?
A: 12th century AD
Q: Name important chronicles of Gujarat.
A: Prabandh Kosh, Hammir Mad Mardan, Tejpal Prashasti, Prabhandha Chintamani
๐น Semi-Historical Texts
Q: Which text mentions the political condition of Pre-Maurya & Maurya period?
A: Panini’s 'Ashtadhyayi'
Q: Which text is part of 'Yug Puran'?
A: 'Gargi Samhita'
Q: Who wrote 'Mahabhashya'?
A: Patanjali
Q: Which is the first play written by Kalidasa?
A: 'Malavikagnimitra'
Q: Which drama describes Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya?
A: 'Mudrarakshasa' by Vishakhadatta
๐น Biographical Texts
Q: What is 'Prashasti Kavya'?
A: Eulogy verse glorifying kings
Q: Who wrote 'Harsha Charita'?
A: Banabhatta
Q: When was 'Harsha Charita' composed?
A: 620 AD
Q: Who wrote 'Gaudavaho'?
A: Vakpatiraj
Q: Who wrote 'Navasahansaka Charita'?
A: Padmagupta Parimal
Q: Who wrote 'Bhoj Prabandha'?
A: Ballal
๐น Biographical Texts Continued
Q: Who wrote 'Vikramanka Charita'?
A: Bilhana
Q: Which king is associated with 'Vikramanka Charita'?
A: Vikramaditya VI
Q: Who wrote 'Ramcharita'?
A: Sandhyakar Nandin
Q: Which dynasty's history is described in 'Ramcharita'?
A: Pala Dynasty
Q: Who composed 'Ballalacharita'?
A: Anand Bhatt
Q: Who wrote 'Prithviraj Raso'?
A: Chandbardai
Q: What is 'Prithviraj Raso' famous for?
A: First epic of Hindi language
Q: Who wrote 'Achyutarajabhyudaya'?
A: Rajanath II
๐น Court Poets and Patron Kings
Q: Who was the court poet of Harshavardhana?
A: Banabhatta
Q: Who was the court poet of Yashovarman?
A: Vakpatiraja
Q: Who was the court poet of Vikramaditya VI?
A: Bilhana
Q: Who was the court poet of Prithviraj III?
A: Chandbardai
๐น Foreign Sources
Q: Name the four main foreign sources categories.
A: Greek-Roman, Chinese, Tibetan, Arabian (Arab)
Q: Who is called the 'Father of History'?
A: Herodotus
Q: Who was the first Greek writer to write about India?
A: Scylax
Q: Which Greek historian’s knowledge was limited to the Indus Valley?
A: Hecataeus Miletus
Q: Who wrote the book 'Histories'?
A: Herodotus
Q: Which Greek physician served the Persian emperor Artaxerxes?
A: Ktesias
Q: Who was Alexander’s classmate and admiral?
A: Nearchus
Q: Which writers quoted Nearchus' original book?
A: Arrian and others
๐น Greek Writers Continued
Q: Who was the pilot of Alexander’s naval fleet?
A: Onesicritus
Q: Who wrote the biography of Alexander the Great?
A: Onesicritus
Q: Who was the Greek ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya’s court?
A: Megasthenes
Q: What book did Megasthenes write on India?
A: Indica
Q: Which ancient city was the capital of Chandragupta Maurya?
A: Pataliputra
Q: What is Megasthenes' book 'Indica' known for?
A: First book through which Europe knew about India
Q: Who wrote about the 7 castes of Indians?
A: Megasthenes
Q: Who was the Greek ambassador at Bindusara’s court?
A: Deimachus
Q: Who was the naval admiral of Ptolemy II?
A: Eudoxus
Q: Who wrote 'Bibliotheca Historica'?
A: Diodorus
Q: Who wrote the text 'Geographia'?
A: Strabo
Q: Who described Chandragupta Maurya as Sandrokottus?
A: Plutarch
Q: Which Greek writer made a voyage to the Indian coast around 80 AD?
A: Anonymous writer of 'Periplus of the Erythrean Sea'
Q: Who wrote 'Anabasis of Alexander'?
A: Arrian
Q: Who provided valuable information about Indo-Roman trade?
A: Pliny
๐น Roman/Latin Writers
Q: Who was the famous Roman historian contemporary to Kushana ruler Kanishka?
A: Pliny
Q: Which Roman text describes India’s plants, minerals, and trade?
A: 'Naturalis Historia'
๐น Roman and Greek Writers
Q: Who wrote the book 'Geography' about ancient trade between India and Rome?
A: Ptolemy (2nd Century AD)
Q: Which Roman historian’s book contains information about Chandragupta Maurya?
A: Justin (3rd Century AD)
Q: Who described Chandragupta Maurya as Sandrocottus?
A: Justin and Plutarch
๐น Chinese Writers
Q: Who was the first Chinese writer to write about India?
A: Suma Chien (145 BC – 85 BC)
Q: Who wrote 'Annals of the Earlier Han'?
A: Pan Kou & Fanye (78–145 AD)
Q: Who visited India during the Gupta ruler Chandragupta II Vikramaditya’s reign?
A: Fa-Hien (399–414 AD)
Q: Who visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana?
A: Hiuen Tsang (629–645 AD)
Q: Who visited Kanchipuram and stayed there for a long time?
A: Hiuen Tsang
Q: Who wrote 'Si-Yu-Ki' (Buddhist Records of the Western World)?
A: Hiuen Tsang
Q: Who wrote a biography of Hiuen Tsang?
A: Hwei Li
๐น Tibetan Writers
Q: Who wrote 'Kangyur' and 'Tangyur'?
A: Taranath (12th Century AD)
Q: Who studied at Nalanda for 3 years?
A: Dharmaswamy (13th Century AD)
๐น Arabian / Arabic Writers
Q: Who was the first Arab traveler whose account is available?
A: Sulaiman (851 AD)
Q: Who wrote 'Kitab-al-Masalik wa Mamalik'?
A: Ibn Khurdadbih (864 AD)
Q: Who wrote 'Futuh-ul-Buldan'?
A: Al Biladuri (Died 892 AD)
Q: Who visited India during the reign of Gurjar Pratihara king Mahipal-I?
A: Al Masudi (Died 956 AD)
๐น Arabian and Foreign Writers
Q: Who made the first cartographic map of India?
A: Ibn Hawqal (943–97 AD)
Q: Who is known as the 'First Real Indologist'?
A: Al-Biruni (973–1048 AD)
Q: Who wrote 'Tahqiq-i-Hind' (Reality of India)?
A: Al-Biruni
Q: Who gave Al-Biruni the title of 'Vidya Sagar'?
A: Hindus
Q: Who wrote 'Tarikh-ul-Hind'?
A: Al-Biruni
Q: Who was the famous Moroccan traveler who visited India?
A: Ibn Batuta (1304–69 AD)
Q: Who wrote the book 'Rihla'?
A: Ibn Batuta
Q: Who visited Vijayanagar during the reign of Devaraya II?
A: Abdurrazzak (1413–82 AD)
Q: What book did Abdurrazzak write on Vijayanagar?
A: 'Malta-us-Saadan-wa-Bahrain'
๐น Archaeological Sources
Q: Who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal?
A: Sir William Jones (1784 AD)
Q: Who deciphered the Brahmi script?
A: James Prinsep (1799–1840 AD)
Q: Who identified the Mauryan king 'Ashoka' from Buddhist texts?
A: George Turnour (1799–1842 AD)
Q: Who was the British army engineer who helped explain James Prinsep’s work?
A: Sir Alexander Cunningham
๐น Indian Archaeology & Sir Alexander Cunningham
Q: Who is known as the Father of Indian Archaeology?
A: Sir Alexander Cunningham
Q: When was the Archaeological Survey of India founded?
A: 1861 AD
Q: Who succeeded Cunningham and served from 1902 to 1928?
A: Sir John Marshall
Q: Who discovered Harappa in 1921?
A: Dayaram Sahni
Q: Who discovered Mohenjodaro in 1922?
A: Rakhal Das Banerji
Q: When was the formal announcement of the discovery of Indus Civilization made?
A: 1924 by Sir John Marshall
๐น Kinds of Archaeological Sources
Q: What are the three types of archaeological sources?
A: Inscriptions, Coins, Monuments
Q: What is the study of inscriptions called?
A: Epigraphy
Q: What is the study of coins called?
A: Numismatics
Q: When was the Numismatic Society of India founded?
A: 1910 AD in Allahabad
๐น Foreign Inscriptions
Q: Where was the Boghazkoi Inscription found?
A: Asia Minor (Turkey), discovered in 1906
Q: What language is used in Boghazkoi Inscription?
A: Cuneiform
Q: Which deities are mentioned in Boghazkoi Inscription?
A: Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Nasatya
Q: What do the Behistun and Naqsh-i-Rustam inscriptions indicate?
A: Darius I’s conquest of ‘Hindu’ (Sindhu) valley
Q: What is the script of Iranian inscriptions?
A: Persian and Cuneiform
๐น Indigenous Inscriptions
Q: Where is the Piparahwa Buddhist Urn inscription found?
A: Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh
Q: Where is the Barli inscription found?
A: Ajmer district, Rajasthan
Q: Which are the earliest deciphered indigenous inscriptions?
A: Ashokan Inscriptions
Q: Who deciphered the Ashokan Inscriptions?
A: James Prinsep in 1837
๐น Ashokan Inscriptions
Q: How many Ashokan inscriptions have been found till date?
A: 40
Q: Which of Ashoka’s queens is mentioned in the inscriptions?
A: Karuvaki
Q: Which of Ashoka’s children is mentioned?
A: Tevar
Q: Which community is referred to as ‘Pasand’ in Ashokan inscriptions?
A: Jain community
Q: What is the unique feature of the Bhabru inscription?
A: Only Ashokan inscription in which Ashoka called himself ‘Magadhraj’ (King of Magadh)
Q: In how many inscriptions is the name ‘Ashoka’ used?
A: Found in Maski, Gujarra, Nittur & Udegolam
Q: What language and script are most Ashokan inscriptions written in?
A: Prakrit language and Brahmi script
Q: Which scripts were used in Ashokan inscriptions outside central India?
A: Kharosthi in North-West India; Greek and Aramaic in Afghanistan
Q: What is the earliest known Ashokan inscription?
A: Meerut-Delhi Pillar Edict discovered in 1750 AD
Q: Who discovered the Meerut-Delhi Pillar Inscription?
A: Joseph Tiefenthaler
Q: Which inscription mentions four successors of Ashoka?
A: Allahabad Pillar Edict
Q: Which inscription was later used by Saka ruler Rudradaman and Gupta ruler Skandagupta?
A: Junagadh Major Rock Edict
Q: What is the only Ashokan inscription written in both Greek and Aramaic?
A: Shahbazgarhi & Mansehra Inscriptions
Q: Who wrote the book ‘Ashoka’ based on Ashokan inscriptions?
A: D. R. Bhandarkar
Q: Which inscription is evidence of Ashoka’s donation to Ajivika monks?
A: Nagarjuni Cave Inscription (220 BC)
๐น Post-Mauryan Inscriptions
Q: Where is the Heliodorus pillar inscription located?
A: Besnagar, Madhya Pradesh
Q: Who erected the Heliodorus pillar?
A: Heliodorus, ambassador of Antialkidas (Indo-Bactrian ruler)
Q: What deity was the Heliodorus pillar dedicated to?
A: Vishnu (Garud emblem)
Q: What is the earliest Sanskrit inscription in India?
A: Dhanadeva’s Ayodhya Stone Inscription (1st Century BC)
Q: What is the language and script of Ayodhya Inscription?
A: Sanskrit language, Brahmi script
Q: Who inscribed the Hathigumpha Inscription?
A: Kharavela, ruler of Kalinga
Q: What was the language and script of Hathigumpha Inscription?
A: Prakrit language and Brahmi script
Q: Who inscribed the Naneghat Cave Inscription?
A: Naganika, wife of Satakarni I
Q: What does the Naneghat Inscription mention?
A: Ashwamedha Yajna, Rajasuya Yajna, and sacrifices by Satavahana kings
๐น Post-Mauryan Inscriptions
Q: Who inscribed the Nasik Cave Prashasti in 141 AD?
A: Gautami Balashri (mother of Gautamiputra Satakarni)
Q: Which title did Gautamiputra Satakarni assume as per the inscription?
A: ‘Kshatriya-dapan-mandan’
Q: Who is credited with building the Sudarsana Lake dam in Rudradaman's time?
A: Rudradaman (Saka ruler)
Q: What is the first inscription where Laxmi and Vishnu are mentioned together?
A: Rudradaman’s Sudarsana Lake Inscription
๐น Inscriptions of Gupta Period
Q: Who composed the Prayag (Allahabad) Prashasti?
A: Harishena
Q: Which Gupta emperor is praised in the Allahabad Prashasti?
A: Samudragupta
Q: What is the language and script of the Allahabad Prashasti?
A: Sanskrit language, Brahmi script
Q: What does the 18th line of Allahabad Prashasti state about Samudragupta?
A: “One whose only ally was valour (Parakrama)”
Q: Who accepted subordination according to the 22nd line of the Prashasti?
A: 5 states of Eastern border
Q: Which rulers were defeated in the 21st line of the Prashasti?
A: 9 rulers of Naga dynasty
Q: What title was given to Samudragupta as per the 27th line?
A: Kaviraj (Poet King)
Q: Which term is used for Samudragupta in the Eran Inscription?
A: Sarvarajochchheta (Uprooter of all kings)
Q: What is the name of Samudragupta’s queen in the Eran Inscription?
A: Datta Devi
Q: What title is used for Eran in Samudragupta’s inscription?
A: Swabhoganagara
Q: What is written in Samudragupta’s Nalanda Copper Plate Inscription?
A: Details of a donation from a Vihara (monastery)
๐น Gupta Period Inscriptions
Q: What is mentioned in Samudragupta’s Gaya Copper Plate Inscription?
A: Similar content as his Nalanda Copper Plate Inscription
Q: What does Chandragupta II’s Udaygiri Inscription highlight?
A: Victory over western region
Q: What does Chandra’s Mehrauli Iron Pillar Inscription reveal?
A: Victory of a king named Chandra (likely Chandragupta II)
Q: Where is Kumaragupta I’s Damodarpur Copper Plate found?
A: Dinajpur district, Northern Bengal
Q: What does Kumaragupta I’s Mandsore Stone Inscription describe?
A: Guild of silk weavers who settled in Mandsore due to silk industry decline
Q: What does Skandagupta’s Junagadh/Girnar Inscription describe?
A: Repairs of Sudarsana Lake and appointment of Gopta (governor)
Q: Where is Skandagupta’s Bhitari Pillar Inscription located?
A: Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh
Q: What information is in Skandagupta’s Bhitari Inscription?
A: Erection of temple, donation of land, defeat of Huns
Q: What is Skandagupta’s Indore Copper Plate Inscription about?
A: Sampradaya information and Tailika Shreni (oil millers' guild)
๐น Later Inscriptions
Q: What does Harshavardhana’s Banskhera Copper Plate Inscription highlight?
A: Administration and tax remission
Q: What does Yashodharman’s Mandsore Stone Pillar Inscription state?
A: Defeat of Hun ruler Mihirkula
Q: What does Mihirkula’s Gwalior Prashasti Inscription say about him?
A: He was a conqueror, competent administrator, and benevolent ruler
Q: What does Parmar Bhoja’s Dhana Prashasti Inscription highlight?
A: Political and cultural achievements of Bhoja
Q: What is described in Vijayasen’s Devpara Prashasti Inscription?
A: Events during his reign; he founded the Sen dynasty
๐น South Indian Inscriptions
Q: Where is Pulakeshin II’s Aihole Prashasti Inscription found?
A: Vishnu temple at Aihole, Bagalkot district, Karnataka
Q: Who wrote the Aihole Prashasti?
A: Court poet Ravikirti
Q: What events are described in Aihole Prashasti?
A: Pulakeshin II’s victories over Harshavardhana, Narmada campaign, and southern expedition
Q: What is the title given to Pulakeshin II in the Aihole Inscription?
A: Paramashreya
Q: What does Narsimhavarman’s Mallikarjuna Temple Inscription record?
A: Defeat of Chalukya ruler Pulakeshin II by Pallava king Narsimhavarman
Q: What title did Narsimhavarman assume in the inscription?
A: Mahamalla
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