Question 1

Question 4What was the administrative structure during the Gupta Age?

Accepted Answer

The administrative structure during the Gupta Age was as follows:The Guptas had a strong central government, but they also allowed a certain degree of local control.The king was at the head of the administrative system.The empire was divided into provinces, which were subdivided into districts or vishayas headed by vishayapatis. Councils in each district helped the vishayapatis in administration.Members of the royal family were appointed as governors of provinces and were assisted by officials called kumaramatyas.The Gupta system of urban and rural administration was based on the principle of encouraging as much of local participation as possible.

Question 2

Question 2Explain the position of the king in the Gupta period.

Accepted Answer

The king was the head of the administration. The Gupta rulers adopted pompous titles like Parameshvara, Maharajadhiraja and Parama-bhattaraka. They were looked upon as Gods. They ruled according to the law given in the Dharmashastras.

Question 3

Question 3Briefly explain the administrative system followed by the Gupta kings.

Accepted Answer

The administrative system followed by the Gupta period is described below:The king was the head of the administration. The king was assisted by a council of ministers or Mantri Parishad. The most important ministers were the Kumaramatyas.The Gupta Empire was decentralized. It was divided into provinces called Bhuktis for better administration and governance. Each Bhukti was placed under the charge of an officer called Uparika.The bhukti were further subdivided into districts called Vishyas, which were placed under the charge of Vishyapati.The village formed the lowest unit of administration. The village headman or Grampati managed the village affairs.The far-flung areas were ruled by feudatory chiefs who used to pay tribute to the Gupta Kings.

Question 4

Question 5Why is the Gupta period known as the Golden Age of Indian history?

Accepted Answer

The Gupta period is described as the Golden Age of Indian history because of the high level of civilisation and culture of this period. This is seen in their efficient administration, economic prosperity, literature, arts, architecture and scientific progress.

Question 5

Question 6Explain the contribution of the Guptas in the field of Mathematics.

Accepted Answer

During the Gupta period, Indian mathematicians made important contributions in the field of Mathematics. Indian mathematicians were the first to develop the decimal system and the zero. The present Arabic numerals were developed by the Indian Mathematicians. They were later on adopted by the Arabs.

Question 6

Question 7Give examples of the excellence in Architecture during the Gupta period.

Accepted Answer

The examples of the excellence in architecture during the Gupta period are given below:The Dasavatara Temple at Deograh (near Jhansi), the Brick Temple at Bhitargaon (near Kanpur) and temples at Sanchi are the best examples of the Gupta architecture.A large number of high stone pillars were erected in the Gupta Period.Caves formed an important architectural feature of the Guptas. A number of caves were built at Ajanta and Bagh.

Question 7

Question 1Study the picture and answer the following questions:(a) Identify the building given in the picture.(b) Who established this building and for what purpose? Where is it located?(c) What was this building famous for? State the significance of this building and the institution run from this structure?

Accepted Answer

(a) The building given in the picture is Nalanda University.(b) The University of Nalanda was originally setup by Sakraditya in the 5th century CE during the reign of Kumaragupta-I. It is located at Rajgir, near Patna in Bihar, India.(c) The Nalanda University was the foremost centre of education where students from far and near received higher education. It was the first international residential university in the world that housed 10,000 students and 1500 teachers. They came from Korea, Mongolia, Japan, China, Tibet, Ceylon and various parts of India.It has at least 8 colleges built by different patrons. There were great libraries called Ratnasagar, Ratnodadhi and Ratnaranjak. The subjects of study at Nalanda University were all the four Vedas, logic, grammar, medicine, samkya, yoga, nyaya and the Buddhist works of the different schools.

The Golden Age: Gupta Empire

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