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Classical India: Kushanas, Guptas and Harshavardhana – NDA History PYQs
Practice NDA History previous-year questions with detailed solutions and explanations.
Chapter-wise PYQs • Concept-based explanations • Exam insights
NDA 2024-I
Q. 1. First coins in Indian history bearing the names and images of rulers were issued by the:
(a) Mauryas
(b) Pushyabhutis
(c) Guptas
(d) Indo-Greeks
Answer: (d) Indo-Greeks
| Explanation: Indo-Greek kings first issued coins with their own names. These coins also carried portrait images of the ruler. Mauryas mainly used earlier punch-marked, symbol-based coins. So option (d) Indo-Greeks is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Origin of coins bearing rulers’ names and images |
NDA 2024-I
Q. 2. Which of the following statements with regard to the famous ‘silk routes’ are correct?
1. Silk routes refer to East-bound European silk cargoes along these routes.
2. There were several silk routes, over land and by sea, joining together vast regions of Asia with Europe and northern Africa.
3. They are known to have existed since before the Christian Era and thrived almost till the fifteenth century.
4. Besides silk, Chinese pottery, textiles and spices from India and South-east Asia travelled the same route.
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 4
Answer: (c) 2, 3 and 4
| Explanation: Silk routes actually carried West-bound Chinese silk cargoes. So statement 1 wrongly reverses this trade direction. Multiple land and sea routes did link Asia with Europe. So statement 2 correctly describes this trade network. These routes existed before the Christian Era into the 1400s. So statement 3 correctly states this long timespan. Chinese pottery and Indian spices also travelled these routes. So statement 4 also correctly extends beyond silk alone. Statements 2, 3, and 4 together are accurate. So option (c) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Nature and history of the silk trade routes |
NDA 2023-II
Q. 3. Which one of the following was NOT a way in which kings in ancient India attempted to claim a higher status?
(a) Identifying with a variety of deities
(b) Assuming pompous titles
(c) Imposing high taxes
(d) Conquests and annexation of territories
Answer: (c) Imposing high taxes
| Explanation: Kings often linked themselves with various deities for status. They also adopted grand, pompous royal titles. Conquests and new territory also boosted a king’s prestige. Imposing high taxes was mainly an economic, not status, tool. So option (c) is not a typical status-claiming method. Concept Tested: Methods ancient Indian kings used to claim status |
NDA 2023-I
Q. 4. Who among the following composed the ‘Prayag Prashasti’ of Samudragupta?
(a) Harishena
(b) Chand Bardai
(c) Vishakhadatta
(d) Kalidasa
Answer: (a) Harishena
| Explanation: Harishena composed the Prayag Prashasti for Samudragupta. Chand Bardai, Vishakhadatta, and Kalidasa wrote unrelated works. So option (a) Harishena is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Author of the Prayag Prashasti |
NDA 2023-I
Q. 5. Which one of the following statements about Rabatak inscription is not correct?
(a) It throws important light on Kushana genealogy
(b) It refers to Kanishka as ‘a king of kings and a son of God’
(c) The 23-line inscription is written in Gandhari language
(d) It mentions names of States which were part of Kanishka’s empire
Answer: (c) The 23-line inscription is written in Gandhari language
| Explanation: The Rabatak inscription is written in the Bactrian language. It uses Greek script, not the Gandhari language. So statement (c) wrongly names its actual language. The inscription does reveal Kanishka’s family genealogy. It also calls Kanishka a king of kings, a son of God. It names several regions under Kanishka’s control too. These other statements about it are accurate. Concept Tested: Content and language of the Rabatak inscription |
| ★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Do not confuse Gandhari, Bactrian, and Prakrit. Each Kushana-era inscription used a specific, distinct language. |
NDA 2023-I
Q. 6. Yashovarman was ruler of which one of the following kingdoms?
(a) Kannauj
(b) Mewar
(c) Marwar
(d) Kalinga
Answer: (a) Kannauj
| Explanation: Yashovarman ruled the kingdom of Kannauj in north India. He was later defeated by Lalitaditya of Kashmir. Mewar, Marwar, and Kalinga were separate regional kingdoms. So option (a) Kannauj is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Ruler of the Kannauj kingdom |
NDA 2023-I
Q. 7. Near which one of the following cities in India have large statues of Kushana rulers been discovered?
(a) Karnal
(b) Ropar
(c) Hisar
(d) Mathura
Answer: (d) Mathura
| Explanation: Large Kushana royal statues were found near Mathura. These statues came from the Mat shrine site nearby. Karnal, Ropar, and Hisar lack this specific discovery. So option (d) Mathura is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Site of discovered Kushana royal statues |
NDA 2022-II
Q. 8. Which one of the following was composed by Harishena?
(a) Nashik Inscription of Gautami Balashri
(b) Prayaga Prashasti of Samudragupta
(c) Deopara Prashasti of Vijayasena
(d) Hathigumpha Inscription of Kharavela
Answer: (b) Prayaga Prashasti of Samudragupta
| Explanation: Harishena served as Samudragupta’s court poet and minister. He composed the Prayaga Prashasti, also called the Allahabad inscription. This inscription praises Samudragupta’s conquests and character. So option (b) is the correct answer here. Concept Tested: Author of the Prayaga Prashasti |
| ★ JOVIK Exam Insight: NDA tests this same fact from both directions: which text Harishena wrote, and who wrote the Prayaga Prashasti. |
NDA 2022-I
Q. 9. Which Chinese traveller in ancient India wrote the diary called ‘Records of the Travels to Middle India’?
(a) Wang Xuance
(b) Xuanzang
(c) Yijing
(d) Li Yibiao
Answer: (a) Wang Xuance
| Explanation: Wang Xuance visited India during Harshavardhana’s reign. He wrote Zhong Tianzhu Guo Xingji, meaning Travels to Middle India. Xuanzang instead wrote the Great Tang Records on Western Regions. So option (a) Wang Xuance is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Chinese travel writers and their specific works |
NDA 2014-II
Q. 10. Statement I: The first coins to bear the names and images of rulers were issued by the Kushanas.
Statement II: The first gold coins were issued by the Kushanas.
(a) Both statements individually true, II is correct explanation of I
(b) Both statements individually true, II is not correct explanation of I
(c) I is true, II is false
(d) I is false, II is true
Answer: (d) I is false, II is true
| Explanation: Indo-Greek rulers first placed their names and images on coins. So Statement I wrongly credits this innovation to the Kushanas. The Kushanas, under Vima Kadphises, issued India’s first gold coins. So Statement II is independently true on its own. Statement I is false while Statement II holds true. So option (d) correctly reflects this combination. Concept Tested: Origins of named-ruler coins and gold coins in India |
| ★ JOVIK Exam Insight: NDA repeats this coinage fact often. Indo-Greeks began named-ruler coins; Kushanas began gold coins in India. |
NDA 2012-II
Q. 11. Which one among the following cities was the best producer of silk cloth under Gupta reign?
(a) Pataliputra
(b) Murshidabad
(c) Ghazipur
(d) Varanasi
Answer: (d) Varanasi
| Explanation: Varanasi has an old and strong link with silk weaving. Ancient Buddhist texts already praise cloth made in Kashi. This region’s weaving tradition long predates the Gupta age. Pataliputra, Murshidabad, and Ghazipur lack this specific fame. So option (d) Varanasi is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Renowned centre of silk-cloth production |
NDA 2010-II
The next four (04) items are based on the Table: Match List I (Ruler) with List II (Important Battle), List III (Dynasty), List IV (Significant Work):
| List I (Ruler) | List II (Important Battle) | List III (Dynasty) | List IV (Significant Work) |
| A. Ashoka | 1. Against several rulers of Northern and Southern India | I. Kushana | i. Writer and poet, patron of learning besides an empire builder |
| B. Samudragupta | 2. Kalinga war | II. Maurya | ii. Political conquest, patron of learning |
| C. Kanishka | 3. Battle of Pundravardhana | III. Pushpavati | iii. Holding the 4th Buddhist Council and patron of learning |
| D. Harshavardhana | 4. Against the Chinese and the Parthians | IV. Gupta | iv. Spread of Dharma, ahimsa and welfare activities |
Q. 12. Match List I with List II, List III, List IV and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:
| List I | List II | List III | List IV | |
| (a) | A | 1 | II | iv |
| (b) | A | 2 | II | iv |
| (c) | B | 1 | IV | iii |
| (d) | B | 2 | IV | iii |
Answer: (b) A-2, II, iv
| Explanation: Ashoka’s known battle was the Kalinga war, numbered 2 here. His dynasty was the Maurya, marked as II in this table. His significant work matches the spread of Dharma and welfare, iv. This combination fully matches row A in the master table. So option (b), A-2-II-iv, is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Ashoka’s correct battle, dynasty, and legacy pairing |
| ★ JOVIK Exam Insight: This set of four items shares one master table. Work out each ruler’s full row once, then match it against every option. |
Q. 13. Match List I with List II, List III, List IV and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:
| List I | List II | List III | List IV | |
| (a) | C | 4 | I | iii |
| (b) | D | 3 | III | i |
| (c) | C | 4 | I | i |
| (d) | D | 3 | III | ii |
Answer: (a) C-4, I, iii
| Explanation: Kanishka fought against the Chinese and the Parthians, battle 4. His dynasty was the Kushana, marked I in this table. He is firmly linked to the 4th Buddhist Council, work iii. This combination fully and unambiguously matches row C. Editorial flag: option (b) D-3-III-i also looks internally consistent. Verify Harshavardhana’s exact “significant work” column against the official key. Concept Tested: Kanishka’s correct battle, dynasty, and legacy pairing |
Q. 14. Match List I with List II, List III, List IV and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:
| List I | List II | List III | List IV | |
| (a) | B | 1 | III | i |
| (b) | C | 4 | IV | ii |
| (c) | B | 1 | IV | ii |
| (d) | C | 4 | III | i |
Answer: (c) B-1, IV, ii
| Explanation: Samudragupta’s campaigns targeted rulers across North and South India, battle 1. His dynasty was the Gupta, marked IV in this table. His conquests and patronage of learning match work ii. Options (a), (b), and (d) all show a mismatched dynasty letter. So option (c), B-1-IV-ii, is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Samudragupta’s correct battle, dynasty, and legacy pairing |
Q. 15. Match List I with List II, List III, List IV and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:
| List I | List II | List III | List IV | |
| (a) | A | 1 | II | iii |
| (b) | D | 3 | III | ii |
| (c) | A | 1 | II | iii * |
| (d) | D | 3 | III | i |
Answer: (d) D-3, III, i
| Explanation: Ashoka’s battle number is 2, not 1, so (a) and (c) are wrong. Harshavardhana fought the Battle of Pundravardhana, battle 3. His dynasty is called Pushpavati here, marked III. As the remaining fully consistent option, (d) fits best. So option (d), D-3-III-i, is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Harshavardhana’s correct battle, dynasty, and legacy pairing |
NDA 2009-II
Q. 16. Which one of the following statements about Chandragupta II is NOT correct?
(a) Kalidasa and Amarasimha were famous scholars in his court
(b) He expanded his empire both through matrimonial alliances and conquests
(c) He married a Naga princess named Kubera Naga
(d) He married his daughter Prabhavati to an Ahom prince
Answer: (d) He married his daughter Prabhavati to an Ahom prince
| Explanation: Chandragupta II’s daughter Prabhavati married a Vakataka prince. Her husband was Rudrasena II, not any Ahom prince. The Ahom dynasty arose in Assam centuries later. So statement (d) wrongly names an anachronistic dynasty. Kalidasa and Amarasimha did adorn his court. He also married the Naga princess Kubera Naga. These other statements about him are accurate. Concept Tested: Marriage alliances of Chandragupta II |
NDA 2009-II
Q. 17. Which one of the following was the official language of Gupta period?
(a) Pali
(b) Magadhi
(c) Prakrit
(d) Sanskrit
Answer: (d) Sanskrit
| Explanation: Sanskrit became the dominant language of Gupta administration. Most inscriptions and literary works used Sanskrit forms. Pali and Prakrit had been more prominent earlier. So option (d) Sanskrit is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Official language of the Gupta administration |
Quick Revision
- Chandragupta II’s daughter Prabhavati married the Vakataka prince Rudrasena II.
- Sanskrit was the dominant official language of the Gupta administration.
- Ashoka: Kalinga war, Maurya dynasty, spread of Dharma and welfare.
- Kanishka: war against the Chinese and Parthians, Kushana dynasty, 4th Buddhist Council.
- Samudragupta: campaigns across North and South India, Gupta dynasty, conquest and patronage of learning.
- Harshavardhana: Battle of Pundravardhana, Pushpavati (Pushyabhuti) dynasty.
- Varanasi has a long-standing ancient reputation for fine silk cloth.
- Indo-Greeks first issued coins bearing rulers’ names and images; Kushanas first issued gold coins.
- Harishena composed the Prayaga Prashasti (Allahabad inscription) of Samudragupta.
- The Rabatak inscription is written in Bactrian, using Greek script, not Gandhari.
- Large Kushana royal statues were discovered near Mathura.