NCERT Questions and Activities (with Answers)
Q1. Imagine you receive a letter from someone living in the Gupta Empire. The letter starts like this:
“Greetings from Pāṭaliputra! Life here is vibrant and full of excitement. Just yesterday, I witnessed …” Complete the letter with a short paragraph (250–300 words) describing life in the Gupta Empire.
Answer (Sample Letter):
Greetings from Pāṭaliputra! Life here is vibrant and full of excitement. Just yesterday, I witnessed a grand procession of the king’s army with elephants, horses, and soldiers carrying shining weapons. Our city is full of bustling markets where traders sell silk, spices, ivory, and gemstones. Scholars gather in temples and monasteries to study mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. I even met a student from Nalanda University, who told me about the great teachers there. Artists and sculptors are creating beautiful statues of Vishnu and Buddha, while poets recite the works of Kālidāsa. The city is safe, with guards patrolling, and the people live happily, helped by charity houses and free hospitals. Truly, this is a golden age where art, science, and culture flourish.
Q2. Which Gupta ruler was also known as the ‘Vikramāditya’?
Answer: Chandragupta II was also known as Vikramāditya.
Q3. “Periods of peace support the development of various aspects of sociocultural life, literature, and the development of science and technology.” Examine this statement in the light of the Gupta Empire.
Answer:
The Gupta Empire enjoyed long periods of peace and stability, which allowed resources to be used for learning and culture instead of wars. Sanskrit literature flourished with Kālidāsa’s plays and poems. Scientists like Āryabhaṭa and Varāhamihira made great advances in astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. Magnificent temples, sculptures, and paintings like those in Ajanta were created. Trade with foreign countries also prospered. This shows that peace provided the foundation for cultural and scientific achievements.
Q4. Recreate a scene from a Gupta ruler’s court. Write a short script, assign roles like the king, ministers, and scholars, and enact a role play to bring the Gupta era to life!
Answer (Sample Script):
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King (Chandragupta II): “Welcome, scholars and poets. Share your wisdom with us today.”
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Minister: “Your Majesty, trade is flourishing, and taxes are collected fairly.”
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Scholar (Āryabhaṭa): “I have calculated that the Earth spins on its axis, explaining day and night.”
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Poet (Kālidāsa): “O King, I present my poem Meghadūtam, which tells of love and nature.”
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King: “Truly, this is a golden age. Let us continue to support knowledge, art, and justice.”
Q5. Match the two columns:
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(1) Kāñchipuram → (d) Known as ‘a city of a thousand temples’.
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(2) Ujjayinī → (e) A prominent centre of learning in ancient India.
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(3) Udayagiri → (b) Famous for rock-cut caves featuring carvings of Hindu deities.
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(4) Ajanta → (a) Known for vibrant cave paintings that depict Jātaka tales.
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(5) Pāṭaliputra → (c) Capital of the Guptas.
Q6. Who were the Pallavas and where did they rule?
Answer: The Pallavas were a powerful dynasty in South India. They ruled parts of present-day Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh with their capital at Kāñchipuram. They were great patrons of art and architecture, especially rock-cut temples.
Q7. Organise an exploration trip with your teachers to a nearby historical site, museum, or heritage building. After the trip, write a detailed report describing your experience.
Answer (Sample Report):
Our class visited the local museum that displayed Gupta-era sculptures and coins. We observed inscriptions in Brahmi script and terracotta figures. The museum guide explained the importance of Gupta metallurgy, showing a replica of the Iron Pillar of Delhi. We also saw Buddhist sculptures and paintings similar to those in Ajanta caves. This trip helped us connect classroom lessons with real objects and understand the richness of Gupta art, science, and trade. It was an enriching experience.
Extra Short Answer Questions (2–3 sentences)
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Who founded the Gupta dynasty?
→ Shri Gupta is considered the founder of the Gupta dynasty. -
Which Gupta ruler performed the aśhvamedha yajña?
→ Samudragupta performed the aśhvamedha yajña to show his power. -
Which famous inscription was written by Harisena?
→ The Prayāga Praśasti, praising Samudragupta. -
What is the importance of the Iron Pillar of Delhi?
→ It shows advanced Gupta metallurgy, as it has not rusted for over 1,600 years. -
Name two famous centres of learning in the Gupta period.
→ Nālandā University and Ujjayinī. -
Who wrote Meghadūtam and Raghuvaṃśham?
→ Kālidāsa, the great Sanskrit poet. -
Who were two famous scientists of the Gupta period?
→ Āryabhaṭa and Varāhamihira. -
Which Gupta queen ruled as a regent?
→ Prabhāvatī Gupta, daughter of Chandragupta II. -
Which foreign traveller visited India during the Gupta period?
→ Faxian (Fa-Hsien) from China. -
Which kingdoms ruled in the south during the Gupta period?
→ The Pallavas in Tamil Nadu and the Varman dynasty in Kāmarūpa (Assam).
Extra Long Answer Questions (5–6 sentences)
Q1. Why is the Gupta period called the ‘Classical Age’ of India?
→ The Gupta period saw peace and prosperity, which encouraged art, science, and literature. Great scholars like Āryabhaṭa and Varāhamihira advanced astronomy and mathematics. Kālidāsa created masterpieces of Sanskrit poetry. Magnificent temples and paintings in Ajanta and Udayagiri set artistic standards. Ayurveda was codified and universities like Nālandā flourished. These achievements make it the Classical Age.
Q2. Describe the contributions of Āryabhaṭa and Varāhamihira.
→ Āryabhaṭa proposed that the Earth spins on its axis, calculated the year’s length, and explained eclipses. He also developed mathematical formulas. Varāhamihira wrote the Bṛihat Samhitā, covering astronomy, astrology, weather, architecture, and farming. Their works became foundations for science in India and influenced other parts of the world.
Q3. What were the main features of Gupta society and economy?
→ Gupta society was organised around varṇa and jāti, but trade and agriculture brought prosperity. Farmers paid land taxes, and merchants traded textiles, spices, and gems with Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean. Charity houses and hospitals supported the poor, as Faxian described. The economy was strong, supporting art, literature, and temples. This balance of prosperity and culture made Gupta society flourish.