Kingdoms in Eastern India MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Kingdoms in Eastern India - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Odisha.

Key Points

• Veer Surendra Sai was a Freedom Fighters of Sambalpur, Odisha.
• His life's timeline: 23 January 1809-28 February 1884.
• He sacrificed his life fighting against the British East India Company.
• He died in Asirgarh Jail on 28 February 1884.

The correct answer is Gopala.

• The Pala Empire was a majestic power during the post-classical period in the Indian subcontinent which emerged in the region of Bengal.

Important Points

• The Pala fortress was located in Bengal and Bihar, which comprises the major cities of Vikrampura, Pataliputra, Gauda, Monghyr, Somapura, Ramvati (Varendra), Tamralipta and Jaggadala.
• The empire reached its heights under the Emperors Dharmapala and Devapala.
• At its peak in the early 9th century, the Pala Empire was the supreme power in the northern Indian subcontinent.
• Emperor Ramapala was the last mighty Pala ruler, who achieve control of Kamarupa and Kalinga during his reign.
• The resurgent Hindu Sena dynasty uncrowns the Pala Empire in the 12th century, ending the rule of the last major Buddhist majestic power in the Indian subcontinent.

The correct answer is - Vigrahpal (Shurpal)

Key Points

• Vigrahpal (Shurpal)
  • Vigrahpal, also known as Shurpal, succeeded Devpal as the ruler of the Pal dynasty in Bengal.
  • The Pal dynasty was a significant ruling dynasty in Bengal, known for their contributions to the region's culture and administration.
  • Vigrahpal continued the legacy of the Pal dynasty, maintaining stability and prosperity in the region.

Additional Information

• Narayanpal
  • Narayanpal was also a notable ruler of the Pal dynasty, but he did not directly succeed Devpal.
  • He is known for his contributions to the cultural and architectural developments in Bengal.
• Veerpal
  • Veerpal was another significant figure in the Pal dynasty, recognized for his valor and administrative skills.
  • Though important, he did not directly follow Devpal as the ruler.
• Nagpal
  • Nagpal was a member of the Pal dynasty, but historical records do not indicate him as the immediate successor of Devpal.
  • His contributions are more obscure compared to other rulers of the Pal dynasty.

The correct answer is: '(a) - (i), (b) - (ii), (c) - (iii), (d) - (iv)'

Key Points

• Dharmapal – Khalimpur inscription
  • This statement is correct.
  • Dharmapal, a prominent ruler of the Pala Dynasty, is known to be associated with the Khalimpur inscription. This inscription provides details about his lineage and contributions.
• Devpal – Munger inscription
  • This statement is correct.
  • Devpal, another significant ruler of the Pala Dynasty, is related to the Munger inscription. The Munger inscription provides valuable insights into his reign and achievements.
• Narayanpal – Bhagalpur inscription
  • This statement is correct.
  • Narayanpal, a ruler of the Kalachuri Dynasty, is associated with the Bhagalpur inscription. This inscription gives information about his rule and the history of the period.
• Mahipal-I – Sarnath inscription
  • This statement is correct.
  • Mahipal-I, another notable ruler of the Pala Dynasty, is linked with the Sarnath inscription. The Sarnath inscription is an essential source of historical information about his reign.

Hence, the correct combination is: (a) - (i), (b) - (ii), (c) - (iii), (d) - (iv).

Additional Information

• Pala Dynasty:
  • The Pala Dynasty was a prominent ruling dynasty in the Indian subcontinent, primarily ruling the regions of Bengal and Bihar from the 8th to the 12th centuries.
  • They were known for their patronage of Buddhism and significant contributions to art, culture, and education. The famous universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila flourished during this period.
• Kalachuri Dynasty:
  • The Kalachuri Dynasty ruled parts of Central and Western India during the medieval period. They are known for their contributions to temple architecture and inscriptions that provide valuable historical records.

The correct answer is: 'Dharampal'.

Key Points

• Dharampal established Vikramshila University.
  • Vikramshila University was one of the major Buddhist learning centers in ancient India, established by King Dharampal of the Pala dynasty in the late 8th or early 9th century.
  • It was located in present-day Bihar, India, and aimed to complement the educational activities of Nalanda University.
  • The university was a center for Buddhist Tantric learning and attracted scholars from various parts of the world.

Additional Information

• Kumaragupta:
  • Kumaragupta I was a ruler of the Gupta Empire in India who reigned during the 5th century CE.
  • He is known for maintaining the empire's prosperity and stability, as well as for the construction of the Nalanda University, another prominent ancient center of learning.
• Rudradaman:
  • Rudradaman I was a Saka ruler of the Western Kshatrapas who reigned during the 2nd century CE.
  • He is known for his significant contributions to the development of Sanskrit literature and for the repair of the Sudarshana Lake.
• Gopal I:
  • Gopal I was the founder of the Pala dynasty in the 8th century CE.
  • He is notable for his role in establishing the Pala rule in Bengal and Bihar, laying the foundation for the later achievements of his dynasty, including the establishment of universities like Vikramshila by his descendants.

The correct answer is Odisha.

Key Points

• Veer Surendra Sai was a Freedom Fighters of Sambalpur, Odisha.
• His life's timeline: 23 January 1809-28 February 1884.
• He sacrificed his life fighting against the British East India Company.
• He died in Asirgarh Jail on 28 February 1884.

The correct answer is Gopala.

• The Pala Empire was a majestic power during the post-classical period in the Indian subcontinent which emerged in the region of Bengal.

Important Points

• The Pala fortress was located in Bengal and Bihar, which comprises the major cities of Vikrampura, Pataliputra, Gauda, Monghyr, Somapura, Ramvati (Varendra), Tamralipta and Jaggadala.
• The empire reached its heights under the Emperors Dharmapala and Devapala.
• At its peak in the early 9th century, the Pala Empire was the supreme power in the northern Indian subcontinent.
• Emperor Ramapala was the last mighty Pala ruler, who achieve control of Kamarupa and Kalinga during his reign.
• The resurgent Hindu Sena dynasty uncrowns the Pala Empire in the 12th century, ending the rule of the last major Buddhist majestic power in the Indian subcontinent.

The correct answer is The Palas.

Key Points

• Nalanda and Vikramashila universities were founded during the reign of the Pala dynasty.
• Vikramashila was founded by the Pala emperor Dharmapala (783 to 820 AD) in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nalanda.
• Kumargupta founded Nalanda University in the 5th century A.D.
• Nalanda and Vikramshila were the two most important centres of learning in India during the Pala Empire.
• In 1193 army led by the Turkish leader Bakhtiyar Khilji who was the general of Qutubuddin Aibak destroyed them
• During the time of Palas, the Bengali language developed. The first Bengali literary work Charyapada is attributed to this period.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Bihar.

• Bihar was ruled by the 'Pal dynasty'.

Key Points

• Pal Dynasty:
  • Pala dynasty ruled in Bihar and Bengal from the 8th to the 12th century. 
  • Its founder was Gopala.
  • His successor was Dharmapala and he greatly expanded the Pala kingdom.
  • Pala dynasty was a staunch follower of Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism and created the environment for Buddhist monasteries including the Somapura Mahavihara. 
  • Govindapala was the last ruler of the Pala dynasty.
  • During the time of Palas, classical Indian philosophy, literature, painting, and sculptures flourished
  • They also patronized the great universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila.

The correct answer is the Charter Act of 1813.

Key Points

• The Charter Act of 1813 ended the commercial trade monopoly of the East India Company except for trade in tea and trade with China.
• Salient features of the charter:
  • The East India Company was, however, allowed to enjoy the monopoly of China trade and trade in tea.
  • From 1793 to 1813 the company did not permit the Christian missionaries to work for the Indian people due to fear of hurting the religious sentiments of Indians.
  • But the Charter act of 1813 opened India to Christian Missionaries and permitted them to propagate English and preach their religion.
  • A sum of rupees one lakh annually was provided for the revival and improvement of literature and promotion of knowledge of the sciences among the inhabitants of the British territories in India.
  • Thus, through the Act, the British government assumed the responsibility for the Indian people's education.
  • This was the first step toward the idea of state responsibility for education.

Mistake Points

• The Charter Act of 1813 ended the monopoly of the Company over trade with India.
• The Charter Act of 1833 abolished the Company’s monopoly of the China trade specifically related to Tea. 

Additional Information

• Charter Act of 1793:
  • It was granted extensive power to Governor-General.
  • It was also known as The East India Company Act 1793.
  • It was an act of Great Britain's Parliament that renewed the charter given to the British East India Company (EIC).
  • Contrary to the legislation proposed in the previous two decades concerning British India, the 1793 Act "passed with limited trouble".
  • This Act separated the company's revenue administration and judicial functions which resulted in Maal Adalats (revenue courts) disappearing.
• The Charter Act of 1833:
  • The Governor-General and his Council were given vast powers.
  • The Council got full powers regarding revenue, and a single budget for the country was prepared by the Governor-General.
  • For the first time, the Governor-General's Government was known as the 'Government of India' and his Council as the 'Indian Council'.
  • The Governor-General of Bengal was to be the Governor-General of India.
  • All powers, administrative and financial, were handed over to Governor-General in Council.
  • A Law Commission under Lord Macaulay was constituted for the codification of laws.
• The Regulating Act of 1773:
  • It was passed in Governor-General Warren Hasting's term.
  • Warren Hastings became the first Governor of the Bengal in 1772
  • He was also the first Governor-General of Bengal in 1774.
  • The Regulating Act of 1773 was an Act of the British Parliament that intended to overhaul the management of the East India Company's rule in India.

The correct answer is Dharmapala.

• Dharmapala founded the famous Vikramashila University in the ninth century.

Key Points

• Vikramashila was one of the three most important Buddhist monasteries in India during the Pala Empire, along with Nalanda and Odantapuri.
• It was established in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nalanda.
• Vikramashila University is located in Bihar.

Additional Information

• The Pala Dynasty originated in the region of Bengal as an imperial power during the Late Classical period on the Indian subcontinent.
• The dynasty was named after its ruling dynasty, whose rulers bore names ending with the suffix of Palau, which meant "protector".
• They were followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism.
• They were insightful diplomats and military conquerors.
• Their army was equipped with war elephant cavalry.
• The Pala period is also known as a ‘Golden Era’ in Bengali history.

Important Points

• The Pala Dynasty was founded by Gopala I.
• Dharmapala was the son of Gopala I and the second ruler of the Pala Dynasty.
• Samanta Sena was the founder of the Sena dynasty.
• Ballala Sena was the second ruler of the Sena dynasty.

• Sandhyakara Nandi dealt with the early history of the Palas in only 10 verses, and then dwelt on his main theme in the rest of the text.
• He equates the story of Ramapala with the story of the epic figure Rama. The loss of Varendra to the Kaivarta chief Divya (Divyoka) was equated with the loss of Sita to Ravana and her retrieval by Rama has been equated with the reoccupation of Varendra by Ramapala.
• Then he continued the history of the Pala kings to the beginning of Madanapala's reign in the last two cantos of the text. An appendix has been added, Kaviprashasti, in which the poet calls himself Kalikala-valmiki (Valmiki of the Kali age) and gives his genealogy and explains the nature and style of his work.

The correct answer is  "Genealogical records from Assam."

Key Points

• Burunjis is known as the class of historical chronicles and manuscripts written initially in the Ahom Language and later in the Assamese language. 
• The first such Burunji was written on the instructions of the first Ahom king Sukaphaa who established the Ahom kingdom in 1228.
• There were two kinds of Burunjis: - one maintained by the state (official) and the other maintained by families.
• Most of the manuscripts of Burunjis are written in the Ahom language.
• But later the tradition of writing Burunji was minimised and the amount of Burunji become lesser and Assamese Lingua franca was adopted by the end of the kingdom.
• The Burunjis not only describe the Ahom kingdom but also the neighbours (Chutiya, Kachari and Tripura Buranjis) and those with whom the Ahom kingdom had diplomatic and military contacts (Padshah Burunji).
• They were written on the barks of the Sanchi tree or aloe wood.
• Though many such Burunjis have been collected, compiled and published, an unknown number of Burunjis are still in private hands. 

• During the reign of Rajeswar Singha, Kirti Chandra Borbarua had many Burunjis destroyed because he suspected they contained information on his lowly birth.

Therefore, Burunjis are related to Assam and are a kind of genealogical record of Assam.

The correct answer is the Palas.

Key Points

• The Pala Empire was an imperial power during the post-classical period in the Indian subcontinent, which originated in Bengal.
• The Palas were great patrons of Mahayana Buddhism.
• The Pala dynasty ruled from 8th century to 12th century CE in the regions comprising Bihar and Bengal.
• The empire was founded by Gopala in 750 CE.
• They had the longest rule i.e., for four years.

 Thus, we can say that the Palas had the longest rule.

Additional Information

• The Pratiharas was a dynasty in Northern India from mid-8th to 11th century.
• The Senas was a Hindu dynasty that ruled Bengal through 11th and 12th centuries.
• The Rashtrakutas was a royal Indian dynasty ruling large parts of India between 6th to 10 century.

The correct answer is option 4) Gahadavalas

• The evidence of water tax is provided by the inscriptions of Gahadavalas. 
• They ruled for over a century (1080-1097 AD), In North India, which extended from the western bank of Yamuna in the west to Patna Monnghyr and Bodhgaya in Bihar in the east.
• It extended from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to Beghelkhanda in Madhya Pradesh in the south.

Additional Information

• According to the Gahadavala inscriptions, Govindachandra appreciated and patronised different branches of learning.
• The Gahadavala kings worshipped Vishnu.
• The Gahadvala inscriptions describe the kings as Parama-Maheshvara ("devotees of Shiva").