Selina Textbook Solutions: The Golden Age Gupta Empire | History Class 6 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Gupta Age is known as the Golden Age of Indian History. 
2. Chandragupta II assumed the title of Shakari. 
3. Samudragupta did not conquer the southern kingdoms; he took only tribute from 
them. 
4. The two great grammarians of this period were Panini and Patanjali. 
5. The greatest poet of Vikramaditya’s court was Kalidasa. 
6. The masterpiece of art during the Gupta period is the image of seated Buddha in 
a yogic pose. 
7. The centres of high learning during the Gupta age were Nalanda, 
Takshshila and Ujjain. 
8. Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, an encyclopaedia on astronomy. 
9. The finest example of metallurgy of this period is Iron Pillar at Mehrauli in Delhi. 
10. Samudragupta was called the Indian Napoleon. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
Answer: 
Page 2


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Gupta Age is known as the Golden Age of Indian History. 
2. Chandragupta II assumed the title of Shakari. 
3. Samudragupta did not conquer the southern kingdoms; he took only tribute from 
them. 
4. The two great grammarians of this period were Panini and Patanjali. 
5. The greatest poet of Vikramaditya’s court was Kalidasa. 
6. The masterpiece of art during the Gupta period is the image of seated Buddha in 
a yogic pose. 
7. The centres of high learning during the Gupta age were Nalanda, 
Takshshila and Ujjain. 
8. Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, an encyclopaedia on astronomy. 
9. The finest example of metallurgy of this period is Iron Pillar at Mehrauli in Delhi. 
10. Samudragupta was called the Indian Napoleon. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III. State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. 1. Chandragupta Vikramaditya was the founder of the Gupta dynasty. 
False 
2. Chandragupta I ruled from AD 375 to AD 415. 
False 
3. Samudragupta is called the Indian Napoleon. 
True 
4. Fa-Hien, a Chinese traveller, visited India during Samudragupta’s reign 
False 
5. Skandagupta was the last great Gupta ruler. 
True 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
Why is Chandragupta I called the real founder of the Gupta Empire? 
Answer: 
Chandragupta I is called the real founder of the Gupta Empire because he was first 
independent and important ruler of this dynasty. He raised the power and prestige of his 
empire through conquests and marriages. He assumed the title Maharajadhiraja,ie, the 
king of kings’. He started the Gupta Era in 320 AD which marked the date of his 
accession. 
Page 3


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Gupta Age is known as the Golden Age of Indian History. 
2. Chandragupta II assumed the title of Shakari. 
3. Samudragupta did not conquer the southern kingdoms; he took only tribute from 
them. 
4. The two great grammarians of this period were Panini and Patanjali. 
5. The greatest poet of Vikramaditya’s court was Kalidasa. 
6. The masterpiece of art during the Gupta period is the image of seated Buddha in 
a yogic pose. 
7. The centres of high learning during the Gupta age were Nalanda, 
Takshshila and Ujjain. 
8. Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, an encyclopaedia on astronomy. 
9. The finest example of metallurgy of this period is Iron Pillar at Mehrauli in Delhi. 
10. Samudragupta was called the Indian Napoleon. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III. State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. 1. Chandragupta Vikramaditya was the founder of the Gupta dynasty. 
False 
2. Chandragupta I ruled from AD 375 to AD 415. 
False 
3. Samudragupta is called the Indian Napoleon. 
True 
4. Fa-Hien, a Chinese traveller, visited India during Samudragupta’s reign 
False 
5. Skandagupta was the last great Gupta ruler. 
True 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
Why is Chandragupta I called the real founder of the Gupta Empire? 
Answer: 
Chandragupta I is called the real founder of the Gupta Empire because he was first 
independent and important ruler of this dynasty. He raised the power and prestige of his 
empire through conquests and marriages. He assumed the title Maharajadhiraja,ie, the 
king of kings’. He started the Gupta Era in 320 AD which marked the date of his 
accession. 
Question 2. 
Describe the military achievements of Samudra gupta. Which source tells us about him? 
Answer: 
The most important historical source of information about Samudra gupta is the 
Allahabad Pillar Inscription which was composed by Harisena. According to the 
inscription Samudra gupta was a great conqueror and he won a- series of wars in north 
and south India. He defeated as many as 9 rulers in northern India and 12 rulers in 
eastern Deccan and southern India. But Samudra gupta did not want to gain permanent 
possession of his conquests in the south because he knew he could not control south 
India from his capital. He was happy with the tributes collected from the defeated 
princes of the south, bringing home large stores of treasure. 
Question 3. 
Why is Chandragupta II considered the greatest ruler of the Gupta dynasty? 
Answer: 
Fa-Hien’s account forms the historical source of information about Chandragupta II. 
Chandragupta II was a great conqueror. His greatest achievement was to destroy the 
power of the Shaka from Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra permanently. He gained 
control over three important parts of Bharuch, Cambay and Sopara. He also assumed 
the title Shakari or the conqueror of the Shakas. He was a great patron of art and 
literature. He had at his court, the famous Navaratnas, the most learned men of his 
time. Poet Kalidasa was one of them. 
Question 4. 
What were the religious beliefs of the people during the Gupta period? 
Answer: 
The Gupta kings were Vaishnavas, but they were tolerant towards all religions. 
Brahmanism had come to the forefront. The two gods who commanded the worship of 
the majority were Vishnu and Shiva. Religious sacrifices were performed. Hinduism 
became the most powerful religion and the Gupta kings gave donations for building of 
temples. Buddhism no longer received the royal patronage, though it continued to be 
the second most important religion. 
Question 5. 
Describe the great progress made in art and architecture during the Gupta period. 
Answer: 
Art and architecture gained great heights during the Gupta Period. Many temples were 
built. The temples at Deogarh, Sanchi and Bhittargaon are very famous.The 29 cave 
temples at Ajanta near Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Bagh in Madhya Pradesh were 
also built during this period. The walls of these caves were covered with paintings 
(called murals or frescoes). Two main centers of art were Mathura and Samath. The 
image of the seated Buddha in a yogic pose is one of the masterpieces of art of this 
period. 
Page 4


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Gupta Age is known as the Golden Age of Indian History. 
2. Chandragupta II assumed the title of Shakari. 
3. Samudragupta did not conquer the southern kingdoms; he took only tribute from 
them. 
4. The two great grammarians of this period were Panini and Patanjali. 
5. The greatest poet of Vikramaditya’s court was Kalidasa. 
6. The masterpiece of art during the Gupta period is the image of seated Buddha in 
a yogic pose. 
7. The centres of high learning during the Gupta age were Nalanda, 
Takshshila and Ujjain. 
8. Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, an encyclopaedia on astronomy. 
9. The finest example of metallurgy of this period is Iron Pillar at Mehrauli in Delhi. 
10. Samudragupta was called the Indian Napoleon. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III. State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. 1. Chandragupta Vikramaditya was the founder of the Gupta dynasty. 
False 
2. Chandragupta I ruled from AD 375 to AD 415. 
False 
3. Samudragupta is called the Indian Napoleon. 
True 
4. Fa-Hien, a Chinese traveller, visited India during Samudragupta’s reign 
False 
5. Skandagupta was the last great Gupta ruler. 
True 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
Why is Chandragupta I called the real founder of the Gupta Empire? 
Answer: 
Chandragupta I is called the real founder of the Gupta Empire because he was first 
independent and important ruler of this dynasty. He raised the power and prestige of his 
empire through conquests and marriages. He assumed the title Maharajadhiraja,ie, the 
king of kings’. He started the Gupta Era in 320 AD which marked the date of his 
accession. 
Question 2. 
Describe the military achievements of Samudra gupta. Which source tells us about him? 
Answer: 
The most important historical source of information about Samudra gupta is the 
Allahabad Pillar Inscription which was composed by Harisena. According to the 
inscription Samudra gupta was a great conqueror and he won a- series of wars in north 
and south India. He defeated as many as 9 rulers in northern India and 12 rulers in 
eastern Deccan and southern India. But Samudra gupta did not want to gain permanent 
possession of his conquests in the south because he knew he could not control south 
India from his capital. He was happy with the tributes collected from the defeated 
princes of the south, bringing home large stores of treasure. 
Question 3. 
Why is Chandragupta II considered the greatest ruler of the Gupta dynasty? 
Answer: 
Fa-Hien’s account forms the historical source of information about Chandragupta II. 
Chandragupta II was a great conqueror. His greatest achievement was to destroy the 
power of the Shaka from Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra permanently. He gained 
control over three important parts of Bharuch, Cambay and Sopara. He also assumed 
the title Shakari or the conqueror of the Shakas. He was a great patron of art and 
literature. He had at his court, the famous Navaratnas, the most learned men of his 
time. Poet Kalidasa was one of them. 
Question 4. 
What were the religious beliefs of the people during the Gupta period? 
Answer: 
The Gupta kings were Vaishnavas, but they were tolerant towards all religions. 
Brahmanism had come to the forefront. The two gods who commanded the worship of 
the majority were Vishnu and Shiva. Religious sacrifices were performed. Hinduism 
became the most powerful religion and the Gupta kings gave donations for building of 
temples. Buddhism no longer received the royal patronage, though it continued to be 
the second most important religion. 
Question 5. 
Describe the great progress made in art and architecture during the Gupta period. 
Answer: 
Art and architecture gained great heights during the Gupta Period. Many temples were 
built. The temples at Deogarh, Sanchi and Bhittargaon are very famous.The 29 cave 
temples at Ajanta near Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Bagh in Madhya Pradesh were 
also built during this period. The walls of these caves were covered with paintings 
(called murals or frescoes). Two main centers of art were Mathura and Samath. The 
image of the seated Buddha in a yogic pose is one of the masterpieces of art of this 
period. 
Question 6. 
With examples prove that Sanskrit literature reached its peak during this period. 
Answer: 
The Gupta period is called the Golden Age of Sanskrit literature. Chandragupta II is 
credited with maintaining Nav-Ratna (Nine luminaries) at his court. Kalidasa and 
Amarasimha adorned his court. Kalidasa was the greatest and most famous poet of this 
period. He wrote Abhijnana Shakuntalam, Raghuvansham, Meghaduta and Kumar 
Sambhava. Amarsimha wrote Amarakosa, a Sanskrit dictionaiy. Panini was a great 
grammarian. Ashtadhyayi, the greatest work on Sanskrit grammar was written by Panini 
during this period. 
Question 7. 
Describe the progress made in the field of science during the Gupta period. 
Answer: 
Scientists, mathematicians, astronomers and physicians flourished in the court of the 
Gupta rulers. Two well- known mathematicians and astronomers of this period were 
Aryabhatta and Varahmihira. Aryabhatta said that the earth moves round the sun and at 
the same time it moves on its axis. The books authored by Aryabhatta are Aryabhatiya 
and Suryasidhanta. Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, an Encyclopedia on 
Astronomy. Indian mathematicians knew the use of zero. The Indians also used the 
decimal system. 
Question 8. 
Write a short note on Gupta administration. 
Answer: 
The Gupta empire was divided into provinces. These provinces were further divided into 
various districts. There were district councils which helped the provincial governors. The 
provinces were known as Bhuktis and the districts were known as Vishayas. Each 
district was divided into villages called gramas. Each Bhukti was placed under the 
charge of an Uparika and each Vishaya under a Vishayapati. There were many officers 
who assisted the king in his work. The provinces were under the charge of princes. 
They were assisted by officials called Kumarmatyas. The villages were looked after by 
Gramapati. 
Question 9. 
With appropriate examples prove that the Gupta period has been rightly called a 
‘Golden Age’. 
Answer: 
The Gupta period is known as “Golden Age of Indian History”. The rule of the Gupta 
kings lasted for more than two hundred years. India made progress in almost every field 
under the Gupta kings. This period saw considerable achievements in the field of Indian 
culture especially in the areas of art, architecture and literature. Remarkable 
advancement also took place in the field of science, medicine and metallurgy. Peace 
and prosperity prevailed in the empire. 
Page 5


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Gupta Age is known as the Golden Age of Indian History. 
2. Chandragupta II assumed the title of Shakari. 
3. Samudragupta did not conquer the southern kingdoms; he took only tribute from 
them. 
4. The two great grammarians of this period were Panini and Patanjali. 
5. The greatest poet of Vikramaditya’s court was Kalidasa. 
6. The masterpiece of art during the Gupta period is the image of seated Buddha in 
a yogic pose. 
7. The centres of high learning during the Gupta age were Nalanda, 
Takshshila and Ujjain. 
8. Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, an encyclopaedia on astronomy. 
9. The finest example of metallurgy of this period is Iron Pillar at Mehrauli in Delhi. 
10. Samudragupta was called the Indian Napoleon. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III. State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. 1. Chandragupta Vikramaditya was the founder of the Gupta dynasty. 
False 
2. Chandragupta I ruled from AD 375 to AD 415. 
False 
3. Samudragupta is called the Indian Napoleon. 
True 
4. Fa-Hien, a Chinese traveller, visited India during Samudragupta’s reign 
False 
5. Skandagupta was the last great Gupta ruler. 
True 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
Why is Chandragupta I called the real founder of the Gupta Empire? 
Answer: 
Chandragupta I is called the real founder of the Gupta Empire because he was first 
independent and important ruler of this dynasty. He raised the power and prestige of his 
empire through conquests and marriages. He assumed the title Maharajadhiraja,ie, the 
king of kings’. He started the Gupta Era in 320 AD which marked the date of his 
accession. 
Question 2. 
Describe the military achievements of Samudra gupta. Which source tells us about him? 
Answer: 
The most important historical source of information about Samudra gupta is the 
Allahabad Pillar Inscription which was composed by Harisena. According to the 
inscription Samudra gupta was a great conqueror and he won a- series of wars in north 
and south India. He defeated as many as 9 rulers in northern India and 12 rulers in 
eastern Deccan and southern India. But Samudra gupta did not want to gain permanent 
possession of his conquests in the south because he knew he could not control south 
India from his capital. He was happy with the tributes collected from the defeated 
princes of the south, bringing home large stores of treasure. 
Question 3. 
Why is Chandragupta II considered the greatest ruler of the Gupta dynasty? 
Answer: 
Fa-Hien’s account forms the historical source of information about Chandragupta II. 
Chandragupta II was a great conqueror. His greatest achievement was to destroy the 
power of the Shaka from Malwa, Gujarat and Saurashtra permanently. He gained 
control over three important parts of Bharuch, Cambay and Sopara. He also assumed 
the title Shakari or the conqueror of the Shakas. He was a great patron of art and 
literature. He had at his court, the famous Navaratnas, the most learned men of his 
time. Poet Kalidasa was one of them. 
Question 4. 
What were the religious beliefs of the people during the Gupta period? 
Answer: 
The Gupta kings were Vaishnavas, but they were tolerant towards all religions. 
Brahmanism had come to the forefront. The two gods who commanded the worship of 
the majority were Vishnu and Shiva. Religious sacrifices were performed. Hinduism 
became the most powerful religion and the Gupta kings gave donations for building of 
temples. Buddhism no longer received the royal patronage, though it continued to be 
the second most important religion. 
Question 5. 
Describe the great progress made in art and architecture during the Gupta period. 
Answer: 
Art and architecture gained great heights during the Gupta Period. Many temples were 
built. The temples at Deogarh, Sanchi and Bhittargaon are very famous.The 29 cave 
temples at Ajanta near Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Bagh in Madhya Pradesh were 
also built during this period. The walls of these caves were covered with paintings 
(called murals or frescoes). Two main centers of art were Mathura and Samath. The 
image of the seated Buddha in a yogic pose is one of the masterpieces of art of this 
period. 
Question 6. 
With examples prove that Sanskrit literature reached its peak during this period. 
Answer: 
The Gupta period is called the Golden Age of Sanskrit literature. Chandragupta II is 
credited with maintaining Nav-Ratna (Nine luminaries) at his court. Kalidasa and 
Amarasimha adorned his court. Kalidasa was the greatest and most famous poet of this 
period. He wrote Abhijnana Shakuntalam, Raghuvansham, Meghaduta and Kumar 
Sambhava. Amarsimha wrote Amarakosa, a Sanskrit dictionaiy. Panini was a great 
grammarian. Ashtadhyayi, the greatest work on Sanskrit grammar was written by Panini 
during this period. 
Question 7. 
Describe the progress made in the field of science during the Gupta period. 
Answer: 
Scientists, mathematicians, astronomers and physicians flourished in the court of the 
Gupta rulers. Two well- known mathematicians and astronomers of this period were 
Aryabhatta and Varahmihira. Aryabhatta said that the earth moves round the sun and at 
the same time it moves on its axis. The books authored by Aryabhatta are Aryabhatiya 
and Suryasidhanta. Varahamihira wrote Brihat Samhita, an Encyclopedia on 
Astronomy. Indian mathematicians knew the use of zero. The Indians also used the 
decimal system. 
Question 8. 
Write a short note on Gupta administration. 
Answer: 
The Gupta empire was divided into provinces. These provinces were further divided into 
various districts. There were district councils which helped the provincial governors. The 
provinces were known as Bhuktis and the districts were known as Vishayas. Each 
district was divided into villages called gramas. Each Bhukti was placed under the 
charge of an Uparika and each Vishaya under a Vishayapati. There were many officers 
who assisted the king in his work. The provinces were under the charge of princes. 
They were assisted by officials called Kumarmatyas. The villages were looked after by 
Gramapati. 
Question 9. 
With appropriate examples prove that the Gupta period has been rightly called a 
‘Golden Age’. 
Answer: 
The Gupta period is known as “Golden Age of Indian History”. The rule of the Gupta 
kings lasted for more than two hundred years. India made progress in almost every field 
under the Gupta kings. This period saw considerable achievements in the field of Indian 
culture especially in the areas of art, architecture and literature. Remarkable 
advancement also took place in the field of science, medicine and metallurgy. Peace 
and prosperity prevailed in the empire. 
V. Picture study: This is a picture of Iron Pillar. 
 
1. Who built it? 
Ans. Chandragupta II 
2. Where is it situated ? 
Ans. Mehrauli. Delhi 
3. Why is it called ‘rustless wonder’ ? 
Ans. It is called rustless wonder because it has not rusted yet. rather still shines. 
4. Its specially 
Ans. It shows the progress of the Gupta ruler in the field of metallurgy. 
5. Name of which ruler is inscribed on it ? 
Ans. Chandra. 
Textbook Keywords 
1. Navaratnas: It means nine gems. This term was used to refer to talented writers, 
musicians, dramatist, etc. who were present in the king’s count. 
2. Huns: They were barbarians who invaded India. Kumar amatyas They were 
officials who assisted the princes in governing the provinces. 
3. Vishyapatis: They were the officers who looked after the administration of the 
districts or vishyas. 
4. Vaishnavas: They are the worshipers of Lord Vishnu. Bhakti cult It was a religious 
cult that believed that God could be reached through intense and true devotion 
and not through rituals. 
5. Aryabhatta: He was a famous mathematician and astronomer who discovered 
that the earth moves around the sun, and the reasons for lunar and solar eclipses. 
6. Vagabhatta: He wrote a book on ayurvedic medicine. Kalidas He was the most 
famous Sanskrit poet and dramatist of this period.