Q1.The Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) visited India during Harsha’s reign. In his accounts, he refers to Harshavardhana by which of the following names?
- Sakalottarapathanatha
- Devaputra
- Shiladitya
- Maharajadhiraja
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Xuanzang refers to Harsha as Shiladitya (Sun of Virtue). Xuanzang’s travelogue, Si-Yu-Ki, provides a vivid description of Harsha’s administration, the Prayag assembly, and the state of Buddhism in India during that period.
Q2.Consider the following statements regarding the Battle of Narmada:
- It was fought between Harshavardhana and the Chalukya King Pulakeshin II.
- Harsha emerged victorious, extending his empire to the Kaveri River.
- The Aihole Inscription provides a detailed account of this battle.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Statement 3 is correct as the Aihole Inscription, composed by Ravikirti (Pulakeshin II’s court poet), mentions the defeat of Harsha. Statement 2 is incorrect; Harsha was defeated and his southern expansion was checked at the Narmada River, which became the boundary between the two empires.
Q3.Harshavardhana shifted his capital from Thanesar to which city?
A) Pataliputra
B) Kannauj
C) Ujjain
D) Prayag
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Following the death of his brother Rajyavardhana and his brother-in-law (the Maukhari King Grahavarman), Harsha united the kingdoms of Thanesar and Kannauj. He shifted his capital to Kannauj to better manage the affairs of northern India and maintain control over the fertile Gangetic plains.
Q4.Which of the following Sanskrit plays are attributed to Harshavardhana himself?
- Ratnavali
- Priyadarshika
- Nagananda
- Kadambari
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2, and 3 only
- 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3, and 4
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Harsha was a great patron of learning and an accomplished author. He wrote three Sanskrit plays: Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, and Nagananda. Kadambari, on the other hand, was written by his court poet, Banabhatta.
Q5.With reference to Harsha’s administration, what was the “Maha Sandhi Vigrahika”?
A) The Chief Justice of the Empire
B) The Officer in charge of land revenue
C) The Minister for Peace and War
D) The Commander-in-Chief of the Army
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Harsha’s administration followed the Gupta pattern with some modifications. The Maha Sandhi Vigrahika was the high official responsible for foreign policy, diplomacy, and concluding treaties of peace or declaring war.
