Harshacharita has references to various presents sent by a ruler named Bhaskara to Harshavardhana. Bhaskara belonged to
- A.Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha
- B.Varman Dynasty of Assam
- C.Nanda Dynasty of North India
- D.None of the above
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, Varman Dynasty of Assam. Bhaskaravarman was the king of Kamarupa, ancient Assam, and a close ally of Harsha.
Harshacharita was written by Banabhatta, the court poet of Harshavardhana of Kannauj in the seventh century. Bana describes an envoy from Bhaskaravarman arriving with rich gifts, including a royal umbrella, silks, ornaments and other products of the east, to seal an alliance against Shashanka of Gauda, their common enemy. Bhaskaravarman was the most famous ruler of the Varman line of Kamarupa. The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang visited his court and later attended Harsha's assembly at Kannauj along with him.
Option A is wrong because the Haryanka dynasty of Bimbisara and Ajatashatru ruled Magadha more than a thousand years earlier. Option C is wrong because the Nandas ruled Magadha in the fourth century BCE. Option D is wrong because the Varman dynasty in option B is the right answer.
Exam tip: Harshacharita by Banabhatta; Harsha's eastern ally Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa.
Practice Questions
View allSimla was founded as a hill station to use as strategic place for billeting troops, guarding frontier and launching campaign during the course of
- A.Anglo-Maratha War
- B.Anglo-Burmese War
- C.Anglo-Gurkha War
- D.Anglo-Afghan War
Show answer
Simla came under British control during the Anglo-Gurkha War of 1814-16 and grew as a military post on the hill frontier.
Read the full explanation →In 1921, during which one of the following tours, Gandhiji shaved his head and began wearing loincloth in order to identify with the poor?
- A.Ahmadabad
- B.Champaran
- C.Chauri Chaura
- D.South India
Show answer
In September 1921, while touring the south during the Non-Cooperation Movement, Gandhi gave up his shirt and cap at Madurai and took to a simple loincloth.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements about the Harappan Culture is not correct?
- A.It witnessed the first cities in the subcontinent.
- B.It marks the first use of script, written from right to left.
- C.It marks the earliest known use of iron as a medium for the art of sculpting.
- D.It marks the earliest known use of stone as a medium for the art of sculpting.
Show answer
The Harappans were a Bronze Age people and did not know iron at all. The Harappan or Indus Valley Civilisation flourished from about 2600 to 1900 BCE.
Read the full explanation →Which river is praised in the fifth century Tamil epic, Silappadikaram?
- A.Cauvery
- B.Godavari
- C.Saraswati
- D.Ganges
Show answer
The Silappadikaram sings the praise of the Kaveri, the life-giving river of the Chola country, in whose delta its story begins.
Read the full explanation →Which Buddhist text contains an account of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka?
- A.Vinaya Pitaka
- B.Sutta Pitaka
- C.Abhidhamma Pitaka
- D.Mahavamsa
Show answer
The Mahavamsa, the great Pali chronicle of Sri Lanka, gives a detailed account of Ashoka, his conversion to Buddhism and his missions abroad.
Read the full explanation →