There is a pillar standing in Delhi that is over 1,600 years old and has never rusted. That single fact says that the age it was produced must have something extraordinary. The Gupta period was a time of powerful kings and large armies. It was a time when India’s thinkers, poets, mathematicians, and artists were all working at their best. Some of these people worked at the the same time, in the same courts and cities.
Chapter 7, titled The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity, is part of the unit Tapestry of the Past from the Class 7 NCERT textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 1). It covers the Gupta Empire and its contemporaries from roughly the 3rd to the 6th century CE.
Here is a quick look at what this chapter covers:
- The Iron Pillar of Delhi: It is over 1,600 years old and rust-free. It shows the advanced metallurgical knowledge people had in ancient India.
- Origin of the Guptas: They started as a regional ruler near present-day Uttar Pradesh before building a powerful empire.
- Chandragupta I: He laid the early foundation of the Gupta Empire. He did so through strategic alliances and coin-based authority.
- Samudragupta: Expanded the empire through military campaigns. His court poet Harisena recorded his achievements in the Prayaga Prashasti inscription.
- Chandragupta II (also called Vikramaditya): The most celebrated Gupta ruler, known for patronising art, literature, and science.
- Gupta administration: The empire was divided into provinces. Land grants to local rulers and priests were recorded on copper plates.
- Prabhavati Gupta: She was daughter of Chandragupta II. She served as regent of the Vakataka kingdom and built several temples dedicated to Vishnu.
- Faxian’s travelogue (early 5th century CE): A Chinese pilgrim that visited India and recorded life under the Guptas. In his writings, he mentioned prosperity of the empire, about charity works, and well-ordered cities.
- Trade under the Guptas: India exported textiles, spices, ivory, and gems to the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and China.
- Socotra Island: A stop on Indian Ocean trade routes. It was proved with archaeological evidence of Indian traders and Brahmi inscriptions that was found there.
- Aryabhata (around 500 CE): Aryabhata wrote the Aryabhatiya. He proposed Earth’s rotation on its axis. He further calculated the length of a year, and explained eclipses.
- Varahamihira: He was a mathematician, astronomer, and astrologer whose encyclopedic work Brihat Samhita covered astronomy, weather, architecture, and farming.
- Kalidasa: Kalidasa was a sanskrit poet and playwright. His work Meghadutam describes landscapes of north India through the journey of a cloud messenger.
- Ayurveda codified: The Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were compiled during this period, formalising ancient Indian medical knowledge.
- Gupta art: The key centres for Gupta art included Sarnath, Ajanta caves, and Udayagiri. Sculptures, cave paintings, and temple carvings set lasting aesthetic standards.
- Nalanda University: Patronised by the Guptas, it became one of the greatest centres of learning in the ancient world.
- The Pallavas: Ruled parts of present-day Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Their capital Kanchipuram was known as the city of a thousand temples.
- The Kamarupa kingdom: Ruled by the Varman dynasty in present-day Assam, it was a prominent cultural and political centre in the northeast.
- Decline of the Guptas (6th century CE): Repeated invasions by the Huna tribe and rising regional powers weakened the empire from within and outside.
The Gupta Era period matters because it shows what a society can produce when there is stability, and intellectual freedom all at once. Some of the top contributions of this period –
- Mathematics that is still taught in Indian schools
- The Ayurvedic practices
- Cave paintings at Ajanta
- The concept of zero
- India’s national emblem
All of these trace back to this remarkable Gupta Era. This chapter will make students understand a large part of why India’s civilisational legacy runs so deep.
Gear up and attempt these MCQ questions for Class 7 Social Science to see how well you know the Gupta era.
Class 7 The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity MCQ Questions with Answers
Class 7 SST Chapter 7 The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity MCQ Questions
1. The famous Iron Pillar at Mehrauli is important mainly because it
a) is made of gold
b) has remained rust-free for over 1600 years
c) was built by the Mughals
d) marks the end of the Gupta Empire
Answer:
b) has remained rust-free for over 1600 years
2. The Iron Pillar of Delhi was erected during the reign of
a) Samudragupta
b) Chandragupta II
c) Chandragupta Maurya
d) Harisena
Answer:
b) Chandragupta II
3. The inscription on the Iron Pillar celebrates a king identified as
a) Ashoka
b) Samudragupta
c) Chandragupta II
d) Kumaragupta
Answer:
c) Chandragupta II
4. Chandragupta II was also known by the title
a) Samrat Ashoka
b) Vikramaditya
c) Rajadhiraja
d) Mahapadma
Answer:
b) Vikramaditya
5. The Gupta dynasty is believed to have first emerged near present-day
a) Kerala
b) Uttar Pradesh
c) Assam
d) Gujarat
Answer:
b) Uttar Pradesh
6. The Prayaga Prashasti is an inscription praising the achievements of
a) Chandragupta I
b) Samudragupta
c) Chandragupta II
d) Faxian
Answer:
b) Samudragupta
7. Who composed the Prayaga Prashasti?
a) Kalidasa
b) Aryabhata
c) Harisena
d) Varahamihira
Answer:
c) Harisena
8. Samudragupta’s ambition was described by Harisena as
a) building the tallest temple
b) unifying the Earth
c) conquering only the south
d) ending all trade
Answer:
b) unifying the Earth
9. Which musical instrument is Samudragupta shown playing on one of his coins?
a) Flute
b) Drum
c) Veena
d) Conch
Answer:
c) Veena
10. The horse shown on a special Gupta coin represents the
a) royal cavalry
b) Ashvamedha yajna
c) hunting tradition
d) trade route
Answer:
b) Ashvamedha yajna
11. At its peak, the Gupta Empire covered most of present-day
a) south India only
b) north and west India with parts of central and east India
c) northeast India only
d) Sri Lanka and Tibet
Answer:
b) north and west India with parts of central and east India
12. Chinese traveller Faxian visited India mainly to
a) conquer the Gupta Empire
b) collect Buddhist manuscripts and visit sacred sites
c) trade in horses
d) become a minister in the Gupta court
Answer:
b) collect Buddhist manuscripts and visit sacred sites
13. According to Faxian, the cities of the Gangetic plains were
a) poor and deserted
b) rich, prosperous, and orderly
c) always under attack
d) ruled only by monks
Answer:
b) rich, prosperous, and orderly
14. Faxian also mentioned the harsh treatment of the
a) traders
b) scholars
c) chandalas
d) soldiers
Answer:
c) chandalas
15. Gupta rulers used titles like maharajadhiraja, samrat, and chakravartin to show
a) their interest in trade
b) their claim to supreme authority
c) their devotion to music
d) their foreign origin
Answer:
b) their claim to supreme authority
16. Prabhavati Gupta was the daughter of
a) Samudragupta
b) Chandragupta II
c) Harisena
d) Faxian
Answer:
b) Chandragupta II
17. Prabhavati Gupta became regent ruler of the Vakataka kingdom because
a) she conquered it in battle
b) her husband died early
c) she was elected by traders
d) she was sent by Faxian
Answer:
b) her husband died early
18. The primary source of revenue of the Guptas was
a) sea tax
b) land tax
c) temple donations
d) road toll only
Answer:
b) land tax
19. Gupta trade linked India with the Mediterranean world, Southeast Asia, and
a) Australia
b) China
c) South America
d) Japan only
Answer:
b) China
20. Which island in the Arabian Sea is mentioned as an important stop in Indian Ocean trade?
a) Lakshadweep
b) Socotra
c) Barren Island
d) Sri Lanka
Answer:
b) Socotra
21. Which scholar of the Gupta period wrote Aryabhatiya?
a) Varahamihira
b) Kalidasa
c) Aryabhata
d) Harisena
Answer:
c) Aryabhata
22. Aryabhata proposed that day and night are caused because
a) the Sun moves around the Earth daily
b) the Earth spins on its axis
c) the Moon blocks the Sun
d) clouds cover the sky
Answer:
b) the Earth spins on its axis
23. Brihat Samhita, a work covering astronomy, weather, architecture, and farming, was written by
a) Kalidasa
b) Varahamihira
c) Aryabhata
d) Chandragupta II
Answer:
b) Varahamihira
24. Which of the following is correctly matched with the Gupta age?
a) Kanchipuram – capital of the Guptas
b) Ajanta – famous cave paintings and Buddhist art
c) Faxian – Gupta military commander
d) Socotra – Gupta capital city
Answer:
b) Ajanta – famous cave paintings and Buddhist art
The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity Class 7 Assertion-Reason Questions
1. Assertion (A): The Gupta period is sometimes called the classical age of India. Reason (R): During this period, literature, science, art, and architecture flourished under conditions of peace and stability.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Assertion (A): The Iron Pillar of Delhi is considered a remarkable achievement. Reason (R): It has remained largely free of rust because of the special quality of iron and the protective layer formed on its surface.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
3. Assertion (A): The Gupta rulers did not control every region directly from the centre. Reason (R): They divided the empire into provinces and allowed local rulers, priests, and chieftains some control through land grants.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
4. Assertion (A): Prabhavati Gupta was politically important in the Gupta period. Reason (R): As regent ruler of the Vakataka kingdom, she helped maintain strong ties between the Vakatakas and the Guptas.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
5. Assertion (A): The Gupta Empire declined by the 6th century CE. Reason (R): Repeated attacks by the Hunas and the rise of strong regional powers weakened Gupta control.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity Class 7 Fill in the blanks Questions
1. The Iron Pillar of Delhi was dedicated to __________.
Answer:
Vishnu
2. Chandragupta II was also known as __________.
Answer:
Vikramaditya
3. The court poet who wrote the Prayaga Prashasti was __________.
Answer:
Harisena
4. Faxian was a traveller from __________.
Answer:
China
5. Prabhavati Gupta became the regent ruler of the __________ kingdom.
Answer:
Vakataka
6. The main source of Gupta revenue was __________ tax.
Answer:
land
7. Aryabhata lived in Kusumapura near present-day __________.
Answer:
Patna
8. Varahamihira lived in the city of __________.
Answer:
Ujjayini
9. Kalidasa’s famous work about a cloud messenger is called __________.
Answer:
Meghadutam
10. The fierce tribe that attacked the Gupta Empire in its later phase was the __________.
Answer:
Hunas
The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity Class 7 True or False Questions
1. The Gupta Empire flourished mainly between the 3rd and 6th century CE.
Answer:
True
2. The Iron Pillar inscription identifies the king Chandra with Chandragupta Maurya.
Answer:
False
3. Samudragupta is shown as a veena player on one of his coins.
Answer:
True
4. Faxian described every section of Gupta society as equally treated.
Answer:
False
5. Gupta administration used copper plate inscriptions to record land grants.
Answer:
True
6. The Guptas traded only with nearby kingdoms and had no overseas trade.
Answer:
False
7. Aryabhata gave a correct explanation for solar and lunar eclipses.
Answer:
True
8. Brihat Samhita dealt only with astrology and nothing else.
Answer:
False
9. Ayurveda received codified form during the Gupta period.
Answer:
True
10. The Pallavas were important rulers in the northeast during the Gupta period.
Answer:
False
The Gupta Era An Age of Tireless Creativity Class 7 Match the following Questions
Question 1
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Chandragupta II | A. Chinese traveller |
| 2. Samudragupta | B. Vikramaditya |
| 3. Faxian | C. Regent ruler of Vakataka kingdom |
| 4. Prabhavati Gupta | D. Praised in Prayaga Prashasti |
| 5. Aryabhata | E. Author of Aryabhatiya |
Answer:
| Column A | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Chandragupta II | B. Vikramaditya |
| 2. Samudragupta | D. Praised in Prayaga Prashasti |
| 3. Faxian | A. Chinese traveller |
| 4. Prabhavati Gupta | C. Regent ruler of Vakataka kingdom |
| 5. Aryabhata | E. Author of Aryabhatiya |
Question 2
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Socotra | A. Center of learning in the south |
| 2. Ajanta | B. Important stop in Indian Ocean trade |
| 3. Kanchipuram | C. Famous caves with paintings |
| 4. Kamarupa | D. Kingdom in the Brahmaputra valley |
| 5. Udayagiri | E. Rock-cut caves and carvings |
Answer:
| Column A | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Socotra | B. Important stop in Indian Ocean trade |
| 2. Ajanta | C. Famous caves with paintings |
| 3. Kanchipuram | A. Center of learning in the south |
| 4. Kamarupa | D. Kingdom in the Brahmaputra valley |
| 5. Udayagiri | E. Rock-cut caves and carvings |
