Daily Current Affairs Quiz: October 29, 2025

Answer: B [Only two]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Samudragupta was known for his aggressive military campaigns rather than a policy of peace and non-aggression, unlike Ashoka, who embraced Buddhism and sought to promote peace after his conquests.

Statement 2 is correct: Harishena was indeed the court poet of Samudragupta. He composed inscriptions that celebrated Samudragupta’s military achievements, detailing his conquests and valor, contributing to the king’s legacy.

Statement 3 is correct: According to a Chinese source, Meghavarman, the ruler of Sri Lanka, did send a missionary to Samudragupta to seek permission for building a Buddhist temple at Gaya, reflecting the cultural and religious exchanges during that period. This permission was granted and the temple was developed into a huge monastic establishment.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The eulogistic inscription at Allahabad primarily praises Samudragupta’s victories and does not mention his defeats. It appears that Samudragupta did not know defeat. He is referred to as the “Napoleon of India” due to his military prowess, not because of losses.

Answer: D [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Explanation:

Samudragupta, one of the most notable rulers of the Gupta Empire, conducted extensive military campaigns that expanded his empire significantly. The various groups of territories conquered by him can be categorized as follows:

Statement 1 is correct: The princes of the Gangayamuna doab: Samudragupta defeated these princes, leading to the incorporation of their kingdoms into the Gupta Empire.

Statement 2 is correct: The rulers of the eastern Himalayan states: This group included states such as Nepal, Assam, and Bengal, which were also subdued by Samudragupta, showcasing his military prowess in the eastern frontiers.

Statement 3 is correct: The forest kingdoms of the Vindhya region (Atavika rajyas): Samudragupta brought these forest kingdoms under his control, indicating his efforts to consolidate power in central India.

Statement 4 is correct: The rulers of the Deccan and South India: Samudragupta’s campaigns reached as far as Kanchi in Tamil Nadu, where he compelled the Pallavas to acknowledge his suzerainty. This illustrates his influence over southern territories.

Answer: C [Only four]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Chandragupta II expanded his empire through military conquests and strategic marriage alliances. He married his daughter Prabhavati to a Vakataka prince. When the prince died, Prabhavati became the virtual ruler, and Chandragupta II had indirect control over Vakataka.

Statement 2 is correct: Chandragupta II successfully conquered Mathura from the Kushanas and gained control over Malwa and Gujarat by defeating the Shaka Kshatrapas who were controlling that region for about four centuries.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Iron Pillar of Delhi does indeed reference a king named “Chandra,” but historians debate whether this refers specifically to Chandragupta II or another king.

Statement 4 is correct: He is well-known for adopting the title “Vikramaditya,” which became associated with great kings in Indian history.

Statement 5 is correct: It was during his reign when Fa-Hien visited India and wrote an elaborate account of the life of the people.

Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Hunas, or Huns, invaded India during the later period of the Gupta Empire, significantly weakening the empire and contributing to its decline. The Hunas was a Central Asian tribe who excelled in horsemanship and possibly used stirrups made of metal.They could move quickly and were excellent archers.

Statement 2 is correct: The rise of feudatories and local rulers led to the decentralization of power. As local governors gained more autonomy, the central authority of the Gupta rulers diminished, further weakening the empire.

Statement 3 is correct: The Gupta rulers practiced land grants to the nobles and military leaders, which diminished the central treasury and made it increasingly challenging to maintain a large standing army. This practice weakened the military capacity of the empire, making it more vulnerabl e to external invasions and internal strife.

Answer: A [1 and 3 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Huna invasions during the late 5th and early 6th centuries CE dealt a severe blow to the Gupta Empire. Skandagupta initially repelled them, but continuous attacks drained the empire’s resources. Later rulers were unable to withstand the pressure, leading to the loss of territories in northwestern India. The invasions disrupted political stability, trade routes, and economic prosperity. This external pressure was one of the most important causes of the Gupta decline.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Gupta Empire did not maintain its territorial integrity until the end. After Skandagupta’s reign, the empire began to shrink rapidly. Provinces started declaring independence, and the empire fragmented into smaller regional kingdoms. By the 6th century CE, the Guptas retained only parts of Bihar and Bengal. The decline was gradual but definite, marked by both internal and external factors.

Statement 3 is correct: Internal rebellions and the rise of regional powers such as the Vakatakas, Maitrakas, and later Harshavardhana’s kingdom weakened the Gupta hold over India. The decentralization of power reduced imperial authority. Local governors often declared independence, taking advantage of the weakening central rule. This fragmentation further hastened the disintegration of the Gupta polity. The decline was therefore not just due to foreign invasions but also because of internal instability and the assertion of regional powers.