Gupta Dynasty's Use of Prashasti
A prashasti is a type of royal inscription, typically a eulogy, composed in verse or prose, praising the ruler and detailing their achievements, lineage, and qualities.
The rulers of the Gupta dynasty famously used prashastis to commemorate their victories and lineage. The most celebrated example is the Allahabad Pillar inscription (Prayaga Prashasti), composed by the court poet Harishena in Sanskrit. This inscription details the military conquests and administrative prowess of the Gupta ruler Samudragupta.
While other dynasties also used inscriptions, the elaborate nature and focus on recording ruler achievements in poetic form reached a significant peak during the Gupta period.
- Option 1: Gupta dynasty - Correct. Rulers used prashasti extensively.
- Option 2: Rajput dynasty - Some rulers used inscriptions, but not as definingly as the Guptas for prashastis detailing achievements.
- Option 3: Khilji dynasty - Primarily known for military and administrative records, less so for elaborate prashastis of this type.
- Option 4: Mughal dynasty - Used chronicles and biographies extensively, different from the classical prashasti form.
Similar Questions
- Which of the following kings of the Gupta Empire was also a good Veena player?
- Which period has been described as the Golden Age of Indian history?
- Nalanda University is widely recognised as one of the ancient world's great universities and an important Buddhist centre of academic excellence.
Which Indian ruler founded it? - Who ascended the Gupta throne after Chandragupta I?
The work 'Panchasiddhantika', which deals with astronomy, was written in the sixth century by:
Kalidasa, the celebrated Sanskrit poet and dramatist, flourished in the court of which Gupta ruler?
Harshavardhana's sister, Rajyashri, was married to whom among the following?
Which of the following inscriptions is the main source of information of Samudragupta's military achievements?
Chandragupta I strengthened his political position by marrying Princess Kumaradevi of which tribal lineages?
After defeating the Shakas and annexing their territories in western India, which Gupta ruler assumed the imperial title “Vikramaditya” to mark his supremacy?
Important Questions from Gupta Age
From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?
1. The Guptas of Magadha
2. The Paramaras Malwa
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
5. The Yaduvas of Devagiri
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Identify the person from the following description :
a. Founder of a great empire.
b. Cultured, scholar and a poet.
c. The famous poet Harisena was his court poet and Buddhist scholar Vasubandhu was in his court.
d. Vincent Smith praises him as the 'Indian Napoleon'.
The campaigns of which of the following Gupta ruler are described in the ‘Prayagprasasti’ ?
Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
Assertion (A): The Gupta period saw the ascendency of Hinduism, especially Bhagavatism or vaishnavism
Reason (R): Fahsien given the impression that Buddhism was flourishing during this period. It may be said first that four Buddha images were added at the four entrances of the great stupa of Sanchi. Nalanda also became a centre of Buddhist education during this period.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
The Gupta empire had a very elaborate administrative system at the village level. Which of the bodies below are mentioned in the inscription of that period.
(A) Ghatika
(B) Pancha-mandli
(C) Ashtakula-adhikarana
(D) Sabhamandala
(E) Tri-mandli
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
