The Gupta Empire Question and Answers | ICSE Class 6

CHAPTER 15

Answer the following questions

Here are the answers as per the ICSE Grade 6 syllabus for the chapter “The Gupta Empire.”

Question 1: What was the political condition of India after the decline of the Kushans and the Satavahanas?

After the decline of the Kushans in the north and the Satavahanas in the Deccan, India was politically fragmented. Several small kingdoms and regional powers emerged, creating a lack of unity. The northwestern regions were under the control of various small rulers, while in the Deccan, different dynasties ruled separate territories. There was no central authority, which made the subcontinent vulnerable to invasions. This political instability ended when the Gupta dynasty rose to power and established a strong and unified empire.

Question 2: Why did the Pallava ruler of Kanchi form a confederacy against Samudragupta?

The Pallava ruler of Kanchi formed a confederacy (alliance) of South Indian kings to oppose Samudragupta because of his aggressive expansion in the south. Samudragupta had already conquered many northern territories and was marching towards the Deccan. The Pallava ruler, along with other southern rulers, wanted to protect their kingdoms from being taken over. However, despite their efforts, Samudragupta

defeated them.

You can have a look on The French Revolution

Question 3: Why did Samudragupta not annex the South Indian kingdoms after defeating them?

Unlike his conquests in the north, Samudragupta did not annex the South Indian kingdoms because:

• The southern region was too far from his capital, making administration difficult.
• Instead of direct control, he wanted these kingdoms to accept his suzerainty (overlordship) and pay tribute.
• He aimed to maintain friendly relations with southern rulers for trade and diplomacy rather than ruling them directly.

Thus, he allowed the southern kings to continue ruling their lands under his influence.

Question 4: Why did the frontier states of the east and the west surrender to Samudragupta?

The frontier states of eastern and western India surrendered to Samudragupta because of his military strength and strategic diplomacy. They realized that resisting his army would result in destruction and loss of power. To avoid this, they accepted his authority and became his vassal states. They continued to rule their territories but had to pay tribute and acknowledge his supremacy.

Question 5: What was the extent of Samudragupta’s empire?

Samudragupta’s empire covered a vast region, making him one of the greatest rulers of ancient India. His empire included:

• Northern India, stretching from Punjab in the west to Bengal in the east.
• The central and western regions, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• Parts of the Deccan, where southern rulers accepted his overlordship.

His conquests expanded the Gupta Empire, making it a dominant power in the Indian subcontinent.

Question 6: How did Chandragupta Vikramaditya strengthen his position through matrimonial alliances?

Chandragupta Vikramaditya used matrimonial alliances to strengthen his empire. He married Princess Kumaradevi, a Lichchhavi princess, which helped him gain political support from the Lichchhavis, an influential clan. This alliance also brought military and economic benefits to the Gupta Empire. Such alliances helped establish peace and stability, allowing him to focus on administration and expansion.

Question 7: Mention two important reasons for the downfall of the Gupta Empire.

The Gupta Empire declined due to several factors, including:

1. Invasions by the Hunas – The Hunas (Huns), a Central Asian tribe, invaded India and weakened the Gupta rulers by destroying cities and disrupting trade.
2. Weak Successors – After Skandagupta, the later Gupta rulers were weak and inefficient, leading to internal conflicts and loss of territories.

These factors gradually led to the disintegration of the once-powerful Gupta Empire.

You can also read the Study Guide on Sources of History

Question 8: What, according to Fa-Hien, was the condition of the people during the Gupta period?

Fa-Hien, a Chinese Buddhist traveler, visited India during the reign of Chandragupta Vikramaditya. According to him, the Gupta period was a golden age with peace and prosperity. He observed that:

• People were happy, law-abiding, and prosperous.
• Trade and agriculture flourished, and there was no extreme taxation.
• Buddhism and Hinduism coexisted peacefully, and education was widely promoted.
• There was no severe punishment in the legal system, and people had religious freedom.

His accounts highlight the Gupta period as a time of economic and cultural growth.

Question 9: What progress did the Guptas make in the following fields?

🔹 Astronomy:

• Aryabhata, a great astronomer, proposed that the Earth rotates on its axis.
• He correctly explained eclipses and the positions of planets.

🔹 Mathematics:

• The concept of zero was developed, revolutionizing mathematics.
• Decimal notation and the value of pi were introduced.

🔹 Medicine:

• Ayurvedic medicine flourished, and doctors performed surgeries, including plastic surgery.
• The famous physician Charaka wrote the Charaka Samhita, an important text on medicine.

🔹 Metallurgy:

• The Guptas excelled in ironwork, as seen in the Iron Pillar of Delhi, which has not rusted for centuries.
• They developed advanced techniques for making gold and silver coins.