Rise of the Gupta empire
Which ruler founded the Gupta Empire around 320 CE?
Chandragupta I
Which famous Buddhist university had eight colleges and three libraries?
Nalanda
Which collection of Hindu legends was first written down during the Gupta Empire?
The Puranas
Which cave murals are considered some of the greatest ancient Indian paintings?
The Ajanta cave murals
Which concept did Gupta mathematicians treat as a number for the first time?
Zero
Which earlier empire collapsed, causing India to break into smaller kingdoms for 500 years?
The Mauryan empire
Which two religions had universities during the Gupta period?
Hinduism and Buddhism
Which epic poem reached its final form during the Gupta era?
The Mahabharata
Which wealthy members of society were often shown in Gupta paintings?
Nobles or royalty
Which number system used today was developed by Gupta mathematicians?
The decimal system
Which strategy did the Guptas use to form alliances with other ruling families?
Arranged marriages
In which field did students learn to make cures from bark, roots, leaves, and minerals?
Medicine
: Which Hindu text, meaning “Song of the Lord,” is part of the Mahabharata?
The Bhagavad Gita
In which style did Gupta sculptures portray the human form?
Simple and graceful
Which Gupta astronomer calculated the length of a year as 365.258 days?
Aryabhata
Which region of India did the Guptas rule most of at their height?
Northern India
For what purpose did students use the front claws of giant ants?
Stitching wounds
Which famous Middle Eastern story was inspired by a Gupta folktale?
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
Which four materials did Gupta sculptors commonly use?
Stone, wood, bronze, and terra‑cotta clay
Which seasonal problem did raised roads help prevent during monsoons?
Flooding
Which local leaders did the Guptas allow to make many of their own decisions?
Town leaders or provincial governors
Besides religion, which two subjects were taught at Gupta universities?
Mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, Sanskrit, sculpture, painting, music, or dancing
Which three types of literature were created by Gupta writers?
Poetry, fables, folktales, plays, law texts, or religious texts (any three)
Which river deity is represented in a famous Gupta sculpture?
Ganga
Which 25‑foot iron structure has barely rusted in 1,600 years?
The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli