Early Medieval India — Practice Questions
UPSC Prelims-pattern practice questions on early medieval India with full explanations — Al-Biruni, Mitakshara, Rashtrakutas, Ramappa temple and the Palas.
Questions
These are original UPSC-pattern practice questions. Attempt each one before revealing the answer.
Al-Biruni, the author of Kitab-ul-Hind, came to India in the train of which ruler?
Solution
Al-Biruni accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni in the early eleventh century and wrote Kitab-ul-Hind (Tahqiq-i-Hind), a study of Indian sciences, religion and customs. Muhammad bin Qasim (712) is far earlier; Muhammad Ghori and Iltutmish are later.
Answer: B
Vijnaneshvara, author of the Mitakshara, adorned the court of a ruler of which dynasty?
Solution
Vijnaneshvara was at the court of Vikramaditya VI of the Chalukyas of Kalyani, alongside the poet Bilhana. The Mitakshara (a commentary on the Yajnavalkya Smriti) became the main authority on Hindu inheritance outside Bengal, where Jimutavahana’s Dayabhaga prevailed.
Answer: D
Consider the following statements about the Rashtrakutas:
- The dynasty was founded by Dantidurga.
- The Kailasa temple at Ellora was built under Krishna I.
- Amoghavarsha I is associated with the Kannada work Kavirajamarga.
- Their capital was at Vatapi.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Solution
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 4 is wrong: the Rashtrakuta capital was Manyakheta (Malkhed). Vatapi (Badami) was the capital of the Chalukyas, whom Dantidurga overthrew. Three statements are correct.
Answer: C
With reference to the Ramappa temple, consider the following statements:
- It was built during the rule of the Kakatiyas.
- It is located in Telangana.
- It is dedicated to Vishnu.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The temple at Palampet (Telangana) was built in 1213 by Recherla Rudra, a general of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva, and was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in July 2021. Statement 3 is wrong: it is the Rudreshwara temple, dedicated to Shiva.
Answer: A
Consider the following statements about the Palas of Bengal:
- Gopala, the founder, is said to have been chosen by the chiefs to end a period of anarchy.
- Dharmapala founded the Vikramashila monastery.
- The Palas were patrons of Mahayana Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
All three are correct. Dharmapala’s Khalimpur copper plate records Gopala’s selection to end matsyanyaya (anarchy, “the law of the fishes”). Dharmapala founded Vikramashila and the Somapura Mahavihara (Paharpur). The Palas supported Mahayana Buddhism and the Nalanda school of sculpture.
Answer: D
Trace the evolution of temple architecture under the Pallavas from rock-cut shrines to structural temples.
Solution
Introduction: The Pallavas of Kanchipuram (c. 6th–9th centuries) moved south Indian architecture from cave shrines to free-standing stone temples, laying the base of the Dravida style.
Body:
- Mahendravarman I — rock-cut mandapas: pillared halls cut into rock (Mandagapattu); simple façades and guardian figures.
- Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla) — monoliths and reliefs: the Pancha Rathas at Mahabalipuram, each carved from a single rock, rehearse different roof forms; the open-air relief of Arjuna’s Penance.
- Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha) — structural temples: the Shore Temple and the Kailasanatha temple, Kanchipuram — a pyramidal vimana, enclosure wall and sculpted panels.
- Later phase: the Vaikuntha Perumal temple (Nandivarman II), with narrative panels of Pallava history.
- Legacy: influenced the Chalukyan Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal and the Chola temples of Thanjavur.
Conclusion: Within about a century and a half, Pallava builders moved from carving rock to building in stone — the transition that made the Chola masterpieces possible.