WBBSE Solutions For Class 6 History Chapter 6 Imperial Expansion And Administration Topic C North India In The Post Gupta Period

WBBSE Chapter 6 Imperial Expansion And Administration Topic C North India In The Post-Gupta Period Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Describe the administrative system of Harshavardhana.
Answer:

The administrative system of Harshavardhana:

Harshavardhana was the ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. He carried the administrative work of his kingdom from Kanauj and Thaneshwar.

Central Administration

1. King: Administration was under the direct Like the Gupta period the district provinces were supervised of the king.
2. Council of ministers: In administrative work, the council of ministers assisted the king.
3. Amatya: Amatyas were also responsible for administrative work.
4. Army: Harshavardhana organized a vast army for waging continuous wars.

Provincial Administration

Like the Gupta period, the district provinces were ruled by the samantas or by representatives chosen by the king. Each and every province of Bhukti was divided into Visayas or districts. The lowest unit of administration was the village.

Tax system

Land revenue was collected which was 1/6 of the harvested crops. The tax was also collected from the merchants. Religious organizations were granted revenue-free lands.

WBBSE Class 6 Post-Gupta Period Notes

Question 2. What do we come to know from the writings of Xuanzang about the Buddhist congregation and the Great Donation festival organized by Harshavardhana?
Answer:

The Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang in his book Si-lu-Ki has given an account of the Buddhist congregation and the Great Donation festival.

1. Place:

Every year a Buddhist congregation and every five years the Great Donation festival was organized in Prayag.

2. Organizer:

The organizer of the Buddhist congregation and the Great Donation festival was Harshavardhana, the ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty.

3. Buddhist congregation:

In the Buddhist congregation, discussions continued for 21 days. Those people of the empire who performed good deeds were rewarded and those who committed misdeeds were banished from the kingdom.

4. Great Donation Festival:

The Great Donation festival was organized every five years. In the Great Donation site (Mahadankshetra) images of Buddha and Shiva were installed. Various donations were made which continued for eight days.

Harsha donated all his accumulated wealth of five years and he himself used to wear an old garment. The festival ended with the worship of Lord Buddha.

Question 3. What is the importance of Harshacharita?
Answer:

Importance of Harshacharita:

Composer: Harshacharita was composed by Banabhatta, the court poet of Harshavardhana.

Features:

Harshacharita is a ‘Prashasti’ or eulogy. Harsha has been highly praised here. It describes only the virtues of Harsha. Besides praising Harsha the history of the Pushyabhuti dynasty is also noted here.

In praising Harsha, Banabhatta depicted Harsha’s opponents badly. Shashanka, the king of Gaur, has been described by Banabhatta in poor light. The book ends with a description of the incident where Harshavardhana successfully brought back his sister Rajyashri.

 

Common Questions About Vardhana Dynasty

Question 4. Discuss the military campaigns of Harshavardhana.
Answer:

The military campaigns of Harshavardhana:

Harshavardhana fought with many contemporary royal powers.

1. Harshavardhana had a long-standing enmity with Shashanka. But he could never defeat Shashanka directly.
2.  Harshavardhana fought with Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya dynasty. Both of them wanted to capture the commercial port area of the west coast. A fierce battle was fought between the two rivals in which Harshavardhana was defeated.
3. Harsha launched many military campaigns though not all the campaigns were successful. However, he is known as the last great monarch in north India.

Question 5. What did Xuanzang write about the Indian subcontinent?
Answer:

Xuanzang write about the Indian subcontinent:

Xuanzang, a Buddhist monk, came from China in the first half of the 7th century AD to India. He wrote his experiences in the book Si-lu-Ki. From this book much can be known about Harshavardhana’s rule.

He noticed many Buddhist monasteries in Kanauj. He also found many temples as well. Xuanzang writes that Harsha organized a Buddhist congregation every year for 21 days.

He also writes about the Great Donation of Harsha in Prayag which was organized every five years where Harsha used to donate everything.

WBBSE Chapter 6 Topic C North India In The Post-Gupta Period Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Who was the author of Harshacharita? How did Bana depict the opponents of Bana depict the Harsha?
Answer:

The author of Harshacharita:

Banabhatta was the author of Harshacharita. He has described the opponents of Harsha shabbily.

For example, king Shashanka of Gaur has been portrayed in poor light.

Question 2. Who was referred to as Sakalottar- pathanatha and why?
Answer:

Pushyabhuti king Harshavardhana was referred to as Sakalottarpathanatha. Though not all the military campaigns of Harshavardhana were successful, he was known as the last great monarch of north India.

That is why he was referred to as Sakalottarpathanatha or Lord of all the paths of north India.

Important Definitions Related to Post-Gupta Society

Question 3. What was Harshavardhana’s relationship with Pulakeshin II?
Answer:

Harshavardhana’s relationship with Pulakeshin II:

Both Harshavardhana the ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty and Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya dynasty wanted to capture the commercial port area of the west coast. A fierce battle was fought between the two rivals in which Harshavardhana was defeated.

WBBSE Chapter 6 Topic C North India In The Post-Gupta Period True Or False

Question 1. The calendar of the Harsha era started in 606 AD after Harshavardhana ascended the throne.
Answer: True

Question 2. Harshavardhana assumed the title of ‘Magadharaja’ after conquering Magadha.
Answer: True

Question 3. The Aihole Prashasti was written by Ravikirti, the court poet of Pulakeshin II.
Answer: True

Question 4. Harsha took control over both Kanauj and Sthaniswar.
Answer: True

Question 5. Harsha had a long-standing enmity with Rajyavardhana.
Answer: False

Question 6. During the reign of Harshavardhana 1/6 of the harvested crops was taxed.
Answer: True

Question 7. The biography of Harshavardhana was written by Xuanzang.
Answer: False

WBBSE Chapter 6 Topic C North India In The Post-Gupta Period Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. Rajyashri was the sister of ________ (Harshavardhana/Grahavarma /Rajyavardhana).
Answer: Harshavardhana

Question 2. Pushyabhuti’s rule ended with the death of ________ (Rajyavardhana / Rajyashri / Harshavardhana).
Answer: Harshavardhana

Question 3. King Shashanka of Gaur, assisted Devagupta, the king of Malwa in the battle against ________ (Pravakarvardhana / Rajyavardhana / Harshavardhana).
Answer: Rajyavardhana

Question 4. For eight long days, various donations were made by Harshavardhana in every ________ (six/five/seven) year.
Answer: Five

Question 5. Xuanzang has written about the Great Donation site of Harsha in ________ (Prayag / Mathura / Pataliputra).
Answer: Prayag

WBBSE Chapter 6 Topic C North India In The Post-Gupta Period Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. To which dynasty did Harshavardhana belong?
Answer: Harshavardhana belonged to the Pushyabhuti dynasty.

Question 2. When did the Harsha era begin?
Answer: The Harsha era began in 606 AD, the year in which Harshavardhana ascended the throne.

Question 3. Who was Grahavarma?
Answer: Grahavarma was the king of Kanauj.

Question 4. What is the meaning of ‘Sakalottarpathanatha”?
Answer: The meaning of ‘Sakalottarpathanatha’ is ‘Lord of all the paths of North India’.

Question 5. Who was known as ‘Sakalottarpathanatha’?
Answer: Harshavardhana was ‘Sakalottarpathanatha’.

Question 6. Who composed Harshacharita?
Answer: Banabhatta, the court poet of Harshavardhana, composed Harshacharita.

Question 7. Name the Buddhist monk who came from China during the reign of Harshavardhana.
Answer: The Buddhist monk who came from China during the reign of Harshavardhana was Xuanzang.

Examples of Cultural Developments in Post-Gupta Period

Question 8. What was the title Harshavardhana assumed?
Answer: Harshavardhana assumed the title of ‘shiladitya’.

Question 9. What is ‘Si-lu-Ki’?
Answer: ‘Si-lu-Ki’ is the name of the book written by Xuanzang, where he wrote his experiences in India.

Question 10. Who was Shashanka?
Answer: Shashanka was the king of Gaur.

Question 11. Name the king of Gaur with whom Harshavardhana fought.
Answer: Harshavardhana fought with Shashanka, the king of Gaur.

Question 12. By which Chalukya king Harshavardhana was defeated?
Answer: Harshavardhana was defeated by the Chalukya king Pulakesin II.

Question 13. Who has Ravikirti? What did he write?
Answer: Ravikirti was the court poet of Chalukya king Pulakeshin II. He composes the ‘Aihole Prashasti’.