Rashtrakutas MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Rashtrakutas - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - Rashtrakuta Ruler, Amoghavarsha I

Key Points

• Jinasena
  • Jinasena was a renowned Jaina scholar and author of the Adipurana, a key text in Jainism.
  • The Adipurana is a significant religious and philosophical work that primarily focuses on the lives of Jain Tirthankaras, especially Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara.
• Amoghavarsha I
  • Jinasena flourished during the reign of Rashtrakuta ruler Amoghavarsha I (814–878 CE), one of the most celebrated monarchs of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
  • Amoghavarsha I was not only a powerful ruler but also a patron of art and literature, fostering a rich cultural and intellectual environment in his court.
  • Jinasena received royal patronage from Amoghavarsha I, which enabled him to compose his works and contribute significantly to Jain literature.
• Rashtrakuta Dynasty
  • The Rashtrakutas were known for their support of diverse religions, including Jainism, which thrived under their rule.
  • Amoghavarsha I himself was deeply influenced by Jain philosophy, further solidifying the connection between Jinasena and his court.

Additional Information

• Amoghavarsha I's Contributions
  • Amoghavarsha I was a remarkable ruler and an accomplished scholar. He authored the Kavirajamarga, the earliest known literary work in Kannada.
  • His reign is often regarded as a golden age of literature, art, and religious tolerance.
• Rashtrakutas and Jainism
  • The Rashtrakutas were patrons of Jainism, as evidenced by the construction of Jain temples and the support extended to Jain scholars.
  • The famous Ellora Caves, which include Jain cave temples, were also constructed during their rule.
• Other Works by Jinasena
  • Jinasena also co-authored the Mahapurana along with his disciple Gunabhadra, another important text in Jain literature.
  • The Mahapurana is a comprehensive account of Jain cosmology, philosophy, and legendary history.

The correct answer is - Al-Masudi

Key Points

• Al-Masudi
  • Al-Masudi was an Arab historian and geographer who traveled extensively and wrote about various civilizations, including the Rashtrakuta Empire.
  • In his work, he provided a detailed account of the society, culture, and administration of the Rashtrakuta Empire, making him a significant source of historical information.
  • The Rashtrakutas were known for their patronage of art, architecture, and literature, which Al-Masudi highlighted in his writings.
  • His observations about the empire are particularly valuable due to their focus on the cultural and economic aspects of the time.

Additional Information

• Rashtrakuta Empire
  • The Rashtrakuta Empire (circa 6th–10th centuries CE) ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent and was known for its cultural and artistic achievements.
  • They were patrons of famous monuments such as the Ellora Caves and contributed significantly to Indian architecture.
  • Their society was marked by advancements in trade, literature, and governance.
• Other Writers
  • Ibn-Batuta: A Moroccan explorer who visited India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq in the 14th century, but he did not document the Rashtrakuta Empire.
  • Faris Shidyaq: A 19th-century writer who focused on Arabic literature and cultural topics, unrelated to the Rashtrakutas.
  • Abdur Razzak: A Persian traveler who visited the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century, not the Rashtrakuta period.

The correct answer is - Mahavira

Key Points

• Mahavira
  • Mahavira was a renowned mathematician from the 9th century in Karnataka.
  • He lived during the reign of the Rashtrakuta King Amoghavarsha Nripatunga at Manyakheta (modern Malkhed).
  • He is famous for his mathematical works, particularly his treatise "Ganitasarasangraha" which means "Compendium of Mathematics".
  • His work made significant contributions to algebra, arithmetic, and geometry, and it was widely used in southern India.
  • Mahavira's treatise includes rules for zero and negative numbers and ways to solve various types of equations.

Additional Information

• Veerabhadra
  • There is no historical evidence to suggest that Veerabhadra was a renowned mathematician in the 9th century.
• Maheshwar
  • Maheshwar is not known for any significant contributions to mathematics in the 9th century.
• Moreshwar
  • Moreshwar does not have any recorded mathematical works or contributions from the 9th century.

The correct answer is: '(a), (b), (d), (e)'

Key Points

• There are 34 rock-cut caves in all.
  • This statement is correct.
  • Ellora is known for its impressive series of 34 rock-cut temples and monasteries, making it a significant historical and architectural site in India.
• The caves here are related to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
  • This statement is correct.
  • The Ellora caves are unique because they encompass a blend of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments, reflecting the religious harmony prevalent during the period of their construction.
• The architecture belongs chiefly to the Chalukya of Badami and Rashtrakuta age.
  • This statement is correct.
  • The major construction activities at Ellora are attributed to the rule of the Chalukyas of Badami and the Rashtrakutas, showcasing their architectural and cultural accomplishments.
• The famous Kailas temple was built by Krishna-I.
  • This statement is correct.
  • The Kailasa temple, cave 16, is one of the largest and most extensive rock-cut temples in the world. It was constructed under the reign of Krishna I, a notable Rashtrakuta king.

Incorrect Statements

• The World famous Kailas temple is cave no. 10.
  • This statement is incorrect.
  • The Kailasa temple is actually cave number 16, not cave number 10. Cave 10 is a Buddhist chaitya hall known as Visvakarma or the Carpenter's Cave.

Hence, statements (a), (b), (d), and (e) are correct, and statement (c) is incorrect.

Additional Information

• Ellora Caves:
  • The Ellora Caves are located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India.
  • The site includes monuments dating from 600 to 1000 CE, with a mixture of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples and viharas (monasteries).
• Kailasa Temple (Cave 16):
  • The Kailasa temple is a remarkable example of Dravidian architecture. It represents Mount Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva.
  • The temple was excavated out of a single rock, creating a free-standing multi-storied temple complex.
  • This temple is not only architecturally significant but also a testament to the incredible engineering skills of the artisans of that era.
• Construction Techniques:
  • The rock-cut methodology involved carving through the vertical face of the Charanandri hills. These monuments were created by removing massive amounts of rock, a process requiring both skilled labor and extensive planning.

The correct answer is: 'Rashtrakuta emperor Krishna I'.'

Key Points

• The Kailasanatha temple at Ellora was built during the reign of Rashtrakuta emperor Krishna I.
  • This statement is correct.
  • The temple is a remarkable example of rock-cut architecture and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is considered one of the most impressive cave temples due to its size, architectural complexity, and sculptural treatment.
  • Krishna I ruled from approximately 756-773 CE, and the Kailasanatha temple is often credited as his most significant architectural achievement.

Incorrect Statements

• Rashtrakuta emperor Krishna II
  • Krishna II was also a Rashtrakuta ruler, but he did not build the Kailasanatha temple. He reigned later, from about 878-914 CE.
• Chola ruler Rajendra I
  • Rajendra Chola I was a prominent ruler of the Chola dynasty in southern India, ruling from 1014-1044 CE. He is known for his naval expeditions and the establishment of the Chola empire's dominance in Southeast Asia.
• Pallava ruler Rajsingh
  • There is no widely recognized Pallava ruler by the name of Rajsingh. The Pallavas were known for their contributions to architecture, particularly in Tamil Nadu, with famous structures like the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram.

Hence, the correct answer is Rashtrakuta emperor Krishna I.

Additional Information

• Rashtrakuta Dynasty:
  • The Rashtrakuta dynasty ruled large parts of the Indian subcontinent between the 6th and 10th centuries. They were known for their patronage of art and architecture.
  • Krishna I was one of the early rulers of the dynasty and his reign marked significant contributions to temple architecture, most notably the Kailasanatha temple.
• Ellora Caves:
  • The Ellora Caves are a complex of rock-cut temples and monasteries, built between the 6th and 10th centuries. They include Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain monuments, reflecting the religious diversity of the region at the time.
  • The Kailasanatha temple is the most famous of the Ellora Caves and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the world for its historical and architectural significance.

The correct answer is The Rashtrakutas.

Key Points

• The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), which features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley.
  • The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD.
• The caves of Ellora Elephanta were built by the Rashtrakuta rulers who are known to built it by cutting the walls of high basalt steep rock walls.
  • The Elephanta site was first occupied by Hinayana Buddhists, before the arrival of the Brahmans to the island, to raise a large stupa to the Buddha with seven smaller stupas around it, probably around the 2nd century BCE.
  • The Hindu caves contain sculptures of rock-cut stone, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  • In 1987, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site to conserve the artwork and is currently managed by India's Archeological Survey (ASI) 

The correct answer is Taila II of Western Chalukya.

Key Points

• Rashtrakutas
  • They ruled parts of South India from the 8th to the 10th century CE.
  • Their kingdom included the modern state of Karnataka in its entirety along with parts of the current Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat. 
  • They were originally known to be the feudatories of the Western Chalukyas of Vatapi.
  • Dhantidurga was the founder of the Rashtrakuta dynasty as he defeated Chalukyas of Badami.
  • The worship of Shiva and Vishnu was popular during the Rashtrakuta reign.
• In 973 CE, the Rashtrakuta dynasty was overthrown by Taila II, a feudatory of Krisha III.
• Tailpa II was the descendant of the old Chalukya empire.
• Taipa II later founded the dynasty of Chalukyas of Kalyani.

The correct answer is Dantidurga.

• The Samangadh copper plate gives proof that King Dantidurga defeated the Chalukyas of Badami.
• Dantidurga defeated the Chalukyas in 753AD and took the titles Rajadhiraja and Parameshvara.
• His capital was situated in the Gulbarga area of Karnataka.
• Dantidurga was the founder of the Rashtrakuta Empire of Manyakheta.​

Important Points

• Dantidurga also known as Dantivarman or Dantidurga 2.
• The first ruler of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was Dantidurga and the last ruler of this dynasty was Krishna 3.

Talking about option 3, this statement is wrong.

• The Kailash Temple at Ellora was built by the Rashtrakuta King Krishna I.
• He was a great patron of art and architecture.

Key Points

• Indra III was a powerful king of Rashtrakuta.
• He defeated and deposed Mahipala I.
• Krishna II last powerful and efficient king of the Rashtrakutas.
• He succeeded in defeating the Tamil kings of the Chola kingdom.
• He also succeeded in conquering Tanjore and Kanchi.
• Kavirajamarga was composed by Nripatunga Amogavarsha.
• It was the first poetic work in the Kannada language.

Key Points

• The question related to ancient Indian dynasties and the cities related to them.
• The Rashtrakuta ruler King Amoghavarsha I was one of the greatest rulers of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, founded the city of Manyakheta in the 9^th century.
• King Avantivarman founded the Utpala dynasty; his kingdom comprised of the modern-day region of Kashmir.  He founded the cities of Avantipur and Suyapur.
• King Lalitaditya, was a powerful ruler of the 8^th century Kashmir and founded the city of Parihaspora, which meant “smiling city”  
• Kushanaabha was the King of Amavasu dynasty and belongs to Chandravamsha clan. He was the son of Kusha. Kushanabha was the founder of the city Mahodaya (now Kannauj).

Hence, Mahendrapala - Mahodaya this pair is incorrect.

The correct code is (i), (iii).Key Points

• The proliferation of Sanskrit texts and  the refinement of architecture and art were not relevant for the emergence of regional formations during the period between c. 600-1200 CE.
• The growth of vernacular languages, and the emergence of distinct regional styles in art and architecture were all important factors in the emergence of regional formations during this period.
• The proliferation of Sanskrit texts was a sign of the cultural unity of India during the Gupta period.
• However, as the Gupta Empire declined, regional languages began to gain prominence.
• This was due in part to the growth of trade and commerce, which led to increased contact between different regions of India.
• Vernacular languages were also used to spread new religious ideas, such as bhakti and tantrism.
• Different regions developed their own distinct styles of architecture and art, which reflected their local cultures and traditions.
• This can be seen in the temples of the Chola dynasty in southern India, the forts of the Rajputs in northern India, and the mosques of the Delhi Sultanate.
• The emergence of distinct regional styles in art and architecture was a key factor in the formation of regional identities during the early medieval period.
• These regional identities were further strengthened by the growth of vernacular languages and the spread of new religious ideas.
• Therefore, the proliferation of Sanskrit texts is not relevant to the emergence of regional formations during the early medieval period.
• The growth of vernacular languages and the emergence of distinct regional styles in art and architecture are all relevant to the emergence of regional formations during this period.

• By the seventh century there were big landlords or warrior chiefs in different regions of the subcontinent.
• Existing kings often acknowledged them as their subordinates or samantas. They were expected to bring gifts for their kings or overlords, be present at their courts and provide them with military support.
• As samantas gained power and wealth, they declared themselves to be maha-samanta, maha-mandaleshvara (the great lord of a “circle” or region) and so on.
• Sometimes they asserted their independence from their overlords. One such instance was that of the Rashtrakutas in the Deccan. Initially, they were subordinate to the Chalukyas of Karnataka.
• In the mid-eighth century, Dantidurga, a Rashtrakuta chief, overthrew his Chalukya overlord and performed a ritual called hiranya-garbha (literally, the golden womb). When this ritual was performed with the help of Brahmanas, it was thought to lead to the “rebirth” of the sacrificer as a Kshatriya, even if he was not one by birth.

Chola was the dynasty that never patronized Jainism.

Key PointsChola Dynasty

• Cholas were the adherents of Hinduism.
• Throughout their history, they were not swayed by the rise of Buddhism and Jainism as were the kings of the Pallava and Pandya dynasties.
• While the Cholas did build their largest and most important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, it can be by no means concluded that either they were the followers of Saivism only and that Saivism was the state religion during their rule.
• The second Chola king Aditya I himself built quite a few temples for Siva and for Lord Vishnu around CE 890 and issued an inscriptional dictat pronouncing that the great temples of Siva and the Ranganatha temple at Srirangam to be the 'Kuladhanam' of the Chola emperors
• . Another proof of this is the existence of as many as 40 Vaishnava Divyadesams out of 108 such temples in the Chola country, which are functioning and flourishing even today.
• Rajaraja Chola I patronized Buddhists and provided for constructing the Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam.

Hence, the correct answer is Chola

The Rashtrakutas established their empire after destroying the empire of the Chalukyas of Badami. They maintained their ascendancy in the Deccan for nearly 223 years and then were destroyed by later Chalukyas of Kalyana. 

• In the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, Buddha Vihar of Kanheri situated in Mumbai, Maharashtra was the famous centre of education.
• Kanheri became a University centre in the 10th century.
• Kanheri University become popular during the rule of the Rashtrakutas dynasty. 
• The place Kanheri knew a black mountain is famous for rock-cut Buddhist caves.
• There are 109 caves in the Kanheri cave.

Hence, from the above-mentioned points, it becomes clear that Kanheri University become popular during the rule of the Rashtrakutas dynasty.

 ​

• Chola Dynasty (300 BC to 1300 AD): The headquarters of the Chola rulers was the fertile valley of the Kaveri River.  
• The foundation of the Chalukya Dynasty was the Chalukyas of Badami, they are also known as western Chalukyas.
• The Pallavas were a local tribe that rose to their reputation in the Tondainadu region. The Pallavas often got into the battle with the Kadambas, the rulers of northern Karnataka and Konkan somewhere in the 4th Century AD.

The correct answer is Keerthi Verma.

Key Points

• Badami Chalukya (543-753) united south under an empire.
• Keerthi Verma II ascended the throne in 745AD.
• He was not a worthy ruler. At the same time Dantidurga of Rashtrakuta was emerging and a feudatory of Chalukya.
• Keerthi Verma defeated by Krishna I(brother of Dantidurga) decisively.​

Additional Information

Rashtrakutas

• Founder: Dantidurga
• Emblem: Garuda
• Capital:Manyakheda
• Other rulers of the dynasty:
  • Krishna I(756-774)
  • Krishna I carved the Kailasa temple at Ellora.
  • Govinda III(793-814)
  • Krishna III (936-967)
• The art and architecture of the Rashtrakutas can be found at Ellora and Elephanta.

​Badami Chalukya

• Founder:Jaisimha
• Capital: Badami/Vatapi
• The Western Chalukyas ruled over an extensive area in the Deccan for about two centuries from 543 to 755 AD.
• The most important ruler of this dynasty was Pulakesin II.
• The Aihole inscription issued by him gives the details of his reign.