Salankayanas and Visnukundins in Andhradesa – UGC NET History – Practice Questions

The Salankayanas of Vengi

1. Who among the following is regarded as the founder of the Śālankāyana dynasty of Vēṅgipura?
A. Hastivarman
B. Vijaya Nandivarman
C. Vijaya Dēvavarman
D. Candavarman

2. The rise of the Śālankāyana dynasty in the early 4th century A.D. led to the decline of which dynasty?
A. Ikṣvākus
B. Pallavas
C. Ānandas of Kandrapura
D. Kadambas

3. Vijaya Skandavarman II granted a village in Karmarāṣṭra to which Brāhmaṇa?
A. Gaṇa Śarman
B. Dāmodara Śarman
C. Golaśarman
D. Viṣṇuśarman

4. The Śālankāyanas were also referred to by Ptolemy as:
A. Arvarnoi
B. Avas
C. Musikas
D. Salakenoi

5. The probable capital of the Śālankāyanas was:
A. Pistapura
B. Kāñci
C. Dhānyakaṭaka
D. Vēṅgīpura

6. Which inscription mentions the Kausikas?
A. Allahabad inscription
B. Hāthigumphā inscription
C. Nāsik cave inscription of Śrī Yajña Śātakarṇi
D. Eran inscription

7. The Musikas and Avas are mentioned in the:
A. Junagadh inscription
B. Hāthigumphā inscription
C. Mehrauli inscription
D. Bhitari inscription

8. Mūsikanagara is generally identified with a place in which present district?
A. Guntur
B. Krishna
C. Visakhapatnam
D. Nalgonda

9. The Śālankāyanas originally held a subordinate position under:
A. Guptas only
B. Pallavas only
C. Imperial Andhras and later Andhrabhṛtyas/Śrīparvatiyas
D. Kadambas only

10. The earliest record of the Śālankāyana family is:
A. Kollēru charter
B. Peda Vēgi plates
C. Kantēru grant
D. Ellore Prakrit grant of Vijaya Dēvavarman

11. The Śālankāyanas adopted their family name from their:
A. Profession
B. Kingdom
C. Deity
D. Gotra

12. The Śālankāyanas were primarily a:
A. Kṣatriya family
B. Vaiśya lineage
C. Buddhist clan
D. Brāhmaṇa family

13. Which suffix was commonly attached to the personal names of the Śālankāyana rulers?
A. Gupta
B. Sena
C. Pāla
D. Varman

14. According to the Matsya Purāṇa, Śālankāyana was descended from:
A. Bharadvāja
B. Agastya
C. Viśvāmitra lineage through Śalaṅku
D. Kaśyapa

15. The emblem on the seals of the Śālankāyana copper plates was:
A. Lion
B. Elephant
C. Garuḍa
D. Bull

16. The adoption of the epithet “Bappa-bhattaraka-pada-bhaktaḥ” indicates:
A. Spread of Buddhism
B. Rise of Jainism
C. Shift from matronymic to patronymic traditions
D. Decline of Sanskrit

17. The tutelary deity of the Śālankāyanas was:
A. Mahāsena
B. Nārāyaṇa
C. Śiva
D. Citrarathasvāmin

18. Citrarathasvāmin is identified in Sanskrit lexicons with the:
A. Moon-god
B. Fire-god
C. Wind-god
D. Sun-god

19. The earliest evidence of Sun worship in ancient Andhradeśa is found in the records of the:
A. Pallavas
B. Ikṣvākus
C. Kadambas
D. Śālankāyanas

20. Vēṅgīpura is identified with modern:
A. Amaravati
B. Nāgārjunakoṇḍa
C. Peda-Vegi
D. Warangal

21. Sir Walter Eliot explored the remains of ancient Vēṅgīpura in:
A. 1810
B. 1825
C. 1840
D. 1875

22. Which mound at Dendulūr is specifically mentioned in connection with ancient remains?
A. Dharmarāja dibba
B. Nāga dibba
C. Bhīma-liṅgam dibba
D. Aśoka dibba

23. The language of the earliest Śālankāyana grant is:
A. Sanskrit
B. Tamil
C. Pali
D. Prakrit

24. The Ellore Prakrit plates are generally assigned to:
A. 2nd century A.D.
B. 3rd century B.C.
C. Beginning of the 4th century A.D.
D. 6th century A.D.

25. Dr. Jayaswal incorrectly merged the Śālankāyanas with the:
A. Pallavas
B. Kadambas
C. Vākāṭakas
D. Magadhas of Pistapura

26. Which river separated Vēṅgi from Pistapura?
A. Krishna
B. Narmada
C. Yēlēru River
D. Tungabhadra

27. The Peda Vēgi plates mention how many generations of the family?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Six

28. Hastivarman was a contemporary of:
A. Candragupta I
B. Kumāragupta
C. Rudradāman
D. Samudragupta

29. The chronology of the Śālankāyana dynasty is generally estimated at about:
A. 50 years
B. 80 years
C. 300 years
D. 120 years

30. Vijaya Dēvavarman is believed to have ruled approximately during:
A. 150–180 A.D.
B. 220–250 A.D.
C. 300–335 A.D.
D. 420–450 A.D.

31. Vijaya Dēvavarman celebrated which important Vedic sacrifice?
A. Rājasūya
B. Vajapeya
C. Agniṣṭoma
D. Aśvamedha

32. The rise of Vijaya Dēvavarman coincided with the establishment of the Gupta dynasty by:
A. Samudragupta
B. Kumāragupta
C. Candragupta I
D. Skandagupta

33. The kingdom of Vijaya Dēvavarman extended over the lower valleys of:
A. Narmada and Tapi
B. Kaveri and Vaigai
C. Krishna and Godavari
D. Mahanadi and Brahmani

34. The Vākāṭaka ruler who was declining during the rise of Vijaya Dēvavarman was:
A. Rudrasena II
B. Pṛthivīṣeṇa I
C. Vindhyaśakti
D. Pravarasena I

35. Vijaya Dēvavarman described himself as:
A. Paramabhāgavata
B. Dharmamahārāja
C. Parama-maheśvara
D. Paramasaugata

36. The Elūra grant records the donation of land to:
A. Golaśarman
B. Viṣṇuśarman
C. Gaṇa Śarman
D. Bhāskaraśarman

37. The modern name of Elūra is:
A. Ongole
B. Kurnool
C. Ellore/Eluru
D. Nellore

38. The term “munyada” in the Elūra grant corresponds to:
A. Senāpati
B. Mahādandanāyaka
C. Rāṣṭrika
D. Purohita

39. Hastivarman is described in the Peda Vēgi grant as:
A. Paramabhāgavata
B. Digvijayin
C. Aneka-samar-avāpta-vijayinaḥ
D. Mahārājādhirāja

40. Samudragupta’s Dakṣiṇāpatha expedition is generally dated around:
A. 300 A.D.
B. 320 A.D.
C. 342–343 A.D.
D. 390 A.D.

41. Vincent Smith believed Samudragupta returned through:
A. Bengal
B. Nepal
C. Western Deccan
D. Sri Lanka

42. The Allahabad praśasti of Samudragupta was composed by:
A. Bāṇa
B. Kālidāsa
C. Vatsabhatti
D. Harisena

43. Which ruler of Vēṅgi is mentioned in the Allahabad inscription?
A. Vijaya Dēvavarman
B. Candavarman
C. Nandivarman
D. Hastivarman

44. Mahākāntāra is identified with:
A. Punjab plains
B. Malwa plateau
C. Forest regions of Orissa and Central Provinces
D. Tamil plains

45. Kaurāla has been identified with the region of:
A. Kerala
B. Kāñci
C. Kulūṭa/Bastar-Chanda region
D. Gujarat

46. Pistapura was ruled by:
A. Damana
B. Viṣṇugopa
C. Mahēndra
D. Kubera

47. Erandapalla is identified with modern:
A. Rajahmundry
B. Amaravati
C. Āmudālavalasa
D. Bellary

48. Avamukta was ruled by:
A. Kubera
B. Ugrasena
C. Mahendra
D. Nīlarāja

49. Kusasthalapura is traditionally identified with:
A. Vēṅgīpura
B. Pithunda
C. Kolanupāka/Kollipāka
D. Kāñci

50. According to the passage, Samudragupta’s southern expedition ultimately appears to have been:
A. A decisive imperial conquest
B. A naval invasion
C. A religious pilgrimage
D. A military pageant with limited success

51. Match List I with List II regarding Śālankāyana records and select the correct answer.

A- II, B- I, C- IV, D- III
B- I, B- II, C- III, D- IV
C- III, B- II, C- IV, D- I
D- IV, B- I, C- II, D- III

A. A- II, B- I, C- IV, D- III

52. Which among the following dynasties was friendly with the Śālankāyanas throughout much of their ascendancy?
A. Guptas
B. Pallavas
C. Satavahanas
D. Cholas

53. The expression “Citrarathasvāmi-pādānudhyātaḥ” signifies:
A. Devotion to Viṣṇu
B. Loyalty to father
C. Worship of Śiva
D. Devotion to Lord Citrarathasvāmin

54. The Sun-god emblem on Śālankāyana seals is represented by:
A. Lotus flower
B. Trident
C. A disk with illuminating rays
D. Crescent moon

55. Which nearby village was mentioned north of Peda Vegi?
A. Dendulūr
B. Amaravati
C. Bhogapura
D. Cina Vegi

56. Dendulūr was famous for ruins of numerous temples dedicated to:
A. Viṣṇu
B. Buddha
C. Jina
D. Śiva

57. The mound between Peda Vegi and Cina Vegi suggested:
A. Buddhist monastic ruins only
B. Possibility of hidden treasures and ancient remains
C. Gupta military camps
D. Kadamba settlements

58. Who argued that Prakrit charters precede Sanskrit charters chronologically?
A. D.C. Sircar and Romila Thapar
B. K.P. Jayaswal and Vincent Smith
C. Dr. Fleet and Prof. Georg Bühler
D. R.G. Bhandarkar and Nilakanta Sastri

59. Vijaya Dēvavarman probably established an independent kingdom by overthrowing the:
A. Kadambas
B. Ānanda dynasty
C. Pallavas
D. Guptas

60. The political rise of Vijaya Dēvavarman synchronized with the rise of which Kadamba ruler?
A. Kakusthavarman
B. Ravivarman
C. Mayūrasarman
D. Śāntivarman

61. Assertion (A): Vijaya Dēvavarman performed the Aśvamedha sacrifice.
Reason (R): The Aśvamedha was merely a symbolic ritual without political significance in early historic India.

A. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true, but R is false
D. A is true, but R is false because Aśvamedha denoted sovereignty and military success

62. The northern boundary of the kingdom of Vēṅgi was:
A. Krishna river
B. Tungabhadra river
C. Left bank of the Godavari
D. Narmada river

63. The southern boundary between the Śālankāyanas and Pallavas was likely:
A. Godavari River
B. Penner River
C. Kaveri River
D. Krishna River

64. Which successor of Vijaya Dēvavarman is thought to have possibly seized the throne through a coup d’état?
A. Nandivarman II
B. Candavarman
C. Hastivarman
D. Skandavarman

65. Match List I with List II regarding rulers and epithets.

A- III, B- I, C- II, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- IV, B- III, C- I, D- II
D- II, B- IV, C- III, D- I

A. A- III, B- I, C- II, D- IV

66. According to the adopted chronology, Pravarasena I died around:
A. 300 A.D.
B. 330 A.D.
C. 360 A.D.
D. 390 A.D.

67. Rudrasena I of the Vākāṭakas is believed to have been defeated near:
A. Mathura
B. Ujjain
C. Eran
D. Amaravati

68. Prabhāvatīguptā was married into the:
A. Pallava dynasty
B. Kadamba dynasty
C. Vākāṭaka dynasty
D. Śālankāyana dynasty

69. Which of the following rulers of Dakṣiṇāpatha is associated with Kāñci in the Allahabad inscription?
A. Hastivarman
B. Ugrasena
C. Viṣṇugopa
D. Dhananjaya

70. Mahēndra of Kausalaka ruled over:
A. Magadha
B. Dakṣiṇa Kosala
C. Vēṅgi
D. Kāñci

71. Mahākāntāra-rājya may be identified with:
A. Gupta frontier region
B. Tamil country
C. Aṣṭādaśa-Āṭavīrājya (Eighteen Forest Kingdoms)
D. Sindh

72. The probable capital of Mahākāntāra-rājya was:
A. Vēṅgīpura
B. Kāñci
C. Sambalpur
D. Pataliputra

73. Assertion (A): Harisena listed southern kings in topographical order in the Allahabad inscription.
Reason (R): The inscription reflects a systematic geographical sequence of conquest.

A. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not correct explanation
C. A is true, but R is false
D. Both A and R are false

74. Which scholar identified Kaurāla incorrectly with the Kollēru Lake area?
A. D.C. Sircar only
B. Vincent Smith and K.P. Jayaswal
C. Bühler and Fleet
D. Romila Thapar and R.S. Sharma

75. Which ancient city did Dandin mention as Āndhranagarī near a large lake?
A. Pistapura
B. Vēṅgīpura
C. Kāñci
D. Kolanupāka

76. Giri-Kottūra was ruled by:
A. Kubera
B. Mahēndra
C. Svāmidatta
D. Damana

77. Erandapalla was ruled by:
A. Mahendra
B. Damana
C. Ugrasena
D. Dhananjaya

78. Devarāṣṭra was ruled by:
A. Dhananjaya
B. Mahendra
C. Kubera
D. Viṣṇugopa

79. Kusasthalapura belonged to:
A. Eastern Kalinga
B. Southern Tamil region
C. Madhyadeśa in Western Andhradeśa
D. Northern Kosala

80. Which river is associated with Kollipāka/Kolanupāka?
A. Krishna
B. Godavari
C. Ālēru
D. Pennar

81. Assertion (A): Samudragupta’s expedition extended deep into western Maharashtra and Konkan.
Reason (R): The Allahabad inscription clearly mentions Maharashtra and Konkan.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A true, R false
C. Both A and R false
D. Both A and R are false according to the passage interpretation

82. According to the passage, Samudragupta marched into Andhradeśa through:
A. Coastal Tamil route
B. Himalayan corridor
C. Godavari valley route
D. Arabian Sea route

83. The fall of the Śālankāyanas would have endangered:
A. Chola sovereignty only
B. Northern Andhradeśa, Kalinga, and Pallava sovereignty
C. Magadha alone
D. Sindh region

84. Which ruler from Madhyadeśa joined the anti-Samudragupta confederacy?
A. Kubera
B. Svāmidatta
C. Dhananjaya of Kusasthalapura
D. Nīlarāja

85. The confederacy against Samudragupta was likely led by:
A. Mahendra and Kubera
B. Candragupta I and Rudrasena I
C. Hastivarman and Viṣṇugopavarman I
D. Ugrasena and Dhananjaya

86. Match List I with List II regarding kingdoms and rulers in Allahabad Praśasti.

A- III, B- I, C- II, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- II, B- III, C- I, D- IV
D- IV, B- III, C- II, D- I

A. A- III, B- I, C- II, D- IV

87. According to the passage, no decisive battle took place near:
A. Sambalpur
B. Kāñci
C. Kollēru Lake
D. Pataliputra

88. The decisive battle of Kolanu belonged to the time of:
A. Samudragupta
B. Candragupta I
C. Pulikeśin II
D. Rudrasena I

89. The Allahabad inscription states that Samudragupta:
A. Annexed all southern kingdoms permanently
B. Established governors in Vēṅgi
C. Collected tribute annually
D. Captured and later released southern kings

90. According to the passage, Samudragupta’s southern expedition was best characterized as:
A. Total conquest
B. Naval war
C. Religious mission
D. Military demonstration rather than successful dig-vijaya

91. Assertion (A): The Śālankāyanas were worshippers of Citrarathasvāmin.
Reason (R): Citrarathasvāmin is identified with the Sun-god.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not correct explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

92. The Śālankāyanas belonged to which gana in gotra origin, similar to Bharadvāja-Pallavas?
A. Kaśyapa gana
B. Bhṛgu gana
C. Aṅgirasa gana
D. Agastya gana

93. Which Purāṇa identifies the Avas with the Andhras?
A. Matsya Purāṇa only
B. Agni Purāṇa only
C. Bhāgavata and Viṣṇu Purāṇa
D. Brahma Purāṇa only

94. Pithumda is associated with the:
A. Musika dynasty
B. Ava dynasty
C. Pallavas
D. Guptas

95. The Kantēru copper plates were discovered in which district?
A. Krishna
B. West Godavari
C. Guntur
D. Kurnool

96. Match List I with List II regarding scholars and views.

A- II, B- III, C- I, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- III, D- IV
C- IV, B- I, C- II, D- III
D- III, B- IV, C- II, D- I

A. A- II, B- III, C- I, D- IV

97. Which king of the Pallavas was contemporary with Vijaya Dēvavarman’s rise?
A. Simhavishnu
B. Narasimhavarman I
C. Vijaya Skandavarman II
D. Mahendravarman I

98. The Pallava ruler who succeeded Vijaya Skandavarman II was:
A. Mahendravarman
B. Viṣṇugopa
C. Simhavarman I
D. Skandagupta

99. The term “addhiya” in the Elūra grant refers to:
A. Land tax
B. Military title
C. Temple officer
D. Half share of crop

100. Which ruler is considered the earliest known historical member of the Śālankāyana dynasty?
A. Hastivarman
B. Vijaya Nandivarman
C. Candavarman
D. Vijaya Dēvavarman

101. Assertion (A): The Śālankāyana charters closely resemble Pallava grants.
Reason (R): Both dynasties used similar epithets and shared the bull as crest.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true, but R is false
D. A is false, but R is true

102. Which among the following dynasties preceded the Śālankāyanas in Andhradeśa?
A. Cholas and Pāṇḍyas
B. Bṛhatphalāyanas and Ānandas
C. Vākāṭakas and Guptas
D. Kadambas and Pallavas

103. The term “Śālankāyanaka” is found in the works of:
A. Kālidāsa
B. Patañjali
C. Pāṇini
D. Varāhamihira

104. According to the Medinī lexicon, one meaning of Śālankāyana is:
A. Peacock
B. Sun
C. Elephant
D. Nandi, the sacred bull of Śiva

105. The transition from matronymic nomenclature in Dakṣiṇāpatha occurred around:
A. 1st century B.C.
B. 1st century A.D.
C. Middle of the 3rd century A.D.
D. 6th century A.D.

106. Which of the following matronymic prefixes became less common after the mid-3rd century A.D.?
A. Gupta and Sena
B. Vāsiṣṭhīputra and Gautamīputra
C. Varma and Deva
D. Nāga and Mitra

107. The identification of Peda-Vegi with ancient Vēṅgīpura is supported by:
A. Discovery of Mauryan pillars only
B. Gupta gold coins only
C. Mounds and fragmentary Prakrit inscriptions
D. Chola temples only

108. Which deity’s temple existed in the vicinity of Peda-Vegi according to the passage?
A. Śiva
B. Sūrya
C. Buddha
D. Viṣṇu

109. The Peda-Vēgi plates of Nandivarman mention which genealogy?
A. Vijaya Dēvavarman → Hastivarman → Candavarman → Skandavarman
B. Hastivarman → Nandivarman I → Candavarman → Vijaya Nandivarman II
C. Candavarman → Vijaya Dēvavarman → Hastivarman → Nandivarman
D. Skandavarman → Candavarman → Nandivarman → Hastivarman

110. Lakshmana Rao considered Vijaya Skandavarman to be:
A. Founder of the dynasty
B. Brother of Hastivarman
C. Son and successor of Nandivarman II
D. Pallava governor

111. Assertion (A): Most scholars accepted Lakshmana Rao’s genealogy placing Hastivarman at the top.
Reason (R): However, the chronology remains universally undisputed.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A false, R true
C. A is true, but R is false
D. Both A and R are false

112. The reign of the last Śālankāyana ruler, Vijaya Skandavarman, is estimated to have lasted until:
A. 350 A.D.
B. 375 A.D.
C. 400 A.D.
D. 420 A.D.

113. Vijaya Dēvavarman’s political rise coincided with which northern dynasty’s establishment?
A. Maukharis
B. Vardhanas
C. Guptas
D. Kushanas

114. Which among the following boundaries likely marked Vijaya Dēvavarman’s kingdom?
A. Cholas in north, Mauryas in south
B. Vākāṭakas in north, Pallavas in south, Kadambas in west
C. Guptas in west, Śakas in east
D. Chalukyas in north, Pallavas in east

115. Match List I with List II regarding rulers and approximate reigns.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- III, B- II, C- I, D- IV
D- IV, B- III, C- II, D- I

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

116. Vijaya Dēvavarman likely recovered northern Andhradeśa from the:
A. Guptas
B. Kadambas
C. Vākāṭakas
D. Pallavas

117. Around which year is Vijaya Dēvavarman’s Aśvamedha believed to have been celebrated?
A. 290 A.D.
B. 310 A.D.
C. 325 A.D.
D. 355 A.D.

118. Which Vākāṭaka ruler succeeded Pravarasena I?
A. Vindhyaśakti
B. Pṛthivīṣeṇa I
C. Rudrasena II
D. Rudrasena I

119. The rise of Brahmanical Śālankāyana rule checked the aggression of the:
A. Guptas
B. Pallavas in Northern Andhra
C. Cholas
D. Śakas

120. According to the passage, Southern Andhradeśa remained under:
A. Śālankāyana control
B. Gupta governors
C. Pallava influence
D. Chola domination

121. Assertion (A): Vijaya Dēvavarman called himself Parama-maheśvara.
Reason (R): His successors styled themselves Paramabhāgavatas.

A. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

122. The Elūra grant is dated to which regnal year of Vijaya Dēvavarman?
A. 5th year
B. 8th year
C. 13th year
D. 20th year

123. The Elūra record was addressed to villagers headed by their:
A. Senāpati
B. Mahāmatya
C. Purohita
D. Munyada

124. Which term in Eastern Chalukya inscriptions corresponds to “munyada”?
A. Uparika
B. Kumārāmātya
C. Rāṣṭrakūṭa/Rattadi
D. Agrahārika

125. Hastivarman’s greatest achievement was resisting:
A. Rudrasena I
B. Viṣṇugopa
C. Samudragupta’s southern expedition
D. Pulikeśin II

126. Vincent Smith identified Dēvarāṣṭra with:
A. Kalinga coast
B. Telangana plains
C. Maharatta country (western region)
D. South Kosala

127. Jouveau-Dubreuil placed Samudragupta’s southern expedition:
A. At the end of his reign
B. At the beginning of his reign (c. 335–340 A.D.)
C. During Chandragupta II’s reign
D. After Skandagupta

128. K.P. Jayaswal placed Samudragupta’s campaign approximately in:
A. 300–305 A.D.
B. 320–325 A.D.
C. 344–345 A.D.
D. 370–375 A.D.

129. Which inscription predates the Allahabad inscription and records Rudrasena I’s defeat?
A. Junagadh inscription
B. Hathigumpha inscription
C. Eran inscription
D. Nasik inscription

130. Match List I with List II regarding southern kings in the Allahabad Praśasti.

A- III, B- I, C- II, D- IV
B- I, B- III, C- IV, D- II
C- II, B- IV, C- III, D- I
D- IV, B- II, C- I, D- III

A. A- III, B- I, C- II, D- IV

131. Harisena’s style in the Allahabad inscription may best be described as:
A. Strictly chronological
B. Purely administrative
C. Rhapsodic and rhetorical
D. Scientific and statistical

132. According to the passage, Harisena likely listed kings to indicate:
A. Religious unity of India
B. Gupta administration
C. A formidable southern coalition against Samudragupta
D. Trade routes of Dakṣiṇāpatha

133. Mahākāntāra may also correspond to:
A. Avantī
B. Tri-Kalinga forest region
C. Sindh
D. Kashmir

134. The region of Kaurāla likely lay:
A. Near Kollēru Lake
B. South of Mekala and north of the Indrāvati
C. In Punjab plains
D. In Tamil country

135. Assertion (A): Prof. Bhandarkar interpreted Mahēndra as ruler of Mahendragiri Hill.
Reason (R): The passage considers this interpretation untenable.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. Both A and R false

136. The suffix “giri” in Giri-Kottūra signifies:
A. Royal lineage
B. Buddhist monastery
C. Village associated with a hill
D. River valley

137. Erandapalla in Kalinga is linked with modern:
A. Rajahmundry
B. Āmudālavalasa near Śrīkākulam
C. Amaravati
D. Nellore

138. Avamukta was probably located in:
A. Punjab
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Upper Godavari region
D. Malwa

139. The capital of Devarāṣṭra was later shifted to:
A. Vēṅgīpura
B. Pithunda
C. Bhogāpura
D. Kāñci

140. Kusasthalapura was regarded as the city of:
A. Lava
B. Bharata
C. Lakṣmaṇa
D. Kuśa, son of Śrī Rāma

141. Assertion (A): Samudragupta’s expedition was confined largely to Eastern Dakṣiṇāpatha.
Reason (R): The Allahabad inscription does not clearly mention Maharashtra or Konkan regions.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

142. Samudragupta first defeated Mahendra of Kosala near:
A. Vēṅgīpura
B. Mahānadi region/Sambalpur area
C. Kāñci
D. Kolanupāka

143. According to the passage, Eastern Bastar and Eastern Ghats were:
A. Easy for cavalry invasion
B. Important Gupta colonies
C. Difficult and nearly impassable regions
D. Chola territories

144. Samudragupta crossed the Godavari above the confluence of:
A. Krishna and Tungabhadra
B. Penner and Palar
C. Indravati and Godavari
D. Godavari and Kaveri

145. Which Pallava ruler participated in the southern confederacy?
A. Mahendravarman I
B. Narasimhavarman I
C. Viṣṇugopavarman I
D. Simhavishnu

146. Ugrasena was associated with:
A. Vēṅgi
B. Palakkada/Palakka
C. Pistapura
D. Kusasthalapura

147. Match List I with List II regarding regions and identifications.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- III, B- IV, C- I, D- II
D- IV, B- III, C- II, D- I

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

148. According to the passage, Samudragupta likely avoided:
A. Diplomacy
B. Temple construction
C. A sanguinary battle with southern confederates
D. Kalinga region entirely

149. The decisive battle of Kolanu was fought in the:
A. 4th century
B. 5th century
C. 6th century
D. 7th century

150. Which statement best reflects the passage’s interpretation of Samudragupta’s southern expedition?
A. Complete annexation of South India
B. Permanent Gupta administration in Dakṣiṇāpatha
C. Crushing military success against Pallavas
D. Limited military success ending in compromise and peace

151. Assertion (A): The Śālankāyanas were among the earliest dynasties of Andhradeśa after the Bṛhatphalāyanas and Ānandas.
Reason (R): They emerged after the destruction of Pallava power in Southern Andhradeśa.

A. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true, but R is false
D. A is false, but R is true

152. Which among the following was NOT one of the five known copper-plate charters of the Śālankāyanas?
A. Ellore Prakrit Grant
B. Kollēru Charter
C. Peda Vēgi Plates
D. Allahabad Pillar Inscription

153. The Kolleru grant mentions Vijaya Nandivarman as:
A. Son of Hastivarman
B. Brother of Candavarman
C. Eldest son of Candavarman
D. Son of Vijaya Dēvavarman

154. Which ruler’s name is absent from the remaining four Śālankāyana charters after the Ellore grant?
A. Hastivarman
B. Candavarman
C. Nandivarman
D. Vijaya Dēvavarman

155. According to palaeographical evidence, the Śālankāyana records belong to:
A. 2nd century A.D.
B. 3rd century B.C.
C. 4th century A.D.
D. 6th century A.D.

156. The Śālankāyanas probably protected which of the following under the Imperial Andhras?
A. Himalayan trade routes
B. Silk Route in Central Asia
C. Sea-board and inland trade routes
D. Arabian caravan routes

157. Which among the following families were likely contemporaries under the Imperial Andhras?
A. Mauryas, Guptas, Vākāṭakas
B. Śālankāyanas, Bṛhatphalāyanas, and Arournoi (Arvarnoi)
C. Pallavas, Cholas, Pāṇḍyas
D. Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas

158. The Kausikas, Musikas, and Avas were stationed as:
A. Temple priests
B. Buddhist missionaries
C. Mahāsenāpatis under Imperial Andhras
D. Gupta feudatories

159. Which Śātavāhana emperor’s inscription mentions the Kausikas?
A. Gautamīputra Śātakarṇi
B. Pulumāvi II
C. Śrī Yajña Śātakarṇi
D. Hāla

160. Match List I with List II regarding dynasties/families and associations.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- III, B- IV, C- II, D- I
D- IV, B- III, C- I, D- II

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

161. The probable identification of Magaris mentioned by Ptolemy is:
A. Kāñci
B. Pistapura
C. Manjira
D. Dendulūr

162. Which among the following statements regarding the Śālankāyanas is correct?
A. They were Buddhist rulers throughout
B. They were Brāhmaṇas but used the suffix “varman”
C. They never adopted royal epithets
D. They rejected Vedic traditions completely

163. According to the Pravarakāṇḍa, one Śālankāyana gotra belonged to:
A. Vasiṣṭha gana
B. Kaśyapa gana
C. Aṅgirasa gana
D. Bhṛgu gana

164. Which of the following best explains the bull emblem of the Śālankāyanas?
A. It symbolized Gupta influence
B. Association with Nandi and Śaiva symbolism
C. It represented Buddhist dharma
D. It denoted maritime trade

165. Assertion (A): The Śālankāyanas adopted the expression “Bappa-bhattaraka-pada-bhaktaḥ.”
Reason (R): The word “Bappa” referred to a venerable father and not a personal name.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

166. Which of the following dynasties also used the epithet “Bappa-bhattaraka-pada-bhaktaḥ”?
A. Mauryas only
B. Cholas only
C. Guptas, Vākāṭakas, Pallavas, and early Kalinga rulers
D. Kushanas only

167. The term “Citraratha” in Sanskrit lexicons is treated as a synonym of:
A. Indra
B. Agni
C. Sun-god
D. Varuṇa

168. The earliest known instance of Sun worship in ancient Andhra comes from:
A. Ikṣvāku inscriptions
B. Śātavāhana coins
C. Pallava records
D. Śālankāyana inscriptions

169. Which village lay approximately five miles south of Peda Vegi?
A. Cina Vegi
B. Kollēru
C. Dendulūr
D. Kolanupāka

170. The Macālamma-Ceruvu near Dendulūr contained:
A. Buddhist stupas
B. Gupta pillars
C. A mound with two stone bulls
D. Jain caves

171. Assertion (A): The Ellore grant is more archaic than the British Museum plates of Queen Cārudēvī.
Reason (R): Archaic literary Prakrit probably survived longer in Northern Andhra.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

172. Queen Cārudēvī was associated with:
A. Vākāṭaka dynasty
B. Yuvamaharaja Vijaya Buddhavarman
C. Śālankāyana dynasty
D. Gupta dynasty

173. Which scholar was criticized for arbitrarily merging two separate dynasties?
A. Vincent Smith
B. Fleet
C. K.P. Jayaswal
D. Bühler

174. The Śālankāyanas and Magadhas of Pistapura were separated geographically by:
A. Krishna River
B. Narmada River
C. Godavari/Yēlēru system
D. Tungabhadra River

175. According to the passage, Lakshmana Rao’s genealogy is:
A. Fully rejected by all scholars
B. Accepted by many scholars but not universally
C. Entirely unsupported
D. Based on Gupta inscriptions only

176. The estimate of about twenty years per generation was used to establish:
A. Gupta chronology
B. Vākāṭaka chronology
C. Śālankāyana chronology
D. Chola chronology

177. Vijaya Dēvavarman’s expansion included which northern region?
A. Tamil country
B. South Kosala
C. Punjab
D. Gujarat

178. Which among the following rulers is NOT directly associated with the anti-Samudragupta confederacy?
A. Viṣṇugopa
B. Hastivarman
C. Dhananjaya
D. Candragupta I

179. Match List I with List II regarding rulers and territories.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- III, C- II, D- IV
C- III, B- II, C- I, D- IV
D- IV, B- I, C- III, D- II

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

180. Which ruler of the Pallavas was described as famous for victories in numerous battles?
A. Narasimhavarman I
B. Mahendravarman I
C. Viṣṇugopavarman I
D. Simhavarman II

181. Assertion (A): Samudragupta is said to have subdued the southern kings permanently.
Reason (R): The Allahabad inscription suggests he later released them.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A true, R false
C. A is false, but R is true
D. Both A and R are false

182. According to the passage, Samudragupta likely met the southern confederacy in:
A. Near Kāñci coast
B. Western Andhradeśa
C. Near Pataliputra
D. Gujarat

183. Which later ruler stormed Pistapura after reducing Kalinga?
A. Samudragupta
B. Rudrasena I
C. Pulikeśin II
D. Simhavarman I

184. The decisive battle of Kolanu belongs to the context of:
A. Gupta–Pallava rivalry
B. Śātavāhana decline
C. Western Chalukya invasion under Pulikeśin II
D. Chola expansion

185. Which of the following best describes Samudragupta according to the passage?
A. Weak military ruler
B. Purely ceremonial emperor
C. Great soldier whose southern campaign had limited success
D. Temple-builder king only

186. Which ruler’s successful resistance preserved the Śālankāyana empire?
A. Candavarman
B. Nandivarman II
C. Hastivarman
D. Skandavarman

187. Match List I with List II regarding locations and modern associations.

A- I, B- II, C- III, D- IV
B- II, B- III, C- I, D- IV
C- III, B- I, C- IV, D- II
D- IV, B- II, C- III, D- I

A. A- I, B- II, C- III, D- IV

188. Which among the following rulers performed Aśvamedha according to the passage?
A. Hastivarman
B. Viṣṇugopa
C. Vijaya Dēvavarman
D. Ugrasena

189. Which ruler is described as “the founder of the independent kingdom of Vēṅgi”?
A. Candavarman
B. Hastivarman
C. Nandivarman
D. Vijaya Dēvavarman

190. Which among the following best reflects the political achievement of the Śālankāyanas?
A. Annexation of Tamilakam
B. Destruction of Gupta Empire
C. Consolidation of Northern Andhradeśa into a unified kingdom
D. Establishment of Mauryan rule

191. Assertion (A): The Pallavas and Śālankāyanas likely maintained peaceful relations.
Reason (R): They probably accepted the Krishna River as their political boundary.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

192. The land grant in the Elūra record included how many nivartanas?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 20
D. 50

193. The beneficiaries of the Elūra grant belonged to which gotra?
A. Bharadvāja
B. Kaśyapa
C. Vasiṣṭha
D. Babhūrasa gotra

194. Which among the following terms best describes Vijaya Dēvavarman’s military campaign before Aśvamedha?
A. Dharmayātra
B. Dig-vijaya
C. Sangha-yatra
D. Rājadharma

195. Samudragupta’s southern campaign threatened the sovereignty of:
A. Pallavas only
B. Śālankāyanas only
C. Several southern kingdoms simultaneously
D. Cholas only

196. Which southern king was heir-apparent of Palakkada according to the passage?
A. Viṣṇugopa
B. Mahendra
C. Ugrasena
D. Kubera

197. Which of the following regions is identified with Madhyadeśa?
A. Northern Punjab
B. Bengal delta
C. Western Andhradeśa between Godavari and Krishna
D. Tamil coast

198. According to the passage, Dhananjaya became ancestor of:
A. Pallavas
B. Guptas
C. Durjaya chieftains of the Kota family
D. Vākāṭakas

199. Assertion (A): Samudragupta imposed tribute on all southern rulers after conquest.
Reason (R): The Allahabad inscription clearly mentions tribute collection.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A true, R false
C. A false, R true
D. Both A and R are false

200. Which among the following is the most appropriate conclusion regarding the Śālankāyana dynasty based on the passage?
A. A minor tribal house with no regional impact
B. An important early Andhra dynasty that consolidated Northern Andhradeśa and resisted northern imperial expansion
C. A purely religious lineage with no political role
D. A feudatory branch of the Guptas

201. Who succeeded Hastivarman on the throne of the Śālankāyana dynasty?
A. Candavarman
B. Vijaya Nandivarman II
C. Vijaya Skandavarman
D. Nandivarman I

202. Nandivarman I ruled approximately during:
A. 300–335 A.D.
B. 335–350 A.D.
C. 350–380 A.D.
D. 395–420 A.D.

203. The Peda Vēgi grant describes Nandivarman I with the epithet:
A. Paramabhāgavata
B. Aneka-samar-avāpta-vijayinaḥ
C. Vividha-dharmā-pradhānaḥ
D. Pratāpopanata-sāmantasya

204. The epithet “vividha-dharmā-pradhānaḥ” suggests that Nandivarman I:
A. Favoured only Brahmanism
B. Suppressed Buddhism
C. Led military campaigns extensively
D. Patronised and tolerated different religions

205. Which inscription of Nandivarman appears different in phraseology and style from the Peda Vēgi and Kollēru plates?
A. Allahabad inscription
B. Peda Vēgi plates
C. Kantēru plates
D. Kōmarti plates

206. The Kantēru inscription of Nandivarman records a grant in which village?
A. Arutore
B. Mundūra
C. Vidēnūru-pallika
D. Kuruvāda

207. The village Kuruvāda was located in:
A. Avamukta-visaya
B. Vēṅgī-visaya
C. Kudrahāra-visaya
D. Kalinga-visaya

208. The land grant in Kuruvāda was made to:
A. Śivārya
B. Gaṇa Śarman
C. Svāmicandra of Maudgalya gotra
D. Kāṭikuriṇa

209. Svāmicandra was described by the epithet:
A. Mahādandanāyaka
B. Paramabhāgavata
C. Prasiddha
D. Rahasyādhikārin

210. Match List I with List II regarding rulers and epithets.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- IV, B- III, C- II, D- I
D- III, B- IV, C- I, D- II

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

211. Candavarman ruled approximately during:
A. 350–370 A.D.
B. 380–395 A.D.
C. 393–410 A.D.
D. 410–420 A.D.

212. Candavarman was the successor of:
A. Vijaya Skandavarman
B. Hastivarman
C. Nandivarman I
D. Vijaya Nandivarman II

213. During Candavarman’s reign, the kingdom of Vēṅgi:
A. Lost all Kalinga possessions
B. Became subordinate to Guptas
C. Expanded through conquest and annexation
D. Converted entirely to Buddhism

214. Candavarman is described in the Peda Vēgi plates as:
A. Vividha-dharmā-pradhānaḥ
B. Paramabhāgavata
C. Pratāpopanata-sāmantasya
D. Digvijayin

215. The epithet “pratāpopanata-sāmantasya” means:
A. Patron of monks
B. Defender of dharma
C. One before whom vassals bowed due to prowess
D. Destroyer of enemies by sacrifice

216. Candavarman was likely contemporary of which Pallava king?
A. Mahendravarman I
B. Viṣṇugopa
C. Simhavarman II
D. Simhavishnu

217. The Kōmarti plates are associated with:
A. Gupta dynasty
B. Śālankāyanas
C. Maharaja Candavarman of Kalinga
D. Pallava dynasty

218. Assertion (A): Feudatory dynasties of Kalinga attempted to throw off Vēṅgi’s authority during Candavarman’s reign.
Reason (R): Candavarman was militarily weak and lost all territories immediately.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A false, R true
C. A is true, but R is false
D. Both A and R are false

219. Vijaya Nandivarman II ruled approximately during:
A. 350–380 A.D.
B. 380–395 A.D.
C. 393–410 A.D.
D. 410–435 A.D.

220. During Vijaya Nandivarman II’s reign:
A. The Śālankāyanas conquered Pallava territory
B. The kingdom lost many possessions and declined
C. Buddhism became state religion
D. Vākāṭakas annexed Vēṅgi completely

221. A new dynasty rose in Kalinga under:
A. Viṣṇugopa
B. Nandivarman I
C. Candavarman
D. Dhananjaya

222. The Kollēru plates record the grant of which village as agrahāra?
A. Kuruvāda
B. Arutore
C. Vidēnūru-pallika
D. Cinnapura

223. Vidēnūru-pallika was granted to:
A. One Brahmana only
B. Buddhist monks
C. Temple priests
D. 157 Brahmanas of different gotras and caraṇas

224. The grant of Vidēnūru-pallika was made in the province of:
A. Kudūrahara
B. Kalinga
C. Kuduhāra
D. Avamukta

225. Assertion (A): Vijaya Nandivarman II’s grants protected donees from official interference.
Reason (R): Officers like desādhipati and ayuktaka were forbidden from levying taxes.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

226. Which officers were specifically prohibited from molesting the agrahāra grant?
A. Kumārāmātya and Uparika
B. Mahāsenāpati and Senāpati
C. Deśādhipati, Ayuktaka, Vallabha, and Rājapuruṣas
D. Rajuka and Yukta

227. The Kollēru grant was issued in the:
A. 1st regnal year
B. 5th regnal year
C. 7th regnal year
D. 13th regnal year

228. The executor (ajñapti) of Vijaya Nandivarman II’s grant was:
A. Kāṭikuriṇa
B. Śivārya
C. Mūlakura-bhojaka
D. Svāmicandra

229. Kuduhāra was likely located:
A. South of Krishna river only
B. In Tamilakam
C. North or north-east of Krishna covering Gudivada, Bandar, and Kaikalur areas
D. Entirely in Kalinga

230. Match List I with List II regarding localities and identification.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- IV, B- III, C- I, D- II
D- III, B- IV, C- II, D- I

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

231. Sir Walter Eliot recorded a tradition regarding:
A. Palura port
B. Dhānyakataka
C. Kudrahāra/Kolleru region
D. Ajanta caves

232. According to the tradition, sinful Brahmanas of Kudrahāra were destroyed by:
A. Floods
B. Earthquake alone
C. Agni, the god of Fire
D. Foreign invasion

233. The only survivors in the Kolleru tradition were:
A. Buddhist monks
B. Royal family
C. One virtuous Brahman and his wife
D. Pallava soldiers

234. The female stone figure at Kolleru lake is called:
A. Lokēśvari Amma
B. Kollēru Devī
C. Pedda-iṇṭi Amma
D. Mahālakṣmī Amma

235. The Peda Vēgi plates of Vijaya Nandivarman II record a land grant of:
A. 12 nivartanas
B. 20 nivartanas
C. 32 nivartanas
D. 50 nivartanas

236. Which deity received the grant in the Peda Vēgi plates?
A. Śiva
B. Buddha
C. Citrarathasvāmin
D. Viṣṇugṛhasvāmin

237. The deity Viṣṇugṛhasvāmin resided in a temple at:
A. Kuruvāda
B. Mundūra
C. Prālura
D. Arutore

238. The granted lands were converted into:
A. Brahmadeya tenure
B. Devahala tenure
C. Jagir tenure
D. Feudal estate

239. The lands were delivered to whom for cultivation?
A. Brahmanas
B. Soldiers
C. Buddhist monks
D. Cow-herds (Vraja-pālakas)

240. Assertion (A): The Peda Vēgi grant warned royal officers against interfering with the charity.
Reason (R): Tax exemptions formed a recurring feature in Śālankāyana grants.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

241. The Peda Vēgi grant was issued in the:
A. 1st regnal year
B. 5th regnal year
C. 7th regnal year
D. 10th regnal year

242. The private secretary (rahasādhika) who drew up the Peda Vēgi charter was:
A. Śivārya
B. Kāṭikuriṇa
C. Mūlakura-bhojaka
D. Dinnāga

243. Mundūra is identified with modern:
A. Bandar
B. Gudivada
C. Munduru
D. Palura

244. Kambura-ceruva probably became corrupted into:
A. Vēṅgipura
B. Kommaraceruvu/Kommara
C. Dhānyakataka
D. Kādaravalli

245. Assertion (A): Prālura is identified with Pālura of Ptolemy.
Reason (R): Pālura was an important mart and sea-port.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

246. Pālura was likely located near the mouth of:
A. Godavari
B. Krishna
C. Upputēru stream
D. Mahanadi

247. Pālura is believed to have been destroyed by:
A. Fire
B. Earthquake
C. Foreign invasion
D. Tidal wave

248. Many Brahmana families today bearing the surname “Paluri” indicate:
A. Pallava ancestry
B. Gupta lineage
C. Historical connection with Pālura town
D. Buddhist affiliation

249. Vijaya Skandavarman ruled approximately during:
A. 393–410 A.D.
B. 410–420 A.D.
C. 420–450 A.D.
D. 435–460 A.D.

250. Vijaya Skandavarman succeeded:
A. Candavarman
B. Hastivarman
C. Vijaya Nandivarman II
D. Simhavarman II

251. The only known inscription from the reign of Vijaya Skandavarman is:
A. Ellore Prakrit Grant
B. Kollēru Plates
C. Peda Vēgi Plates
D. Second set of the Kantēru plates

252. Vijaya Skandavarman granted the village Cinnapura to:
A. Svāmicandra
B. Mūlakura-bhojaka
C. Śivārya of the Maudgalya gotra
D. Kāṭikuriṇa

253. Śivārya, the donee of Vijaya Skandavarman’s grant, was a resident of:
A. Kuruvāda
B. Palura
C. Mundūra
D. Lēkumari

254. The charter of Vijaya Skandavarman was dated on:
A. Dark fortnight of Pauṣa
B. Bright fortnight of Śrāvaṇa
C. Full-moon day of Vaiśākha
D. Kārttika Pūrṇimā

255. The Kantēru grant of Vijaya Skandavarman belongs to the:
A. 7th regnal year
B. 10th regnal year
C. 13th regnal year
D. 1st regnal year

256. The villagers in Vijaya Skandavarman’s grant were instructed to:
A. Pay tribute to Pallavas
B. Construct temples only
C. Give possession of the village with affection and perform duties properly
D. Migrate to Vēṅgīpura

257. Which official is notably absent from Vijaya Skandavarman’s record?
A. Ayuktaka
B. Viṣayapati
C. Niyuktaka
D. Munyada

258. The village granted in Vijaya Skandavarman’s charter was excluded from administration by:
A. Monks and Brahmanas
B. Niyoga, Niyuktaka, Ayuktaka, and Viṣayapati officials
C. Only desādhipatis
D. Gupta governors

259. K.V. Lakshmana Rao identified Cinnapura with present-day:
A. Kaikalur
B. Munduru
C. Cinnāpuram in Bandar taluk
D. Gudivada

260. Match List I with List II regarding places and modern identifications.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- III, B- IV, C- II, D- I
D- IV, B- III, C- I, D- II

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

261. Vijaya Skandavarman is generally regarded as:
A. Founder of the dynasty
B. Greatest conqueror of Vēṅgi
C. Last ruler of the Śālankāyana dynasty
D. First Buddhist ruler

262. The fall of the Śālankāyanas is generally placed around:
A. 395 A.D.
B. 400 A.D.
C. 420 A.D.
D. 450 A.D.

263. Vijaya Skandavarman’s reign synchronized with:
A. Rise of Gupta supremacy in South India
B. Break in Pallava supremacy in the south
C. Rise of Cholas
D. Decline of Kadambas in the north

264. There was approximately a gap of how many decades between the death of Vijaya Viṣṇugopavarman II and rise of Simhavarman III?
A. One decade
B. Two decades
C. Three decades
D. Four decades

265. During the gap in Pallava power, which dynasty rose in Andhradeśa?
A. Vākāṭakas
B. Guptas
C. Viṣṇukuṇḍins
D. Kadambas

266. The Śālankāyanas were eventually replaced in Andhradeśa by the:
A. Pallavas
B. Guptas
C. Kadambas
D. Viṣṇukuṇḍins

267. Assertion (A): The Pallavas recovered from southern military setbacks.
Reason (R): The weak Śālankāyanas could not similarly survive their conflict with the Viṣṇukuṇḍins.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

268. The Śālankāyana period roughly synchronized with the golden age of the:
A. Mauryas
B. Kushanas
C. Imperial Guptas
D. Cholas

269. The Kadamba kingdom during the Śālankāyana period flourished at:
A. Kāñci
B. Vēṅgīpura
C. Vaijayantī
D. Amaravati

270. Which factor significantly contributed to prosperity in Vēṅgi under the Śālankāyanas?
A. Himalayan trade
B. Horse breeding only
C. Sea-borne trade and riverine geography
D. Roman conquest

271. During the Śālankāyana period, Buddhism in Andhradeśa:
A. Became the official religion
B. Lost patronage locally and spread overseas
C. Completely disappeared
D. Replaced Brahmanism entirely

272. Buddhism spread from Andhradeśa toward:
A. Persia and Rome
B. Tibet only
C. China only
D. Indian Archipelago, Siam, and Cambodia

273. A suggestion in the passage links the Śālankāyanas with the spread of Buddhism into:
A. Sri Lanka
B. Nepal
C. Burma (Myanmar)
D. Tibet

274. The Buddhist text mentioning King San Lan Krom is:
A. Mahāvaṃsa
B. Divyāvadāna
C. Sāsanālaṅkāra
D. Lalitavistara

275. King San Lan Krom ruled on the:
A. Krishna river
B. Godavari delta
C. Mekong basin
D. Irrawaddy river region

276. Assertion (A): King San Lan Krom may have been a scion of the Śālankāyana dynasty.
Reason (R): He is associated with the spread of Buddhism into Burma.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

277. Which Buddhist scholar was invited by the king of Vēṅgi?
A. Nāgārjuna
B. Bhāvavivēka
C. Dinnāga
D. Buddhadatta

278. Buddhadatta’s patronage in Vēṅgi reportedly helped Buddhist sects at:
A. Dhānyakataka
B. Amaravati
C. Kāñcipura
D. Nālandā

279. The Śālankāyanas were primarily:
A. Paramasaugatas
B. Śaiva-only monarchs
C. Paramabhāgavatas and followers of Vedic Brahmanism
D. Jain patrons exclusively

280. Match List I with List II regarding Buddhist personalities and associations.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- III, C- IV, D- II
C- III, B- IV, C- II, D- I
D- IV, B- II, C- I, D- III

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

281. The epithet “vividha-dharma-pradhāna” of Nandivarman I may indicate:
A. Religious persecution
B. Exclusive patronage of Viṣṇuism
C. Tolerance and support for Buddhism and other faiths
D. Military expansion only

282. Which of the following eminent Buddhist scholars lived in Andhradeśa during the period?
A. Buddhapālita
B. Āryadēva
C. Bhāvavivēka
D. All of the above

283. Most information regarding Buddhist divines of this age comes from:
A. Gupta inscriptions
B. Chola charters
C. Tibetan and Chinese sources
D. Roman accounts

284. Yuan Chwang mentions which Buddhist scholars in his Travels?
A. Buddhadatta and Nāgārjuna
B. Dinnāga and Bhāvavivēka
C. Vasubandhu and Aśvaghoṣa
D. Fa-Hien and Kumārajīva

285. Dinnāga was born in:
A. Dhānyakataka
B. Vēṅgīpura
C. Simhavaktra, a suburb of Kāñci
D. Nālandā

286. Dinnāga was born into a:
A. Kṣatriya family
B. Buddhist monastic lineage
C. Merchant family
D. Brāhmaṇa family

287. Initially, Dinnāga followed which school of Hīnayāna Buddhism?
A. Sarvāstivāda
B. Mahāsāṅghika
C. Vātsīputra school
D. Yogācāra

288. Later Dinnāga joined the Mahāyāna school of:
A. Nāgārjuna
B. Vasubandhu
C. Aśvaghoṣa
D. Kumāralāta

289. Assertion (A): Dinnāga spent time in the monastery of Acala.
Reason (R): Acala is believed to have been at Nasik or Ajanta in Maharashtra.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

290. Dinnāga later stayed in a monastery near:
A. Pataliputra
B. Nālandā
C. Vēṅgīpura
D. Kāñci alone

291. Dinnāga was reputed to have written approximately:
A. 10 treatises
B. 25 treatises
C. 50 treatises
D. 100 treatises

292. Dinnāga is particularly associated with:
A. Grammar only
B. Astronomy only
C. Logic (Hetuvidyā Śāstra)
D. Temple architecture

293. Which Brahmanical philosophical system did Dinnāga study and comment upon?
A. Sāṅkhya
B. Vedānta
C. Yoga
D. Nyāya

294. Dinnāga was especially proficient in:
A. Arthashastra
B. Mimamsa
C. Prajñāpāramitā and Yoga subtleties
D. Ayurveda

295. According to Yuan Chwang, Dinnāga entered:
A. Yoganidrā
B. Nirvikalpa samādhi
C. Vajrasamādhi
D. Turyāvasthā

296. During Dinnāga’s samādhi, the passage describes:
A. Royal coronation
B. Flood and famine
C. Earthquake and trembling mountains
D. Foreign invasion

297. Which Bodhisattva persuaded Dinnāga to abandon his desire for enlightenment?
A. Avalokiteśvara
B. Vajrapāṇi
C. Maitreya
D. Mañjuśrī

298. According to Mallinātha’s explanation of Meghasandesa, Dinnāga was contemporary of:
A. Harṣavardhana
B. Aśvaghoṣa
C. Kālidāsa
D. Bāṇabhaṭṭa

299. Kālidāsa is generally placed approximately between:
A. 200–250 A.D.
B. 300–350 A.D.
C. 360–430 A.D.
D. 500–560 A.D.

300. Kālidāsa was contemporary of which Kadamba ruler?
A. Mayūrasarman
B. Bhagiratha
C. Kākusthavarman
D. Śāntivarman

301. Kālidāsa was also contemporary of which Gupta ruler?
A. Samudragupta
B. Kumāragupta I
C. Skandagupta
D. Chandragupta II

302. The Vākāṭaka ruler contemporary to Kālidāsa was:
A. Rudrasena I
B. Pṛthivīṣeṇa I
C. Dāmādarasēna–Pravarasēna II
D. Vindhyaśakti

303. The last three Śālankāyana kings beginning with Nandivarman I synchronized chronologically with:
A. Harṣavardhana
B. Fa-Hien
C. Dinnāga
D. Kumārajīva

304. Bhāvavivēka was a native of:
A. Simhavaktra
B. Dhānyakataka
C. Malayagiri in South India
D. Nālandā

305. In ancient times, the Eastern Ghats were known as:
A. Vindhyagiri
B. Sahyādri
C. Hemakūṭa
D. Malayagiri

306. Which of the following sacred places were located in the ancient Malaya Range?
A. Takṣaśilā and Nālandā
B. Kāñci and Ujjain
C. Śrīparvata and Śrīśailam
D. Pataliputra and Prayāga

307. Assertion (A): Bhāvavivēka likely belonged to Southern Andhradeśa.
Reason (R): Malayagiri was identified with the Eastern Ghats region.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

308. According to Yuan Chwang, Bhāvavivēka was contemporary of:
A. Dinnāga
B. Dharmapāla
C. Buddhapālita
D. Nāgārjuna

309. Bhāvavivēka is believed to have lived approximately:
A. 2nd century A.D.
B. 4th century B.C.
C. Early 7th century A.D. or earlier
D. 10th century A.D.

310. Bhāvavivēka wrote a commentary on which text of Ācārya Nāgārjuna?
A. Mūlamadhyamakakārikā only
B. Yogācārabhūmi
C. Prajñālampa Śāstra
D. Buddhacarita

311. Which of the following treatises is attributed to Bhāvavivēka?
A. Hetuvidyā Śāstra
B. Nyāyapraveśa
C. Prajñāpradīpa-mūla-Madhyamika-vṛtti
D. Milindapañha

312. Another important treatise of Bhāvavivēka was:
A. Mahāvibhāṣa
B. Arkajvālā
C. Yogasūtra-bhāṣya
D. Kathāvatthu

313. In order to resolve his doubts, Bhāvavivēka sought an interview with:
A. Mañjuśrī
B. Avalokiteśvara
C. Maitreya
D. Vajrapāṇi

314. Bhāvavivēka recited the Hṛdaya-Dhāraṇī-sūtra before:
A. Maitreya
B. Avalokiteśvara
C. Mañjuśrī
D. Vasubandhu

315. Avalokiteśvara directed Bhāvavivēka to proceed to:
A. Nālandā
B. Kāñcipura
C. Dhānyakataka
D. Ajanta

316. Match List I with List II regarding Buddhist personalities and texts/events.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- III, B- IV, C- II, D- I
D- IV, B- III, C- I, D- II

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

317. In Dhānyakataka, Bhāvavivēka was instructed to recite:
A. Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra
B. Lotus Sūtra
C. Vajrapāṇi-dhāraṇī-sūtra
D. Lalitavistara

318. Bhāvavivēka reportedly recited the Vajrapāṇi-dhāraṇī-sūtra continuously for:
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Seven years

319. After the first three years, Bhāvavivēka received instructions from:
A. Mañjuśrī
B. Avalokiteśvara
C. Vajrapāṇi
D. Dinnāga

320. The secret prescription given to Bhāvavivēka required another:
A. One year of austerity
B. Two years of meditation
C. Five years of pilgrimage
D. Three years of practice

321. According to the legend, Bhāvavivēka opened a mountain cliff using:
A. A thunderbolt weapon
B. Fire ritual
C. Charmed mustard seeds
D. Sacred ashes

322. Bhāvavivēka entered the cave with:
A. Three disciples
B. Five disciples
C. Six disciples
D. Twelve disciples

323. According to the legend, Bhāvavivēka and his disciples would remain hidden until:
A. Arrival of Kalki
B. End of Kali Yuga
C. Maitreya appeared as Buddha
D. Buddhist decline in India

324. Assertion (A): The Bhāvavivēka narrative contains miraculous and magical elements.
Reason (R): Dhānyakataka was associated with magical traditions like Mayūrīvidyā.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

325. Tārānātha described Dhāraṇikota/Dhānyakataka as a center of:
A. Jain philosophy
B. Grammar studies
C. Mayūrīvidyā (magical spells)
D. Temple architecture

326. Siddha Nāgārjuna, associated with Mayūrīvidyā, lived during the:
A. 2nd century B.C.
B. 1st century A.D.
C. 6th century A.D.
D. 9th century A.D.

327. Which statement best describes the Śālankāyana religious policy?
A. Exclusive support to Buddhism
B. Exclusive patronage of Śaivism
C. Suppression of non-Vedic faiths
D. Vedic Brahmanism combined with religious tolerance

328. Assertion (A): Buddhism disappeared entirely from Andhradeśa under the Śālankāyanas.
Reason (R): The Śālankāyanas patronised only militant Brahmanism.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A true, R false
C. A false, R true
D. Both A and R are false

329. The Śālankāyana kingdom flourished partly because:
A. It monopolized horse trade with Arabia
B. It controlled Himalayan routes
C. It possessed a strong coastline and major rivers
D. It conquered Sri Lanka

330. Which river system was especially important to Vēṅgi’s prosperity?
A. Narmada–Tapi
B. Indus–Jhelum
C. Godavari–Krishna
D. Kaveri–Vaigai

331. Match List I with List II regarding rulers and chronology.

A- II, B- III, C- IV, D- I
B- I, B- II, C- III, D- IV
C- IV, B- I, C- II, D- III
D- III, B- IV, C- I, D- II

A. A- II, B- III, C- IV, D- I

332. Which of the following was NOT a royal officer mentioned in Śālankāyana grants?
A. Ayuktaka
B. Vallabha
C. Deśādhipati
D. Mahākṣapatalika

333. The term “agrahāra” in the grants generally referred to:
A. Military settlement
B. Port city
C. Tax-free land grant to Brahmanas
D. Buddhist monastery

334. Which among the following villages was associated with Viṣṇugṛhasvāmin’s temple?
A. Mundūra
B. Prālura
C. Kuruvāda
D. Vidēnūru-pallika

335. Assertion (A): Palura was an important maritime centre in the Śālankāyana kingdom.
Reason (R): Ptolemy mentioned Palura as a port-town connected with trade.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

336. Which among the following best explains the decline of the Śālankāyanas?
A. Direct annexation by Guptas
B. Buddhist rebellion
C. Loss of territories and rise of Viṣṇukuṇḍins
D. Roman invasion

337. The rise of the Viṣṇukuṇḍins occurred during a period of:
A. Mauryan expansion
B. Gupta collapse in North India
C. Pallava weakness and Śālankāyana decline
D. Chola naval supremacy

338. Which Buddhist scholar is especially associated with metaphysical dialectics?
A. Bhāvavivēka
B. Buddhadatta
C. Dinnāga
D. Āryadēva

339. Dinnāga’s philosophical fame primarily rested upon:
A. Temple rituals
B. Military treatises
C. Logic and Buddhist philosophy
D. Astronomy

340. Which Bodhisattva directed Bhāvavivēka toward Dhānyakataka?
A. Vajrapāṇi
B. Mañjuśrī
C. Maitreya
D. Avalokiteśvara

341. Assertion (A): Dinnāga was trained in Brahmanical and Vedic learning before becoming Buddhist.
Reason (R): He was born in a Brāhmaṇa family at Simhavaktra.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

342. Which among the following scholars was regarded as a Bodhisattva in his own time?
A. Dinnāga
B. Bhāvavivēka
C. Buddhapālita
D. All of the above

343. The “Science of Logic” authored by Dinnāga is called:
A. Madhyamakavṛtti
B. Nyāyapraveśa
C. Hetuvidyā Śāstra
D. Abhidharmakośa

344. Bhāvavivēka’s association with Dhānyakataka highlights its role as:
A. Gupta military camp
B. Chola capital
C. Centre of Buddhist magical and philosophical traditions
D. Jain pilgrimage centre

345. Which among the following best reflects the chronology of late Śālankāyana rulers?
A. Nandivarman I → Candavarman → Vijaya Nandivarman II → Vijaya Skandavarman
B. Nandivarman I → Candavarman → Vijaya Nandivarman II → Vijaya Skandavarman
C. Hastivarman → Vijaya Skandavarman → Candavarman → Nandivarman II
D. Vijaya Dēvavarman → Candavarman → Hastivarman → Nandivarman I

346. Which Chinese pilgrim is cited for legends regarding Dinnāga and Bhāvavivēka?
A. Fa-Hien
B. I-Tsing
C. Yuan Chwang (Xuanzang)
D. Sung-Yun

347. The Buddhist Church continued flourishing in Andhra during the 3rd–4th centuries despite:
A. Roman invasions
B. Gupta decline
C. Revival of militant Brahmanism
D. Pallava collapse

348. Assertion (A): The Śālankāyana rulers were Parama-bhagavatas.
Reason (R): They nevertheless showed tolerance toward Buddhism.

A. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

349. Which of the following scholars was likely connected with Andhradeśa though not necessarily born there?
A. Buddhapālita
B. Dinnāga
C. Bhāvavivēka
D. All of the above

350. Which of the following is the most suitable historical assessment of the later Śālankāyanas?
A. Militarily dominant empire of South India
B. A declining yet culturally and religiously tolerant Andhra dynasty that bridged Brahmanical revival and Buddhist continuity
C. Purely Buddhist monarchy with no Brahmanical ties
D. Insignificant regional chiefs with no wider influence

351. Which among the following taluks were likely included in Kuduhāra according to the passage?
A. Ongole, Nellore, and Chittoor
B. Gudivada, Bandar, and Kaikalur
C. Warangal, Karimnagar, and Nalgonda
D. Guntur, Tenali, and Repalle

352. Kuduhāra was considered different from Kudūrahara because the latter lay primarily in:
A. Northern Telangana
B. Coastal Odisha
C. Lower Krishna delta region
D. Upper Godavari valley

353. A village west of Kollēru lake thought to preserve the name of the district was:
A. Munduru
B. Palura
C. Kādaravalli
D. Cinnapura

354. Vennanapūdi is tentatively identified with:
A. Kuruvāda
B. Cinnapura
C. Vidēnūrapallikā
D. Prālura

355. Assertion (A): Kudrahāra later became associated with Kolleru lake traditions.
Reason (R): Sir Walter Eliot recorded legends of a submerged settlement destroyed due to sinful inhabitants.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

356. According to tradition, the land around Kolleru sank by approximately:
A. 10 feet
B. 20 feet
C. 36–37 feet (24½ cubits)
D. 60 feet

357. The destruction around Kudrahāra was possibly explained through:
A. Foreign invasion only
B. Tsunami only
C. Volcanic phenomenon or earthquake-induced subsidence
D. Meteor impact

358. Match List I with List II regarding grants and beneficiaries.

A- III, B- II, C- I, D- IV
B- II, B- I, C- IV, D- III
C- I, B- III, C- II, D- IV
D- IV, B- II, C- III, D- I

A. A- III, B- II, C- I, D- IV

359. Which among the following villages received 10 nivartanas each in the Peda Vēgi grant?
A. Cinnapura and Kuruvāda
B. Arutore and Mundūra
C. Kamburaceruva and Cenjeruva
D. Prālura and Vidēnūru

360. The shrine of Viṣṇugṛhasvāmin in Prālura indicates the Śālankāyanas’:
A. Shift toward Buddhism exclusively
B. Vaiṣṇava affiliation alongside Brahmanical patronage
C. Rejection of temple grants
D. Dependence on Pallavas

361. Assertion (A): Pālura was probably the largest sea-port of the Śālankāyana kingdom.
Reason (R): It functioned as a rice mart and export centre.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

362. The meaning of “Prālura/Pālura” is associated with:
A. Fortified city
B. Temple settlement
C. Town of rice or grain depot
D. Elephant market

363. Pālura’s maritime importance was linked to its location near:
A. Krishna delta
B. Godavari estuary
C. Mouth of Upputēru stream
D. Mahanadi estuary

364. Which among the following rulers issued a charter from Vēṅgīpura in the first regnal year?
A. Nandivarman I
B. Vijaya Nandivarman II
C. Vijaya Skandavarman
D. Candavarman

365. Assertion (A): Vijaya Skandavarman’s grant omitted the munyada.
Reason (R): The inscription still referred to other district-level officers.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

366. The weakening of both Pallavas and Śālankāyanas occurred approximately after:
A. 300 A.D.
B. 350 A.D.
C. 395 A.D.
D. 500 A.D.

367. Which dynasty survived the crisis period better than the Śālankāyanas?
A. Vākāṭakas
B. Guptas
C. Pallavas
D. Ikṣvākus

368. According to the passage, Andhradeśa enjoyed prosperity because of:
A. Roman military alliance
B. Peace, rivers, and sea-borne commerce
C. Gold mines only
D. Permanent Gupta occupation

369. Which Buddhist scholar may have been deputed in relation to Buddhism’s introduction into Burma?
A. Dinnāga
B. Bhāvavivēka
C. Nāgārjuna
D. Buddhadatta

370. The Śālankāyana king likely responsible for encouraging Buddhism’s spread into Burma was:
A. Vijaya Dēvavarman
B. Candavarman
C. Nandivarman I
D. Vijaya Skandavarman

371. Assertion (A): Nandivarman I’s epithet suggests religious pluralism.
Reason (R): He may have patronised Buddhism while remaining within a Brahmanical framework.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R true, but R not explanation
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true

372. Which among the following Buddhist scholars was especially famous for dialectical debates?
A. Buddhadatta
B. Dinnāga
C. Āryadēva
D. Bhāvavivēka

373. Dinnāga’s displeasure with his preceptor led him to shift toward:
A. Jainism
B. Śaivism
C. Mahāyāna school of Vasubandhu
D. Theravāda in Sri Lanka

374. The monastery of Acala associated with Dinnāga may have been located at:
A. Sarnath or Kushinagar
B. Nasik or Ajanta
C. Nālandā or Rajgir
D. Kāñci or Amaravati

375. Match List I with List II regarding Buddhist figures and characteristics.

A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV
B- I, B- II, C- IV, D- III
C- III, B- IV, C- II, D- I
D- IV, B- III, C- I, D- II

A. A- II, B- I, C- III, D- IV

376. Which of the following texts/traditions connects Dinnāga with Kālidāsa?
A. Allahabad Praśasti
B. Mahāvaṃsa
C. Mallinātha’s explanation of Meghasandesa
D. Raghuvaṃśa commentary of Bhoja

377. Kālidāsa’s approximate period (360–430 A.D.) overlaps with:
A. Early Mauryas
B. Late Śālankāyana rulers beginning with Nandivarman I
C. Chola imperial age
D. Harṣavardhana period

378. Bhāvavivēka sought Maitreya primarily to:
A. Gain royal patronage
B. Become king of Dhānyakataka
C. Resolve philosophical doubts
D. Travel to China

379. Which Bodhisattva first guided Bhāvavivēka toward Dhānyakataka?
A. Mañjuśrī
B. Avalokiteśvara
C. Vajrapāṇi
D. Tārā

380. The story of Bhāvavivēka entering a mountain cave reflects:
A. Purely historical military events
B. Administrative developments
C. Fusion of Buddhist philosophy and miraculous legend
D. Chola expansion narratives