MCQs on - Harshavardhana and His Empire

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Pushyabhuti 🔹 Harshavardhana belonged to the **Pushyabhuti dynasty** and ruled from **Thanesar** and **Kannauj**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Kannauj 🔹 **Kannauj** became the political and administrative capital of Harsha's empire.

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Xuanzang 🔹 **Xuanzang** (Hiuen Tsang) visited India during Harsha's reign and documented his administration and religious policies.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Pulakesin II 🔹 Harsha’s southern campaign was defeated by **Pulakesin II** at the **Narmada River**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Harshacharita 🔹 **Harshacharita** was written by **Banabhatta** and describes the life and reign of Harsha.

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Kannauj 🔹 Harshavardhana organized a grand religious assembly at **Kannauj** where Buddhist monks from various sects participated.

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Gupta 🔹 Harsha’s administrative model was influenced by the **Gupta administration** but was more centralized.

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Xuanzang 🔹 **Xuanzang** visited Harsha's court and documented his efficient administration and religious policies.

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) No direct successor 🔹 Harshavardhana had no direct heir, leading to the fragmentation of his empire after his death in **647 CE**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** D) Mudrarakshasa 🔹 Harsha wrote **Ratnavali**, **Priyadarshika**, and **Nagananda**. **Mudrarakshasa** was written by **Vishakhadatta**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Buddhism 🔹 Harsha initially followed **Shaivism** but later converted to **Buddhism** under the influence of **Xuanzang**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Sanskrit 🔹 **Sanskrit** was the official language of administration during Harsha’s reign.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) China 🔹 Harsha established diplomatic relations with the **Tang dynasty** of **China**. The Chinese ruler **Taizong** sent ambassadors to Harsha's court.

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Xuanzang 🔹 **Xuanzang** wrote **'Si-Yu-Ki'** (Records of the Western World), which describes Harsha’s empire and administration.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Pulakesin II 🔹 Harsha’s southern expansion was halted by **Pulakesin II** of the **Chalukya dynasty** at the **Narmada river**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Banabhatta 🔹 **Banabhatta**, the court poet of Harshavardhana, wrote the famous biography **'Harshacharita'**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Kannauj 🔹 Harsha shifted his capital from **Thanesar** to **Kannauj**, which became the political and cultural center of North India.

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Land tax 🔹 The primary source of revenue during Harsha’s reign was the **land tax** (called **Bhaga**), which constituted about **1/6th** of the total produce.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Mahayana 🔹 Harsha was a follower of **Mahayana Buddhism** and supported its spread across North India.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Dharmasabha 🔹 Harsha organized the **Dharmasabha** every five years at **Prayagraj** (Allahabad), where he donated wealth and held discussions on religious matters.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Si-Yu-Ki 🔹 The Chinese traveler **Xuanzang** in his work **Si-Yu-Ki** mentioned Harsha’s diplomatic relations with the **Tang dynasty** of China.

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Gave generous financial grants 🔹 Harsha provided **financial grants** to support the expansion and development of **Nalanda University**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Pulakesin II 🔹 Harsha’s attempt to expand into **Southern India** was halted by **Pulakesin II** of the **Chalukya dynasty**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Banabhatta 🔹 Harsha was a patron of **Banabhatta**, who composed the biography **Harshacharita** and other literary works.

✅ **Correct Answer:** C) Centralized monarchy 🔹 Harsha followed a **centralized administrative system** where the king had supreme authority over all administrative and military affairs.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Dharmasabha 🔹 Harsha organized the **Dharmasabha** at **Prayagraj** (Allahabad) every five years to discuss religious matters and make charitable donations.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Shaivism 🔹 Harsha was initially a follower of **Shaivism** but later adopted **Mahayana Buddhism** under the influence of **Xuanzang**.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) Xuanzang 🔹 The Chinese traveler **Xuanzang** visited Harsha’s court and documented details of his administration and religious policies.

✅ **Correct Answer:** A) Sanskrit 🔹 **Sanskrit** was the official language during Harsha’s reign, and many of his official documents and literary works were written in it.

✅ **Correct Answer:** B) The administration was highly centralized. 🔹 Harsha maintained a **centralized administrative system** with direct control over revenue and military affairs.