The Kushana Empire, flourishing from the 1st to the 3rd century CE, held a pivotal role in the cultural and economic exchange between East and West Asia. Established by Kujula Kadphises, this Central Asian empire encompassed territories across modern-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. Renowned for fostering trade along the Silk Road, the Kushanas played a key role in the diffusion of art, religion, and technology.
MCQs on the Kushana Empire:
1. The reign of which of the following was known as the golden age for the Mathura school of art?
- Indo-Greeks
- Sakas
- Kushanas
- Gupta
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Correct Answer: Kushanas
The period of Kushana King Kanishka, Huviska, and Vasudeva is considered the golden age for the Mathura school of art. This school of art was known for producing sculptures on white-spotted red stones. Its unique characteristics included an emphasis on depicting inner beauty, facial emotions, and a wide range of themes, from Buddhist to Brahmanical to secular. The art created during this period represents a significant cultural and artistic achievement.
2. Which Kushana king adopted the epithet “Dharma-thida”?
- Vima Kadaphises
- Kuzul Kadaphises
- Kanishka the Great
- Huvishka
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Correct Answer: Kuzul Kadaphises
Kuzul Kadaphises, also known as Kadphises I, was the founder of the Kushana dynasty. On his coins, he adopted epithets like “Dharma-thida” and “Sacha-dharma-thita,” which indicated his adherence to the Buddhist and Saiva faiths, highlighting the religious diversity of the Kushana rulers.
3. Begram in Afghanistan was the capital of which king?
- Kanishka
- Asoka
- Chandragupta Maurya
- Samudragupta
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Correct Answer: Kanishka
Begram, located in Afghanistan, was associated with King Kanishka of the Kushana dynasty and served as his capital. It played a pivotal role as a hub for trade and cultural exchange during Kanishka’s reign. The region was vital for the consolidation of Kushana power and their interactions with various cultures.
4. Who among the following introduced the Shaka era?
- Ashoka
- Kanishka
- Rudraraman
- Bimbisara
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Correct Answer: Kanishka
Kushana emperor Kanishka is credited with initiating the Shaka era when he ascended to the throne in 78 AD. The Shaka era is still used in the Indian calendar system and was introduced during Kanishka’s reign.
5. During the reign of which Kushana king was the Fourth Buddhist Council held?
- Kanishka
- Huvishka
- Vasudeva
- Vasishka
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Correct Answer: Kanishka
The Fourth Buddhist Council took place in Kundalvana, Kashmir, in 72 AD during the rule of Kushan king Kanishka. Vasumitra presided over the council, which aimed to compose commentaries on the Tripitaka, the Buddhist scriptures. This event played a significant role in the development of Buddhist texts and philosophy.
6. Which dynasty’s rulers adopted the title “Devaputra”?
- Maurya
- Sunga
- Kushana
- Saka-Kshatrapa
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Correct Answer: Kushana
The rulers of the Kushana dynasty, particularly Kanishka, adopted the title “Devaputra,” meaning “son of gods.” This title reflected their association with divine lineage or divine patronage, which was a prominent aspect of their rule.
7. Which city was the main capital of Kushana king Kanishka I?
- Pataliputra
- Purushapura
- Taxila
- Mathura
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Correct Answer: Purushapura
Kanishka I’s primary capital was Purushapura, which corresponds to modern-day Peshawar. Other regional capitals of the Kushana Empire included Taxila, Begram, and Mathura. Purushapura played a central role in the administration of the empire.
8. Which of the following Kushan Emperors was the first to introduce gold coinage in India?
- Vima Kadphises
- Vima Taktu
- Vasishka
- Kujula Kadphises
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Correct Answer: Vima Kadphises
Vima Kadphises, a Kushan emperor who ruled around 90-100 AD, introduced gold coinage in India. He expanded Kushan territory through conquests and issued a substantial number of coins. This played a role in defining the region’s economic history.
9. Which dynasty was identified solely based on coins?
- Gupta
- Kushana
- Rashtrakuta
- Chalukya
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Correct Answer: Kushana
The Kushana dynasty is primarily identified and known through the coins issued during their reign. These coins are valuable historical and artistic artifacts, providing essential insights into the dynasty’s rule and activities.
10. Under which king did the Kushana Empire reach its zenith?
- Kadphises I
- Kanishka
- Vasudeva II
- Vima Kadphises
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Correct Answer: Kanishka
Kanishka is renowned as the most famous king of the Kushana Empire, and the empire reached its zenith during his rule. He is particularly known for his patronage of art and religion, and his legacy is still present in the Shaka era used in India’s calendar system.
11. Which language was used in Kanishka’s coins and inscriptions?
- Pali
- Prakrit
- Bactrian language
- Sanskrit
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Correct Answer: Bactrian language
The main language used in Kanishka’s coins and inscriptions was the Bactrian language. The Bactrian language was prevalent in the region due to its location in Bactria, which influenced the language used on official documents and coins.
12.Which ruler is mentioned in the Rabatak Inscription?
- Kanishka
- Kadphises I
- Vasudeva II
- Vima Kadphises
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Correct Answer: Kanishka
he Rabatak Inscription, written in the Bactrian language and Greek script, offers essential information about Kanishka, the third ruler of the Kushana empire. It also emphasizes his lineage, providing a historical perspective on the dynasty’s origin.
13. Who among the following were known as Tocharians?
- Kushans
- Shakas
- Hunas
- Kalabhras
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Correct Answer: Kushans
The Kushanas are sometimes known as Tocharians, referring to their Central Asian origins and their association with the Kushana Empire.
14. Which Kushana ruler proclaimed himself as ‘Mahishvara’ on his coins?
- Kanishka
- Kadphises I
- Vasudeva II
- Vima Kadphises
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Correct Answer: Vima Kadphises
Vima Kadphises, an emperor of the Kushan dynasty, proclaimed himself as ‘Mahishvara’ on his coins, indicating his strong devotion to Lord Shiva.
15. Which ruler of the Kushan period adopted the title ‘Devputra’?
- Kadphises I
- Vima Kadphises
- Kanishka
- Vasudeva II
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Correct Answer: Kanishka
Kanishka I, also known as Kanishka the Great, was the most famous king of the Kushana Empire. He adopted the title ‘Devputra’ and is depicted wearing a ‘peaked helmet’ on some of his coins.
16. Which king of the Kushan period built a stupa to house the Buddha’s relics in the city of Purushpura?
- Kanishka
- Vasudeva II
- Kadphises I
- Vima Kadphises
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Correct Answer: Kanishka
Kanishka, the ruler of the Kushana Empire, built a giant stupa in the city of Purushpura (modern-day Peshawar) to house the relics of the Buddha. The stupa was described as magnificent by the Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien.
17. Which king started the Shaka era?
- Kadphises I
- Kanishka
- Vima Kadphises
- Vasudeva II
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Correct Answer: Kanishka
Kanishka, the third ruler of the Kushana empire, is believed to have started the Shaka era. The Shaka era begins with his ascension to the throne in 78 AD and is now used by the Government of India for its calendar.
18. Which Buddhist scholar wrote the Buddhacharita?
- Vasumitra
- Ashvagosha
- Charaka
- Nagarjuna
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Correct Answer: Ashvagosha
The Buddhacharita, a sacred biography of the Buddha, was composed by the Buddhist scholar Ashvagosha. Ashvagosha is also known for his other works, including the Saundarananda, which is a Sanskrit kavya.
19. Who is also known as the “father of Ayurveda”?
- Charaka
- Vasumitra
- Mathara
- Ashvagosha
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Correct Answer: Charaka
Charaka, one of the principal contributors to Ayurveda, is known as the “father of Ayurveda.” He wrote the Charaksamhita, a Sanskrit text on Ayurveda, and also composed the Sushruta, another important text on medicine.
20. Who was the last ruler of the Kushana empire?
- Kadphises I
- Ashvagosha
- Vasudeva II
- Vima Kadphises
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Correct Answer: Vasudeva II
Vasudeva II was the last Kushan emperor who ruled from 275 CE to 300 CE. The Kushana dynasty was founded by Kujula Kadphises or Kadphises I in the 1st century CE, and Vasudeva II marked the end of the empire.
21. Which Buddhist scholar compiled the Mahavibhasa?
- Charaka
- Mathara
- Vasumitra
- Nagarjuna
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Correct Answer: Vasumitra
The Mahavibhasa, an ancient Buddhist text considered an encyclopedia of Buddhist philosophy, is believed to have been authored by the Buddhist scholar Vasumitra. Vasumitra was an eminent philosopher of the Kushan era.
22. Prajnaparamita is related to which religion?
- Buddhism
- Jainism
- Hindu
- None of the above
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Correct Answer: Buddhism
Prajnaparamita is related to Buddhism.
23. Which king patronized both the Gandhara and Mathura schools of sculpture?
- King Ajatshatru
- King Kalasoka
- King Ashoka
- King Kanishka
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Correct Answer: King Kanishka
king Kanishka was a great patron of art, known for promoting both the Gandhara school of Greco-Buddhist art and the Mathura school of Hindu art. Under his rule, the Gandharan style of art flourished, and he is particularly famous for building a giant stupa in Purushpura (Peshawar) to house the relics of Buddha. His support for art and culture left a lasting impact on the region.
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