Practice Set On Rise Of Frontier Dynasties

The rise of frontier dynasties is an important topic with respect to exams. For a better understanding of the topic, we summarise some MCQs based on the dynasties which rule in frontier part of India. The MCQs are based on the Pala dynasty of Bengal and the Kingdoms of Kashmir including (Karkota dynasty, Utpala dynasty, and Lohara dynasty).

1. Where does the Pala empire rule?
A. Bengal
B. Kerala
C. Magadh
D. Assam
Ans: A
In Bengal, Gopala established the Pala Empire. By caste, Gopala belonged to the Kshatriyas. Vanga, or East Bengal, was his birthplace. He was a Buddhist fanatic. A monastery was founded in Nalanda by him.

2. Who bestowed with the title of Paramabhattaraka?
A. Mahipala I
B. Devapala
C. Gopala
D. Dharmapala
Ans: D
Dharmapala was an outstanding commander. Parameshwara, Paramabhattaraka, and Maharajadhiraj were his titles. He founded the well-known Vikramshila monastery in Rajshahi, which later became a major Buddhist Vihara. 

3. The palas were followers of which religion?
A. Jainism
B. Buddhism 
C. Shaivism
D. Sufism
Ans: B 
Palas were followers of Buddhism. Dharmapala was a devoted Buddhist who was passionate about his faith. He took the title of Paramasaugat. In the court of Dharmapala, the famous Buddhist scholar Haribhadra was patronised. Dharmapala established well-known Buddhist monasteries in Vikramshila and Somapuri (Paharpur).

4. The famous Buddhist scholar Haribhadra patronise by which dynasty?
A. Vatapi
B. Chola
C. Chalukyas
D. Palas
Ans: D
In the court of Dharmapala, the famous Buddhist scholar Haribhadra was patronised. Dharmapala established well-known Buddhist monasteries in Vikramshila and Somapuri (Paharpur).

5. The great Somapura Mahavihara was built by which king in Paharpur?
A. Pulakeshin I
B. Nagabhata
C. Mahipala I
D. Dharmapala
Ans: D
In the court of Dharmapala, the famous Buddhist scholar Haribhadra was patronised. Dharmapala established well-known Buddhist monasteries in Vikramshila and Somapuri (Paharpur).

6. Which dynasty came after the decline of the Pala dynasty?
A. Hoysala
B. Kakatiya
C. Sena
D. Vatapi
Ans: C
After the Pala dynasty, Bengal was controlled by the Sena dynasty. Karnataka-Kshatriya or Brahma-Kshatriya were the titles of the Sena rulers.

7. Who establishes the Sena dynasty in Bengal?
A. Vijaya Sena
B. Samanta Sena
C. Hemanta Sena
D. Lakshmana Sena
Ans: B
Samanta Sena, the first known member of the Sena dynasty, founded the Sena kingdom at Radha in Bengal and established the Sena empire. Nadiya served as the country’s capital (lakhnauti).

8. Umapatidhara resided in which king’s court?
A. Lakshmana Sena
B. Anantvarman 
C. Devapala 
D. Vijaya Sena
Ans: D
At Vijaya Sena court, the poet Umapatidhara resided and wrote the famous Deopara-Prashasti, through which we can learn about his reign.

9. Jayadeva, a famous poet resided in which kingdom?
A. Palas
B. Senas
C. Cholas
D. Chalukyas
Ans: B
During Laxmana Sena’s reign, Jayadeva, a prominent court poet, was a treasure. During his tenure, Halayudha was the Chief Minister and the head of the Justice Department.

10. Who was the founder of the Karkota dynasty?
A. Yashovardhan
B. Durlabha Vardhana 
C. Ashokvarman
D. Mahavirvarman
Ans: B
Durlabha Vardhana was the founder of the Karkota dynasty. He was the son of Karkota Naga. He was Baladitya’s successor (his father-in-law and last ruler of the Gonada Dynasty).

11. Who was the son of Durlabha Vardhana of Karkota dynasty?
A. Durlabhaka
B. Tarapida
C. Chandrapida
D. Muktapida
Ans: A
Durlabhaka was Duralabha Vardhana’s son. Durlabhaka and Narendraprabha (a gorgeous merchant’s wife) had three kids (Chandrapida, Muktapida, Tarapida).

12. Who was known as alexander of Kashmir?
A. Durlabhaka
B. Tarapida
C. Chandrapida
D. Lalitaditya Muktapida
Ans: D
Lalitaditya Muktapida  was Alexander of Kashmir. 

13. Who was the court poet of Lalitaditya Muktapida?
A. Devabhuti
B. Bhavbhuti
C. Tenaliraman
D. Vallabhacharya
Ans: B
Bhavabhuti was the court poet of Lalitaditya Muktapida. In Kannauj, he vanquished Yashovarman and brought Bhavabhuti and Vakpatiraja (poets).

14. Who established the Utpala dynasty?
A. Durlabhaka
B. Yashovarman
C. Avantivarman
D. Lalitaditya Muktapida
Ans: C
Avantivarman was the creator of the Utpala dynasty. During his reign, Sheru was Prime Minister. Avantipura was established on the Jhelum’s bank.

15. Which dynasty was ruling Kashmir when Muhammad Ghazni invaded Kashmir?
A. Utpala
B. Karkota
C. Gupta 
D. Lohara
Ans: C
Mahmud Ghazni conquered Kashmir during Gupta king Kshemagupta’s reign. The throne was given to Sangram by Queen Didda (son of Udairaj, Brother of Didda).

16. Who founded the Lohara dynasty of Kashmir?
A. Sangramraja
B. Durlabhaka
C. Avantivarman
D. Devapala
Ans: A
Sangramraja (1003-28 AD) was the founder of this dynasty. Harmaja ruled after him for 22 days. The next king was Anantadeva (1028-1068 AD). 

17. Famous poet Kalhan resides in which dynasty?
A. Varman dynasty
B. Lohara dynasty
C. Karkota Dynasty
D. Gupta Dynasty 
Ans: B
Jayasimha of the Lohara dynasty revived Hinduism and built many temples and shrines. Famous poet Kalhan lived during his reign and completed Rajtarangani. The last ruler of this Dynasty was Vanitadeva who died in 1171 AD and this dynasty came to the end.

18. Who founded the Varman dynasty?
A. Pushyavarman
B. Nandivarman
C. Avantivarman
D. Devabhuti
Ans: A
Varman dynasty emerged in the mid of the 4th century AD. The dynasty was founded by Pushyavarman. Its capital was Pragjyotishpura. Later, the dynasty becomes a part of the Pala dynasty.

19. Who made Parihaspur (the city of pleasure) his kingdom capital?
A. Avantivarman
B. Sangramdev
C. Jayapida
D. Lalitaditya Muktapida
Ans: D
Lalitaditya Muktapida other moniker was Samudragupta of Kashmir. Cankunya was his commander-in-Chief. Near the shrine of Kheer Bhawani, he erected Parihaspur as his capital (city of pleasure).

20. Who was the first independent king of the Sena empire?
A. Lakshmana Sena
B. Vijaya Sena
C. Deva Sena
D. Vallala Sena
Ans: B
Vijaya Sena was the Sena empire’s first autonomous king. In Bengal, he was the true founder of the Sena dynasty. He was a Shaiva disciple who constructed a temple in Rajshahi.