History & Civics
With reference to the picture given alongside, answer the following:
(a) Identify the temple given in the picture. Where is it located? To whom is this temple dedicated?
(b) Mention the architectural features of this temple.
(c) Briefly describe the famous educational institution set up during this period.
Answer
(a) The given temple is Dashavatara Temple (also called Vishnu temple). It is located in Deogarh.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the God of preservation, who is shown asleep on the coil of the giant serpent called Sheshnaga.
(b) The architectural features of Dashavatara temple are:
- It was built of stone and bricks on a 1.5 metre high platform.
- Four stairways outside the platform provide access to the temple.
- Its exterior is decorated with scenes from Ramayana. The entrance and pillars were adorned with countless paintings and carvings.
- It was the first North Indian temple with a Shikhara or tower, although a part of it has disappeared.
(c) The educational institution set up during this period was Nalanda University. It was the most renowned educational institution of ancient India. It was located at Nalanda in Rajagriha in Bihar. The University of Nalanda had imposing buildings. There were at least eight colleges built by different patrons including one by Balaputradeva, King of Sumatra. The Nalanda University provided various facilities like libraries to the students. There were three great libraries called Ratnasagar, Ratanadadhi and Ratnaranjak. There were more than 10,000 students and teachers. They came from Korea, Mangolia, Japan, China, Tibet, Ceylon and various parts of India. The subjects of Study at Nalanda University were all the four Vedas, logic, grammar, medicine, sankya, yoga, nyaya and the Buddhist works of the different schools. Nalanda university was a post graduate institution. Only the most brilliant were admitted to the university through an admission examination in which hardly 20% students qualified. It was destroyed by Mohammad-bin-Bakhtiyar Khilji, a general of Mohammad Ghori.
Related Questions
With reference to the Age of the Guptas, answer the following questions:
(a) Explain the extent of Samudragupta's Empire based on the information given in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription.
(b) Explain how Chandragupta II expanded his empire.
(c) Briefly mention any four observations of Fa-hien about the reign of Chandragupta II's reign.
With reference to the administrative system of the Guptas, answer the following questions:
(a) Explain the position and powers of the king during the Gupta Age.
(b) Describe briefly the administration of villages during the Gupta period.
(c) According to the Allahabad Pillar, how many types of rulers existed during Samudragupta's reign? How did Samudragupta deal with them?
Imagine a meeting between Fa-hein and Harisena. Write down the discussion between them about religion in Gupta period. How would they had conversed with each other due to the barrier of language the two had?
What role did the Gupta Kings play in promoting religion? Do you think that the religion followed by the rulers gained prominence? Give reasons to support your answer.