Gupta Empire

The correct answer is B. Chandragupta II.

Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (also known as Chandragupta Vikramaditya) of the Gupta dynasty. He arrived around the early 5th century CE, seeking Buddhist texts and studying the practices of Buddhism in India. His travel accounts provide valuable information about Gupta India's society, administration, and Buddhism.

The other rulers listed do not align with the period of Fa-hien's visit.

The terms kulyavapa and dronavapa were units of land measurement used in ancient India, particularly during the Gupta period. These measurements were based on the quantity of seed required to sow a specific area of land.

* Kulyavapa: The term 'vapa' means 'to sow'. Kulyavapa refers to the area of land required to sow one kulya (a volumetric measure) of grain. * Dronavapa: This refers to the area of land required to sow one drona of grain. A drona was a smaller volumetric unit than a kulya.

These terms are frequently found in Gupta-era copper-plate inscriptions (such as the Damodarpur plates) which record land transactions and grants. Other related units of measurement included 'adhavapa' and 'pataka'.

During the Gupta dynasty (c. 320–550 CE), external trade flourished and several coastal towns emerged as significant maritime centres. Ghantasala and Kadura were located on the eastern coast (Andhra region) and functioned as active ports facilitating overseas commerce, particularly with Southeast Asia and other regions.

Ghantasala: Located in present-day Andhra Pradesh, Ghantasala served as an eastern coastal port actively engaged in maritime trade with Southeast Asia and possibly even with the Roman world.

Kadura: Also located in the Andhra region (eastern coast), Kadura functioned as a significant port under the Gupta-era trade network and handled trade goods like textiles, spices, and ivory.

Chaul: located on the western coast in present-day Maharashtra, acted as a western seaport linking India with Western Asia and was known for trade in cotton textiles and other goods.


During the Gupta period, Vishti (forced labor) was considered a legitimate source of income for the State and a form of tax paid by the subjects in the form of labor. Historical evidence, such as the Junagadh inscription, indicates that Vishti was listed alongside other taxes like Bali and Bhaga, signifying its status as a state resource. It was prevalent in various regions, including Madhya Pradesh and Kathiawar, contradicting the claim of its absence there. As it was a forced extraction of service, the laborers were not entitled to wages, and the obligation was not restricted to any specific family member like the eldest son.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: A strong central authority is not a defining characteristic of the feudal system. In fact, a weak central government with power dispersed among regional lords is more typical.

Statement 2 is Correct: Land ownership and control were fundamental aspects of the feudal system in India. Powerful landowners (Zamindars, Jagirdars etc.) gained control over vast territories and the peasantry who worked on them.

Statement 3 is Correct: A hierarchical structure with lords granting land to vassals in exchange for military service, taxes, and loyalty was a core principle of the feudal system.

While the Indian feudal system had some unique characteristics, these two elements - land control and the lord-vassal relationship - formed the backbone of the system.

1. The Guptas of Magadha: The Later Gupta dynasty did indeed succeed the imperial Guptas and ruled parts of Magadha during the early 7th century.

2. The Paramaras of Malwa: The Paramara dynasty emerged much later, around the 9th century, and ruled in central India (Malwa region).

3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar: The Pushyabhuti dynasty, also known as Vardhana, flourished in the 6th and 7th centuries and held power in parts of North India, including Thanesar.

4. The Maukharis of Kanauj: The Maukhari dynasty rose to prominence after the Guptas and controlled Kanauj for some time.

5. The Yadavas of Devagiri: The Yadava dynasty, also known as the Seuna dynasty, established their kingdom much later, around the 12th century, in western India.

6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi: The Maitrakas were contemporaries of the Guptas and established an independent kingdom in western India (Gujarat) after being tributary chiefs for a while.

Therefore, the correct answer is 1, 3, 4 and 6.