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Harsha, Chalukyas and Pallavas – GK Quiz with Answers – Level 2

Practise questions on Harsha, Pulakeshin II, Xuan Zang's visit to Nalanda, Pallava temples at Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram, and the local assemblies of the south.

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Questions, answer key and solutions.

Questions
50
Duration
30 min
Marks
50

Negative marking

Attempts
100
Access
Free
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Both use the same questions. Normal practice is untimed and needs no account: choose an option and the answer and solution appear at once. The Simulated test is the real computer-based format, with one 30-minute clock, a question palette and full screen, and your score, the key and the solutions arrive when you submit.

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  • Solutions in place. The explanation, and the video where one has been added, sit under the question.
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Simulated

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The computer-based test format: one clock, a question palette, and a score the moment you submit.

  • A clock that does not pause. 30 minutes from the moment you begin, and the paper is submitted for you when it reaches zero.
  • Question palette. Answered, not answered and marked for review, section by section, as the real interface has it.
  • Full screen, proctored. The test takes over the screen; leaving it three times submits the paper.
  • Answers hidden until you submit. The key, the explanations and your score all arrive together at the end.

About this test

Harsha, Chalukyas and Pallavas GK Practice Quiz for Ancient History

This Level 2 General Awareness quiz covers Ancient Indian History from Harshavardhana's reign to the rival southern dynasties, the Chalukyas and the Pallavas. It tests Harsha's campaigns, Xuan Zang's account of Nalanda, Ravikirti's prashasti and Pallava temple architecture. Aptitude360 explains every answer so you can check your reasoning.

Topics covered in this Harsha, Chalukyas and Pallavas quiz

  • Harshavardhana's rise to the throne of Thanesar and his eastern campaign against Shashanka of Bengal
  • Pulakeshin II halting Harsha at the Narmada, and Ravikirti's prashasti at Aihole
  • The Harshacharita by Banabhatta and the Sanskrit plays written by Harsha
  • Xuan Zang's visit, his studies at Nalanda and the manuscripts he took back to China
  • Pallava and Chalukya temples at Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Aihole and Pattadakal
  • Local assemblies of the south: sabha, ur and nagaram

Key concepts to revise for post-Gupta dynasties

  • Chronology of foreign visitors: Megasthenes, then Fa Xian, then Xuan Zang
  • Matching temples to dynasties and places, such as the Shore Temple and the Kailasanatha temple
  • Why capital cities were special targets of Pallava and Chalukya raids
  • Monolithic rock-cut temples such as the Pancha Rathas versus structural temples
  • Author and work pairs from this period

Revision tips for Harsha and the southern kingdoms

  • Draw a simple map placing Thanesar, the Narmada, the Raichur Doab and Kanchipuram
  • Make a table of temples with their dynasty, place and builder
  • Revise statement-based questions by checking each statement against a source, such as the Aihole prashasti or Xuan Zang's account

Who should take this Level 2 Ancient History quiz

This quiz suits general awareness aspirants who have finished the basics of early medieval India and want to practise matching, chronology and statement-type questions.

FAQs about Harsha, Chalukyas and Pallavas – GK Quiz with Answers – Level 2

Who were the Pallavas and Chalukyas?
They were the two most important dynasties of south India after the Guptas. The Pallavas ruled from Kanchipuram, and the Chalukyas were centred on the Raichur Doab, with Aihole as an important centre.
What is the difference between Pallavas and Chalukyas?
The Pallava kingdom spread from Kanchipuram towards the Kaveri delta. The Chalukya kingdom lay around the Raichur Doab, between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. The two dynasties often raided each other's lands.
Who stopped Harshavardhana at the Narmada?
The Chalukya king Pulakeshin II stopped Harsha when he tried to cross the Narmada into the Deccan. Ravikirti, his court poet, recorded this in the prashasti at Aihole.
Who wrote the Harshacharita?
Banabhatta, Harsha's court poet, wrote the Harshacharita. It is a biography of Harshavardhana written in Sanskrit.

Test structure

How the paper is split, and how long each part runs. A section you have finished cannot be returned to.

SectionQuestionsTime
Harsha, Chalukyas and Pallavas GK Level 25030 min

Marking & rules

Total marks
50 across 50 questions.
Negative marking
A wrong answer costs marks. Leaving a question unanswered costs nothing.
Attempts
100 in total. An attempt is spent the moment you begin one.

What you get when you submit

The analysis is ready the moment you submit the paper.

Score and accuracy

Marks, percentage, right, wrong and skipped, and the time you took.

Section by section

The same figures for each section, so a weak one cannot hide in an average.

The full answer key

Every question with your answer, the right one, the working, and the video where there is one.

Where you stand

Your score against the spread of everyone else who has sat this test.

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