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The Karkota dynasty ruled exclusively over the Kashmir valley from its inception until its end.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Karkota dynasty's influence extended beyond the Kashmir valley to encompass parts of the northern Indian subcontinent.
According to Kalhana, Durlabhavardhana founded the Karkota dynasty after marrying the daughter of the last Gonanda ruler, Baladitya.
Answer: True
Explanation: Kalhana's account posits that Durlabhavardhana, married to the daughter of Baladitya, the last Gonanda ruler, established the Karkota dynasty.
Atreyi Biswas proposed that Durlabhaka Pratapaditya was the first ruler of the Karkota dynasty, challenging Kalhana's account.
Answer: True
Explanation: Scholar Atreyi Biswas has presented an alternative interpretation, suggesting Durlabhaka Pratapaditya as the inaugural ruler of the Karkota dynasty, diverging from Kalhana's narrative.
Durlabhavardhana, founder of the Karkota dynasty, reigned for approximately 70 years.
Answer: False
Explanation: Kalhana assigns Durlabhavardhana a reign of approximately thirty-six years, from 625 to 661/662 CE, not seventy years.
Durlabhaka, son of Durlabhavardhana, was also known as Pratapaditya and ruled from 662 to 712 CE.
Answer: True
Explanation: Durlabhaka, son of Durlabhavardhana, also identified as Pratapaditya, governed the Karkota dynasty from approximately 662 to 712 CE.
Durlabhavardhana commissioned the Martand Sun Temple and established the capital city of Parihaspura.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Durlabhavardhana was an early ruler, the Martand Sun Temple was commissioned by Lalitaditya Muktapida, and Parihaspura served as the capital city during the Karkota period, though its establishment is not solely attributed to Durlabhavardhana.
The Karkota dynasty was a republic, with power vested in elected councils rather than a single ruler.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Karkota dynasty was a monarchy, governed by a succession of kings, rather than a republic with power vested in elected councils.
According to Kalhana, who founded the Karkota dynasty?
Answer: Durlabhavardhana
Explanation: According to Kalhana's Rajatarangini, Durlabhavardhana is identified as the founder of the Karkota dynasty.
What geographical areas were historically under the Karkota dynasty's influence?
Answer: Kashmir valley and parts of the northern Indian subcontinent
Explanation: The Karkota dynasty's influence extended over the Kashmir valley and included significant parts of the northern Indian subcontinent.
Which dynasty is mentioned as a predecessor to the Karkota dynasty in Kashmir?
Answer: The Huna dynasty (specifically Alchon Huns)
Explanation: The Huna dynasty, particularly the Alchon Huns, is mentioned as a predecessor to the Karkota dynasty in Kashmir.
What was the approximate reign period of Durlabhavardhana, according to Kalhana?
Answer: 625-661/662 CE
Explanation: According to Kalhana, Durlabhavardhana reigned approximately from 625 to 661/662 CE.
What is the scholarly disagreement regarding the establishment of the Karkota dynasty?
Answer: Disagreement on the precise founding details, with alternative interpretations challenging Kalhana's account.
Explanation: Scholarly debate exists regarding the precise founding details of the Karkota dynasty, with alternative interpretations challenging the traditional accounts presented by Kalhana.
What does the source suggest about the Karkota dynasty's government structure?
Answer: It was a monarchy ruled by a king.
Explanation: The available sources suggest that the Karkota dynasty was structured as a monarchy, with power vested in a king.
Candrapida, also known as Vajraditya, ruled from approximately 712/713 to 720 CE and sought aid from the Chinese Emperor Xuanzong against Arab invasions.
Answer: True
Explanation: Candrapida, identified as Vajraditya, reigned from circa 712/713 to 720 CE and engaged in diplomatic efforts with Emperor Xuanzong of Tang China for assistance against Arab incursions.
Tarapida, known for his benevolent rule, was assassinated by his brother Candrapida.
Answer: False
Explanation: Kalhana describes Tarapida as tyrannical and oppressive, not benevolent. Furthermore, it was Tarapida who orchestrated the assassination of his brother Candrapida.
Lalitaditya Muktapida is renowned as a great conqueror, with his military campaigns extending across India, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, though the extent is debated.
Answer: True
Explanation: Lalitaditya Muktapida is celebrated for his extensive military campaigns, which, according to historical accounts, reached across India, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, although the precise scope remains a subject of scholarly debate.
Kuvalayapida, son of Lalitaditya, had a long and stable reign of over twenty years.
Answer: False
Explanation: Kuvalayapida, son of Lalitaditya, had a reign of approximately one year and one month, marked by a succession struggle, rather than a long and stable period.
Vajraditya, another son of Lalitaditya, was known for his cruelty and the introduction of slave trade during his seven-year reign.
Answer: True
Explanation: Vajraditya, son of Lalitaditya, ruled for seven years and is characterized by his cruelty and the introduction of slave trade during his tenure.
Jayapida, also known as Vinayaditya, was a patron of the arts and learning, fostering significant developments in Kashmiri poetics.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jayapida, also known as Vinayaditya, was a notable patron of arts and learning, significantly advancing Kashmiri poetics and establishing a school of literary criticism.
Jayapida's later reign was marked by tyranny, including rescinding land grants to Brahmins, which led to his peaceful retirement.
Answer: False
Explanation: Jayapida's later reign was indeed marked by tyranny and the rescinding of land grants, but this led to his death by curse, not a peaceful retirement.
Which ruler was known as Vajraditya and sought diplomatic ties with the Tang Emperor Xuanzong?
Answer: Candrapida
Explanation: Candrapida, also known as Vajraditya, sought diplomatic ties with the Tang Emperor Xuanzong.
What was a key characteristic of Tarapida's reign, according to Kalhana?
Answer: Tyrannical and oppressive behavior
Explanation: Kalhana characterizes Tarapida's reign as tyrannical and oppressive, particularly towards Brahmins.
Which ruler established the city of Pratāpapura and the shrine of Malhanasvamin?
Answer: Durlabhaka
Explanation: Durlabhaka established the city of Pratāpapura and the shrine of Malhanasvamin during his reign.
Which of the following rulers was known for his tyrannical actions in later years, including attempting to rescind land grants to Brahmins?
Answer: Jayapida
Explanation: Jayapida's later reign was characterized by tyrannical actions, including the rescinding of land grants to Brahmins.
Which ruler's reign saw a raid by the Governor of Sindh and the introduction of slave trade?
Answer: Vajraditya
Explanation: Vajraditya's reign was marked by a raid from the Governor of Sindh and the introduction of slave trade.
Which of the following cities was established by Jayapida?
Answer: Jayapura
Explanation: Jayapida established the city of Jayapura during his reign.
Parihaspur served as the primary capital city for the Karkota dynasty.
Answer: True
Explanation: Parihaspur was established as the capital city of the Karkota dynasty, serving as a significant center of administration and culture.
The Martand Sun Temple, one of India's oldest Sun temples, was built during the Karkota period by King Lalitaditya.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Martand Sun Temple, recognized as one of India's oldest Sun temples, was commissioned by King Lalitaditya during the Karkota period.
Lalitaditya's reign marked a peak for Kashmiri sculpture and fostered a brilliant intellectual and artistic culture.
Answer: True
Explanation: Lalitaditya Muktapida's reign is considered a zenith for Kashmiri sculpture and fostered a vibrant intellectual and artistic milieu.
Vamana and Udbhata were prominent literary figures associated with Jayapida's court, contributing to poetics and literary criticism.
Answer: True
Explanation: Vamana and Udbhata were key literary figures patronized by Jayapida, making significant contributions to the field of poetics and literary criticism.
The Karkota dynasty commissioned numerous shrines and temples, including the Martand Sun Temple and the capital Parihaspura, significantly contributing to art and architecture.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Karkota dynasty's patronage resulted in the construction of numerous significant architectural works, including the Martand Sun Temple and the capital city of Parihaspura, marking substantial contributions to art and architecture.
What was the designated capital city of the Karkota dynasty?
Answer: Parihaspur
Explanation: Parihaspur served as the designated capital city for the Karkota dynasty.
Which ruler is credited with constructing the Martand Sun Temple?
Answer: Lalitaditya
Explanation: The Martand Sun Temple is credited to King Lalitaditya, a prominent ruler of the Karkota dynasty.
Which period is considered the zenith for Kashmiri sculpture during the Karkota dynasty?
Answer: Lalitaditya Muktapida's reign
Explanation: Lalitaditya Muktapida's reign is regarded as the zenith for Kashmiri sculpture during the Karkota period.
What literary development occurred during Jayapida's reign?
Answer: The establishment of a school of literary criticism
Explanation: Jayapida's patronage fostered the development of a significant school of literary criticism in Kashmir.
What is the significance of Ratnakara's Haravijaya composed during the Karkota period?
Answer: It is the largest surviving Mahākāvya in Sanskrit, consisting of fifty cantos.
Explanation: Ratnakara's Haravijaya, composed during the Karkota period, holds significance as the largest surviving Mahākāvya in Sanskrit, comprising fifty cantos.
Kalhana's Rajatarangini is the primary historical chronicle detailing the Karkota dynasty's history.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Rajatarangini, authored by Kalhana in the 11th century, is considered the principal historical source for the Karkota dynasty's narrative.
Scholars universally agree that Kalhana's Rajatarangini provides a purely objective and factual account of the Karkota dynasty.
Answer: False
Explanation: Scholarly consensus suggests the Rajatarangini is a blend of historical, political, and mythical narratives, with its objectivity and factual accuracy debated by historians.
Marc Aurel Stein accepted claims of Lalitaditya Muktapida's vast conquests as historical fact, while Hermann Goetz dismissed them as mythology.
Answer: False
Explanation: The scholarly assessment is reversed: Hermann Goetz accepted the claims of Lalitaditya's vast conquests as historical fact, whereas Marc Aurel Stein viewed them as mythological.
Besides the Rajatarangini, the Kuttanimata and chronicles of Buddhist pilgrims like Xuanzang are the only other sources providing information about the Karkota dynasty.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Rajatarangini, Kuttanimata, and Buddhist pilgrim chronicles are important sources, other historical texts, such as the Nilamata Purana and Vishnudharmottara Purana, also provide information on the Karkota dynasty.
Michael Witzel suggests a chronological correction of approximately 25 years needs to be applied to the Karkota dynasty's timeline as presented in the Rajatarangini.
Answer: True
Explanation: Michael Witzel's scholarly analysis suggests that a chronological adjustment of approximately 25 years is necessary for the Karkota dynasty's timeline as detailed in the Rajatarangini.
Which historical chronicle is considered the primary source for the Karkota dynasty's history?
Answer: The Rajatarangini
Explanation: The Rajatarangini, written by Kalhana, is regarded as the principal historical chronicle detailing the Karkota dynasty's history.
What scholarly concern is raised regarding the historical accuracy of Kalhana's Rajatarangini concerning the Karkota dynasty?
Answer: It is considered a blend of mythical and historical narratives, with debated accuracy.
Explanation: Scholars express concern that the Rajatarangini integrates mythical elements with historical accounts, leading to debates regarding its precise accuracy for the Karkota period.
How did scholars like Marc Aurel Stein and Hermann Goetz differ regarding Lalitaditya Muktapida's military achievements?
Answer: Stein dismissed the conquests as mythology; Goetz accepted them as historical fact.
Explanation: Marc Aurel Stein considered the accounts of Lalitaditya's vast conquests to be mythology, while Hermann Goetz accepted them as historical fact.
What was the dual purpose attributed to the Nilamata Purana commissioned during the Karkota polity?
Answer: To establish Durlabhavardhana as king and reconstruct Kashmir as a sacred space.
Explanation: The Nilamata Purana was commissioned to establish Durlabhavardhana's legitimacy as king and to reconstruct Kashmir as a sacred space.
What does Michael Witzel's suggested chronological adjustment imply about the Rajatarangini's timeline for the Karkota dynasty?
Answer: The timeline needs to be corrected by about 25 years.
Explanation: Michael Witzel's suggestion implies that the Rajatarangini's timeline for the Karkota dynasty requires a chronological correction of approximately 25 years.
What was the primary purpose of commissioning the Nilamata Purana and the Vishnudharmottara Purana within the Karkota polity?
Answer: To contribute to the dynasty's legitimacy and cultural narrative.
Explanation: The commissioning of the Nilamata Purana and the Vishnudharmottara Purana served the primary purpose of bolstering the dynasty's legitimacy and contributing to its cultural narrative.
The Karkota rulers exclusively patronized Hinduism, neglecting Buddhist practices within their territories.
Answer: False
Explanation: Karkota rulers patronized both Hinduism, evidenced by Vishnu shrines, and Buddhism, with evidence of monasteries, indicating a syncretic religious environment.
The Karkota economy relied solely on barter systems, with no evidence of metallic currency.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Karkota economy utilized both barter systems and metallic coins, alongside cowrie shells, as currency.
Socially, the Karkota period saw influential merchant communities, materialism among elites, and the prevalence of Sati and Devadasi systems.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sources indicate that Karkota society featured influential merchant classes, materialism among elites, and the practice of Sati and the Devadasi system.
Coins issued by Karkota rulers consistently featured the inscription 'Kidara' on the reverse, suggesting a link to Kidarite coinage.
Answer: True
Explanation: Coins minted by most Karkota rulers, up to Muktapida and Jayapida, typically bore the inscription 'Kidara' on the reverse, indicating a connection to Kidarite coinage.
Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the Karkota dynasty's religious environment?
Answer: Exclusive worship of Shiva
Explanation: The Karkota religious environment was characterized by patronage of Vishnu shrines, flourishing Buddhism, and syncretic practices, but not exclusive worship of Shiva.
What economic tools were utilized by the Karkota dynasty?
Answer: Metallic coins and cowrie shells
Explanation: The Karkota dynasty utilized metallic coins and cowrie shells as primary economic tools for transactions.
Which of the following is mentioned as a social practice prevalent during the Karkota dynasty?
Answer: State patronage of prostitution
Explanation: The Kuttanimata indicates that state patronage of prostitution was a social practice prevalent during the Karkota dynasty.
What inscription is notably found on coins issued by most Karkota rulers up to Muktapida and Jayapida?
Answer: Kidara
Explanation: Coins issued by most Karkota rulers up to Muktapida and Jayapida consistently featured the inscription 'Kidara' on the reverse.
What information does the Kuttanimata provide about Karkota period society?
Answer: It offers insights into social conditions, including prostitution and elite materialism.
Explanation: The Kuttanimata provides valuable insights into Karkota period society, detailing social conditions such as the prevalence of prostitution and materialism among elites.
The Karkota dynasty's rule concluded with the rise of the Gupta dynasty in 855 CE.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Karkota dynasty's rule concluded around 855 CE with the establishment of the Utpala dynasty by Avanti Varman, not the Gupta dynasty.
The Utpala dynasty succeeded the Karkota dynasty, established by Avanti Varman in 855 CE.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Utpala dynasty, founded by Avanti Varman in 855 CE, succeeded the Karkota dynasty, marking a transition in Kashmiri rule.
Which dynasty succeeded the Karkota dynasty in Kashmir?
Answer: The Utpala dynasty
Explanation: The Utpala dynasty succeeded the Karkota dynasty in Kashmir, established by Avanti Varman.