Chandra Dynasty: MCQ Questions and Answers

1. The Chandra dynasty ruled mainly over which region of Bengal?
A) Western Bengal
B) Northern Bengal
C) Eastern Bengal
D) Southern Bengal
Answer: C) Eastern Bengal

2. The founder of the Chandra dynasty was —
A) Srichandra
B) Trailokyachandra
C) Kalyanchandra
D) Ladahachandra
Answer: B) Trailokyachandra

3. The Chandra dynasty ruled approximately between —
A) 4th to 6th century CE
B) 6th to 8th century CE
C) 9th to 11th century CE
D) 11th to 13th century CE
Answer: C) 9th to 11th century CE

4. The capital of the Chandra dynasty was located at —
A) Tamralipta
B) Vikrampur
C) Pataliputra
D) Sonargaon
Answer: B) Vikrampur

5. The most powerful ruler of the Chandra dynasty was —
A) Trailokyachandra
B) Kalyanchandra
C) Srichandra
D) Ladahachandra
Answer: C) Srichandra

6. The Chandra kings were followers of which religion?
A) Vaishnavism
B) Shaivism
C) Buddhism
D) Jainism
Answer: C) Buddhism

7. The Chandra dynasty succeeded which earlier dynasty in Bengal?
A) Sena dynasty
B) Pala dynasty
C) Maurya dynasty
D) Gupta dynasty
Answer: B) Pala dynasty

8. The Chandras were known as the rulers of —
A) Radha
B) Mithila
C) Samatata
D) Varendra
Answer: C) Samatata

9. Who was the son of Trailokyachandra?
A) Kalyanchandra
B) Srichandra
C) Ladahachandra
D) Gobindachandra
Answer: B) Srichandra

10. Srichandra extended his empire up to —
A) Assam
B) Nepal
C) Tripura and Arakan
D) Odisha
Answer: C) Tripura and Arakan

11. Which inscription provides valuable information about the Chandra dynasty?
A) Nalanda Inscription
B) Mainamati Copperplate Inscription
C) Allahabad Pillar Inscription
D) Mandasor Inscription
Answer: B) Mainamati Copperplate Inscription

12. The Chandra rulers were famous patrons of —
A) Vedic rituals
B) Music
C) Buddhist monasteries
D) Sculptures of Vishnu
Answer: C) Buddhist monasteries

13. The Chandra dynasty mainly flourished in which modern region?
A) West Bengal
B) Bihar
C) Bangladesh (Comilla–Noakhali region)
D) Odisha
Answer: C) Bangladesh (Comilla–Noakhali region)

14. Who built several monasteries at Mainamati?
A) Ladahachandra
B) Trailokyachandra
C) Srichandra
D) Govindachandra
Answer: C) Srichandra

15. The term “Samatata” refers to which geographical region?
A) Northern Bengal
B) Western Bengal
C) Eastern Bengal and parts of present-day Bangladesh
D) Southern Bihar
Answer: C) Eastern Bengal and parts of present-day Bangladesh

16. The Chandra dynasty’s decline began under which ruler?
A) Kalyanchandra
B) Srichandra
C) Ladahachandra
D) Trailokyachandra
Answer: C) Ladahachandra

17. The Chandras were contemporaries of which major dynasty of India?
A) Cholas
B) Guptas
C) Palas
D) Kushanas
Answer: C) Palas

18. The Chandra dynasty inscriptions were mostly written in which language?
A) Pali
B) Sanskrit
C) Sanskrit
D) Prakrit
Answer: C) Sanskrit

19. The Chandra rulers are considered as the —
A) Last Hindu kings of Bengal
B) First Muslim rulers
C) Last independent Buddhist rulers of Bengal
D) First Vedic rulers
Answer: C) Last independent Buddhist rulers of Bengal

20. Kalyanchandra strengthened ties with which regional power through marriage?
A) Pala dynasty
B) Varman dynasty of Kamarupa
C) Sena dynasty
D) Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty
Answer: B) Varman dynasty of Kamarupa

21. The Chandra kings issued their grants mainly on —
A) Palm leaves
B) Stone slabs
C) Copper plates
D) Birch bark
Answer: C) Copper plates

22. The Mainamati region, associated with the Chandras, is now in —
A) Tripura
B) Bangladesh
C) Assam
D) Bihar
Answer: B) Bangladesh

23. Srichandra’s reign is estimated to have lasted approximately —
A) 10 years
B) 20 years
C) 30 years
D) 45 years
Answer: D) 45 years

24. Which Chandra ruler first assumed the title “Paramasaugata”?
A) Srichandra
B) Kalyanchandra
C) Trailokyachandra
D) Ladahachandra
Answer: A) Srichandra

25. The Chandras maintained friendly relations with which foreign region?
A) Tibet
B) Arakan (Myanmar)
C) Nepal
D) Sri Lanka
Answer: B) Arakan (Myanmar)

26. Which Chandra king married a princess from the Kamarupa kingdom?
A) Srichandra
B) Kalyanchandra
C) Trailokyachandra
D) Ladahachandra
Answer: B) Kalyanchandra

27. The Chandra kings are known for developing which important Buddhist site?
A) Nalanda
B) Somapura
C) Mainamati–Lalmai
D) Vikramashila
Answer: C) Mainamati–Lalmai

28. The Chandra period was marked by the flourishing of —
A) Sanskrit literature
B) Buddhist learning and architecture
C) Temple economy
D) Maritime trade with the west
Answer: B) Buddhist learning and architecture

29. The Chandra kings ruled over parts of present-day —
A) Odisha and Bengal
B) Assam and Bihar
C) Bangladesh and Tripura
D) Nepal and Bihar
Answer: C) Bangladesh and Tripura

30. Who succeeded Kalyanchandra on the throne?
A) Srichandra
B) Trailokyachandra
C) Ladahachandra
D) Govindachandra
Answer: C) Ladahachandra

31. The Chandras’ political power was primarily based on —
A) Naval forces
B) Strong regional alliances
C) Temple wealth
D) Roman trade
Answer: B) Strong regional alliances

32. The Chandra dynasty came into conflict with which neighbouring power?
A) Sena dynasty
B) Pala dynasty
C) Pratihara dynasty
D) Rashtrakuta dynasty
Answer: B) Pala dynasty

33. Srichandra transferred his capital from Devaparvata to —
A) Tamralipta
B) Vikrampur
C) Tripura
D) Lalmai
Answer: B) Vikrampur

34. The Chandra kings promoted which script for their inscriptions?
A) Kharosthi
B) Brahmi
C) Siddhamatrika
D) Nagari
Answer: C) Siddhamatrika

35. The Chandras were the dominant power in eastern Bengal after the decline of —
A) Gupta Empire
B) Pala Empire
C) Mauryan Empire
D) Sena Empire
Answer: B) Pala Empire

36. The Mainamati hill area contains ruins of —
A) Hindu temples
B) Buddhist viharas and stupas
C) Jain caves
D) Military forts
Answer: B) Buddhist viharas and stupas

37. The Chandra dynasty’s influence extended as far as —
A) North Bihar
B) Arakan coast
C) Punjab
D) Orissa coast
Answer: B) Arakan coast

38. The Chandra rulers were known for their —
A) Maritime trade with China
B) Expansion into Nepal
C) Religious tolerance and Buddhist patronage
D) Temple construction in stone
Answer: C) Religious tolerance and Buddhist patronage

39. The dynasty was succeeded by the —
A) Gupta dynasty
B) Varman dynasty
C) Sena dynasty
D) Deva dynasty
Answer: C) Sena dynasty

40. The copperplates of the Chandra dynasty were discovered mainly in —
A) Rajshahi
B) Comilla and Noakhali regions
C) Pataliputra
D) Dhaka
Answer: B) Comilla and Noakhali regions

41. The Chandra kings followed which administrative model?
A) Mauryan
B) Gupta
C) Pala-style decentralized governance
D) Chola
Answer: C) Pala-style decentralized governance

42. Which Chandra ruler introduced the title “Paramabhattaraka Maharajadhiraja”?
A) Trailokyachandra
B) Srichandra
C) Kalyanchandra
D) Ladahachandra
Answer: B) Srichandra

43. Which Chandra king is mentioned in the Paschimbhag copperplate?
A) Kalyanchandra
B) Ladahachandra
C) Trailokyachandra
D) Govindachandra
Answer: B) Ladahachandra

44. What was the probable reason for the Chandra decline?
A) Internal feuds
B) Invasion by the Varmans and rising Senas
C) Religious persecution
D) Economic collapse
Answer: B) Invasion by the Varmans and rising Senas

45. The Chandra dynasty was a part of the —
A) Southern Indian powers
B) North Indian alliance
C) Eastern Indian regional kingdoms
D) Western coastal dynasties
Answer: C) Eastern Indian regional kingdoms

46. The Chandras promoted which Buddhist sect most actively?
A) Theravada
B) Mahayana
C) Vajrayana
D) Hinayana
Answer: B) Mahayana

47. The Mainamati site was rediscovered in the —
A) 18th century
B) 19th century
C) 20th century
D) 21st century
Answer: C) 20th century

48. The Chandra rulers were known to use which emblem in their royal seals?
A) Bull
B) Conch shell
C) Crescent moon
D) Lotus
Answer: C) Crescent moon

49. The name “Chandra” likely signifies —
A) Their lunar origin myth
B) Their silver currency
C) A dynastic symbol associated with the moon
D) Their relation with the Chandraguptas
Answer: C) A dynastic symbol associated with the moon

50. The Chandra dynasty contributed significantly to —
A) Maritime trade
B) Buddhist education and monastic architecture
C) Silk industry
D) Iron metallurgy
Answer: B) Buddhist education and monastic architecture

51. The Chandra dynasty was primarily centered around which river basin?
A) Ganga
B) Meghna
C) Yamuna
D) Mahanadi
Answer: B) Meghna

52. Which ruler of the Chandra dynasty adopted the title “Ranashri”?
A) Trailokyachandra
B) Srichandra
C) Kalyanchandra
D) Govindachandra
Answer: B) Srichandra

53. The Chandra rule represents a period of —
A) Decline of Buddhism
B) Revival of Buddhism in Bengal
C) Emergence of Jainism
D) Dominance of Shaivism
Answer: B) Revival of Buddhism in Bengal

54. The Chandra kings issued land grants primarily for —
A) Temples
B) Monasteries and educational centers
C) Forts
D) Military leaders
Answer: B) Monasteries and educational centers

55. Which Chandra ruler is associated with the Devaparvata region?
A) Kalyanchandra
B) Trailokyachandra
C) Ladahachandra
D) Srichandra
Answer: B) Trailokyachandra

56. The Chandra dynasty’s cultural legacy is most visible in —
A) Pottery
B) Architecture and inscriptions
C) Literature
D) Coinage
Answer: B) Architecture and inscriptions

57. The Chandras were succeeded by which dynasty in East Bengal?
A) Gupta
B) Varman
C) Sena
D) Pala
Answer: B) Varman

58. The Mainamati–Lalmai region was a major center of —
A) Hindu pilgrimage
B) Buddhist monastic learning
C) Jain philosophy
D) Military camps
Answer: B) Buddhist monastic learning

59. The Chandra dynasty maintained diplomatic relations with which Southeast Asian kingdom?
A) Arakan
B) Siam
C) Cambodia
D) Java
Answer: A) Arakan

60. The Chandra period saw the construction of which famous site?
A) Paharpur Monastery
B) Nalanda University
C) Mainamati Ruins
D) Ratnagiri Temple
Answer: C) Mainamati Ruins

61. Who is credited with consolidating the Chandra empire?
A) Trailokyachandra
B) Srichandra
C) Kalyanchandra
D) Ladahachandra
Answer: B) Srichandra

62. The copperplate inscriptions of the Chandras were written using which script?
A) Gupta Brahmi
B) Eastern Siddhamatrika
C) Tamil Brahmi
D) Kharosthi
Answer: B) Eastern Siddhamatrika

63. The Chandras controlled coastal trade routes along which sea?
A) Arabian Sea
B) Bay of Bengal
C) Andaman Sea
D) Red Sea
Answer: B) Bay of Bengal

64. The Mainamati site was explored by which archaeologist?
A) R. D. Banerji
B) Alexander Cunningham
C) Nalinikanta Bhattasali
D) Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay
Answer: C) Nalinikanta Bhattasali

65. The Chandra kings often referred to themselves as protectors of —
A) Brahmanas
B) Traders
C) Buddhists and monasteries
D) Farmers
Answer: C) Buddhists and monasteries

66. The Chandra rulers’ administration was divided into —
A) Mandalas and Janapadas
B) Vishayas and Gramas
C) Provinces and Rajyas
D) Deshas and Taluks
Answer: B) Vishayas and Gramas

67. The Chandra dynasty was known for its —
A) Maritime naval conquests
B) Peaceful cultural expansion
C) Agricultural reforms
D) Coin minting innovations
Answer: B) Peaceful cultural expansion

68. The Mainamati archaeological site is located near which modern city?
A) Dhaka
B) Rajshahi
C) Comilla
D) Sylhet
Answer: C) Comilla

69. The Chandra rulers used which animal as a royal emblem?
A) Lion
B) Elephant
C) Peacock
D) Horse
Answer: B) Elephant

70. Which Chandra king sent embassies to Arakan?
A) Srichandra
B) Kalyanchandra
C) Ladahachandra
D) Govindachandra
Answer: A) Srichandra

71. The Chandra dynasty’s inscriptions are valuable for understanding —
A) Political boundaries only
B) Religion, administration, and culture
C) Trade policies
D) Coinage
Answer: B) Religion, administration, and culture

72. The Chandra rulers contributed significantly to —
A) Iron smelting
B) Sanskrit epigraphy
C) Buddhist architecture
D) Brick temple design
Answer: C) Buddhist architecture

73. The Chandra dynasty originated from —
A) Nepal
B) Assam
C) Eastern Bengal
D) Odisha
Answer: C) Eastern Bengal

74. The Chandra rulers’ economy was primarily based on —
A) Sea trade
B) Agriculture and land grants
C) Mining
D) Slave trade
Answer: B) Agriculture and land grants

75. The dynasty’s end came due to the rise of which power?
A) Palas
B) Chandellas
C) Senas
D) Gurjaras
Answer: C) Senas

76. Which Chandra king issued the Paschimbhag Copperplate?
A) Trailokyachandra
B) Kalyanchandra
C) Ladahachandra
D) Srichandra
Answer: C) Ladahachandra

77. The Chandra period witnessed the spread of —
A) Jain art
B) Mahayana Buddhism
C) Shaivite practices
D) Vaishnava bhakti
Answer: B) Mahayana Buddhism

78. The Chandras are sometimes termed as —
A) Northern Empire
B) Lords of Samatata
C) Kings of Magadha
D) Monarchs of Radha
Answer: B) Lords of Samatata

79. The word “Samatata” literally means —
A) Mountain region
B) Low-lying plain
C) Forest area
D) Sacred land
Answer: B) Low-lying plain

80. The Chandras’ inscriptions show deep respect for —
A) Hindu Brahmins
B) Monks and monasteries
C) Soldiers
D) Merchants
Answer: B) Monks and monasteries

81. Which dynasty was the immediate rival of the Chandras in north-eastern Bengal?
A) Palas
B) Senas
C) Guptas
D) Varmans
Answer: A) Palas

82. The Mainamati excavations revealed remains of —
A) Jain monasteries
B) Buddhist viharas and stupas
C) Shaiva temples
D) Vaishnava shrines
Answer: B) Buddhist viharas and stupas

83. The Chandras are sometimes described in inscriptions as —
A) “Defenders of the Dharma”
B) “Paramasaugata” (Great Buddhists)
C) “Righteous kings”
D) “Lords of the East”
Answer: B) “Paramasaugata” (Great Buddhists)

84. The Chandra dynasty played a major role in —
A) Military conquests
B) Trade with the Romans
C) Cultural synthesis of Bengal and Arakan
D) Temple construction in stone
Answer: C) Cultural synthesis of Bengal and Arakan

85. The Lalmai hills contain many ruins related to the —
A) Guptas
B) Chandras
C) Senas
D) Palas
Answer: B) Chandras

86. The Chandra rulers used what material for their major structures?
A) Stone
B) Burnt brick
C) Granite
D) Wood
Answer: B) Burnt brick

87. The Chandra dynasty contributed to which language’s early inscriptional use in Bengal?
A) Bengali
B) Sanskrit
C) Prakrit
D) Pali
Answer: B) Sanskrit

88. The Chandra dynasty’s copperplates often began with —
A) Prayers to Vishnu
B) Invocation to Buddha
C) Praise of Shiva
D) Name of the donor
Answer: B) Invocation to Buddha

89. The Mainamati site reveals that monasteries were built in —
A) Stone
B) Brick with terracotta decorations
C) Granite
D) Laterite
Answer: B) Brick with terracotta decorations

90. The Chandra dynasty’s administration followed —
A) Monarchical with delegated local powers
B) Oligarchic system
C) Republic model
D) Feudal council
Answer: A) Monarchical with delegated local powers

91. Which Chandra ruler was noted for his long and prosperous reign?
A) Ladahachandra
B) Srichandra
C) Trailokyachandra
D) Govindachandra
Answer: B) Srichandra

92. The dynasty’s power extended into modern-day —
A) Bihar
B) Tripura and southern Assam
C) Nepal
D) Odisha
Answer: B) Tripura and southern Assam

93. The Chandras established monasteries mainly for —
A) Commerce
B) Religious learning and education
C) Pilgrimage
D) Military shelter
Answer: B) Religious learning and education

94. The Chandra dynasty’s inscriptions help understand the —
A) Political structure of north India
B) History of eastern Bengal
C) Culture of Odisha
D) Gupta coinage
Answer: B) History of eastern Bengal

95. The Chandras maintained peace through —
A) Military conquest
B) Diplomatic alliances and religious tolerance
C) Heavy taxation
D) Fortification
Answer: B) Diplomatic alliances and religious tolerance

96. The Mainamati site has been compared to —
A) Ajanta
B) Nalanda
C) Paharpur
D) Rajgir
Answer: C) Paharpur

97. The Chandra dynasty represents the last phase of —
A) Jain rule
B) Buddhist sovereignty in Bengal
C) Shaiva rule
D) Tribal governance
Answer: B) Buddhist sovereignty in Bengal

98. The Chandra dynasty inscriptions mention which famous Buddhist symbol?
A) Dharmachakra
B) Lotus
C) Bodhi tree
D) Stupa
Answer: B) Lotus

99. The Chandra rulers maintained connections with which religious centers outside Bengal?
A) Bodh Gaya
B) Nalanda and Vikramashila
C) Kanchipuram
D) Sarnath only
Answer: B) Nalanda and Vikramashila

100. The Chandra dynasty holds an important place in Indian history because —
A) It revived Hinduism
B) It started a new art style
C) It preserved Buddhist culture in Bengal during a period of decline elsewhere
D) It introduced coinage in Bengal
Answer: C) It preserved Buddhist culture in Bengal during a period of decline elsewhere