UPSC Prelims 2020 GS Paper I · Q82 of 99 History medium

With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were well known as

  1. (a) ports handling foreign trade ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) capitals of powerful kingdoms
  3. (c) places of exquisite stone art and architecture
  4. (d) important Buddhist pilgrimage centres

Why the answer is (a)

• Ghantasala (on the Krishna delta, Andhra), Kadura (Kadalur/Cuddalore on the Coromandel coast) and Chaul (Konkan coast, near Mumbai) were ports engaged in overseas trade during the Gupta period — option (a).

• Ghantasala and Kadura served trade with Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka; Chaul (Champavati) traded with the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.

• None was a royal capital (b); their fame rests on commerce, not stone architecture (c) or Buddhist pilgrimage (d), though Ghantasala has a stupa.

• Hence option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) capitals of powerful kingdoms
They were ports, not royal capitals.
(c) places of exquisite stone art and architecture
They are not known for stone art or architecture.
(d) important Buddhist pilgrimage centres
They were trading ports, not pilgrimage centres.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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