With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, Kadura and Chaul were known as
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) ports handling foreign trade
(b) capitals of powerful kingdoms
(c) places of exquisite stone art and architecture
(d) important of Buddhist pilgrimage centers
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
| Port | Location | Dynasty | Role in Trade |
| Kalyan | Western India | Roman Empire | Importing wealth from the Roman Empire |
| Chaul | Western India | Gupta dynasty | Serving as a port during the Gupta period |
| Broach | Western India | Roman Empire | Facilitating trade with the Roman Empire |
| Cambay | Western India | Roman Empire | Handling trade with the Roman Empire |
| Kadura | Andhra region, India | – | Functioning as a port in the Andhra region |
| Ghantasala | Andhra region, India | – | Serving as a port in the Andhra region |
| Kaveripattanam | Pandya region, India | – | Port in the Pandya region of India |
| Tondail | Pandya region, India | – | Port in the Pandya region of India |
| Puhar (Kaveripoom) | Pandya region, India | – | Port in the Pandya region of India |
Note: While the ports Kadura, Ghantasala, Kaveripattanam, Tondail, and Puhar were not associated with a specific dynasty mentioned in the information provided, they played a role in trade within their respective regions.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
