📑 Contents

Question 34

From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?
1. The Guptas of Magadha
2. The Paramaras of Malwa
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
5. The Yadavas of Devagiri
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

AOptions

A) 1, 2 and 5

B) 1, 3, 4 and 6

C) 2, 3 and 4

D) 5 and 6

BSolution

The period from the decline of the Imperial Guptas (mid-6th century CE) until the rise of Harshavardhana (early 7th century CE) was characterized by political fragmentation and the emergence of various regional powers in Northern India.

1. The Guptas of Magadha: After the decline of the main Imperial Gupta line, some branches or successor states of the Guptas continued to hold power in Magadha for some time.

2. The Paramaras of Malwa: The Paramaras rose to prominence much later, mainly from the 9th-10th centuries CE, making this statement incorrect for the given period.

3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar: This dynasty was already established and gaining strength in Thanesar (near modern Kurukshetra) before Harshavardhana ascended the throne and expanded their influence. Harsha himself belonged to this dynasty.

4. The Maukharis of Kanauj: The Maukharis were a powerful dynasty in the Gangetic plains, particularly in Kanauj, during the late Gupta and post-Gupta period. They were often allied with or rivals of the Pushyabhutis.

5. The Yadavas of Devagiri: The Yadavas of Devagiri in the Deccan region rose to power much later, around the 9th-10th centuries CE, and were prominent during the late medieval period.

6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi: The Maitrakas established a powerful kingdom in Western India (Saurashtra/Gujarat) after the decline of the Guptas and maintained their rule until the 8th century CE, making them contemporaries of this period.

Therefore, the correct kingdoms holding power were the Guptas of Magadha, the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, the Maukharis of Kanauj, and the Maitrakas of Valabhi.

CStrategy

For questions requiring chronological placement of dynasties, create a mental timeline of major empires and the regional powers that emerged during their decline or in inter-imperial periods. Eliminate options that clearly belong to much earlier or later periods.

DSyllabus Analysis

This question falls under the Ancient Indian History section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus, specifically concerning the post-Gupta period and the rise of regional kingdoms.

EQuestion Analysis

Difficult. This question demands detailed chronological knowledge and an understanding of the political landscape of a specific transition period in ancient India.