Consider the following pairs: [Ancient India]
King Dynasty
1. Nannuka : Chandela
2. Jayashakti : Paramara
3. Nagabhata II : Gurjara-Pratihara
4. Bhoja : Rashtrakuta
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs
Answer: b
Explanation:
The Chandellas of Bundelkhand
Originally The Chandellas were vassals of the Pratiharas of Kanauj
● Founder –Nannuka.
● They rose into prominence in the 9th century A.D, and established a kingdom, later known as Jejakabhukti, in the bundelkhand region. The capital of this kingdom was Kharjjuravahaka/Khajuraho.
● The Chandellas were involved in conflicts with Pratiharas of Kanauj , as well as with the Palas and Kalachuris.
● The Chandella kingdom expanded under kings such as Jayashakti , Vijayashakti and Harsha(900-925).
Harsha helped the Pratihara ruler Mahipala recover his throne after it was captured by the Rashtrakutas Indra III in about 914 CE.
● Dhanga (954 AD), the first independent Chandella king, took the title of maharajadhiraja. Several of the Khajuraho temples were built during his reign.
Hence, 1st pair is correctly matched.
Paramaras of Malwa
● The capital of the main branch of the Paramaras was Dhara (identified with modern Dhar, MP).
● Upendra alias Krishnaraja, the founder of the Paramara dynasty, was originally the governor of Malwa under the Rashtrakutas.
● Upendra have been made ruler of the Deccan by Rashtrakuta king Govinda III
● The important Parmara kings were- Vairasimha II, Siyaka II (also known as Harsha) and Munja (also known as Utpala or Vakpatiraja).
● Munja was an accomplished military leader, poet, and patron of art and literature. He was finally defeated by the Chalukya ruler Taila II.
Hence, 2nd pair is incorrectly matched.
Gurjara Pratiharas
Gurjara Pratiharas rose in North India on the ruins of Gupta empire, The dynasty was founded by Harichandra in area around Jodhpur.
Nagabhata I
● The Gurjara Pratihara came to prominence in the second quarter of the 8th century, when Nagabhata I offered successful resistance to the Arabs, his line soon became the powerful Pratihara family, eclipsing the Jodhpur branch.
● Nagabhata’s control extended over parts of Malwa, Rajputana, and Gujarat.
● Later Gurjara-Pratihara kings, including Nagabhata II, moved into the Kanauj region.
Bhoja
- The best known Gurjara-Pratihara King was Bhoja, grandson of Nagabhata II. He ascended the throne in or before 836 CE, his earliest inscription – The Barah copper plate of this date was issued from the skandhavara (royal camp of victory) at Mahodaya.
· The Gurjara-Pratiharas subsequently suffered several defeats. In the early 10th century, during the time of Mahipala, the Rashtrakuta Indra III completely devastated the city of Kannauj, there was
- another Rashtrakuta attack under king Krishna 963 CE who defeated Gurjara-Pratiharas
The expansion of the Gurjara-Pratihara kingdom involved constant conflicts with other contemporary powers such as the Palas and Rashtrakutas.
Tripartite struggle for empire between the Palas, the Gurjaras, and the Rashtrakutas was the most important factor in the political history of India.
Hence, 3rd pair is correctly matched.
The Rashtrakutas
● The Rashtrakutas were originally feudatories of the Chalukyas.
● They assumed an independent status under Dantidurga,733 CE.
● The Rashtrakutas empire expanded during the reigns of Dantidurga’s successors, especially under Krishna I, Govind III, and Amoghavarsha.
● The magnificent Kailashanatha temple at Ellora was built during the reign of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I.
● Amoghavarsha (814-878) built a new capital city of Manyakheta (identified with modern Malkhed).
● Indra III -The Rashtrakuta king Indra III captured Kanauj under Mahipala of Gurjara Pratihara
● Towards the end of the 10th century, the Paramaras sacked Manyakheta and this event signalled the decline of the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
Hence, 4th pair is incorrectly matched.
Read: Previous Year UPSC History Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2022