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  • 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? [Ancient India]

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? [Ancient 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 codes given below.

(a) 1, 2, and 5                                                                  

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6

(c) 2, 3 and 4                                                                   

(d) 5 and 6

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Gupta empire began to disintegrate after the death of Skandagupta in 168 A.D.

From the down fall of the Gupta Empire to the rise odf Harshavardhana in 607 A.D., India was broken up into a number of small states. – The Hunas , Yashodharman of Malwa, The Maitrakas of Valabhi, Later Guptas of Magadha and Malwa, The Mukharis kingdom of kanauj, Pushyabhutis of Thaneswar.

Hunas The  successors of Skanda Gupta could not hold Huna attacks from west  By 466-67 A.D. the Hunas conquered  a portion  of the Gupta empire.

Tormana, (466-510) the Huna-chief set up his kingdom in the north-western portion of the Gupta empire. His Kingdom extended over the Punjab, Rajputana and some parts of Central India.

Tormana was succeeded by his son, Mihiragula who ruled  510-530 A.D.

Mihiragula was defeated by Yasodharman of Malwa later Mihiragula  went to Kashmir where he gained the throne of Kashmir .

Yashodharman of Malwa

 According to Mandsor inscription Yashodharman ruled from 532A.D.

The Mandsor inscription says that Yashodharman was  the emperor of a vast territory from  the Himalayas to Mahendra (Eastern Ghats) in the South, and from the Brahmaputra to the Western sea his capital was Mandasor.

The Maitrakas of Valabhi

The Dynasty of the Maitrakas was founded by Bhattaraka, the chief Senapati of the Guptas. According to a few copper plates, the origin of this dynasty is dated about the end of the 5th century A.D.

Hiuen Tsang (Yuan Chwang ) visited their capital Valabhi In Saurashtra ( Wala, near Bhavnagar) in 7th Century

The later Guptas of Magadha and Malwa

These Guptas have absolutely no relation with their imperial Guptas, except that both of them have same names ending in ‘Guptas’ and that they ruled over ‘Magadha’.

Krishnagupta was the founder of the later Guptas of Magadha and Malwa.

The Maukharis of Kanauj

Harivarman was the founder of Maukharis dynasty.

Other kings were Adityavarman,  Ishvaravarman, Isanavarman, Avantivarman, Grahavarman.

Grahavarman  married Rajyashri  (sister of Harshavardhana ) of the Thaneshvar family.

After  the death of Grahavarman the kingdom of Kanauj was combined with that of Thaneshvar  and thus was developed into an Empire by Harshavardhana.

Pushyabhutis of Thaneswar

The Kingdom of Thaneshwar had humble beginnings around Thaneshwar beginning in early 6th century was extended to an empire covering the whole of North India and ushering in an era of unity, glory and prosperity.

At the beginning Thaneshwar comprised of portions of punjab and its rulers tried to check the attack of Hunas

Naravardhana (500-525 A.D )is described as the founder of this kingdom

Other kings were Rajyavardhana and Adityavardhana, Prabhakarvardhana.

Prabhakarvardhana had two sons Rajyavardhana and Harshavardhana (606-647) .

Hence, option b is correct.

Read: Previous Year UPSC History Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2021

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