UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

From the decline of the Guptas until the rise of Harshvardhana 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.

Explanation:

• • Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire that existed in north India from the early 4th century CE to the late 6th century CE. Harsha was called Harshavardhana. He was a ruler of the Pushyabhuti dynasty/Vardhana dynasty. He ruled a large empire in northern India from 606 to 647 CE.
  • Later Gupta dynasty (Guptas of Magadha) ruled the Magadha region in north India from 490CE to 750CE. The Later Guptas succeeded the imperial Guptas as the rulers of Magadha, but there is no evidence that connects the two dynasties. So, point 1 is correct.

• The Paramaras belonged to a Rajput dynasty that ruled the malwa region between the 9th and 14th centuries. So, point 2 is not correct.
  
  

• Pushyabhuti dynasty/Vardhana dynasty of Thanesar ruled in northern India from 500 CE to 647 CE. This dynasty reached its zenith under its last ruler Harsha Vardhana (c. 590–647 CE). So, point 3 is correct.
  
  
• The Maukhari dynasty is a post-Gupta dynasty that ruled in north India from 510- 606 CE. Its capital was Kanauj. They served as vassals of Guptas and Harsha’s Vardhana dynasty. So, point 4 is correct.
  
  
• The Yadavas ruled territory included present-day Maharashtra, north Karnataka and some parts of Madhya Pradesh. Its capital was Devagiri (Aurangabad, Maharashtra). They ruled from 1187-1317 CE. So, point 5 is not correct.
  
  
• The Maitrakas ruled western India (present Gujarat) from approximately 475 to 776 CE from their capital Valabhi. So, point 6 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Gupta Age