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.
Answer:
(b)
Core Books/NCERT
During 300 to 700 AD, the Gupta kingdom emerged as a great power and achieved the political unification of a large part of the Indian subcontinent. The Puranas mention Magadha, Allahabad and Oudh as the Gupta dominions. Hence, 1 is correct. The decline of the Gupta empire resulted in the emergence of numerous ruling dynasties in different parts of northern India. The prominent among them were the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, Maukharis of Kanauj and the Maitrakas of Valabhi. Hence, 3, 4 and 6 are correct. The political scene in Peninsular India was no different. South India too witnessed the rise of two important kingdoms under the Chalukyas and the Pallavas respectively during 550–750 AD. The Paramara dynasty ruled Malwa and surrounding areas in west-central India between 9th and 14th centuries. Hence, 2 is not correct. The Yadavas initially ruled as feudatories of the Western Chalukyas. Around the middle of the 12th century, as the Chalukya power waned, the Yadava king Bhillama V declared independence. Hence, 5 is not correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.