From the decline of the 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:

1. 1, 2 and 5
2. 1, 3, 4 and 6
3. 2, 3 and 4
4. 5 and 6

Explanation

The Guptas of Magadha is correct

• From the mid-sixth century CE to about 675 CE, Magadha was ruled by a group of kings known as the Later Guptas or Magadha Guptas. Though they shared the Gupta name, they were not part of the main imperial Gupta lineage; rather, they constituted a minor and distinct branch. Like the Maukharis, the Later Guptas initially functioned as feudatories under the Imperial Guptas. They were eventually ousted from Magadha by the Maukharis of Kanauj.

The Paramaras of Malwa is incorrect

• The Paramaras ruled from the 9^th to the 14^th centuries CE, exercising control over western and central India, particularly the Malwa region. Their sphere of influence extended across important centres such as Ujjain, Dhar, Bhilsa, Bhojpur, Shergarh, Udaipur, Mandu, and Depalpur. They were notable patrons of learning, supporting poets and scholars, with King Bhoja himself being a distinguished scholar. Although most Paramara rulers followed Shaivism and constructed numerous Shiva temples, they also extended patronage to Jain scholars, reflecting a degree of religious inclusivity.
• Chronological list of the important kings of the Paramara dynasty:
  • Upendra (first quarter of the 9^th century CE): Founder of the Malwa’s Paramara dynasty; established as ruler of Deccan by Rashtrakuta king Govinda III.
  • Siyaka II (c. 948−972 CE): Threw off allegiance to the Rashtrakutas, defeated the Rashtrakuta king Khottiga, and established the Paramaras as a sovereign power.
  • Munja (c. 972−990 CE): Also known as Utpala or Vakpatiraja II; expanded the empire, achieved military successes, and constructed tanks and temples.
  • Sindhuraja (c. 990−1010 CE): Brother of Munja; defeated the Western Chalukya king Satyashraya and reclaimed lost territories.
  • Bhoja (c. 1010−1055 CE): The most celebrated Paramara ruler; expanded the kingdom significantly, was a polymath, and established the Bhoj Shala.
  • Jayasimha I (c. 1055−1070 CE): Bhoja’s son and successor; faced the joint Kalachuri-Solanki invasion after Bhoja’s death.
  • Lakshmadeva (c. 1086−1094 CE): Credited with extensive military conquests.
  • Mahalakadeva (last known Paramara king, c. 1305 CE): Defeated and killed by the forces of Ala-ud-din Khilji of Delhi.

The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar is correct

• An important ruling family to gain prominence after the fall of the Gupta was that of the Pushyabhutis (Originally feudatories of the Guptas), who had their capital at Thanesar (near Kurukshetra, Haryana).
• List of important kings of the Pushyabhuti dynasty:
  • Prabhakar Vardhana (around mid-6^th century CE): The fourth king of the dynasty who laid the foundations of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. Known for his military victories and strategic marital alliances.
  • Rajya Vardhana (succeeded Prabhakar Vardhana): Elder son of Prabhakar Vardhana who briefly succeeded him but was killed by Shashanka, the king of Gauda.
  • Harsha Vardhana (c. 606−647 CE): Known as the last great Hindu king of India; originally a Shaiva but supported Buddhism. The capital of Harsha was originally Thaneswar, but he shifted it to Kannauj. He was very talented himself, as it is believed that he wrote three dramas, Priyadarshika, Ratnavali (both romantic comedies), and Nagananda (based on Bodhisattva Jimutavahana).Expanded his empire across northern India, defeated multiple regional powers, and was defeated by Pulakesin II.

The Maukharis of Kanauj is correct

• The Maukharis initially served as subordinate rulers under the Guptas and bore the title of samanta. Over time, they established their authority over Kannauj in western Uttar Pradesh, which gradually emerged as the new political centre of northern India, replacing Pataliputra. A significant dynastic alliance was formed when Harsha Vardhana’s sister, Rajyashri, married Grahavarmana, the Maukhari ruler.
• However, Grahavarmana was later attacked and killed by Shashanka, the ruler of Gauda (Bengal), along with Devagupta of Malwa. In response, Harsha Vardhana launched a successful campaign, after which Kannauj was incorporated into the Pushyabhuti Empire, and he shifted his capital from Thanesar (Kurukshetra) to Kannauj. The Maukharis also find mention in the works of Patanjali, indicating their early historical presence.
• List of important rulers:
  • Hari Varhmana Maukhari (mid-6^th century CE)
  • Advaita Varmana
  • Ishanavarmana (c. 554 CE): Considered the real founder of Maukhari supremacy; assumed the title ‘Maharajadhiraja’ according to the Asirgarh copper plate inscription. Expanded the Maukhari kingdom to Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Gauda.
  • Avanti Varmana (c. 585−600 CE): Succeeded his father Sarvavarmana and took the title of Maharajadhiraja. Extended the boundaries of the Maukhari kingdom and moved the capital to Kannauj, marking the peak of the Maukhari Empire.
  • Grahavarmana (around c. 600 CE): Succeeded Avanti Varmana and married Rajyashri, the daughter of Prabhakar Vardhana of the Pushyabhuti family. Was killed by Devagupta of the later Gupta lineage, leading to the decline of the Maukhari dynasty.

The Yadavas of Devagiri is incorrect

• The Seuna, Sevuna, or Yadavas of Devagiri (Seuṇa, c. 1187–1317) was a Medieval Indian dynasty, which at its peak ruled a kingdom stretching from the Narmada river in the north to the Tungabhadra river in the south, in the western part of the Deccan region.

The Maitrakas of Valabhi is correct

• The Maitrakas were tributary chiefs of the Guptas, who established an independent kingdom in western India, ruling over Saurashtra in Gujarat. Dhruvasena II was the most important ruler of the Maitrakas, a contemporary of Harsha Vardhana, and he married Harsha Vardhana’s daughter. Hsuan Tsang tells us that Dhruvasena II attended Harsha’s assembly at Prayaga (Allahabad).
• The Maitrakas developed Vallabhi as their capital, which was also an important centre of learning. The Maitrakas continued to rule until the middle of the 8^th century, when Arab attacks weakened their power

Answer: (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6; Difficulty Level: Hard