UPSC Prelims 2020 question on Bhoja Mahendravarman Events Sequence

Analysis

Event 2 — Mahendravarman I (Pallavas), c. 600–630 CE: He was a Pallava King who succeeded Simhavishnu. He was a great patron of art and architecture and is known for introducing a new style to Dravidian architecture, sometimes referred to as the 'Mahendra style'. He built temples at Panamalai, Mandagapattu and Kanchipuram. The inscription at Mandagapattu mentions Mahendravarman I with titles such as Vichitrachitta (curious-minded), Chitrakarapuli (tiger among artists), and Chaityakari (temple builder).

Event 4 — Pala dynasty founded by Gopala, 750 CE: The Pala Empire was an imperial power during the post-classical period (8th and 9th century AD) which originated in the Bengal region. The empire was founded with the election of Gopala as the emperor of Gauda in 750 CE.

Event 1 — Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja, 836–885 CE: The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was founded by Nagabhatta I in the region of Malwa in the 8th century AD. The greatest ruler of the Pratihara dynasty was Mihir Bhoja (836–885 CE). He recovered Kannauj (Kanyakubja) by 836 AD, and it remained the capital of the Pratiharas for almost a century.

Event 3 — Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka, 907 CE: The Cholas became prominent in the ninth century and established an empire comprising the major portion of South India. Their capital was Tanjore. The Chola ruler Parantaka succeeded his father Aditya I and ascended the throne in 907 CE, ruling for forty-eight years. Soon after his accession, as early as 910, he invaded the Pandyan country and assumed the title Maduraikonda ('Capturer of Madura').