UPSC Prelims 2021 · Question 34 of 97
UPSC Prelims 2021 question on Post Gupta Kingdoms
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2021
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectAncient History
- TopicHarshavardhana & Southern Dynasties
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
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.
Show answer
Answer: B. 1, 3, 4 and 6
Verdict
Correct statements: 1, 3, 4 and 6 → Option (b).
Analysis
In the sixth century CE, the Huns occupied Malwa, Gujarat, Punjab and Gandhara. As the Hun invasion weakened the Gupta hold in the country, independent rulers emerged all over the north like Yasodharman of Malwa, the Maukharis of Uttar Pradesh, the Maitrakas in Saurashtra and others in Bengal.
In time, the Gupta Empire came to be restricted to only Magadha. North India splintered into several warrior kingdoms after the downfall of the Gupta Empire. Excepting in the areas that were subdued by the Huns (modern Punjab, Rajasthan and Malwa), regional identity became pronounced with the emergence of many small states.
Maithriyas had organised a powerful state in Sourashtra (Gujarat), with Valabhi as their capital. Agra and Oudh were organised into an independent and sovereign state by the Maukharis. Thaneswar, lying north of Delhi between Sutlej and Yamuna, was formed into an independent state by Pushyabhutis.
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – CORRECT: Guptas of Magadha continued to hold power (restricted).
Statement 2 – INCORRECT: Paramaras of Malwa rose later (around 9th-10th century), not in this period. Option 2 can be eliminated.
Statement 3 – CORRECT: Pushyabhutis of Thanesar were holding power in this period.
Statement 4 – CORRECT: Maukharis of Kanauj were holding power in this period.
Statement 5 – INCORRECT: Yadavas of Devagiri ruled a 12th–14th-century Hindu kingdom of central India, not in this period.
Statement 6 – CORRECT: Maitrakas of Valabhi were holding power in this period.