📜Post-Gupta and Early Medieval Period (550 CE – 1200 CE)

Explanation:

• B) Palas, Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas: These three dynasties vied for control over Kannauj during the early medieval period.

• A) Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras: Southern dynasties with no involvement in the Kannauj struggle.

• C) Chalukyas, Pallavas, Satavahanas: Prominent in Deccan but not part of the Kannauj conflict.

• D) Guptas, Mauryas, Nandas: Earlier dynasties predating the tripartite struggle.

Explanation:

• A) Harshacharita: Authored by Banabhatta, it chronicles the life of Emperor Harshavardhana.

• B) Kadambari: Also by Banabhatta, but it's a romantic novel, not a biography.

• C) Rajatarangini: Written by Kalhana, detailing the history of Kashmir.

• D) Dashakumaracharita: Authored by Dandin, narrating the adventures of ten princes.

Explanation:

• B) Pallava: The Pallava dynasty, particularly under Narasimhavarman I, commissioned the rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram.

• A) Chola: Known for later architectural works like the Brihadeshwara Temple but not Mahabalipuram.

• C) Pandya: Had their own architectural contributions but not linked to Mahabalipuram.

• D) Chera: Focused in Kerala region, not associated with Mahabalipuram's architecture.

Explanation:

• A) Pulakesin II: The Chalukya king Pulakesin II defeated Harshavardhana near the Narmada River, halting Harsha's southern expansion.

• B) Narasinghavarman I: A Pallava ruler who defeated Pulakesin II but had no direct conflict with Harshavardhana.

• C) Mahendravarman I: Predecessor of Narasinghavarman I, also a Pallava ruler without direct conflict with Harsha.

• D) Rajendra Chola: A Chola dynasty ruler who reigned much later and was not contemporary with Harshavardhana.

Explanation:

✅ Correct: The Pratiharas stopped Arab expansion into India after Muhammad bin Qasim’s invasion in 711 CE.

❌ Wrong Options:

• B) Cholas – Focused on naval conquests.
• C) Chalukyas – Defended Deccan but not against Arabs.
• D) Pallavas – No involvement in Arab invasions.

Explanation:

✅ Correct: Raja Raja Chola (985–1014 CE) built the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur and promoted Tamil culture.

❌ Wrong Options:

• B) Krishna Deva Raya – Ruled the Vijayanagara Empire (16th century CE).
• C) Harsha – A North Indian ruler.
• D) Pulakesin II – A Chalukya king, not related to Tamil Nadu.

Explanation:

✅ Correct: Mahmud of Ghazni looted the Somnath Temple in Gujarat (1025 CE) for its immense wealth.

❌ Wrong Options:

• A) Konark Temple – Built much later by Narasimhadeva I (13th century CE).
• B) Kedarnath Temple – A pilgrimage site, never looted by Ghazni.
• D) Brihadeshwara Temple – Built by Raja Raja Chola in Tamil Nadu.

Explanation:

✅ Correct: Krishna I of the Rashtrakuta dynasty built the rock-cut Kailasa Temple at Ellora.

❌ Wrong Options:

• B) Narasimhavarman I – A Pallava ruler, built Mahabalipuram temples.
• C) Rajendra Chola – Expanded Chola rule but didn't build Kailasa Temple.
• D) Harshavardhana – A North Indian ruler, unrelated to Ellora.

Explanation:

✅ Correct: The Chalukyas of Badami (543–753 CE) ruled before the Rashtrakutas.

❌ Wrong Options:

• A) Pallavas – Ruled Tamil Nadu, not Deccan.
• B) Cholas – Became powerful later in South India.
• D) Pratiharas – A North Indian Rajput dynasty.

Explanation:

✅ Correct: Kalhana (12th century CE) wrote Rajatarangini, the earliest history of Kashmir.

❌ Wrong Options:

• A) Kalidasa – Wrote Sanskrit plays like Meghaduta, Abhijnana Shakuntalam.
• B) Banabhatta – Wrote Harshacharita, biography of Harsha.
• D) Bhavabhuti – A Sanskrit playwright, not a historian.

Explanation:

✅ Correct: Pulakesin II (Chalukya ruler) defeated Harshavardhana at the Narmada River, stopping his expansion southward.

❌ Wrong Options:

• A) Battle of Kannauj – Harsha ruled Kannauj, no such battle.
• B) Battle of Tarain – Fought in 1191 & 1192 CE between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori.
• D) Battle of Somnath – Refers to Mahmud of Ghazni's raid in 1025 CE.

Explanation:

✅ Correct: Hiuen Tsang visited India during Harshavardhana's reign (630 CE) and documented social, political, and religious conditions.

❌ Wrong Options:

• A) Chandragupta I – Founder of Gupta Empire, ruled much earlier.
• C) Rajendra Chola – A South Indian Chola ruler, not linked to Hiuen Tsang.
• D) Krishna I – A Rashtrakuta ruler from the 8th century, not Harsha’s time.

Explanation:

✅ Correct: Skandagupta successfully defended India against the Hunas but his successors were weak, leading to the decline of the Gupta Empire.

❌ Wrong Options:

• A) Chandragupta II – Expanded the empire but was not the last great ruler.
• B) Samudragupta – Known as the Napoleon of India but ruled earlier.
• D) Kumaragupta I – Founded Nalanda University, but his successors were weak.