Satish Chandra Test: Age of Conflict- 1 - UPSC MCQ

The Pratihara king who was defeated by Dhruva II of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was Vatsaraja. Here are some key points about this historical event:

• Vatsaraja was a prominent ruler of the Pratihara dynasty.
• The Rashtrakuta king, Dhruva II, defeated him in a significant battle.
• This defeat was part of the power struggles in early medieval India, involving major dynasties like the Rashtrakutas, Pratiharas, and Palas.

The first ruler to seize control of Kanauj from Dharmapala was the Rashtrakuta king Dhruva.

• King Dhruva defeated the Pala dynasty, asserting Rashtrakuta dominance.
• This shift marked a significant change in the power dynamics of northern India.

Therefore, Correct Answer- Option A

The second Pratihara king who defeated Dharmapala and removed his protege from Kanauj was Nagabhatta II.

• Nagabhatta II was a significant ruler of the Pratihara dynasty.
• He played a crucial role in strengthening the dynasty's power.
• His victory over Dharmapala marked an important event in the history of North India.

Therefore, Correct Answer - Option D

a) Chandradeva, who belonged to the Rathore clan of Rajput warriors, established the Gahadavala dynasty. He was the founder of the Gahadwala dynasty at Kannauj.
b) The Paramara Dynasty was founded by a chief called Upendra (Krishanaraja) at the beginning of the 9th century. The capital of Paramaras initially was Ujjain which later was replaced by Dhara. They were able to rule till 1305 when Malwa was conquered finally by Alauddin Khilji.
c) The Gurjara Pratihara dynasty (or Pratihara Dynasty) was founded by Nagabhata I who was the ruler of the kingdom of Avanti between 730-760 AD. His capital was Ujjain. He defeated an invasion by the Arabs from Sindh and captured Kathiawar, Malwa, Gujarat, and many parts of Rajputana.
d) The Chandelas initially ruled as feudatories of the Gurjara-Pratiharas of Kanyakubja (Kannauj). The 10th century Chandela ruler Yashovarman became practically independent, although he continued to acknowledge the Pratihara suzerainty. By the time of his successor Dhanga, the Chandelas had become a sovereign power.

During the attack on Somnath by Mahmud of Ghazni, the ruler of Gujarat was Bhima I, a member of the Chalukya or Solanki dynasty.

• Mahmud of Ghazni's attack took place in the early 11th century.
• Bhima I was known for his efforts to restore and rebuild after the invasion.
• The Chalukya dynasty ruled parts of western India during this period.

Therefore, Correct Answer - Option C

A is the correct option.The Arab traveller, al Masudi, visited Kannauj in the early tenth century and wrote that "the king of Kannauj was the natural enemy of the king of the Deccan : that he kept a large army and was surrounded by smaller kings always ready to go to war."

The greatest ruler of the Pratihara dynasty was Mihira Bhoja. Here are some key points about his reign:

• He ruled from the middle of the 9th century and expanded the Pratihara Empire significantly.
• Mihira Bhoja's reign is noted for its military successes and consolidation of territories.
• Under his leadership, the Pratiharas became a major force in North India, rivaling other contemporary powers.
• He was also known for promoting trade and culture, contributing to the prosperity of his empire.

Therefore, Correct Answer - Option A

The last Pratihara ruler who surrendered to Mahmud of Ghazni was Rajyapala. He was later defeated and killed by the Chandela king Vidyadhara.

• Rajyapala was the final significant figure of the Pratihara dynasty.
• His surrender marked a notable event during Mahmud of Ghazni's invasions.
• His defeat by Vidyadhara led to the end of his rule.

Therefore, Correct Answer - Option C

B is the correct option. Dharmapala was the second and considered to be the greatest ruler of the Pala. Subsequently, Nagabhatta II also defeated Dharmapala in a battle near Munger.

The Pala Empire was a powerful dynasty in ancient Bengal. Its supremacy was eventually destroyed.

• Vijayasena, a ruler of the Sena dynasty, played a key role in ending Pala dominance.
• The transition marked a significant change in the region’s political landscape.

Therefore, Correct answer- Option B