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In Ancient India, a means of claiming high status for the Kings was to identify with various deities. Consider the following regarding it.
1. Kushana rulers installed god-like colossal statues of them.
2. Some Kushanas adopted the title Devaputra, which implied the 'son of the God'.
3. Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha.
4. Vijayanagara rulers adopted the title 'Brahma-vama' to segment themselves as the highest castes equivalent to God.
Select the correct answer using the codes below,
  • a)
    1, 2 and 3 only
  • b)
    2 and 4 only
  • c)
    3 only
  • d)
    1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
In Ancient India, a means of claiming high status for the Kings was t...
  • Huge statues of Kushanas have been found in a shrine at Mat near Mathura (Uttar Pradesh). Similar statutes have been found in a shrine in Afghanistan as well.
  • The title Devaputra was possibly inspired by Chinese rulers who called themselves sons of heaven.
  • They indicated their close links with the gods using the title 'Hindu Suratrana' meaning Hindu Sultan.
  • No such titles were adopted.
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In Ancient India, a means of claiming high status for the Kings was t...
Ancient Indian Kings Identifying with Deities

Introduction:
In Ancient India, kings often sought to claim high status and establish their authority by associating themselves with various deities. This practice was prevalent among different dynasties, such as the Kushanas and the Vijayanagara rulers. This article explores the ways in which these kings identified with deities to establish their divine connection and elevate their status.

1. Kushana rulers and colossal statues:
- The Kushanas, who ruled a vast empire in northern India from the 1st to the 3rd centuries CE, sought to project their power and authority through art and architecture.
- One of the ways in which they did this was by installing colossal statues of themselves that resembled gods. These statues were often placed in religious centers and served as a visual representation of the king's divine status.
- By associating themselves with deities, the Kushana rulers aimed to legitimize their rule and gain the support and devotion of their subjects.

2. Adoption of the title Devaputra:
- Another strategy employed by the Kushanas was the adoption of the title Devaputra, which translates to 'son of the God'.
- This title implied a direct connection to the divine realm and elevated the king's status to that of a divine being.
- By identifying themselves as the offspring of gods, the Kushana rulers sought to reinforce their authority and claim a higher status than ordinary mortals.

3. Vijayanagara kings and rule on behalf of a deity:
- The Vijayanagara Empire, which flourished in southern India from the 14th to the 17th centuries CE, was known for its patronage of art, literature, and architecture.
- The Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha, who was considered the guardian deity of the empire.
- By aligning themselves with Virupaksha, the kings sought to establish a sacred bond between themselves and the deity, thereby strengthening their legitimacy as rulers.

4. Adoption of the title Brahma-vama:
- The Vijayanagara rulers also adopted the title 'Brahma-vama', which can be interpreted as the highest caste equivalent to God.
- This title further reinforced the divine connection of the kings and positioned them as the highest authority in society.
- By associating themselves with Brahma, the supreme deity in Hindu mythology, the Vijayanagara rulers aimed to assert their dominance and establish their authority as rulers.

Conclusion:
In ancient India, the practice of identifying with deities was a common means for kings to claim high status and legitimize their rule. The Kushana rulers installed colossal statues of themselves and adopted the title Devaputra, while the Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha and adopted the title Brahma-vama. These strategies aimed to establish a divine connection and elevate the kings' status, thereby reinforcing their authority and gaining the support of their subjects.
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In Ancient India, a means of claiming high status for the Kings was to identify with various deities. Consider the following regarding it. 1. Kushana rulers installed god-like colossal statues of them.2. Some Kushanas adopted the title Devaputra, which implied the 'son of the God'.3. Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha.4. Vijayanagara rulers adopted the title 'Brahma-vama' to segment themselves as the highest castes equivalent to God.Select the correct answer using the codes below, a) 1, 2 and 3 onlyb) 2 and 4 onlyc) 3 onlyd) 1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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In Ancient India, a means of claiming high status for the Kings was to identify with various deities. Consider the following regarding it. 1. Kushana rulers installed god-like colossal statues of them.2. Some Kushanas adopted the title Devaputra, which implied the 'son of the God'.3. Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha.4. Vijayanagara rulers adopted the title 'Brahma-vama' to segment themselves as the highest castes equivalent to God.Select the correct answer using the codes below, a) 1, 2 and 3 onlyb) 2 and 4 onlyc) 3 onlyd) 1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about In Ancient India, a means of claiming high status for the Kings was to identify with various deities. Consider the following regarding it. 1. Kushana rulers installed god-like colossal statues of them.2. Some Kushanas adopted the title Devaputra, which implied the 'son of the God'.3. Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha.4. Vijayanagara rulers adopted the title 'Brahma-vama' to segment themselves as the highest castes equivalent to God.Select the correct answer using the codes below, a) 1, 2 and 3 onlyb) 2 and 4 onlyc) 3 onlyd) 1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for In Ancient India, a means of claiming high status for the Kings was to identify with various deities. Consider the following regarding it. 1. Kushana rulers installed god-like colossal statues of them.2. Some Kushanas adopted the title Devaputra, which implied the 'son of the God'.3. Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the god Virupaksha.4. Vijayanagara rulers adopted the title 'Brahma-vama' to segment themselves as the highest castes equivalent to God.Select the correct answer using the codes below, a) 1, 2 and 3 onlyb) 2 and 4 onlyc) 3 onlyd) 1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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