UPSC Prelims 2020 Q24: Ancient History – Post - Gupta & Early Medieval Dynasties
- (a) 2 - 1 - 4 - 3
- (b) 3 - 1 - 4 - 2
- (c) 2 - 4 - 1 - 3
- (d) 3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Answer: (c) 2 - 4 - 1 - 3
Explanation
Chronological Order of Major Indian Dynasties: Dating Events
| Event | Date | Dynasty |
|---|---|---|
| 2. Mahendravarman I founds Pallava | ~6th century | Pallava |
| 4. Gopala founds Pala | ~8th century (765 CE) | Pala |
| 1. King Bhoja leads Pratiharas | ~9th-10th century (840-881) | Pratihara |
| 3. Parantaka I founds Chola | ~9th-10th century (907-955) | Chola |
Chronological order: 2 - 4 - 1 - 3 (Pallava -> Pala -> Pratihara -> Chola).
Answer: (c) 2 - 4 - 1 - 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Places Pratihara before Pala (wrong chronology).
- (b) Incorrect. Places Chola in wrong position.
- (c) CORRECT. Mahendravarman (6th cent) -> Gopala (8th cent) -> Bhoja Pratihar (9th cent) -> Parantaka Chola (10th cent).
- (d) Incorrect. Places Chola and Pala in wrong order.
Key point
Chronological sequence: Pallava (6th-9th cent) -> Pala (8th-12th cent) -> Pratihara (9th-12th cent) -> Chola (9th-13th cent). Tripartite struggle (Pala-Pratihara-Rashtrakuta) dominated 8th-10th centuries.
Remember
The correct chronological order of these events is 2 - 4 - 1 - 3: Establishment of Pallava power by Mahendravarman I (6th century), Pala dynasty founded by Gopala (8th century), Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja (9th century), Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka I (10th century).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Mahendravarman I (early Pallava) with later Pallava kings. Early Pallava was 6th century, not later.
- Assuming Rashtrakuta (not mentioned) fit into tripartite struggles; actually the Rashtrakuta was 8th-10th century competitor alongside Pala-Pratihara.
- Missing that these dynasties had overlapping periods - not sequential.
Exam tip
Southern Tripartite Struggle (8th-10th cent): Pala (northeast), Pratihara (northwest), Rashtrakuta (south) competed for control. This fractured North India, prevented unified resistance to later invasions (11th cent onward).
Sources
- R.C. Majumdar - The Struggle for Empire (8th-12th centuries)
- Ancient India by Parmeshwaran