UPSC Prelims 2022 Q92: Medieval History – Medieval Regional Kingdoms / Central & North - Indian Dynasties
Consider the following pairs:
King - Dynasty
1. Nannuka - Chandela
2. Jayashakti - Paramara
3. Nagabhata II - Gurjara - Pratihara
4. Bhoja - Rashtrakuta
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
- (a) Only one pair
- (b) Only two pairs
- (c) Only three pairs
- (d) All four pairs
Answer: (b) Only two pairs
Explanation
Kings and their dynasties
| King | Given dynasty | Actual dynasty | Matched? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nannuka | Chandela | Chandela (founder, 9th century) | Yes |
| Jayashakti | Paramara | Chandela (Jejakabhukti, 'Jejaka') | No |
| Nagabhata II | Gurjara-Pratihara | Gurjara-Pratihara (took Kannauj) | Yes |
| Bhoja | Rashtrakuta | Paramara (Raja Bhoja of Dhar) or Pratihara (Mihira Bhoja) | No |
The Chandela kingdom was called Jejakabhukti after Jayashakti (Jeja).
No famous Rashtrakuta king was named Bhoja.
Answer: (b) Only two pairs.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Both Nannuka (Chandela) and Nagabhata II (Pratihara) are correct.
- (b) CORRECT. Pairs 1 and 3 match; Jayashakti was a Chandela and Bhoja was not a Rashtrakuta.
- (c) Incorrect. Jayashakti was a Chandela ruler, not a Paramara.
- (d) Incorrect. Bhoja belongs to the Paramara (or Pratihara) line, not the Rashtrakutas.
Key point
Nannuka and Jayashakti = Chandelas (Jejakabhukti); Nagabhata II = Gurjara-Pratihara; Raja Bhoja = Paramara; Mihira Bhoja = Pratihara.
Remember
Jayashakti = Chandela; Bhoja = Paramara/Pratihara.
Common mistakes
- Assigning Bhoja to the Rashtrakutas instead of the Paramaras of Malwa.
- Not knowing Jayashakti gave his name to Jejakabhukti, the Chandela land.
- Forgetting that two Bhojas exist: Paramara Raja Bhoja and Pratihara Mihira Bhoja.
Exam tip
For tripartite-struggle questions, keep three families apart: Pratiharas (Kannauj), Palas (Bengal), Rashtrakutas (Deccan).
Sources
- NCERT Class VII — Our Pasts II, Ch 2 (New Kings and Kingdoms)
- Upinder Singh — A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India