Question map
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 ?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 2 (Only two pairs). The historical accuracy of the pairs is analyzed below:
- Pair 1 is correctly matched: Nannuka (r. 831β845 CE) was the founder of the Chandela dynasty of Jejakabhukti (modern-day Bundelkhand).
- Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Jayashakti (also known as Jeja) was a prominent ruler of the Chandela dynasty, not the Paramara dynasty. The region Jejakabhukti was named after him.
- Pair 3 is correctly matched: Nagabhata II was one of the most powerful emperors of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, known for rebuilding the Somnath Temple and capturing Kanauj.
- Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Bhoja (Mihira Bhoja) belonged to the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, while Raja Bhoja of Dhar belonged to the Paramara dynasty. Neither was a Rashtrakuta king.
Since only pairs 1 and 3 are correct, Option 2 is the right choice.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question punishes 'story-readers' and rewards 'table-memorizers'. It mixes high-profile kings (Bhoja, Nagabhata) with obscure founders (Nannuka) and specific lineage figures (Jayashakti). You cannot solve this with general awareness; you need a hard 'Dynasty-Founder-Capital' mental spreadsheet.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: In medieval Indian history, was Nannuka a king of the Chandela dynasty?
- Statement 2: In medieval Indian history, was Jayashakti a king of the Paramara dynasty?
- Statement 3: In medieval Indian history, was Nagabhata II a king of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty?
- Statement 4: In medieval Indian history, was Bhoja a king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty?
Lists the Chandelas as a prominent Rajput dynasty ruling Bundelkhand and links them to Khajuraho temple-building, giving a clear geographic and dynastic context for any Chandela ruler.
A student could check whether Nannukaβs activity or inscriptions are located in Bundelkhand/Khajuraho to judge if he belongs to the Chandela line.
Describes the post-Gupta/early medieval period marked by feudal fragmentation, when regional chiefs and new dynasties emerged.
One could infer it was plausible that a local chief named Nannuka might establish or appear as an early ruler of a regional dynasty like the Chandelas and then seek epigraphic confirmation.
Explains a common pattern that powerful dynasties sometimes originated from subordinate rulers or feudatories who rose to greater power.
A student could investigate whether Nannuka is recorded as a local chief/feudatory in epigraphs, a plausible path to becoming a Chandela king.
Notes that royal houses often rose from modest origins and emphasize marital or local links in origin narratives, illustrating how early dynastic founders may be modest local figures.
This supports pursuing evidence that Nannuka was an early/modest founder figure (rather than a distant legendary figure) of the Chandelas via inscriptions or local tradition.
Lists Paramaras as the ruling dynasty of Malwa and names Bhoja as a prominent Paramara ruler β establishes that 'Paramara = Malwa' and that Paramara kings have known famous names.
A student could compare lists of known Paramara rulers (e.g., Bhoja) and their geography/time with the name Jayashakti to see if Jayashakti appears among recognized Paramara kings.
Discusses control and conquest of Malwa by other dynasties (Rashtrakuta capture of Malwa) β highlights Malwa as a contested region with changing rulers.
Use this to frame chronology: check whether Jayashakti's putative dates fit the periods when Paramaras ruled Malwa versus when other powers held it.
Shows that several northern dynasties (e.g., Pushyabhutis) extended influence 'as far as Malwa' β reinforces Malwa as a key region in medieval north Indian political maps.
Combine with a basic map of medieval India and chronology to judge whether a ruler named Jayashakti could plausibly belong to a Malwa-based dynasty like the Paramaras.
Gives a dated event (Rajendra Chola's northern campaign around 1020β1025) and mentions territorial reach of medieval kingdoms β helps anchor the early 11th-century chronological framework.
A student could check whether Jayashakti's supposed period aligns with early 11th-century events when Paramara prominence (e.g., Bhoja) is recorded, helping to accept or reject association.
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Explicitly names 'Gurjar Prathihara' as a major Rajput/medieval ruling dynasty of northern India, establishing that a Gurjara-Pratihara royal line existed in the period of interest.
A student could consult a standard list of rulers of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty (e.g., regional king lists or chronologies) to see if Nagabhata II appears among them.
Discusses the rise of the Pratiharas (mentioning Mihira Bhoja) and their rivalry with other contemporary dynasties, indicating the Pratiharas were a significant ruling house involved in large-scale politics.
Use this pattern (Pratihara prominence and named rulers) to check other well-known Pratihara rulers' names and place Nagabhata II within that dynastic sequence.
Mentions conflicts between the Pushyabhutis and the 'Gurjaras', showing 'Gurjaras' as a recognizable political grouping/dynasty in early medieval sources.
Given 'Gurjaras' appear as a distinct political entity, a student could look for whether Nagabhata II is recorded as a leader of that Gurjara political formation (i.e., the Gurjara-Pratihara house).
Refers to capture of the 'Gurjara Kingdom of Nandipuri' by another dynasty, indicating the geographical and political existence of a Gurjara realm that dynasties contested.
Using the identified Gurjara territorial centre (Nandipuri) and known medieval regional maps, a student could cross-check ruler names associated with that Gurjara polity to see if Nagabhata II is listed.
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Lists the prominent Rashtrakuta rulers (Krishna I through Krishna III) and describes the dynasty's notable monarchs, providing a sample roster of Rashtrakuta kings.
A student could compare known lists of Rashtrakuta rulers with the name 'Bhoja' β absence from such rosters suggests Bhoja belonged elsewhere.
Names Dandidurga as the greatest early Rashtrakuta ruler and describes Rashtrakuta origins and conquests, giving concrete Rashtrakuta identities and territory.
By mapping Dandidurga's Deccan base against Bhoja's known realm (if checked elsewhere), one could judge whether Bhoja fits the Rashtrakuta profile.
Describes literary patronage under Rashtrakuta kings and names specific Rashtrakuta-associated scholars, reinforcing the cultural identity tied to particular rulers.
A student could look for literary or inscriptional associations of 'Bhoja' with these Rashtrakuta cultural patrons; lack of association would weaken the claim that Bhoja was a Rashtrakuta king.
Explicitly refers to 'Bhoja of Paramara dynasty', showing a prominent historical figure named Bhoja is tied to the Paramaras, not the Rashtrakutas.
Using basic external facts (Paramara territory = Malwa), a student could check geographical/chronological fit to rule out Bhoja being a Rashtrakuta.
Mentions 'Mihira Bhoja' in the context of the Pratihara rise, indicating that the name 'Bhoja' occurs in more than one dynasty (here the Pratiharas).
A student should note name duplication across dynasties and therefore verify which 'Bhoja' is meant by checking dynasty, region, and dates rather than assuming Rashtrakuta affiliation from the name alone.
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- [THE VERDICT]: Trap/Bouncer. While Pair 4 is an easy elimination (Bhoja is Paramara/Pratihara, not Rashtrakuta), knowing Nannuka and Jayashakti requires specific dynastic lists often found in RS Sharma or Upinder Singh, not just basic NCERT summaries.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Early Medieval India (750β1200 CE) > The Age of Conflict > The Rise of Rajput Clans (Gurjara-Pratiharas, Palas, Rashtrakutas, and their feudatories).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Founder-Capital-Famous King' matrix for the Rajput pentagon: 1. Chandelas (Nannuka/Khajuraho/Vidyadhara), 2. Paramaras (Upendra/Dhar/Bhoja), 3. Gahadavalas (Chandradeva/Kannauj/Jayachandra), 4. Kalachuris (Kokalla/Tripuri), 5. Chauhans (Vasudeva/Ajmer/Prithviraj).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Stop reading the 'Tripartite Struggle' as a narrative. Convert the chapter into a data table. UPSC specifically targets the transition from 'Feudatory' to 'Independent King' (e.g., Nannuka starting the Chandelas).
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The Chandelas of Bundelkhand are identified with the construction of the famous Khajuraho temples, linking the dynasty to regional cultural achievements.
High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask about regional dynasties through their material culture and temple patronage. Understanding which dynasty is associated with Khajuraho helps directly answer questions on medieval art, architecture and regional political power.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 10: Advent of Arabs and Turks > Rajput Kingdoms > p. 139
Several Rajput and regional dynasties (Tomaras, Chauhans, Solankis, Paramaras, Gahadavalas, Chandelas) emerged as important powers in northern India in the period following earlier imperial decline.
Essential for UPSC: framing the political map of early medieval North India, linking decline of larger empires to emergence of multiple regional kingdoms. Useful for questions on polity, chronology, and comparative regional developments.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 10: Advent of Arabs and Turks > Rajput Kingdoms > p. 139
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > 7.71Decline of the Gupta Empire > p. 101
Paramara dynasty ruled Malwa and produced prominent rulers such as Bhoja, making dynastic affiliation a key factor when identifying individual medieval kings.
High-yield for UPSC because recognizing major dynasties and their flagship rulers helps place lesser-known names in context; connects political history with regional cultural achievements (e.g., patronage by Bhoja). Useful for source-based questions, matching rulers to regions, and elimination in MCQs.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 10: Advent of Arabs and Turks > Rajput Kingdoms > p. 139
Paramaras are listed among the core Rajput dynasties of northern India, so understanding this category helps classify rulers by lineage and region.
Mastering the list and characteristics of Rajput dynasties aids in answering questions about political geography, inter-dynastic relations, and chronological placement; enables quick elimination in comparative questions on medieval polities.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 10: Advent of Arabs and Turks > Rajput Kingdoms > p. 139
Malwa was repeatedly captured and contested by regional powers, making the region central to identifying which dynasties ruled or claimed it.
Understanding Malwa's strategic importance links regional geography to dynastic control and conflict; helps answer questions on territorial expansion, rivalry among dynasties, and the shifting political map of medieval India.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > 8.4 Rise of Rashtrakuta Dynasty > p. 113
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Pushyabhutis 8.1 > p. 105
Gurjara-Pratihara is a principal northern dynasty whose identity and territorial control are central to attributing medieval rulers to that house.
High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about major medieval dynasties, their chronology, territorial extent and notable rulers. Mastery helps place rulers in the correct political framework and compare them with contemporaneous powers.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 10: Advent of Arabs and Turks > Rajput Kingdoms > p. 139
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Pala Rulers > p. 111
The political rivalry among Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas and Palas determined control of key regions and is essential for judging dynastic affiliations and conflicts.
Important for answering questions on medieval geopolitics, shifting alliances and causes of rise/decline of kingdoms. Knowing this helps solve source-based and comparative questions about power dynamics in North and Central India.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > Pala Rulers > p. 111
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 8: Harsha and Rise of Regional Kingdoms > 8.4 Rise of Rashtrakuta Dynasty > p. 113
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The region of Bundelkhand was historically called 'Jeja-Bhukti'. It was named after the Chandela king 'Jayashakti' (mentioned in Pair 2). A future question could ask to match historical region names (Jeja-Bhukti) to modern territories (Bundelkhand).
Use the 'Name Flavor' heuristic. 'Bhoja' is a legendary North Indian name (Paramara/Pratihara). Rashtrakuta kings (Deccan) almost exclusively used distinct titles like Dantidurga, Amoghavarsha, Govinda, or Indra. 'Bhoja - Rashtrakuta' is a historical mismatch of region and nomenclature. Eliminate Pair 4 immediately.
Mains GS1 (Society/History): Link these fragmented dynasties to the 'Samanta System' (Feudalism). The proliferation of local kings like Nannuka and Jayashakti illustrates the political fragmentation that weakened India's defense against Ghurid invasions.
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