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With reference to the Puranas, which one of the following statements is correct?
(1) Information about the Mauryan dynasty is found in the Vishnu Puran.
(2) Vayu Puran throws light on the Gupta's governance system.
Explanation
The Puranas, though primarily religious texts, serve as vital literary sources for reconstructing the history of ancient Indian dynasties through their Vamshavalis (genealogies).
Statement 1 is correct: The Vishnu Purana is a significant source for the Mauryan dynasty, providing lists of kings and chronological details.
Statement 2 is correct: The Vayu Purana (along with the Brahmanda Purana) provides crucial information regarding the early Gupta dynasty, specifically detailing the extent of their empire (covering regions like Prayaga, Saketa, and Magadha) and aspects of their political history and administration.
Similarly, other Puranas like the Matsya Purana are essential for studying the Satavahana (Andhra) dynasty. These texts help historians cross-reference archaeological and epigraphic evidence to establish a clearer timeline of ancient India.