Famous Indian Rulers

Balban was a powerful ruler of the Slave Dynasty. He is known for strong kingship and discipline.

Chand Bibi was famous for defending Ahmadnagar. Remember her as a brave woman ruler of the Deccan.

Rudrama Devi was a famous ruler of the Kakatiya Dynasty. Remember her as a powerful woman ruler of South India.

Chanakya is considered the teacher and adviser of Chandragupta Maurya. Remember the Maurya Empire with Chanakya.

Bindusara was the son of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty, and the father of Emperor Ashoka. Therefore, Chandragupta Maurya is correct. Ashoka was Bindusara's son, so option A reverses the generations. Exam tip: Remember the Mauryan succession as Chandragupta Maurya → Bindusara → Ashoka.

Ashoka's inscriptions give messages of Dhamma and moral life. Link them with his change after the Kalinga War.

Samudragupta is praised in the Prayag Prashasti. This Sanskrit eulogy was composed by his court poet and minister Harisena and records his conquests, including the southern campaign, and his political achievements. The Junagadh inscription is chiefly associated with Rudradaman and later Skandagupta. Exam tip: remember the link Samudragupta—Harisena—Prayag Prashasti.

Faxian visited India during Chandragupta II's time. Remember him as a source of information on the Gupta period.

Skandagupta is known for successfully resisting the Hunas, who threatened the north-western frontiers of the Gupta Empire. He checked their advance and helped protect the empire. The Greek invasion is associated mainly with Alexander much earlier, while the Arabs and Portuguese arrived in India in later periods. Exam tip: Remember Skandagupta with the Gupta Empire and resistance to the Hunas.

The founding of Nalanda University is associated with Kumaragupta I. Remember it with education during the Gupta period.

Xuanzang, also known as Hiuen Tsang, was a Chinese Buddhist monk and traveller who came to India in the seventh century. His visit took place during the reign of Harshavardhana, a powerful ruler of northern India. Xuanzang studied Buddhism, visited important religious and educational centres, and observed the administration and society of the regions he travelled through. His account is an important source for understanding that period. Therefore, option A is correct.

The other rulers belong to different periods. Ashoka ruled many centuries earlier, while Akbar ruled during the Mughal period much later. Rajaraja Chola was a major ruler of the Chola kingdom in southern India and did not rule during Xuanzang’s Indian journey. Xuanzang’s association with Harsha is especially remembered because Harsha supported learning and religious activities, and the traveller described places such as Kannauj and Nalanda. Thus the supplied answer correctly identifies Harshavardhana.

The Aihole inscription is linked with the achievements of Pulakeshin II. Treat it as an important source of Chalukya history.

Narasimhavarman I defeated Pulakeshin II. Link him with Pallava power and the title Mamalla.

Thanjavur was the principal capital of the Chola Empire during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I. He built the famous Brihadisvara Temple there, making the city closely associated with his rule. Madurai is more closely associated with the Pandya rulers, so it is not the correct option. Exam tip: Remember Rajaraja Chola I with Thanjavur and the Brihadisvara Temple.

Rajendra Chola founded Gangaikonda Cholapuram after his northern campaign. Link it with the expansion of Chola power.

Kulottunga Chola I was a ruler of the Chola dynasty. Link him with medieval South Indian history.

Gautamiputra Satakarni was a Satavahana ruler of the Deccan. Remember him for strengthening Satavahana power.

Rudradaman I was a second-century CE ruler of the Western Kshatrapas. He is especially known for the Junagadh inscription, which records repairs to the dam of Sudarshana Lake. The Guptas ruled in a later period, so the Gupta dynasty is not correct. Exam tip: Remember Rudradaman I with the Western Kshatrapas and the Junagadh inscription.

Bhojadeva was a celebrated Paramara ruler of Malwa and is popularly remembered as Raja Bhoja. Sher Shah Suri, Balban, and Akbar were rulers from different periods, not alternative names for Bhojadeva. Exam tip: Remember Raja Bhoja with the Paramara dynasty and Malwa.

Lalitaditya Muktapida was a powerful 8th-century ruler of Kashmir from the Karkota dynasty. Kashmir gained political and cultural prominence during his reign, and the Martand Sun Temple is commonly associated with him. Malwa was a region of central India, so it is not the correct answer. Exam tip: Remember Lalitaditya Muktapida with the Karkota dynasty and Kashmir.