Consider the following events in the history of India : 1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja 2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman – I 3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka – I 4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time ?
- (a) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
- (b) 3 – 1 – 4 – 2
- (c) 2 – 4 – 1 – 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2
Why the answer is (c)
• Mahendravarman I established Pallava power at Kanchi in c. 600–630 CE (event 2, earliest).
• Gopala founded the Pala dynasty in Bengal c. 750 CE, chosen by local chiefs to end anarchy (event 4).
• Mihira Bhoja raised the Gurjara-Pratiharas to imperial status c. 836–885 CE (event 1).
• Parantaka I (907–955 CE) consolidated Chola power after Vijayalaya's capture of Thanjavur (event 3, latest).
• Hence 2 – 4 – 1 – 3, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 2 – 1 – 4 – 3
- Gopala (750) precedes Bhoja (836), so 4 comes before 1.
- (b) 3 – 1 – 4 – 2
- Parantaka (907) is the latest, not the earliest.
- (d) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2
- Pallavas (600) are the earliest, not the Cholas.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.