Question

Arrange the following ‘political developments’ of the ancient period in chronological order and choose the correct option :
I. Harshavardha in Kanuj
II. Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra
III. Satavahas in Deccan
IV. Chalukyas in Kartaka

• A. I, III, II, IV
• B. II, III, IV, I
• C. III, I, II, IV
• D. IV, II, III, I

Hint:

To remember major milestones in ancient chronology: BCE Era: Mauryas (4th c. BCE) $\rightarrow$ Satavahas (Transition)
$\dowrrow$
CE Era: Chalukyas of Badami (6th c. CE) $\rightarrow$ Harsha of Kanuj (7th c. CE)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Understanding ancient Indian history requires establishing a precise chronological framework that charts the rise and fall of prominent regiol empires from the fourth century BCE to the early medieval era.

Step 1: Identifying historical dates and centuries for each dymic political state.
Let us isolate the precise time frame for each ruler and dysty listed:
• II. Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra: He founded the Mauryan Empire around c. 321 BCE after overthrowing the nda Dysty. His rule marks the dawn of the first pan-Indian empire.
• III. Satavahas in Deccan: The Satavaha dysty emerged as a major political force in the Deccan region following the collapse of the Mauryan Empire, ruling roughly from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE.
• IV. Chalukyas in Kartaka: The early Western Chalukyas established their capital at Badami (Vatapi) in Kartaka around the mid-6th century CE (c. 543 CE), with Pulakeshin I and Pulakeshin II serving as prominent morchs.
• I. Harshavardha in Kanuj: King Harshavardha of the Pushyabhuti dysty ruled Northern India from his capital at Kanuj during the early 7th century CE (specifically from 606 to 647 CE). He was a contemporary of Pulakeshin II.

Step 2: Constructing the chronological order from earliest to latest.
Arranging the timelines sequentially from the ancient era forward: 321 BCE (II) $\rightarrow$ 1st Century BCE (III) $\rightarrow$ 6th Century CE (IV) $\rightarrow$ 7th Century CE (I) This sequential arrangement translates directly into the string: II, III, IV, I. This corresponds perfectly to Option (B).