Question

Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?

• A. Kanvas -- Successors of Mauryas
• B. Mauryas -- Successors of Mahapadmanda
• C. Satvahas -- Successors of Kushas
• D. Shakas -- Successors of Chalukyas

Hint:

To remember the chronological sequence of North Indian empires, memorize the acronym H-S-N-M-S-K: Haryanka $\rightarrow$ Shishuga $\rightarrow$ nda $\rightarrow$ Maurya $\rightarrow$ Shunga $\rightarrow$ Kanva.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Evaluating Option (B) -- Mauryas and Mahapadmanda:
Mahapadmanda was the powerful founding ruler of the nda Dysty of Magadha. The last ruler of this dysty, Dhanda, was defeated and overthrown around 321 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, who was assisted by Chakya (Kautilya). Therefore, the Maurya Dysty immediately succeeded the nda Dysty (the lineage of Mahapadmanda) in Magadha. This pair is correctly matched.

Step 2: Evaluating Option (A):
The immediate successors of the Mauryas were the Shungas (founded by Pushyamitra Shunga). The Kanva Dysty succeeded the Shungas, not the Mauryas. Thus, this pair is incorrectly matched.

Step 3: Evaluating Option (C):
The Satvahas ruled primarily in the Deccan region, whereas the Kushas ruled in northern and northwestern India. They were contemporaries during their peaks rather than consecutive dystic successors. Thus, this pair is incorrectly matched.

Step 4: Evaluating Option (D):
The Shakas (Indo-Scythians) ruled in parts of western and northwestern India from the $1^{\text{st}}$ century BCE to the $4^{\text{th}}$ century CE. The Western Chalukyas arose much later in the $6^{\text{th}}$ century CE in Kartaka. Thus, this pair is incorrectly matched.