Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

Brihadratha was the last Mauryan ruler who was assassinated by his commander-in-chief Pushyamitra Shunga, marking the end of the Mauryan dynasty around 185 BCE. The other options were earlier Mauryan kings, not the last one.

Pushyamitra Sunga was the founder and first ruler of the Sunga Empire in East India, established after he assassinated the last Mauryan Emperor, Brihadratha, in 185 BCE.

Harihara I (Hakka) and his brother Bukka Raya I established the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336. While Bukka was also a founder, Harihara is recognized as the first emperor. Deva Raya I and Deva Raya II were later rulers who expanded the empire.

Dantidurga (Dantivarman) established the Rashtrakuta Empire in the 8th century by defeating the Chalukyas of Badami. Amoghavarsha I was a famous later ruler known for his cultural contributions. Krishna I built the Kailasa temple at Ellora, and Govinda III expanded the empire significantly.

Gopala founded the Pala dynasty in Bengal in the 8th century, becoming the first Buddhist ruler after a long gap in the region. He was elected by prominent people of Bengal. Dharmapala and Devapala were his successors who expanded the empire significantly. Bhoja was a ruler from a different Paramara dynasty.

The First Buddhist Council took place around 400 BCE at Rajgriha during King Ajatashatru's reign, shortly after Buddha's death. The council compiled Buddha's teachings. Kanishka convened the Fourth Buddhist Council centuries later, while Asoka hosted the Third Council. Chandragupta Maurya wasn't associated with Buddhist councils.

Samudragupta of the Gupta dynasty is called the Indian Napoleon by historian V. A. Smith for his extensive military campaigns that unified much of northern India, similar to Napoleon's European conquests. Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, not associated with this title. Tipu Sultan and Akbar were later rulers from different eras.

Samudragupta earned the title 'Napoleon of India' from historian V. Smith due to his extensive military conquests across the Indian subcontinent. His campaigns, documented in the Allahabad Pillar inscription by his court poet Harishena, expanded Gupta rule from the Himalayas to the Deccan plateau. Neither Akbar (Mughal), Chandragupta I (Gupta founder), nor Ashoka (Mauryan) carries this specific epithet.

Chandragupta Maurya, with guidance from his mentor Chanakya (Kautilya), founded the Mauryan Empire around 321 BCE after overthrowing the Nanda dynasty. He went on to unify much of the Indian subcontinent. Kanishka and Ashoka ruled different empires (Kushan and later Mauryan respectively), while Chanakya was the advisor, not the founder.

Chess or Chaturanga, known as Shatranj in Persia, originated in India during the Gupta Dynasty (around 6th century CE). The game spread from India to Persia and then to Europe. The other dynasties are incorrect - Puru was pre-Mauryan, Maurya was earlier (3rd century BCE), and Mughal was much later (16th century CE).

Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) established the first known hospitals for both humans and animals. After the Kalinga War, Ashoka embraced Buddhism and implemented welfare measures including healthcare facilities. The other rulers either did not establish hospitals or lived in different time periods.

Aryabhatta and Varahamihir were renowned scholars during the Gupta Empire (circa 320-550 CE), considered the golden age of Indian science and mathematics. The Kushanas, Mauryas, and Palas were different dynasties.

The Wodeyar dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947, making Mysore the correct answer. They were not associated with Travancore (ruled by the Travancore royal family) or Vijayanagara (a separate empire).

The Pashupatastra (Pashupati Astra) is correct. When Ashwathama unleashed the Brahmastra, Arjuna countered it with the Pashupatastra, which he had received from Lord Shiva. This is described in the Mahabharata's Ashvamedhika Parva.

Kubera (also called Kuber) is the Hindu god of wealth and the lord of riches. He is the guardian of treasures and wealth, often depicted as a dwarfish figure with a pot of money. Agni is the fire god, Vayu is the wind god, and Indra is the king of heavens (god of thunder and rain).