Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

Correct Answer: Maurya

Pushyamitra Sunga, the Brahman Commander-in-Chief of the Mauryan army, murdered Brihadratha (the last Mauryan king) around 185 BC and founded the Sunga dynasty. This ended the Mauryan rule and began the Sunga era. The other options are names of different historical figures.

The Nanda dynasty overthrew the Sisunaga dynasty (also called Shaishunaga) to establish their rule in Magadha around 345 BC. Mahapadma Nanda was the founder. The Mauryas came later (overthrew Nandas), while Satavahanas and Kushanas were regional dynasties in different areas and time periods.

Patanjali's Mahabhashya, a great commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi, was composed during the Sunga dynasty. Patanjali lived during the reign of Sunga ruler Pushyamitra Sunga, as evidenced by references in his work to the Greek invasions and contemporary political events.

Menander (also known as Milinda), the Indo-Greek king who embraced Buddhism after philosophical discussions with the monk Nagasena (not Nagarjuna), belonged to the Bactrian (Indo-Greek) dynasty. His reign is famous for the text Milinda Panha documenting his conversations with Nagasena.

The Saka era begins in 78 CE, which marks the accession of Kushana ruler Kanishka to the throne. While Kanishka was a Kushana, the era is called Saka era. This calendar system was widely used in ancient India and continues in some forms today.

Correct Answer: Kushanas

Option (1) is correct.

The Vikram era (Vikram Samvat) commemorates Chandra Gupta Maurya's victory over the Sakas. This calendar begins in 57 BCE and marks the establishment of Chandra Gupta's power after defeating the Saka rulers. It is one of India's major calendar systems still in use.

Chandra Gupta II (also known as Chandragupta Vikramaditya) is the Gupta ruler famously known as 'Vikramaditya'. His reign (c. 380-415 CE) is considered the golden age of the Gupta Empire, marked by prosperity, cultural achievements, and the famous court of Navaratnas (nine gems).

Mahendra Varma and Narasimha Varma (also known as Narasimhavarman) were famous Pallava dynasty kings who ruled in the 7th-8th centuries CE. Mahendra Varma was known for his patronage of arts and architecture, while Narasimha Varma built the magnificent shore temples at Mahabalipuram.

Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Mauryan Empire, abdicated his throne around 298 BCE and became a Jain monk under the sage Bhadrabahu. He spent his final days at Shravanabelagola following Jain principles of non-violence and austerity. Ashoka embraced Buddhism, while Samudra Gupta was a Hindu ruler.