Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

Raja Raja Chozhan I was originally named Arulmozhi Varman, which means 'one who is graceful in speech.' Madhurandhakar was his father's name (Sundara Chozhan), and Vandhiyathevan was the fictional protagonist of Ponniyin Selvan novel. The name Arulmozhi Varman appears in historical inscriptions and is well-documented in Chola history.

Lakshagriha (House of Lac) was constructed by Purochana, also known as Purvanchan, as part of Duryodhana's plot to kill the Pandavas. The house was built with highly flammable lacquer materials.

Janamejaya was indeed the son of Parikshit, making him Abhimanyu's grandson. After Parikshit died from Takshaka's snakebite, Janamejaya became the King of Hastinapura and later conducted the famous snake sacrifice (Sarpa Yajna) to avenge his father's death.

Jarasangha (also spelled Jarasandha) was the powerful king of Magadha, not Maghadh as written. He was a key antagonist in the Mahabharata who was eventually killed by Bhima in a wrestling match during the Pandavas' Rajasuya sacrifice. Mathura, Gandhar, and Kampilya were kingdoms of other rulers.

From the Kaurava side, only three warriors survived the Kurukshetra war: Kripacharya (the unarmed teacher), Ashvatthama (son of Drona, who escaped with his life), and Kritavarma (the Yadava ally). Jayadrath was killed by Arjuna to avenge Abhimanyu's death. This is well-documented in the Mahabharata.

After Dronacharya's death on the 15th day of the Kurukshetra war, Duryodhana appointed Karna as the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces. Karna led the army for two days (days 15-16) until he was killed by Arjuna. Ashvatthama took command only after Karna's death.

According to the Mahabharata, three warriors from the Kaurava side survived the Kurukshetra war: Kripacharya, Ashvatthama, and Kritvarma. Kripacharya and Ashvatthama were technically immortal due to divine boons, while Kritvarma survived the battle. Jayadratha was killed during the war, specifically by Arjuna to fulfill his vow.

After Drona's death in the Kurukshetra war, Karna was appointed as the supreme commander of the Kaurava army. This was a significant moment as Karna, despite being the eldest Pandava, fought loyally for the Kauravas. Ashvatthama, Shalya, and Dushashana were not the supreme commanders immediately after Drona's death.

Kaikeyi was King Dasaratha's wife who invoked two boons, forcing him to send Rama into exile for 14 years and install Bharata as crown prince. This was a pivotal moment in the Ramayana triggered by Manthara's manipulation. Sumitra and Kausalya were Dasaratha's other wives who did not demand Rama's exile.

Sanghamitra (also Sanghamitta), daughter of Emperor Ashoka, went to Sri Lanka to spread Buddhism. She was a Buddhist missionary who carried a sapling of the Bodhi tree to Sri Lanka, establishing the Bhikkhuni order there.

Chanakya (also known as Kautilya) served as the Prime Minister (Chief Minister) to Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire (322-298 BCE). Chanakya authored the Arthashastra, a treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy. Chandragupta II and Ashoka were later Mauryan rulers, while Bimbisara belonged to an earlier period (Haryanka dynasty).

Indrajit (also called Meghanada), Ravana's eldest son, defeated Indra, the king of the Devas, in battle. His victory earned him the name 'Indrajit' - conqueror of Indra. He was a master of illusion warfare and had received powerful boons from Brahma, making him nearly invincible. The Ramayana describes how he temporarily captured Indra before being released due to Brahma's intervention.

Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire, abdicated his throne around 298 BCE and became a Jain ascetic under the sage Bhadrabahu. He migrated to Shravanabelagola in Karnataka where he spent his final years in meditation and attained sallekhana (voluntary fasting). This historical fact makes option B correct, despite the typo 'caca' instead of 'Jaina'.

Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire, abdicated his throne around 298 BCE and became a Jain ascetic under the sage Bhadrabahu. He migrated to Shravanabelagola in Karnataka where he spent his final years in meditation and attained sallekhana (voluntary fasting). This historical fact makes option B correct, despite the typo 'caca' instead of 'Jaina'.