2021 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I

Question 34: History and Culture

From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?

  1. 1.The Guptas of Magadha
  2. 2.The Paramaras of Malwa
  3. 3.The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
  4. 4.The Maukharis of Kanauj
  5. 5.The Yadavas of Devagiri
  6. 6.The Maitrakas of Valabhi

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a1, 2 and 5
b1, 3, 4 and 6
c2, 3 and 4
d5 and 6

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

After the Gupta empire declined in the sixth century, northern India broke into regional powers. The Later Guptas of Magadha, the Maukharis of Kanauj, the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar (Harshavardhana's family) and the Maitrakas of Valabhi held power before Harsha's rise. The Paramaras of Malwa and the Yadavas of Devagiri rose centuries later, so they cannot belong to this period. Remember: Maukharis, Pushyabhutis, Later Guptas and Maitrakas are the sixth-century powers.

  • 1. The Later Guptas ruled Magadha in this period.
  • 2. The Paramaras of Malwa rose centuries later.
  • 3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar were Harsha's family and a leading power.
  • 4. The Maukharis ruled from Kanauj.
  • 5. The Yadavas of Devagiri belong to a much later period.
  • 6. The Maitrakas ruled from Valabhi in Gujarat.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: The Later Guptas ruled Magadha in this period.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 2.

    What you needed to know: The Paramaras of Malwa rose centuries later.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 3, 4, 5 or 6.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: the Paramaras and Yadavas came to power centuries later.
  • (b) Right: Guptas of Magadha, Pushyabhutis, Maukharis and Maitrakas were the powers of the period.
  • (c) Wrong: the Paramaras are not of this period.
  • (d) Wrong: the Yadavas of Devagiri came later, and it leaves out three valid powers.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.