UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I

Question 45: History and Culture

Consider the following dynasties :

1.Hoysala
2.Gahadavala
3.Kakatiya
4.Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?

aOnly one

bOnly two

cOnly three

dNone

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

None of these dynasties rose in the early eighth century. The Gahadavalas of Kannauj emerged only in the late eleventh century, and the Hoysalas, Kakatiyas and Yadavas of Devagiri rose between roughly the tenth and twelfth centuries, first as feudatories of the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. Powers of the eighth century include the Pratiharas (around 730) and, by about 750, the Palas and Rashtrakutas.

1. The Hoysalas rose between the tenth and twelfth centuries.
2. The Gahadavalas emerged in the late eleventh century.
3. The Kakatiyas rose in the twelfth century.
4. The Yadavas of Devagiri rose in the twelfth century.

How you could have got this

No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.

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) Only one would need a dynasty from the eighth century; none qualifies.
(b) Only two would need two eighth-century dynasties; there are none.
(c) Only three would need three; there are none.
(d) Correct: all four rose in later medieval centuries.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.