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. The Guptas of Magadha 2. The Paramaras of Malwa 3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar 4. The Maukharis of Kanauj 5. The Yadavas of Devagiri 6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi Select the correct answer using the code given below.

The correct answer is B, 1, 3, 4 and 6. After the imperial Guptas weakened in the 6th century, power in the north was shared by the later Guptas of Magadha, the Pushyabhutis, the Maukharis and the Maitrakas.

The later Guptas of Magadha were not part of the main Gupta line and fought the Maukharis of Kanauj for control of the Ganga valley. The Pushyabhutis ruled from Thanesar in Haryana; Harshavardhana belonged to this family and later moved his capital to Kanauj after his sister Rajyashri's Maukhari husband was killed. The Maitrakas, founded by Bhatarka, ruled from Valabhi in Saurashtra, which also became a famous centre of learning.

A is wrong: the Paramaras and the Yadavas came to power centuries later.

C is wrong: the Paramaras of Malwa rose only in the 9th and 10th centuries, under rulers such as Bhoja in the 11th.

D is wrong: the Yadavas of Devagiri ruled in the Deccan from the 12th century, until Alauddin Khalji's campaigns.

Exam tip: between the Guptas and Harsha = Later Guptas, Maukharis, Pushyabhutis, Maitrakas; Paramaras and Yadavas are later.