Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
The Ashoka Pillar at Allahabad provides information about the reign of:
Solution & Analysis
Answer: D
Concept
Monuments in ancient India often served as palimpsests, where subsequent rulers added their own records to existing structures to borrow the legitimacy of their predecessors.Explanation
While the pillar originally carried Ashoka's edicts, the court poet Harishena added the Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription) during the reign of Samudragupta. This text details his military genius, title of 'Kaviraja', and tolerance.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The inscription identifies Samudragupta as a multi-faceted ruler (warrior and poet).
Logic 2: It is written in chaste Sanskrit prose and verse, a masterpiece of the Gupta style.
Logic 3: The pillar also contains later inscriptions by the Mughal emperor Jahangir.