Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
The Ashoka Pillar at Allahabad provides information about the reign of?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: D
Concept
Ancient pillars often served as multi-dynastic 'public records', where later kings added their own inscriptions to claim continuity with past great empires.Explanation
While originally an Ashokan pillar, the Allahabad Pillar is most famous for the 'Prayag Prashasti' (Eulogy of Prayag) composed by Harishena, the court poet of the Gupta Emperor Samudragupta. It provides a detailed account of his military conquests, titles like 'Kaviraja', and his policy toward defeated kings.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Although it is an 'Ashoka Pillar', the prompt asks which *later* ruler's reign is primarily documented through its added inscriptions.
Logic 2: The pillar serves as a palimpsest containing Ashokan edicts, Samudragupta's Sanskrit poetry, and later Persian inscriptions by Jahangir.