Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Which of the following king/kings was/were elected/chosen directly by the public? 1. Harshavardhan 2. Gopal 3. Yashovarman 4. Nandivarman Pallavamalla
Solution & Analysis
Answer: C
Concept
While kingship in India was traditionally hereditary, rare instances of popular election or consensus choice occurred during periods of extreme anarchy or the end of a bloodline.Explanation
Gopala (c. 750 CE) was chosen by a group of chieftains to end the lawlessness (*Matsyanyaya*) in Bengal. Nandivarman II (Pallavamalla) was chosen through a popular election by the subjects and elders of the Pallava kingdom after a succession crisis.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option C (2 and 4) is correct. These are the two primary historical examples of quasi-democratic royal selection.
Logic 2: Harshavardhan (1) and Yashovarman (3) ascended their thrones through direct family inheritance and traditional succession.