Gupta Military Conquests
Samudragupta's Southern Kings: Matching List
Samudragupta's contemporary Southern kings included Dhananjaya of Kusthalpura, Nilaraja of Avamukta, Ugrasena of Palaka, and Vishnugopa of Kanchi.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part 1
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2018
Evidence Source
Link ↗Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer:List-I (Contemporary King) List-II (Kingdom) A. Dhananjaya 1. Avamukta B. Nilaraja 2. Kanchi C. Ugrasena 3. Kusthalpura D. Vishnugopa 4. Palaka
| List-I (Contemporary King) | List-II (Kingdom) |
|---|---|
| A. Dhananjaya | 1. Avamukta |
| B. Nilaraja | 2. Kanchi |
| C. Ugrasena | 3. Kusthalpura |
| D. Vishnugopa | 4. Palaka |
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
Samudragupta’s 'Dakshinapatha' campaign (Southern campaign) involved defeating and kemudian reinstating various kings as tributaries, a policy known as Grahana-moksha-anugraha.
Authentic Source Evidence
According to the Allahabad Pillar Inscription (Prayag Prashasti):
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"What was Samudragupta's policy towards Southern kings?"
His policy was 'Grahana-moksha-anugraha', meaning he captured, released, and then favored them as tributary rulers.
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"The specific naming of 12 Southern kings in the Allahabad Prasasti highlights the vast geographical reach and diplomatic complexity of the Gupta Empire."
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