Question

What is the correct chronological order in which the following kings ruled in India?
1) Bimbisara
2) Mahapadma Nanda
3) Kanishka I
4) Skandagupta
Select the correct answer using the code given.

(A) 1,2,3,4
(B) 4,3,2,1
(C) 2,3,4,1
(D) 3,1,4,2

Answer 1

Hint: Bimbisara was the King of Magadha who also built the city of Rajgir. Mahapadma Nanda was the first emperor of the Nanda Dynasty. Kanishka I ruled the Kushan Dynasty and was born in Peshawar which is now a city in Peshawar. Skandagupta was the Emperor of the Gupta Dynasty.

Complete answer:
Bimbisara ascended to the throne of the Haryanka Dynasty in 543 BC at the age of 15. He was the close friend of Lord Buddha. During his rule, it was said that he was having the control of about 80,000 villages under him. He was the follower of Lord Buddha but he always shows his respect for other religions. He is also known for unifying the whole Magadha Empire.

Mahapadma Nanda was the founder of the Nanda Dynasty in the 4th century. He ruled from 400 BC to about 329 BC. He is best known for his vast army and its administration. His army had about 2,00,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalries and about 3000 war elephants. He conquered many kings and took over his control over the empire of Panchalas and Maithilas.

Kanishka I ruled the Kushana Dynasty from 78 AD to 128 AD. He was the first commander under whose kingdom people started worshipping and admiring Buddha's images. The Kushana kingdom under King Kanishka attained its apex and it is assumed as one of the powerful Eurasian kingdoms of that time. King Kanishka had an incredible hand in spreading and circulating Buddhism to China.

Skandagupta controlled the Gupta Dynasty from 455 AD to 467 AD. It is said that because of him, the Gupta dynasty was able to come back in domination.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Mahapadma Nanda is famous by the title of 'Destroyer of Kshatriyas' and that is why people called him 'ekrat'. During the time of Skandagupta, four types of gold coins were in use. They were known as Archer type, king and queen type and Chhatra type.