Question

The famous Mehrauli Iron Pillar inscription describes the conquest of
A. Samudragupta
B. Chandragupta II
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Chandra of Indraprastha

Answer 1

Hint: Famous Mehrauli iron pillar inscription describes the conquest of one of the most famous kings of the Gupta dynasty. The oldest inscription found on the pillar is that of king Chandra who is generally identified as the king of the Gupta Empire. The pillar is said to have been constructed between 375-415 CE.

Complete answer: The famous Mehrauli iron pillar is a structure with 7.2 metres height and a diameter of 40.64 centimetres constructed by the famous king Chandragupta II. The pillar is famous for the rub-resistant composition of the metals that have been used in the construction. It is believed that the pillar was erected perhaps outside the Udayagiri caves and was later moved to its current location in the Qutub complex at Mehrauli under the Delhi sultanate. The oldest inscriptions on the pillar belonged to Chandragupta II.
Now we will discuss the other three options:
-Samudragupta who was a king of the Gupta Empire and son of Chandragupta I. The Allahabad pillar inscription credits Samudragupta with extensive military conquest as under his rule he expanded the dynasty's political power.
-Chandragupt Maurya was the pioneer of the Mauryan Empire. He established the foundations of the Maurya Empire under the guidance of the philosopher Chanakya or Kautilya. Chandragupt Maurya's memorial exists on the Chandragiri hill along with hagiographic inscriptions.
-The Chandra also known as Chandragupta 1 was the king of the Gupta dynasty and ruled in Northern India. His name along with his father's and his great grandfather's name has been mentioned as the great kings in the Allahabad pillar inscription.
Therefore, the correct answer to this question is option- B.

Note: The inscriptions describe the king as a devotee of Vishnu; it also marked the places mentioned in the inscriptions of the Gupta Era such as Jalanidhi, Dakshina and Vanga. The short name Chandra is also inscribed on the gold coins of Chandragupta II.