Question

The founder of the vardhana dynasty was ……………………………….
(A) Prabhakar Vardhana
(B) Chandragupta Maurya
(C) Harisena
(D) Samudragupta

Answer 1

Hint The Vardhana Dynasty, also known as the Pushyabhuti dynasty, ruled northern India in the $6$ th and $7$ th centuries. The dynasty reached its climax under the last ruler, Harsha Vardhana. The kingdom covers most of the northern and northwestern parts of India, extending east to Kamarupa and south to Narmada river.

Complete step by step answer
The pushyabhuti dynasty initially controlled a small area around the capital Sthaneshwar (Thanesar, Haryana). According to Hans T. Bakker, their ruler Aditya- vardhana (or Aditya Sena) is most likely the feudal lord of Sharva- Varman, king Maukhari king of Kannauj. Princess Prabhakara Rajasri is married to Avanti- Varman’s son Graha- Varman. As a result of this marriage, Prabhakara’s political status increased significantly and received the title of the Empire of Parama- bhattaraka Maharajadhiraja.

Below is a list of the famous rulers of the Pushyabhuti or Vardhana dynasty, as well as the estimated period of reign.
Pushyabhuti
1. Naravardhana $500 - 525$ CE
2. Rajyavardhan $525 - 555$ CE
3. Adityavardhan $555 - 580$ CE
4. Prabhakara- vardhana $580 - 605$ CE
5. Rajya- vardhana, $605 - 606$ CE
6. Harsha- vardhana, $606 - 647$ CE

Thus the option (A) is correct

Note Harsha Vardhana was a Hindu who later converted to Mahayana Buddhism. He was married to Durgavati. He had a daughter and two sons. Her daughter married the king of Vallabhi and her son was killed by her own pastor. King Harsha Vardhana was appreciated in the writings of the Chinese Buddhist traveller Xuanzang.