Question

The greatest Saka ruler of India, who was a great conqueror, is said to have gained fame by being well versed in grammar, polity, logic, music, etc., and had taken a vow not to kill men except in battle. Who is he?
A. Chastana
B. Nahapana
C. Rudrasimha
D. Rudraman

Answer 1

Hint: It is believed that this ruler was the son of Bhumaka. He was a ruler of the Western Kshatrapas and he had a hegemony over Ujjain for more than 40 years.

Complete answer: A group of nomadic Iranian peoples of Saka and Scythian origin is called Sakas. They migrated to the northern and the western regions of South Asia.
One of the greatest rulers of the Western Kshatrapas, the descendant of the Indo-Scythians or the Sakas was Nahapana. It is also believed that he was the son of Bhumaka, a Western Kshatrapa ruler.
According to the Jain writings, Nahapana controlled Ujjain for 40 years and the Ushavadata inscription states that he ruled for 46 years.
 He managed to establish a strong hegemony in the west by gaining control over the traditional base of Satavahanas in Western Maharashtra. He is also considered as a very learned person, he was very well versed in grammar, polity, music, etc, and had taken a pledge not to kill men except in combat.

While looking at the other options,
A. Chastana ruled over northwestern India, he was a ruler of the Saka Western Satraps during 78- 130 CE.
B. Rudrasimha was the son of Rudraman I, was a western Kshatrapa ruler. He was known for his interests in society, the inscription at Gunda, north Kathiawar talks about the same.
C. Rudraman, the grandson of the king Chastana. The title of Maha-kshatrapa was given to him. He has also defeated the Satavahanas.

Thus the correct option is B.

Note: Moga, the first king of the Saka kingdom in South Asia established his rule in Gandhara and the Indus Valley around the 1st century BCE. They conquered the Indo-Greeks and other local kingdoms and extended their dominance over North-western India.