Question

____________ was the founder of Vardhan dynasty
A Pushyabhuti
B Prabhakara Vardhana
C Harshavardhana
D Rajyavardhana

Answer 1

Hint: The Vardhana Dynasty ruled parts of northern India between 6th and 7th centuries. This dynasty is also known as Pusyabhuti Dynasty. Harsha Vardhana was the greatest ruler of this dynasty. But he was not the founder of the dynasty. The name of the founder of this dynasty resembles flowers.

Complete answer:
A) No concrete information about the founder of the Vardhan Dynasty available. In his legendary account ‘Harshacharita’, Banabhatta gives an account of the origin of the Vardhan Dynasty. He says that Pushyabhuti was the founder of the Vardhan Dynasty. This is the most accepted view on the founder of the Vardhan Dynasty.

B) Prabhakar Vardhana was the first notable king of the Vardhana Dynasty. But he was not the founder of the Vardhana Dynasty. He was the fourth ruler of the family. He extended his control over neighbouring states. His capital was Thaneswar.

C) Harshavardhana was the most important king of the Vardhana Dynasty.He ruled north India from 606 t0 647 CE. Harshavardhana was a gifted warrior. He was an able administrator and poet. Hiun Tsang has praised Harsha a lot by saying that he was a laborious king.

D) Rajyavardhana was the eldest son of Prabhakara Vardhana. He became the king after the death of his father. His father Prabhakarvardhan was the fourth king of the family. So, Rajyavardhana was also not the founder of the Vardhana Dynasty.

Therefore the correct answer is option (A).

Note:
The Vardhana Dynasty is also known as Pusyabhuti Dynasty. Pushyabhuti is considered to be the founder of this dynasty. Prabhakar Vardhana was the first notable king of the Vardhana Dynasty. The dynasty reached its glory under the last king of this dynasty , Harshavardhana.