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Question 61 of 94 · Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms
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The Sharabhapuriya and the Somavamshi (Panduvamshi) dynasties ruled in the region of present-day:

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Answer: Option A — Chhattisgarh (Dakshina Kosala)

Detailed Solution

The Sharabhapuriya and the Somavamshi (Panduvamshi) dynasties ruled in the region of Dakshina Kosala, which corresponds to present-day Chhattisgarh and parts of western Odisha, in the 5th-8th centuries CE.

About Dakshina Kosala:

  • "Dakshina Kosala" (South Kosala) was the ancient name of the region of present-day Chhattisgarh.
  • It is mentioned in the Allahabad Pillar Inscription as one of the kingdoms of the south (Dakshinapatha) defeated by Samudragupta; its king was Mahendra of Kosala.

About the Sharabhapuriyas:

  • They ruled in the 5th-6th centuries CE.
  • Their capital was Sharabhapura (not exactly identified; possibly near Malhar or Raipur).
  • They were also called the Amararya dynasty.
  • Their copper plates and coins have been found in Chhattisgarh.

About the Somavamshis (Panduvamshis) of Dakshina Kosala:

  • They ruled in the 6th-8th centuries CE, after the Sharabhapuriyas.
  • Their capital was Shripura (present-day Sirpur, in the Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh).
  • The most famous ruler was Mahashivagupta Balarjuna, who ruled for about 60 years.
  • The famous "Lakshmana Temple" at Sirpur, one of the finest brick temples in India, was built by Queen Vasata, the mother of Mahashivagupta Balarjuna, in memory of her husband, Harshagupta.
  • They were Vaishnavas, but tolerant of Buddhism and Shaivism.
  • Sirpur was a major centre of Buddhism, with many monasteries; the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang visited it.
  • A later branch of the Somavamshis moved to Odisha.

Sirpur today:

  • Excavations at Sirpur have revealed many temples, Buddhist viharas, a market area, and a large settlement.
  • The "Sirpur Dance and Music Festival" is held there.

Other dynasties of Chhattisgarh:

  • Nalas (Bastar region), Kalachuris of Ratanpur (11th-18th centuries).
  • Bhoramdeo Temple near Kawardha (11th century), called the "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh".

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Bihar, Punjab and Gujarat were ruled by other dynasties.

Quick tip

Remember: Sharabhapuriyas and Somavamshis (Panduvamshis) = Dakshina Kosala (Chhattisgarh); capital Shripura (Sirpur); Lakshmana Temple (brick) built by Queen Vasata; Bhoramdeo = "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh".

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Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers India from about the 7th to the 12th century: the Rajput dynasties, the tripartite struggle between the Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas, and the South Indian kingdoms of the Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas, along with the Sangam age and the temple architecture of the period. Questions often ask which dynasty built a temple (the Pallavas built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, and Rajaraja Chola I built the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur), the capitals of dynasties, and the local self-government of the Cholas. Learning each dynasty with its capital, greatest ruler and one monument is the quickest way to answer these questions. Practise the early medieval India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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