Question

The Khajuraho temples dedicated to the Hinduism and Jainism were built by the rulers of which of the following dynasties?
1. Rashtrakuta dynasty
2. Gupta dynasty
3. Satavahana dynasty
4. Chandela dynasty

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Chandela dynasty

The correct answer is Chandela dynasty.

• The Chandela dynasty was the famous dynasty of India, which ruled independently between Yamuna and Narmada, Bundelkhand, and the south-western part of Uttar Pradesh from the 8th to 12th centuries.

• The dynasty of Bundelkhand was a royal dynasty that built around 85 temples, but currently, only 25 temples exist.
• The temples are in Khajuraho located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh.
• Matangeshwar Temple located here is the centre of spiritual worship.
• Nannuka was the founder of this dynasty.
• Their common language was Sanskrit. 

 

Rashtrakuta Dynasty:​

• Dantivarman or Dantidurga (735 – 756) was the founder of the Rashtrakutas dynasty.
• Dantidurga occupied all territories between the Godavari and Vima.
• The Rashtrakutas considered themselves descendants of Satyaki.
• It is evident from a few Chalukya kings’ inscriptions that they were vassals of the Chalukyas.
• Rashtrakutas were of Kannada origin and their mother tongue was Kannada.
• The Rashtrakuta Emperors -
  • Dantidurga (735 – 756)
  • Krishna I (756 – 774)
  • Govinda II (774 – 780)
  • Dhruva Dharavarsha (780 – 793)
  • Govinda III (793 – 814)
  • Amoghavarsha (814 – 878)
  • Krishna II (878 – 914)
  • Indra III (914 -929)
  • Amoghavarsha II (929 – 930)
  • Govinda IV (930 – 936)
  • Amoghavarsha III (936 – 939)
  • Krishna III (939 – 967)
  • Khottiga Amoghavarsha (967 – 972)
  • Karka II (972 – 973)
  • Indra IV (973 – 982)

 

Gupta Dynasty:

• Sri Gupta was the Founder of the Gupta Dynasty (240 CE to 280 CE), Used the title of ‘Maharaja‘.
• Gupta Empire – Kings -
  •  Chandragupta I (320 – 335 CE)
  •  Samudragupta (c. 335/336 – 375 CE)
  •  Chandragupta II
  • Kumaragupta Ⅰ (c. 415 – 455 CE)
  • Skandagupta (c. 455 – 467 CE)
• Chandragupta I (Reigned from 319 CE to 335/336 CE), Started the Gupta Era. He assumed the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja‘.

  • He was the son of Ghatotkacha.
  • He strengthened his position by a matrimonial alliance with the Lichchhavis (Nepal). He married Kumaradevi, a princess of the Lichchhavi clan and this added to the power and prestige of the Gupta family (Vaishyas).
  • He was successful in building a small principality into a great kingdom.
  • His empire consisted of Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and parts of modern Bihar, with Pataliputra as its capital.
  • He is considered the first great king of the Gupta Empire.

   

 Satavahana Dynasty:

• Simuka was Considered to be the founder of the Satavahana dynasty and was immediately active after Ashoka’s death.
• According to some Puranas, the Andhras ruled for 300 years and this period is assigned to the rule of the Satavahana dynasty, with their capital at Pratishthana (modern Paithan) on the Godavari in Aurangabad district.
• The Satavahana kingdom majorly comprised present Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana. At times, their rule also included parts of Gujarat, Karnataka as well as Madhya Pradesh.
• The Satavahans were Brahmanas and worshipped gods like Vasudeva Krishna.
• They assumed the title of Dakshinapatha Pati (Lord of Dakshinapatha).
• Important Rulers of the Satavahana dynasty -
  • Simuka
  • Satakarni I (70- 60 BC)
  • Hala
  • Gautamiputra Satakarni of Satavahana Dynasty (106 – 130 AD or 86 – 110 AD)
  • Vashishthiputra Pulumayi (c. 130 – 154 CE)
  • Yajna Sri Satakarni (c. 165 – 194 CE)