Q. Consider the following historical events related to the Pratihara Empire:

1. Invasion of Indra III Rashtrakuta
2. Visit of Arab traveler Al Masudi
3. Succession of Mahipala
4. Decline of the Pratihara Empire

Which of the following is the correct chronological order of the above events?
Answer: 2 3 1 4
Notes: The visit of Arab traveler Al Masudi in AD 915-16 is the earliest event, as he documented the grandeur of the Pratihara Empire. Following this, Mahipala's succession marked a period of rule. The invasion of Indra III from the Rashtrakuta dynasty came next, which severely impacted the Pratihara Empire. Finally, the decline of the Pratihara Empire accelerated towards the end of Mahipala's reign and after Vijayapala’s time. Thus, the correct order is 2 (Visit of Al Masudi) → 3 (Succession of Mahipala) → 1 (Invasion of Indra III) → 4 (Decline of the Pratihara Empire).