Q. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs : - Famous Place - Present StateBhilsa - Madhya Pradesh
- Dwarasamudra - Maharashtra
- Girinagar - Gujarat
- Sthanesvara - Uttar Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? (UPSC Prelims 2020)
Answer:
1 and 3 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[A] 1 and 3 only. These ancient and medieval sites are significant markers of India's cultural and political history across different dynasties.
- Bhilsa – Madhya Pradesh (Pair 1 – Correct): Historically known as Vidisha or Besnagar, Bhilsa is located in Madhya Pradesh. it was a prominent trade center during the Sunga and Gupta periods and is famous for the Heliodorus Pillar and its proximity to the Sanchi Stupa.
- Dwarasamudra – Karnataka (Pair 2 – Incorrect): Dwarasamudra (modern-day Halebeedu) was the magnificent capital of the Hoysala Empire. It is located in the Hassan district of Karnataka, not Maharashtra. It is renowned for its intricate Hoysaleswara temple architecture.
- Girinagar – Gujarat (Pair 3 – Correct): Girinagar (modern-day Junagadh/Girnar) is situated in Gujarat. It is an ancient site known for the rock edicts of Ashoka, the inscriptions of Rudradaman I, and Skandagupta, marking its importance under various empires.
- Sthanesvara – Haryana (Pair 4 – Incorrect): Sthanesvara (modern-day Thanesar/Kurukshetra) is located in Haryana, not Uttar Pradesh. It served as the capital of the Pushyabhuti dynasty, notably under King Harshavardhana, before he shifted his capital to Kannauj.