Q. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Answer: (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only

From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshvardhanas, new ruling dynasties emerged in different part of Northern India. The most prominent ones were- The Pushyabhutis of Thaneshwar, Maukharies of Kannauj, Maitrakas of Vallabhi, etc.
The Maitrakas were tributary chiefs of the Guptas, who established an independent kingdom in western India. Dhruvasena II was the most important ruler of the Maitrakas. He was a contemporary of Harshavardhana and was married to his daughter.
The Maukharies ruled over Kanauj, a city in western Uttar Pradesh, which gradually replaced Pataliputra as a political center of north India. Maukharies were also the subordinate rulers of the Guptas and used the title of samanta. Harshavardhana’s sister Rajyashri was married to Grihavarman.
An important ruling family to gain prominence after the fall of the Gupta was that of the Pushyabhutis who had their capital at Thanesar (Thanesvara in Kurukshetra). The dynasty became influential with the accession of Prabhakarvardhana, who was able to defeat the Hunas and strengthen his position in the regions of Punjab and Haryana.
Yadava dynasty ruled in deccan near Devgiri (Daultabad) between 12th–14th-century AD.
The Paramara dynasty ruled Malwa and surrounding areas in west-central India between 9th and 14th centuries AD.

The Pushyabhutis, also known as the Vardhana dynasty, were a ruling dynasty in northern India during the 6th and 7th centuries.
The dynasty’s capital was initially Sthaneshwar (modern-day Thanesar, Haryana), but was later moved to Kanyakubja (modern-day Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh).
The first ruler was Prabhakarvardhana, who was succeeded by his sons Rajyavardhana and Harsha. The last ruler was Harshavardhana, who reigned from 606 to 647 CE.