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? 1. The Guptas of Magadha 2. The Paramaras of Malwa 3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar 4. The Maukharis of Kanauj 5. The Yadavas of Devagiri 6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Answer: B. The GUPTAS OF MAGADHA (1), PUSHYABHUTIS OF THANESAR (3), MAUKHARIS OF KANAUJ (4), AND MAITRAKAS OF VALABHI (6) held power in Northern India between the Gupta decline and Harshavardhana. The period c. 550-606 CE (between the breakdown of imperial Guptas and Harshavardhana's ascension at Thanesar in 606 CE) saw multiple regional powers in Northern India. (1) GUPTAS OF MAGADHA — CORRECT. The LATER GUPTAS or 'Guptas of Magadha' (distinct from the imperial Guptas) held power in Magadha (Bihar) into the 7th century. Krishnagupta, Harshagupta, Jivitagupta and others ruled. They allied with the Maukharis and later were absorbed by Harsha's empire. (2) PARAMARAS OF MALWA — WRONG. The Paramaras emerged much later, in the 9th-10th century CE (Upendra/Krishnaraja was the founder; the famous Bhoja ruled c. 1010-1055 CE). They did NOT exist in the late 6th century. (3) PUSHYABHUTIS OF THANESAR — CORRECT. The PUSHYABHUTI (or Vardhana) dynasty ruled at THANESAR (Sthanvishvara, modern Haryana). Founded by Pushyabhuti; key rulers Prabhakaravardhana, Rajyavardhana, and HARSHAVARDHANA himself. (4) MAUKHARIS OF KANAUJ — CORRECT. The MAUKHARIS controlled KANAUJ (Kannauj) and the upper Ganga doab during this period. Their last ruler Grahavarman was married to Harsha's sister Rajyashri; his death led Harsha to absorb Kanauj into his empire. (5) YADAVAS OF DEVAGIRI — WRONG. The Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri (Daulatabad) emerged much later, in the 12th-13th century CE (Bhillama founded the kingdom c. 1187 CE). Not active in the 6th century. (6) MAITRAKAS OF VALABHI — CORRECT. The MAITRAKAS of VALABHI (in Gujarat/Saurashtra) ruled from c. 475 CE for about 300 years. They were prominent during the post-Gupta period; their capital Valabhi was an important centre of Buddhist learning visited by Xuanzang. So 1, 3, 4, 6 were active in that interval; 2 and 5 are anachronistic. Source: NCERT Class 11 Themes in Indian History (Post-Gupta period) / R.S. Sharma, India's Ancient Past.