The correct answer is: a) Early medieval period (6th -12th century).
The Chutiya kingdom was a powerful state in eastern Arunachal Pradesh that flourished during the early medieval period. The kingdom was founded in the 6th century by the Chutiya people, who were an ethnic group of Tibeto-Burman origin. The Chutiya kingdom was a major power in the region and its rulers were known for their military prowess. The kingdom reached its peak in the 11th century, but it began to decline in the 12th century due to internal conflicts and external threats. The Chutiya kingdom was finally conquered by the Ahom kingdom in the 13th century.
The Chutiya kingdom was a major center of Buddhism in the region. The kingdom was home to many Buddhist monasteries and temples, and the Chutiya rulers were patrons of Buddhism. The Chutiya kingdom also had a strong tradition of oral literature. The Chutiya people were known for their storytelling skills, and they had a rich oral tradition of myths, legends, and folktales.
The Chutiya kingdom was a significant historical and cultural entity in the region. The kingdom played an important role in the development of Buddhism and oral literature in the region. The Chutiya kingdom also left a lasting legacy on the culture and history of Arunachal Pradesh.
The other options are incorrect because:
- The Chutiya kingdom did not flourish during the late medieval period (13th-16th century). The kingdom was conquered by the Ahom kingdom in the 13th century, and it ceased to exist as an independent entity.
- The Chutiya kingdom did not flourish during the modern period (17th-19th century). The kingdom was a vassal state of the Ahom kingdom during this period, and it did not have any significant autonomy.
- The Chutiya kingdom did not flourish during the prehistoric era. The kingdom was founded in the 6th century, and it is therefore a historical entity.