The correct answer is: A. Pala
Nalanda and Kukrihar are two ancient universities in India. Nalanda was a Mahavihara, a Buddhist monastic institution, which was one of the most important centers of learning in the world from the fifth to the twelfth century. Kukrihar was a Buddhist monastic complex that flourished from the seventh to the twelfth century.
Both Nalanda and Kukrihar were built during the Pala period, which was a golden age of Buddhism in India. The Pala dynasty ruled over much of northern India from the eighth to the twelfth century. They were patrons of Buddhism and built many temples, monasteries, and universities.
Nalanda and Kukrihar were both destroyed by Muslim invaders in the twelfth century. However, their ruins have been excavated and they are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The other options are incorrect because:
- The Mauryan dynasty ruled over much of northern India from the fourth to the second century BCE. Nalanda and Kukrihar were built much later, during the Pala period.
- The Post Maurya period refers to the period after the Mauryan dynasty, from the second century BCE to the third century CE. Nalanda and Kukrihar were built during the Pala period, which began in the eighth century CE.
- None of these is a correct answer.