The correct answer is: C. Gurjara Pratiharas.
The Gurjara Pratiharas were a Rajput dynasty that ruled over much of northern India from the 7th to the 11th centuries. They were one of the most powerful dynasties of the medieval period, and their capital at Kannauj was a major center of culture and learning.
The Gurjara Pratiharas were originally a branch of the Pratihara dynasty, which had ruled over parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat since the 6th century. In the 7th century, the Gurjara Pratiharas broke away from the Pratiharas and established their own kingdom in Malwa.
The Gurjara Pratiharas reached the height of their power under the reign of Mihira Bhoja (836-885). Mihira Bhoja was a great conqueror, and he extended the Gurjara Pratihara kingdom to include much of northern India. He was also a patron of the arts and sciences, and his court was a center of learning.
After Mihira Bhoja’s death, the Gurjara Pratihara kingdom began to decline. They were eventually overthrown by the Chaulukyas of Gujarat in the 11th century.
The Gurjara Pratiharas were a major power in northern India for over 300 years. They were a powerful military force, and they also made significant contributions to Indian culture and learning.
The other options are incorrect because:
- The Rashtrakulas were a dynasty that ruled over parts of central and southern India from the 6th to the 9th centuries. They were not a major power in northern India.
- The Palas were a dynasty that ruled over parts of eastern India from the 8th to the 12th centuries. They were not a major power in northern India.
- The Cholas were a dynasty that ruled over parts of southern India from the 9th to the 13th centuries. They were not a major power in northern India.