Who among the following Kings is said to have destroyed a confederacy

Who among the following Kings is said to have destroyed a confederacy of Tamil States in circa 155 BCE?

Bindusara

Karikala

Gautamiputra Satakarni

Kharavela

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023

Download PDF Attempt Online

The Hathigumpha inscription of King Kharavela of Kalinga mentions his military campaigns and achievements. In the 11th year of his reign, he is recorded as having destroyed a confederacy of Tamil states (Tamiladesam). While the exact dating of Kharavela is debated among scholars, a prominent theory places his reign in the latter half of the 2nd century BCE, making the date “circa 155 BCE” consistent with this event mentioned in his inscription. None of the other rulers mentioned (Bindusara, Karikala, Gautamiputra Satakarni) are associated with defeating a Tamil confederacy around this specific period.

– Kharavela was a powerful king of the Mahameghavahana dynasty of Kalinga.
– His Hathigumpha inscription in Udayagiri caves is the primary source of information about his reign and activities.
– The inscription details his campaigns against various rulers and regions, including the Tamil states.

Different scholars propose varying dates for Kharavela’s reign, ranging from the late 2nd century BCE to the early 1st century CE. However, the event of defeating the Tamil confederacy is a specific claim from his inscription, and its dating to circa 155 BCE aligns well with some proposed timelines for Kharavela. Bindusara was a Mauryan emperor much earlier (c. 298–272 BCE), Karikala was an early Chola king whose period is debated but generally earlier, and Gautamiputra Satakarni was a Satavahana ruler in the 2nd century CE.

Join Our Telegram Channel

More similar MCQ questions for Exam preparation:-