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.

Following the decline of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century CE, Northern India fragmented into several independent kingdoms.

Key powers that emerged during this period include:

• The Guptas of Magadha: The Gupta dynasty, though weakened, continued to hold power in Magadha.
• The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar: They established an independent state around Thanesar (present-day Haryana).
• The Maukharis of Kanauj: They controlled a significant territory encompassing Agra and Oudh with Kanauj as their capital.
• The Maitrakas of Valabhi: They established a powerful state in Saurashtra (Gujarat) with Valabhi as their capital.

The Paramaras of Malwa rose to prominence much later. The Yadavas of Devagiri were a major power in the Deccan, not Northern India.

Therefore, the correct kingdoms are the Guptas of Magadha, the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, the Maukharis of Kanauj, and the Maitrakas of Valabhi.

Hence option (b) is the correct answer.