Acme Ai
A
अ
GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2003
South Indian Kingdoms
Question No. 57Interactive Test Mode
00:00
+2-0.66

Q57. Emperor Harsha’s southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by:

Emperor Harsha’s southward march was stopped on the Narmada river by:

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
PrevNext Question

Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

3D PYQ Realm

Ready to check the official UPSC Answer Key?

Click any option above to test yourself under exam conditions, or reveal the explanation directly.

Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2003 • Ancient History

Correct Answer: Option (B) — Pulakesin-II

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified
  • Option (b) is correct: Harshavardhana of Kannauj was defeated on the banks of the Narmada River around 618–619 CE by the Western Chalukya monarch Pulakeshin II, as recorded in the Aihole Inscription authored by Ravikirti. This checked Harsha's expansion into peninsular India.
  • Option (a) is incorrect: Pulakeshin I was the founder of the Badami Chalukya dynasty (ruled c. 543–566 CE), prior to Harsha's era.
  • Options (c) and (d) are incorrect: Vikramaditya I and Vikramaditya II were later Chalukyan rulers.
Reviewed by Avinash Sir & Acme AI Research Team

Practice Full-Length & Sectional Prelims Mocks on this Interface

50 simulated tests in the APT Prelims Test Series (₹1,493) or 1-on-1 Mentorship with Avinash Sir.

1-on-1 MentorshipOpen Test Platform

Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2003 (Q57)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicAncient History → South Indian Kingdoms
Official Answer KeyOption (B) — Pulakesin-II

Related & Repeated Prelims PYQs (1)

Questions from other UPSC Prelims years testing the same or closely linked concept.

View Cluster in 3D Graph
1997 • Q6181% Match

The Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year 465. If the same were to be dated in Vikrama Samvat, the year would be:

Ancient History • South Indian KingdomsSolve

More PYQs from Ancient History (South Indian Kingdoms)

Master the Ancient History syllabus cluster by practicing these related previous year questions.

View All Ancient History PYQs
2023 • Q53South Indian Kingdoms

Consider the following dynasties : 1. Hoysala 2. Gahadavala 3. Kakatiya 4. Yadava How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the ea

Ancient HistoryPractice
2013 • Q54South Indian Kingdoms

The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context,

Ancient HistoryPractice
2011 • Q55South Indian Kingdoms

India maintained its early cultural contacts and trade links with Southeast Asia across the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of the early maritime

Ancient HistoryPractice
2006 • Q56South Indian Kingdoms

Who among the following laid the foundation of Rashtrakuta Empire?

Ancient HistoryPractice
2003 • Q58South Indian Kingdoms

Consider the following statements: 1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in the early

Ancient HistoryPractice
2001 • Q59South Indian Kingdoms

Assertion (A): Harshavardhana convened the Prayag Assembly. Reason (R): He wanted to popularize only the Mahayana form of Buddhism.

Ancient HistoryPractice
2001 • Q60South Indian Kingdoms

Which one of the Chola kings conquered Ceylon?

Ancient HistoryPractice
2024 • Q1South Indian Kingdoms

Consider the following information: | Archaeological Site | State | Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1. Chandraketugarh | Odisha | Trading Port

Ancient HistoryPractice

Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2003 Q57

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2003 GS Paper I Question 57 (Ancient History)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2003 Ancient History (South Indian Kingdoms) question is Option (B): "Pulakesin-II". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2003 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Ancient History" and micro-topic "South Indian Kingdoms". You can explore all repeated questions from South Indian Kingdoms in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this South Indian Kingdoms UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

To solve South Indian Kingdoms questions in UPSC Prelims, identify extreme modifiers, verify core NCERT conceptual definitions, and eliminate mutually contradictory statement pairs before locking your final option.

Beyond Previous Year Questions

Structured Prelims Practice & Mentorship

Pair previous year question analysis with full-length simulated mock tests and 1-on-1 faculty guidance.

APT 2027 • 50 Prelims Tests17% OFF

Acme Prelims Test Series (APT)

Built to eliminate 1/3rd negative marking losses and 50–50 option traps through structured simulation and NCERT-backed keys.

  • 50 High-Yield Tests: Subject Sectionals, Current Affairs, CSAT Paper II & Full-Length Simulators
  • 1/3rd Penalty & Trap Analytics: Identify whether marks are lost to over-attempting or conceptual gaps
  • Option-by-Option NCERT Keys: Detailed distractor analysis and elimination logic for every question
  • Custom PDF-to-Mock Generator: Convert your revision notes or current affairs PDFs into practice tests
Complete 50-Test Package
₹1,493₹1,799• Valid till Prelims 2027
Explore APT Test SeriesTry Free Mock
1-on-1 Personal MentorshipCapped at 10 Seats

1-on-1 UPSC Mentorship with Avinash Sir

Weekly 1-on-1 strategy reviews, daily study accountability, and personalized MCQ attempt audits with an experienced UPSC mentor.

  • Weekly 1-on-1 Sessions: Direct mentorship with Avinash Sir (Former Plutus IAS Mentor, UPSC & UPPCS Mains Written)
  • APT 50-Test Series Included: Full Prelims GS1 & CSAT test series bundled at no additional cost
  • Mock Attempt & Elimination Audit: Question-by-question review to calibrate your risk and attempt accuracy
  • Prelims & Integrated Tracks: Available as dedicated Prelims mentorship or end-to-end Prelims + Mains guidance
Prelims & Integrated Tracks
17% OFF• Includes APT 50-Test Series
Explore 1-on-1 MentorshipCompare Tracks
Previous QuestionWhich one among the following covers the highest percentage of forest area in the world ?
Next QuestionConsider the following statements: 1. The Cholas defeated Pandya and Chera rulers and established their domination over peninsular India in the early medieval times. 2. The Cholas sent an expedition against the Sailendra empire of South-East Asia and conquered some of the areas. Which of these statements is/are correct?