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.

1. The period in question is between the decline of the Imperial Guptas (around mid-6th century CE) and the rise of Harshavardhana (accession in 606 CE, early seventh century). We need to identify the major kingdoms holding power in Northern India during this time. 2. The Guptas of Magadha (1): Yes, the Later Guptas (distinct from the Imperial line) continued to rule in Magadha and surrounding regions during this period. 3. The Paramaras of Malwa (2): No, the Paramaras rose to prominence much later, primarily from the 9th century onwards. 4. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar (3): Yes, this was Harshavardhana's dynasty. They were gaining power in Thanesar (modern Haryana) during the later 6th and early 7th century, culminating in Harsha's accession. 5. The Maukharis of Kanauj (4): Yes, the Maukharis were a major political force ruling from Kanauj in the Ganga valley during this period. They were contemporaries and often rivals or allies of the Later Guptas and Pushyabhutis. 6. The Yadavas of Devagiri (5): No, the Yadavas ruled from Devagiri (Daulatabad) in the Deccan during the medieval period (approx. 12th-14th centuries CE). 7. The Maitrakas of Valabhi (6): Yes, the Maitrakas established a powerful kingdom based at Valabhi (modern Gujarat) after the decline of the Guptas and were influential in western and parts of Northern India during this period. Therefore, the correct kingdoms are the Guptas of Magadha, the Pushyabhutis of Thanesar, the Maukharis of Kanauj, and the Maitrakas of Valabhi (1, 3, 4, and 6).