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:

The correct option is 1, 3, 4 and 6 only.

Historical Context:

After the fall of the Imperial Gupta Empire in the 6th century CE, Northern India fragmented into several regional powers before Harshavardhana established a unified empire under the Pushyabhuti dynasty in the early 7th century CE.

Analysis of the Kingdoms:

1. The Guptas of Magadha: After the decline of the main Imperial Gupta line, a branch known as the Later Guptas ruled over Magadha during this transitional period. (Correct)

2. The Paramaras of Malwa: The Paramara dynasty came to power much later, around the 9th to 10th century CE. (Incorrect)

3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar: This dynasty ruled from Thanesar (and later Kanauj) during the 6th and 7th centuries. Prabhakaravardhana and his son Harshavardhana belonged to this dynasty. (Correct)

4. The Maukharis of Kanauj: The Maukharis were prominent rulers of Western Uttar Pradesh/Kanauj during the post-Gupta period in the 6th century CE and had marital alliances with the Pushyabhutis. (Correct)

5. The Yadavas of Devagiri: The Yadava dynasty ruled in the Deccan region (Western India/Maharashtra) during the 12th–14th centuries CE, not Northern India during the 6th–7th centuries. (Incorrect)

6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi: The Maitrakas established themselves in Saurashtra (Valabhi, Gujarat) following the decline of the Guptas and ruled from the late 5th century to the 8th century CE. (Correct)

Therefore, statements 1, 3, 4, and 6 are correct.