Read the passage and answer the question:

In the fourth century, larger states emerged, notably the Gupta Empire, marking a significant shift in the political landscape. These states relied on the support of samantas, individuals who sustained themselves through local resources and maintained control over land. Samantas offered allegiance and military aid to rulers, thereby playing a crucial role in the functioning of the state. It is noteworthy that influential samantas had the potential to ascend to the status of kings, while weak rulers risked being diminished to subordinate positions.

The historical accounts of the Gupta rulers have been pieced together from diverse sources, including literature, coins, and inscriptions. Poets composed prashastis, poetic compositions that praised specific kings and patrons. Historians strive to extract factual information from such compositions, although it is essential to recognize that the poets and their audience often valued them primarily as works of poetry rather than as strictly literal accounts of events. A notable example is the Prayaga Prashasti, also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, written in Sanskrit by Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta. Samudragupta is considered one of the most powerful Gupta rulers of the fourth century CE.

In the fourth century, larger states, such as the Gupta Empire, were characterized by:

1) Strong centralized authoritarian governance
2) Reliance on samantas
3) Extensive foreign trade
4) None of the above

Choose the correct answer from the given options carefully:

2

The correct answer is Option 3 - 2

1) Strong centralized authoritarian governance
2) Reliance on samantas
3) Extensive foreign trade
4) None of the above

As per the passage:

In the fourth century, larger states emerged, notably the Gupta Empire, marking a significant shift in the political landscape. These states relied on the support of samantas, individuals who sustained themselves through local resources and maintained control over land.