Arrange the following ruling dynasties in a chronological order:(A) T…

The correct answer is Option (2) → (B), (A), (D), (C), (E)

(B) The Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas — c. 200-100 BCE, rulers in south India.

(A) The Shakas — c. 100 BCE-200 CE, Shaka rulers (peoples from Central Asia) in the northwest.

(D) The Kushanas — c. 78 CE, the accession of Kanishka, the Kushana ruler.

(C) The Guptas — c. 320 CE, the beginning of Gupta rule.

(E) Pushyabhutis — c. 606-647 CE, the reign of Harshavardhana, king of Kanauj.

Note 1: The name of the Pushyabhuti dynasty is not given in the NCERT book (2026-27). Its best-known ruler was Harshavardhana, king of Kanauj (c. 606-647 CE), who is in the chapter’s timeline; this is explained here for the benefit of the students.

Note 2: The question is not properly framed, as the dates of the Shakas (c. 100 BCE-200 CE) and the Kushanas (Kanishka, c. 78 CE) overlap, and the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas ruled in the south through the same centuries. Taken by the time at which each dynasty first appears in the chapter’s timeline, the order is (B), (A), (D), (C), (E), and only Option (2) gives this order. Therefore, Option (2) is the most appropriate answer.