Pulakeshin II assumed the title of ‘Dakshinapatheshvara’ (lord of the south) after defeating which of the following rulers of north India?

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Accepted Answer

1. Context: Pulakeshin II of the Badami Chalukyas assumed the title “Dakshinapatheshvara” (lord of the south) after repulsing a northern attempt to extend power southwards.

2. Primary evidence: Pulakeshin's Aihole inscription and contemporary records describe his victory over Harshavardhana of Kanauj, checked on the banks of the Narmada. This event is dated to the $7^{th}$ century and is the classic reason for the title.

3. Elimination: Rudrasena II and Dhruvasena II were Vakataka/Western Satrap rulers not linked to this particular confrontation with Pulakeshin; Prabhakarvardhana was the father of Harsha but not the one defeated leading to this title.

4. Conclusion: The northern ruler defeated was Harshavardhana (option 2), so the correct choice is (b).

FINAL_ANSWER: b

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