Question

Which king started the organization of the Kumbh fair at Allahabad?
A. Harshavardhana
B. Dhruvasena II
C. Narsimhvarman
D. Akbar

Answer 1

Hint: The organizer of the Kumbh Mela belonged to the Vardhan Empire which was another name for the Pushyabhuti Dynasty. The Vardhana Empire flourished under him. He was the author of literary works like Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, and Nagananda.

Complete Answer:
Let us look at the options and discuss the solution.
Option A. Harshavardhana began the association of Kumbh Mela at Allahabad around 644 BC. The Allahabad Kumbh Mela is a mela held every 12 years at Allahabad, India. It is the correct option.

Option B. Dhruvasena II is an incorrect option as he died in 641 BC and the Kumbh Mela event took place in 644 BC.

Option C. Narsimhvarman is an incorrect option as he was born in 630 AD and the Kumbh Mela event took place in 644 BC.

Option D. Akbar is an incorrect option as he was born in 1527 and the Kumbh Mela event took place in 644 BC.

Hence the correct answer is Option A.

Additional Information:
- As per Hindu folklore, Kumbh Mela is a significant and strict celebration that is praised multiple times throughout 12 years. The area of the celebration continues turning between four journey destinations arranged on the banks of the sacred streams.
- These spots are Haridwar on the Ganges in the Uttarakhand, Ujjain on the Shipra stream in Madhya Pradesh, Nashik on the Godavari waterway in Maharashtra, and Prayagraj at the intersection of three streams Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Uttar Pradesh.

Note: Kumbh Mela is composed of two words Kumbh and Mela. The name Kumbh is derived from the undying pot of nectar which the Devtas and the devils battled about as depicted in antiquated Vedic sacred writings known as the Puranas. Mela, as we as a whole are recognizable, is a Sanskrit word signifying 'gathering' or 'to meet'.
-The primarily composed proof of the Kumbh Mela is referenced in the Bhagavata Purana.
-In the book of Chinese explorer Hsuan Tsang who visited India in 629-645 AD, during Harshavardhana’s reign had mentioned about Kumbh Mela.