Rudradaman I was the king of which of the following dynasties?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (B) Saka

Explanation:
• Rudradaman I (reigned c. 130–150 CE) was the greatest ruler of the Saka (Western Kshatrapa) dynasty.
• He belonged to the Kardamaka branch of the Sakas.
• He is famous for issuing the first long inscription in chaste Sanskrit, known as the Junagadh Rock Inscription.
• His empire covered Malwa, Saurashtra, Gujarat, Konkan, and parts of the Narmada valley.

Information Booster:
• Sudarshan Lake: The Junagadh inscription records that Rudradaman I repaired the Sudarshan Lake in the Kathiawar region, which was originally built by Chandragupta Maurya.
• Matrimonial Alliances: He gave his daughter in marriage to the Satavahana king Vashishtiputra Pulumavi to maintain political balance.

Additional Knowledge:
• Shunga (Option A): Founded by Pushyamitra Shunga after assassinating the last Mauryan ruler. They were Brahmins.
• Kushana (Option C): The most famous ruler was Kanishka. They controlled the Silk Road and were patrons of Gandhara art.
• Kanva (Option D): Founded by Vasudeva Kanva, who overthrew the Shunga dynasty.