After the decline of the Chalukya kingdom of Kalyani at the end of the 12th century and the Chola kingdom at the beginning of the 13th century, which new kingdoms arose in South India?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines knowledge of the political reorganisation of South India after the decline of two major powers: the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani and the imperial Cholas. Understanding which successor states emerged helps in mapping regional power shifts during the late 12th and early 13th centuries.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The Chalukya kingdom of Kalyani declined at the close of the 12th century.
• The Chola kingdom declined at the beginning of the 13th century.
• We must identify the new kingdoms that arose in South India after these declines.
• Options list Yadavas and Kakatiyas, Hoysalas and Pandyas, Vijayanagar and Bahmani, and a combined option for the first two pairs.

Concept / Approach:
After the weakening and fall of the Chalukyas of Kalyani and the Cholas, several regional powers became prominent. In the Deccan and adjoining regions, the Yadavas of Devagiri and the Kakatiyas of Warangal grew in strength. In the southern peninsula, the Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra and the Pandyas of Madurai consolidated their rule. The Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms emerged later in the 14th century, so they do not directly belong to the immediate post-Chalukya and post-Chola phase described in the question. Therefore, both the Yadava–Kakatiya pair and the Hoysala–Pandya pair are correct, making the combined option the most accurate choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the time frame: late 12th and early 13th centuries, just after the decline of the Chalukyas of Kalyani and the Cholas.Step 2: Recall that in the Deccan, the Yadavas of Devagiri and the Kakatiyas of Warangal became important regional powers.Step 3: Remember that in the deeper south, the Hoysalas and Pandyas rose to prominence after Chola power collapsed.Step 4: Note that the Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms were founded later, during the 14th century, and do not belong to this immediate transitional period.Step 5: Since both option a and option b correctly list emerging kingdoms, select option d, which combines them.

Verification / Alternative check:
South Indian history chapters in standard texts explain that the decline of the Chalukyas and Cholas created political space for the Yadavas, Kakatiyas, Hoysalas and Pandyas. They often present a map showing these four powers occupying different parts of the Deccan and South India in the 13th century. Vijayanagar and Bahmani appear later in the narrative, confirming that options a and b together, not c alone, reflect the immediate developments after the fall of Chalukyas and Cholas.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Yadavas of Devagiri and Kakatiyas of Warangal (a): Correct but incomplete on its own, because it omits the concurrent rise of Hoysalas and Pandyas.Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra and Pandyas of Madurai (b): Also correct but incomplete alone, as it leaves out Yadavas and Kakatiyas.Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms (c): These arose later in the 14th century and are not the immediate successors after the decline of the Chalukyas and Cholas.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may jump to the very famous Vijayanagar and Bahmani kingdoms because they dominate many pages of South Indian history. Another common error is to choose only one pair, forgetting that multiple regional powers emerged simultaneously. To avoid this, memorise that after Chalukyas and Cholas, four important kingdoms rose: Yadavas, Kakatiyas, Hoysalas and Pandyas, which correspond to both options a and b.

Final Answer:
After the decline of the Chalukyas of Kalyani and the Cholas, new South Indian kingdoms included both the Yadavas of Devagiri and Kakatiyas of Warangal, as well as the Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra and Pandyas of Madurai.