Which Pratyahara king adopted the title of Pramana, becoming one of the most powerful rulers of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty.

Introduction / Context:
The Gurjara Pratihara or Pratyahara dynasty was a powerful ruling house in early medieval North India. Among its kings, Mihirbhoj is often highlighted for his wide conquests and strong central authority. Some rulers adopted special titles to express their power and religious devotion. This question asks which Pratyahara king took the title of Pramana, testing detailed knowledge of dynastic titles and important personalities in this period.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The dynasty in question is the Pratyahara or Gurjara Pratihara dynasty. • The question concerns the royal title Pramana. • We are asked to identify which king adopted this title. • Options list several known Pratihara rulers.

Concept / Approach:
The key is to recall that Mihirbhoj, also called Bhoja, was one of the greatest rulers of the Gurjara Pratiharas. He ruled in the ninth century and expanded the empire significantly. He is known to have adopted exalted titles that reflected his status and religious affiliation. Exam based notes frequently mention that Mihirbhoj took titles such as Adivaraha and eventually Pramana. Therefore, when the title Pramana appears in connection with the Pratyaharas, it should immediately be associated with Mihirbhoj.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the dynasty as Gurjara Pratihara and recall its key rulers: Nagabhata I, Vatsaraja, Nagabhata II, Ramabhadra, and Mihirbhoj, among others. Step 2: Remember that Mihirbhoj is widely regarded as the most powerful Pratihara emperor. Step 3: Note that inscriptions and exam oriented summaries mention that he adopted distinctive titles, including Adivaraha and later the title Pramana. Step 4: Check the options and identify Mihirbhoj as one of them. Step 5: Conclude that Mihirbhoj is the correct answer as the king associated with the title Pramana.

Verification / Alternative check:
Reliable question banks and explanatory notes on SSC and other competitive exams commonly include the question Which Pratyahara king took the title of Pramana and give Mihirbhoj as the answer. Historical discussions of the Pratihara dynasty describe Mihirbhoj as a devotee of Vishnu, with coin legends and inscriptions recording his titles. Other rulers from the options do not appear in connection with the title Pramana in standard references, confirming Mihirbhoj as the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Watsaraj: Also spelled Vatsaraja, he was an early important Pratihara ruler, but the famous title Pramana is not primarily associated with him. Ram Bhoj: This name is less prominent and is not widely recorded as taking the title Pramana. Nagabhata II: A powerful Pratihara king known for imperial titles such as Maharajadhiraja, but the specific title Pramana is linked to Mihirbhoj. Mahendrapala I: Another ruler of the dynasty, but standard exam materials do not connect him with the title Pramana.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Mihirbhoj titles with those of other Pratihara rulers because many kings adopted grand honorifics. Another mistake is mixing up Adivaraha, a title related to Vishnu boar incarnation, with Pramana and assuming they refer to different rulers. In fact, Mihirbhoj is often mentioned with both titles. A good memory aid is to treat Mihirbhoj as the most title rich and powerful Pratihara king, responsible for several such honorifics.

Final Answer:
The Pratyahara king who adopted the title of Pramana was Mihirbhoj.