Which historical ruler is popularly known as Modern Bhoja for his patronage of art and literature?

Introduction / Context:
Indian history contains many royal figures who became famous not only for warfare or administration but also for supporting art, literature, and culture. King Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty was a legendary patron of scholars. Later historians and writers sometimes compared other rulers to him and used the expression Modern Bhoja. This question checks whether learners can correctly connect that modern title to the appropriate south Indian ruler who encouraged poets and scholars at his court.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Modern Bhoja is a comparative title based on the ancient king Bhoja.
• The ruler in question was a great patron of art and literature.
• He was a powerful king in south India.
• The options list several famous Indian rulers from different regions and periods.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is to link the title Modern Bhoja with the ruler whose court was filled with poets, scholars, and artists and who promoted Telugu and Sanskrit literature. Krishnadeva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire is well known for his patronage. He himself wrote literary works and gathered eight famous scholars known as Ashta Diggajas. This cultural image matches the spirit of King Bhoja, so historians use the comparative phrase for him. The other rulers are remembered more for military or political achievements than for literary patronage on this scale.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall who Bhoja was, namely a legendary king celebrated for supporting scholars. Step 2: Look at the options and think which ruler is especially famous for a rich literary court. Step 3: Remember that Krishnadeva Raya ruled the Vijayanagara Empire in the sixteenth century and strongly supported Telugu poets and Sanskrit scholars. Step 4: Note that Shivaji is remembered mainly for founding the Maratha kingdom, Asoka for his empire and Buddhism, and Alauddin Khilji for his campaigns and administration. Step 5: Therefore identify Krishnadeva Raya as the personality most similar to Bhoja and select him as Modern Bhoja.

Verification / Alternative check:
An additional check is to recall titles commonly seen in exam preparation books, where Krishnadeva Raya is often listed along with short phrases such as Andra Bhoja or Modern Bhoja. Texts on medieval south Indian history also mention his cultural activities and patronage of the arts. No such clear association exists between the name Bhoja and the other listed rulers. Hence the match with Krishnadeva Raya is reliable for competitive exam use.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shivaji is famous as a Maratha warrior king and for his administrative system, but he is not commonly associated with the title Modern Bhoja in standard references. Asoka is known for his conversion to Buddhism, his rock edicts, and his vast empire, not for literary patronage of the Bhoja type. Alauddin Khilji is known for market reforms and successful invasions, especially against the Mongols, but again not as a literary patron on that legendary scale. Harsha did support literature yet is not the one normally called Modern Bhoja in exam oriented material.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may sometimes over generalise and think that any ruler who supported culture could be Modern Bhoja. However competitive exams expect the specific association that appears again and again in standard notes. Confusing titles is a common source of error, so it helps to revise them by grouping, for example Iron man of India, Frontier Gandhi, Modern Bhoja, and similar epithets. Linking each phrase clearly with one name helps to avoid confusion during the test.

Final Answer:
The ruler popularly known as Modern Bhoja is Krishnadeva Raya.