Question

Who started Kumbha mela at Allahabad?

• A. Chhatrapati Shivaji
• B. Harshavardhana
• C. Prithviraj Chauhan
• D. Narasimha Varman

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Harshavardhana

• King Harshavardhana (c. 606–647 CE), the prominent ruler of the Vardhana (Pushyabhuti) Dynasty, is historically credited with starting and organizing the grand religious assemblies at Prayag (Allahabad).

• He initiated a regular five-yearly assembly known as the Moksha Parishad. During this festival, the king would practice extreme charity, donating his entire wealth, treasury, and personal belongings to ascetics, scholars, and the poor. This gathering is widely regarded as the historical precursor to the modern Kumbh Mela.