Question

Which lake did Rudradaman, the Shaka ruler, rebuild?

• A. Ganges
• B. Yamuna
• C. Indus
• D. Sudarshana

Hint:

The Junagadh Inscription is the first ever long inscription in chaste Sanskrit. It serves as a primary source for both the history of Sudarshana Lake and the lineage of the Shaka rulers.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: The Sudarshana Lake was an artificial reservoir located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Its history is documented through various inscriptions, most notably the Junagadh Rock Inscription. Key historical milestones of the lake:
• Origin: Built during the reign of the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta Maurya by his provincial governor, Pushyagupta.
• Mauryan Period: Later improved and provided with conduits during the reign of Emperor Ashoka by his governor, Tushaspha.
• Shaka Period: Repaired by the Shaka ruler Rudradaman I after a severe storm destroyed its embankment.

Step 1: Rudradaman's Contribution.
Around 150 CE, a massive storm caused the lake's embankment to burst, and the water drained away. Rudradaman I, the most famous Shaka ruler of the Western Kshatrapas, decided to rebuild the lake. The significance of this act lies in the fact that he used his own resources (personal treasury) rather than taxing the people for the repairs.

Step 2: Evaluating Other Options.
Options (a), (b), and (c)—the Ganges, Yamuna, and Indus—are major perennial river systems, not artificial lakes. While rulers often built canals or structures related to these rivers, the specific "rebuilding" of a lake attributed to Rudradaman in historical texts refers exclusively to Sudarshana.