Consider the following events in the history of India: 1. Rise of Pratiharas under King Bhoja 2. Establishment of Pallava power under Mahendravarman-I 3. Establishment of Chola power by Parantaka 4. Pala dynasty founded by Gopala. What is the correct chronological order of the above events, starting from the earliest time?

1. Mahendravarman-I and Pallavas (2): Mahendravarman-I ruled in the early 7th century CE (c. 600–630 CE), marking the consolidation of Pallava power. Earliest.

2. Gopala and Pala dynasty (4): Gopala founded the Pala dynasty in Bengal in the mid-8th century CE (c. 750 CE). Comes after Mahendravarman-I.

3. King Bhoja and Pratiharas (1): Mihira Bhoja, the great Pratihara ruler, belonged to the 9th century CE (c. 836–885 CE). Comes after Gopala.

4. Parantaka and Cholas (3): Parantaka I ruled in the early 10th century CE (c. 907–955 CE), after Bhoja. Latest among these.

So the correct chronological order is 2-4-1-3, hence (c).