Ajatshatru, a ruler of the Haryanka Dynasty, was the son of _________.

Correct answer: Bimbisara

Explanation: The correct answer is D. Bimbisara. Ajatshatru was the son of Bimbisara, one of the most prominent rulers of the Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha. Bimbisara expanded the Magadhan kingdom through both conquest and marriage alliances and played a crucial role in the rise of Magadha as a dominant power in ancient India. Ajatshatru succeeded Bimbisara and is known for further strengthening Magadha by annexing neighbouring kingdoms like Kosala and the Lichchhavi republic. Historical texts suggest that Ajatshatru imprisoned and possibly killed his father to gain the throne, a fact that highlights the complex political dynamics of the time.