Ancient Literature and Litterateur (Part-I)

Total Questions: 40

1. Which among the following play was written by Harshavardhan ? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) Harshacharita
(b) Kadambari
(c) Devichandraguptam
(d) Priyadarshika

Correct Answer: (d) Priyadarshika

Solution:Priyadarshika is written by Harshavardhan.

2. Among the four works mentioned below which one is encyclopedic in nature ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]

(a) Amarakosha
(b) Siddhantasiromani
(c) Brihat Samhita
(d) Ashtangahridayam

Correct Answer: (c) Brihat Samhita

Solution:Brihat Samhita of Varaha Mihira is an encyclopedic work written during the Gupta period.

It is an important encyclopedic text in Sanskrit. This text exists in many Indian scripts and is preserved in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist temples and monasteries. The book covers divination and also includes a wide range of subjects including astronomy, planetary movements, eclipses, rainfall, architecture, growth of crops, manufacture of perfume, matrimony, domestic relations, gems, pearls, and rituals. The volume expounds on gemstone evaluation criterion found in the Garuda Purana and elaborates on the sacred Nine Pearls from the same text. It contains 106 chapters and is known as the "great compilation".

3. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous [I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) Jain monks
(b) Playwrights
(c) Temple architects
(d) Philosophers

Correct Answer: (b) Playwrights

Solution:Bhavbhuti, a major dramatist of the later Sanskrit dramatic period, was the court poet of King Yashovarman of Kannauj in north India 8ª CE. The works attributed to poet Bhavabhuti were Mahaviracharitam (depicting the early life of Rama) Malatimadhava, a play based on the romance of Malati and Madhava and Uttararamacharitam. Hastimalla is a kannada poet and playwright during the reign of Hoysalas.
Kshemeshvara (990-c. 1070 CE) was an 11 century Sanskrit poet from Kashmir in India. One of the important work attributed to him is Dasavatar Charita.

4. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]

1. Mrichchhakatikam - Sudraka
2. Buddhacharita - Vasuvandhu
3. Mudrarakshasa - Vishakhadatta
4. Harshacharita - Banabhatta
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4

Solution:Buddhacharita was not composed by Vasubandhu. In fact it is a poetic narrative of the life of Buddha by the Sanskrit poet Ashvaghosha. Remaining pairs are correctly matched.

5. With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statement : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2020]

(1) Panini is associated with Pushyamitra shunga.
(2) Amarasimha is Gupta associated with Harshavardhana
(3) Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II
Which of the above statement are right

(a) Only 1 and 2
(b) Only 2 and 3
(c) Only 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) Only 3

Solution:Chandragupta-II was known for his deep interest in Art and culture and 9 gems or Navratna adorned his court. Great poet Kalidasa was most prominent Ratna. Amarsimha was a lxicographer and was also among the Navratna. Patanjali was associated with Pushyamitra Shunga while Panini belonged to probably 7 century B.C. He wrote Astadhyayi.

6. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists : [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

(Author)	(Text)
A. Varahamihira	1. Prabandha Chintamani
B. Vishakhadatta	2. Mrichchha-Katikam
C. Sudraka	3. Brihat-Samhita
D. Bilhana	4. Devi-Chandragutam
	5. Vikramankadevacharita

Code :

	A	B	C	D
(a)	3	4	5	2
(b)	3	4	2	5
(c)	5	3	4	1
(d)	1	3	5	2

Correct Answer: (b)

Solution:The correctly matched pairs are :

List-I	List-II
Varahamihira	Brihat Samhita
Vishakhadatta	Devi - Chandraguptam
Sudraka	Mrichchha - Katikam
Bilhana	Vikramankadev Charita

7. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2023]

Literary work	Author
1. Devichandragupta	Bihana
2. Hammira Mahakavya	Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha	Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita	Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched ?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Correct Answer: (b) Only two

Solution:

Literary work	Author
1. Devichandragupta	Vishakadutta
2. Hammira Mahakavya	Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha	Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita	Somadeva Suri

8. Which among the following source throw light on the history of Parmar Dynasty ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Navsahsank Charit of Padmagupta
(b) Prabandha Chintamani of Merutunga
(c) Udaipur Prashasti
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer: (d) All of the above

Solution:The source that shed light on the history of Parmar dynasty are Navsahsank Charit of Padmagupta, Prabandha Chintamani of Merutunga, Harsola copper plate inscription of Siyaka-II, Bhoj's record of Banswara and Betma, Udaipur Prashasti of Udayaditya period etc. In Navsahsank Chrita, Mount Abu is described as origin place of Parmaras.

9. Which of the following pair is not correctly matched ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

(a) Karpurmanjari - Harsha
(b) Malavikagnimitram - Kalidasa
(c) Mudrarakshasa - Vishakhadatta
(d) Saundarananda - Asvaghosha

Correct Answer: (a) Karpurmanjari - Harsha

Solution:Karpuramanjari was not written by Harsha. It was written by Rajshekhara, poet laureate of Gurjar-Pratihara.

10. Who wrote 'Shakuntalam' ? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]

(a) Bana Bhatt
(b) Ved Vyasa
(c) Kalidasa
(d) Bhavabhuti

Correct Answer: (c) Kalidasa

Solution:Kalidasa was Sanskrit poet and dramatist and probably the greatest Indian write of any epoch. The seven workes identified as genuine are (1) Abhijnanashakuntalam (2) Vikramorvashiyam (3) Malavikagnimitram (4) Raghuvamsham (5) Kumarasambhavam (6) Meghadutam (7) Ritusamharam.

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