Ancient Literature and Litterateur (Part-II)

Total Questions: 40

31. 'MilindPanho' is in the form of a dialogue between King Milind and Buddhist Saint. The concerned saint was - [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (b) Nagasena
Note:

The Milindapanha is a Buddhist book in Pali Language which purports to be a dialogue between the Indian monk Nagasena and the Indo-Greek king Milinda (Menander).

32. The religious text which explains about the eight different phases of agriculture works : [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (c) Milindapanho
Note:

Milindapanho written by Buddhist monk Nagasen is religious text that explains about the eight different phases of agriculture works. Book is written in Pali language and comprises of conversation between Nagasena and Indo-Greek ruler Minander.

33. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts. [I.A.S. (Pre) 2022]

1. Nettipakarana

2. Parishishtaparyan

3. Avadanashataka

4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts ?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 4 only
Note:

Parishishtaparvan (by Hemchandra) and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana (by Chavund Rai or Chamund Rai) are Jain text while Nettipakarana and Avadanashataka are Buddhist text.

34. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the code given below the lists : [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002]

Court Poet King
A. Amir Khusrau 1. Chandra Gupta-II
B. Kalidasa 2. Samudra Gupta
C. Harisena 3. Harshavardhana
D. Banabhatta 4. Allauddin Khalji

Code :

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

 

Correct Answer: (b)
Note:

The correctly matched pairs are :

King Court Poet
A. Chandra Gupta-II Kalidasa (Kumarasambhava, Raghuvnasham, Malavikagnimitra)
B. Samudra Gupta Harisena
C. Harshavardhana Banabhatta
D. Allauddin Khalji Amir Khusrau

 

35. The contemporary ruler of Kalhana, the author of Rajatarangini was - [U.P.P.C.S (GIC) 2010]

Correct Answer: (a) Jai Singh
Note:

Jai Singh (1128-1149) was the contemporary ruler of Kalhana from Kashmir. Kalhana was the author of Rajatarangini, he completed this pioneer creation in the reign of Jai Singh. Rajatarangini is a collection of 8 Taranga and 7826 verses. The conventional ancient history of Kashmir is narrated in the first three Tarangas.

36. How many Tarangas are in Rajtarangini of Kalhana ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

Correct Answer: (a) Eight
Note:

Jai Singh (1128-1149) was the contemporary ruler of Kalhana from Kashmir. Kalhana was the author of Rajatarangini, he completed this pioneer creation in the reign of Jai Singh. Rajatarangini is a collection of 8 Taranga and 7826 verses. The conventional ancient history of Kashmir is narrated in the first three Tarangas.

37. Who among the following continued the Rajtarangini of Kalhana : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]

Correct Answer: (d) Jonaraja and Srivara
Note:

Rajatarangini, a metrical historical chronicle of the north-western Indian subcontinent, particularly the kings of Kashmir, was written in Sanskrit by Kashmiri Brahmin Kalhana in the 12th century. Jonaraja continued the narration down to the reign of Sultan Zainul abedin and called it, like Kalhana, Rajtarangini (Rajavali). After the death of Jonaraja, his pupil Srivara continued the history of Kashmir.

38. Saundarananda was the composition of : [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]

Correct Answer: (a) Ashvaghosa
Note:

Ashvaghosa, a noted poet, is considered to be instrumental in the propagation of Buddhism. He was also the writer of a famous court poem of his times called the Saundarananda Kavya.

39. "Nagananda", 'Ratnavali' and 'Priyadarshika' was written by : [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1999]

Correct Answer: (d) Harshavardhana
Note:

Besides being a great conqueror, a religious-minded and generous king, Harshavardhana was also a great patron of education and learning. He is supposed to be the author of 'Ratnavali,' 'Priyadarshika' and 'Nagananda'.

40. Which of the following works were authored by Harsha ? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

1. Priyadarshika

2. Nagananda

3. Harshacharita

4. Ratnavali

Select your answer using the codes given below :

Code :

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4
Note:

Besides being a great conqueror, a religious-minded and generous king, Harshavardhana was also a great patron of education and learning. He is supposed to be the author of 'Ratnavali,' 'Priyadarshika' and 'Nagananda'.