Ancient Books — Set 2
Arts & Culture · प्राचीन पुस्तकें · Questions 11–20 of 60
Who wrote 'Mrichchhakatika' (The Little Clay Cart), a famous social drama?
Correct Answer: C. Shudraka
King Shudraka is credited with this play, which is unique for its focus on ordinary citizens rather than kings or gods. It revolves around the romance between a noble merchant and a courtesan in Ujjain. The play is celebrated for its realism and complex plot structure.
The Sanskrit dictionary 'Amarakosha' was compiled by?
Correct Answer: A. Amarasimha
Amarasimha was one of the 'nine gems' in the court of Vikramaditya who created this thesaurus. It categorizes words by their meanings and synonyms, facilitating easy learning of Sanskrit. It remains the most widely used lexicon for Sanskrit students today.
Which ancient book is a detailed record of the travels of Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) in India?
Correct Answer: A. Si-Yu-Ki
Si-Yu-Ki, meaning 'Records of the Western Regions', provides a detailed account of 7th-century India under King Harshavardhana. Xuanzang traveled across India for 17 years to collect Buddhist scriptures. His observations are vital for reconstructing the history and geography of that era.
The 'Sushruta Samhita' is primarily an ancient text on?
Correct Answer: A. Surgery
Sushruta Samhita is an ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery attributed to Sushruta. It describes over 300 surgical procedures and numerous surgical instruments. Sushruta is widely recognized as the Father of Plastic Surgery.
Who is the author of 'Harshacharita', the biography of King Harshavardhana?
Correct Answer: D. Banabhatta
Banabhatta was the court poet of Harsha and wrote this pioneering work of historical biography in Sanskrit. It provides a vivid description of the political and cultural life of the 7th century. He also authored 'Kadambari', one of the world's first novels.
The legal and social text 'Manusmriti' is traditionally attributed to?
Correct Answer: A. Manu
Manu is the legendary first human and lawgiver to whom this influential Dharma Shastra is attributed. It outlines the codes of conduct for different classes of society and stages of life. The text played a significant role in shaping traditional Hindu law.
Who wrote the play 'Mudrarakshasa' about the rise of the Mauryan Empire?
Correct Answer: B. Vishakhadatta
Vishakhadatta authored this unique political thriller that focuses on the strategies used by Chanakya to win over an enemy minister. Unlike most Sanskrit plays, it does not involve a romantic subplot. It is an essential source for the history of the Nanda and Maurya dynasties.
The 'Kamasutra', a treatise on love and social life, was authored by?
Correct Answer: A. Vatsyayana
Vatsyayana wrote the Kamasutra around the 3rd century AD as a comprehensive guide to pleasure and urban life. While famous for its sexual content, it also covers etiquette, social customs, and householder duties. It reflects the sophisticated urban culture of ancient India.
The medical work 'Ashtanga Hridaya' was written by which scholar?
Correct Answer: B. Vagbhata
Vagbhata composed this text as a concise summary of the earlier works of Charaka and Sushruta. It is one of the 'Great Three' (Brihat Trayi) foundational texts of Ayurveda. The book is still widely studied by practitioners of traditional medicine.
The 'Gathasaptashati', a collection of Prakrit poems, is attributed to?
Correct Answer: D. Hala
King Hala of the Satavahana dynasty is credited with compiling these 700 verses in the Maharashtri Prakrit language. The poems mostly revolve around village life, love, and human emotions. It is a rare example of early secular literature in a non-Sanskrit language.