Question 1

Who is the author of the ancient Sanskrit play 'Abhijnanashakuntalam'?

Accepted Answer

Kalidasa. Kalidasa is the renowned author of this masterpiece which tells the story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala. He is often considered the greatest poet and dramatist of the Sanskrit language. His works generally date back to the Gupta period.

Question 2

The ancient political treatise 'Arthashastra' is attributed to which of the following authors?

Accepted Answer

Chanakya. Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, wrote this comprehensive manual on statecraft and economic policy. It provides detailed insights into ancient Indian administration and law. He was a strategic advisor to the first Maurya emperor.

Question 3

Which ancient Chinese traveler wrote the book 'Si-Yu-Ki' describing his journey to India?

Accepted Answer

Hiuen Tsang. Hiuen Tsang, or Xuanzang, visited India during the reign of King Harshavardhana in the 7th century. His travelogue is a vital source for understanding the social and religious conditions of that era. He spent several years studying at the ancient Nalanda University.

Question 4

The book 'Indica', which provides a detailed account of Mauryan India, was written by?

Accepted Answer

Megasthenes. Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. Although the original book is lost, fragments survive in the writings of later historians. It is the first foreign account describing the administrative system of Pataliputra.

Question 5

Who wrote the 'Rajatarangini', a historical chronicle of the kings of Kashmir?

Accepted Answer

Kalhana. Kalhana composed this work in the 12th century, making it one of the earliest systematic historical accounts in India. The title literally translates to 'The River of Kings'. It provides a detailed record of various dynasties that ruled the Kashmir region.

Ancient & Classical — Set 1