Ancient & Classical — Set 2
Books & Authors · प्राचीन और शास्त्रीय · Questions 11–20 of 60
Who is the author of the grammar treatise 'Ashtadhyayi'?
Correct Answer: C. Panini
Panini established the standard rules of Sanskrit grammar in this highly structured work. It contains nearly 4,000 aphorisms or rules for the formation of words. His work is considered a masterpiece of linguistic analysis.
The epic 'Mahabharata' is traditionally attributed to which sage?
Correct Answer: D. Veda Vyasa
Veda Vyasa is regarded as the compiler of this massive epic which includes the Bhagavad Gita. He is also credited with classifying the four Vedas. The text explores complex themes of Dharma and the Kurukshetra war.
Which king of the Vardhana dynasty wrote the plays 'Ratnavali' and 'Priyadarsika'?
Correct Answer: A. Harshavardhana
Harshavardhana was a great patron of learning and a talented writer himself. He authored three famous plays in Sanskrit, the third being Nagananda. His court was famously graced by the scholar Hiuen Tsang.
The Tamil epic 'Silappadikaram' was written by which author?
Correct Answer: D. Ilango Adigal
Ilango Adigal, a prince turned monk, wrote this first among the five great epics of Tamil literature. The story revolves around the tragic life of Kannagi and her husband Kovalan. It provides a vivid description of the three ancient Tamil kingdoms.
Who is the author of the play 'Mudrarakshasa', which describes the rise of Chandragupta Maurya?
Correct Answer: C. Vishakhadatta
Vishakhadatta wrote this historical drama focusing on the political maneuvers of Chanakya. It is unique as it does not follow the standard romantic themes of Sanskrit theater. The play highlights the transition from the Nanda to the Maurya dynasty.
The 'Geet Govinda', describing the relationship between Krishna and Radha, was composed by?
Correct Answer: A. Jayadeva
Jayadeva was the court poet of King Lakshmana Sena of Bengal in the 12th century. His work is an important text in the Bhakti movement and classical Indian music. It consists of 12 chapters divided into 24 songs or Ashtapadis.
Which ancient Indian mathematician wrote the 'Brahmasphutasiddhanta'?
Correct Answer: C. Brahmagupta
Brahmagupta was the first to give rules for computing with 'zero' and negative numbers. This 7th-century work had a major influence on the development of Islamic and Western mathematics. He also formulated a method for finding the area of a cyclic quadrilateral.
The work 'Brihat Samhita', an encyclopedic text on various subjects, was written by?
Correct Answer: D. Varahamihira
Varahamihira was a polymath who lived in Ujjain and served in the court of Vikramaditya. His book covers topics ranging from astronomy and architecture to perfumes and agriculture. He is also famous for the 'Pancha-Siddhantika'.
Who is the author of 'Kathasaritsagara', a famous collection of Indian legends and fairy tales?
Correct Answer: C. Somadeva
Somadeva was a Kashmiri poet who compiled these stories in the 11th century for the queen of Kashmir. It is based on a much older work called the 'Brihatkatha' by Gunadhya. The title literally means 'Ocean of the Streams of Stories'.
The 'Tirukkural', a classic Tamil text on ethics and morality, is attributed to?
Correct Answer: C. Tiruvalluvar
Tiruvalluvar is a celebrated poet whose work consists of 1,330 short couplets or Kurals. The book is divided into three sections: Virtue, Wealth, and Love. It is considered one of the greatest works on human ethics ever written.