Ancient & Classical — Set 3
Books & Authors · प्राचीन और शास्त्रीय · Questions 21–30 of 60
Who is the author of the biography 'Harshacharita'?
Correct Answer: A. Banabhatta
• **Banabhatta** = He was the court poet of King Harshavardhana and is the author of the biography 'Harshacharita'. • **Sanskrit language** — This work is the first formal historical biography written in the Sanskrit language, describing the life of Emperor Harsha. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Harisena: court poet of Samudragupta, known for the Allahabad Pillar inscription; Ravikirti: court poet of Pulakeshin II, known for the Aihole inscription; Fa-Hien: a Chinese Buddhist monk who visited India during the Gupta period.
The book 'Milinda Panha' records a dialogue between which Indo-Greek king and a Buddhist monk?
Correct Answer: C. Menander I
• **Menander I** = He was an Indo-Greek king who engaged in a philosophical dialogue with the Buddhist monk Nagasena, recorded in 'Milinda Panha'. • **Nagasena** — The text 'Milinda Panha' records the discussions between King Milinda (Menander I) and the Buddhist monk Nagasena on various philosophical questions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Demetrius: an early Indo-Greek king, not associated with 'Milinda Panha'; Antialcidas: another Indo-Greek king, known for sending Heliodorus to the Sunga court; Agathocles: an early Greek king of Bactria, not a participant in 'Milinda Panha'.
Which work of Kalidasa is an epic poem describing the lineage of the solar dynasty?
Correct Answer: D. Raghuvaṃśa
• **Raghuvaṃśa** = This epic poem by Kalidasa describes the lineage of the solar dynasty, including Lord Rama. • **19 cantos** — It consists of 19 cantos and is one of the five Mahakavyas (great epics) of Sanskrit literature. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Meghaduta: a lyric poem about a cloud messenger; Ritusamhara: a poem describing the six seasons; Kumarasambhava: an epic poem about the birth of Kartikeya.
Who authored the 'Sushruta Samhita', the ancient foundational text on surgery?
Correct Answer: C. Sushruta
• **Sushruta** = He was an ancient Indian physician and surgeon who authored the 'Sushruta Samhita', a foundational text on surgery. • **300 types** — His Samhita provides detailed instructions for over 300 types of operations, including early rhinoplasty techniques. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Charaka: author of 'Charaka Samhita', a foundational text on ancient Indian medicine; Dhanvantari: the god of Ayurveda, not a historical author of a specific medical text; Madhava: known for 'Madhava Nidana', a medical text on diagnosis.
The 'Amarakosha', the most celebrated Sanskrit lexicon or dictionary, was written by?
Correct Answer: A. Amarasimha
• **Amarasimha** = He was a Buddhist scholar and one of the 'nine jewels' in Vikramaditya's court, known for 'Amarakosha'. • **Sanskrit words** — His work organizes Sanskrit words into thematic groups, which has been used for centuries to master Sanskrit vocabulary. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kalidasa: a celebrated poet and dramatist; Varahamihira: an astronomer and polymath; Bhartrihari: a grammarian and philosopher, known for 'Vakyapadiya'.
Which ancient scholar wrote the 'Mahabhashya', a commentary on Panini's grammar?
Correct Answer: D. Patanjali
• **Patanjali** = He was an ancient Indian scholar who wrote the 'Mahabhashya', a monumental commentary on Panini's grammar. • **2nd century BC** — He lived around the 2nd century BC and is also famously associated with the Yoga Sutras. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Pingala: an ancient Indian mathematician and prosodist; Bhartrihari: a grammarian and philosopher, known for 'Vakyapadiya'; Shantideva: an 8th-century Buddhist monk and scholar.
The 'Pancha-Siddhantika' is an astronomical treatise summarizing five systems, written by?
Correct Answer: C. Varahamihira
• **Varahamihira** = He was an ancient Indian astronomer who authored the 'Pancha-Siddhantika', an astronomical treatise. • **Five systems** — The treatise summarizes five astronomical systems: the Surya, Romaka, Paulisa, Vasishtha, and Paitamaha Siddhantas. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Aryabhata: known for 'Aryabhatiya'; Brahmagupta: known for 'Brahmasphutasiddhanta'; Lalla: a later astronomer who authored 'Sishyadhivriddhidatantra'.
Who is the author of 'Natya Shastra', the primary treatise on Indian performing arts?
Correct Answer: A. Bharat Muni
• **Bharat Muni** = He is the legendary sage credited with writing 'Natya Shastra', the primary treatise on Indian performing arts. • **'Rasa'** — The text introduces the fundamental concept of 'Rasa' (aesthetic flavor), which is central to Indian arts. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Abhinavagupta: a Kashmiri Shaivite philosopher, known for his commentary on 'Natya Shastra'; Matanga: author of 'Brihaddesi', a text on music; Sharngadeva: author of 'Sangitaratnakara', a comprehensive music treatise.
The book 'Kamasutra', a famous ancient Indian text on human behavior and relationships, was written by?
Correct Answer: A. Vatsyayana
• **Vatsyayana** = He was an ancient Indian philosopher and author of the 'Kamasutra', a famous text on human behavior. • **3rd century AD** — He lived around the 3rd century AD and focused on the socio-cultural aspects of life in ancient India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kshemendra: a Kashmiri poet known for 'Brihatkathamanjari'; Damodaragupta: an 8th-century poet, known for 'Kuttanimatam'; Bhartrihari: a grammarian and philosopher, known for 'Vakyapadiya'.
Which ancient Indian poet wrote the 'Meghaduta' (The Cloud Messenger)?
Correct Answer: D. Kalidasa
• **Kalidasa** = He was a classical Sanskrit writer, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in Sanskrit, and author of 'Meghaduta'. • **'Sandesha Kavya'** — This lyric poem pioneered the 'Sandesha Kavya' (messenger poem) genre of Sanskrit poetry, known for its vivid descriptions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Bhasa: an early Sanskrit dramatist known for plays like 'Svapnavasavadattam'; Magha: a Sanskrit poet known for 'Shishupala Vadha'; Bharavi: a Sanskrit poet known for 'Kiratarjuniya'.