With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
Contents16
With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
| Literary work | Author | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Devichandragupta | Bilhana |
| 2. | Hammira-Mahakavya | Nayachandra Suri |
| 3. | Milinda-panha | Nagarjuna |
| 4. | Nitivakyamrita | Somadeva Suri |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- AOnly one
- BOnly two
- COnly three
- DAll four
Show answer
Answer: (B) Only two
Pair 1 is wrong:
Devichandragupta was written by Vishakadatta, not Bilhana.
Pair 2 is correct:
Hammira-Mahakavya was indeed by Nayachandra Suri.
Pair 3 is wrong:
Milinda-panha records dialogues with Nagasena, not Nagarjuna.
UPSC in a 1997 question also treated Nagasena and Nagarjuna as different people.
Pair 4 is correct:
Nitivakyamrita was by Somadeva Suri.
So only two pairs match
Answer is (b).
Ancient Indian literature questions test precise author-work matching, where similar-sounding names like Nagasena and Nagarjuna are common traps.
UPSC consistently treats Nagasena (the monk in Milinda-panha dialogues) and Nagarjuna (the Madhyamika philosopher) as different historical figures across multiple years including 1997 and 2023.
The question spans different literary traditions - Sanskrit drama (Devichandragupta), Jain poetry (Hammira-Mahakavya), Buddhist dialogue literature (Milinda-panha), and didactic works (Nitivakyamrita).
Classical Sanskrit Drama
Art And Culture Devichandragupta Bilhana Vishakadatta
Classical Sanskrit Drama: Key Works & Authors for UPSC
Vishakadatta wrote Devichandragupta and Mudrarakshasa - both political dramas
Bilhana wrote Vikramankadevacharita (biography), not dramas
Political dramas focus on statecraft and intrigue, not romance
What is Classical Drama
Classical Sanskrit drama peaked during the Gupta period and dealt with themes of love, heroism, and statecraft. Vishakadatta specialized in political dramas that depicted court intrigue and royal succession.
Major Sanskrit Dramatists
Author | Famous Works | Theme | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
Vishakadatta | Devichandragupta, Mudrarakshasa | Political intrigue | Gupta era |
Kalidasa | Abhijnanasakuntalam, Vikramorvasiyam | Romance & heroism | Gupta era |
Bhasa | Swapnavasavadatta, Pratijnayaugandharayana | Romance | Pre-Gupta |
Harsha | Ratnavali, Priyadarsika | Romance | 7th century CE |
Vishakadatta's Contribution
Devichandragupta depicts the love story of Chandragupta II and Dhruvadevi
Mudrarakshasa shows Chanakya's political maneuvering to establish Mauryan rule
Both plays emphasize rajniti (statecraft) over traditional romantic themes
Only fragments of these works survive today
Trap: UPSC swaps Vishakadatta with Bilhana - remember Bilhana wrote Vikramankadevacharita (biography)
Trap: Don't confuse Devichandragupta (drama) with Devichandragupta (historical king)
Confusion: Mudrarakshasa is also by Vishakadatta, not a different author
Jain Literature & Authors
Art And Culture Hammira-Mahakavya Nayachandra Suri Nitivakyamrita Somadeva Suri
Jain Literature: Historical Works & Didactic Texts
Nayachandra Suri wrote Hammira-Mahakavya on Hammira Chauhan
Somadeva Suri authored Nitivakyamrita - a collection of moral maxims
Jain authors wrote extensively on ethics, statecraft, and historical biographies
Jain Literary Tradition
Jain literature flourished in medieval India, producing works in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and regional languages. Jain scholars wrote mahakavyas (epic poetry), puranas (legendary histories), and niti texts (ethical treatises).
Key Jain Literary Works
Work | Author | Type | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
Hammira-Mahakavya | Nayachandra Suri | Historical epic | Hammira Chauhan's heroism |
Nitivakyamrita | Somadeva Suri | Didactic text | Moral maxims & ethics |
Kumarapalacharita | Hemachandra | Biography | Kumarapala's life |
Trishashti-shalaka-purusha-charita | Hemachandra | Purana | 63 great souls of Jainism |
Distinctive Features
Historical accuracy: Jain texts often provide reliable historical information about medieval rulers
Ethical emphasis: Niti literature focuses on dharma, artha, kama and moksha
Regional rulers: Many works chronicle Rajput and Gujarati dynasties
Multilingual: Written in Sanskrit (scholarly) and Prakrit (popular) traditions
Correct pairing: Nayachandra Suri = Hammira-Mahakavya (about Chauhan ruler)
Correct pairing: Somadeva Suri = Nitivakyamrita (moral teachings)
Don't confuse: Somadeva Suri (Jain) with Somadeva (author of Kathasaritsagara)
Buddhist Philosophical Texts
Art And Culture Milinda-panha Nagarjuna Nagasena
Buddhist Philosophical Literature: Dialogues & Treatises
Milinda-panha records dialogues between King Menander and monk Nagasena
Nagarjuna founded Madhyamaka school and wrote Mulamadhyamakakarika
Nagasena and Nagarjuna are different Buddhist philosophers from different periods
Buddhist Dialogue Tradition
Milinda-panha represents the question-answer tradition in Buddhist literature, showing how Indo-Greek rulers engaged with Buddhist philosophy. King Milinda (Greek: Menander) ruled in 2nd century BCE northwestern India.
Key Buddhist Philosophers
Philosopher | Period | School/Tradition | Major Work |
|---|---|---|---|
Nagasena | 2nd century BCE | Theravada | Milinda-panha (dialogues) |
Nagarjuna | 2nd century CE | Madhyamaka | Mulamadhyamakakarika |
Asvaghosa | 1st-2nd century CE | Mahayana | Buddhacharita |
Vasubandhu | 4th-5th century CE | Yogachara | Abhidharmakosa |
Milinda-panha Content
Central theme: King Milinda questions Nagasena about Buddhist doctrine
Key topics: Rebirth, karma, nirvana, and the nature of self
Historical value: Shows Greek interest in Indian philosophy
Language: Originally in Pali, later translated to other languages
Major trap: UPSC confuses Nagasena (Milinda-panha author) with Nagarjuna (Madhyamaka founder)
Time confusion: Nagasena (2nd century BCE) vs Nagarjuna (2nd century CE) - 400 years apart
UPSC precedent: 1997 question also treated these as separate individuals
Medieval Court Poets
Art And Culture Bilhana Vikramankadevacharita
Medieval Court Poets: Bilhana & Historical Kavya
Bilhana wrote Vikramankadevacharita - biography of Vikramaditya VI
Court poets wrote prasasti (eulogies) and charita (biographies) of their patrons
Bilhana was Kashmiri poet at Chalukya court in 11th century
Court Literature Tradition
Medieval Indian courts patronized Sanskrit poets who wrote biographical kavyas celebrating royal achievements. Bilhana exemplifies this tradition, moving from Kashmir to serve the Western Chalukya court.
Famous Court Poets & Biographies
Poet | Work | Patron/Subject | Dynasty |
|---|---|---|---|
Bilhana | Vikramankadevacharita | Vikramaditya VI | Chalukya |
Padmagupta | Navasahasankacharita | Sindhuraja Paramara | Malwa Paramara |
Sandhyakar Nandi | Ramacharita | Ramapala | Pala |
Hemachandra | Kumarapalacharita | Kumarapala | Chalukya (Gujarat) |
Bilhana's Literary Style
Historical accuracy: Vikramankadevacharita provides reliable information about Chalukya administration
Poetic excellence: Combines factual narrative with elaborate Sanskrit kavya style
Personal touch: Bilhana includes details about his own life and Kashmir background
Political insight: Chronicles Vikramaditya VI's conflicts with Cholas and Hoysalas
Author confusion: Bilhana wrote biographies, not dramas like Devichandragupta
Subject clarity: Vikramankadevacharita is about Chalukya ruler, not Gupta Vikramaditya
Don't mix: Bilhana (court poet) with Bhavabhuti (dramatist)