Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?
Contents12
- ASwapnavasavadatta
- BMalavikagnimitra
- CMeghadoota
- DRatnavali
Show answer
Answer: (B) Malavikagnimitra
Answer: (b) Malavikagnimitra
'Malavikagnimitra' is a Sanskrit play by Kalidasa telling the love story of King Agnimitra and maiden Malavika.
Agnimitra was the son of Pushyamitra Sunga, the FOUNDER of the Sunga dynasty (who overthrew the last Mauryan king in 185 BCE).
So:
- Founder of Sunga dynasty = Pushyamitra Sunga;
- His son = Agnimitra;
- Love story with Malavika = 'Malavikagnimitra' by Kalidasa.
Why not the others?
- (a) Swapnavasavadatta - By Bhasa, about King Udayana (not Sunga dynasty).
- (c) Meghadoota - Also by Kalidasa, but a lyrical poem about a yaksha and a cloud, no Sunga connection.
- (d) Ratnavali - By King Harshavardhana, about King Udayana.
Kalidasa's three plays:
- Malavikagnimitra,
- Vikramorvashiyam,
- Abhijnana Shakuntalam (his masterpiece).
Kalidasa wrote three plays, and Malavikagnimitra is the one about Agnimitra, son of Pushyamitra Sunga who founded the Sunga dynasty after overthrowing the last Mauryan ruler.
The question tests knowledge of both dynasty succession (Mauryan to Sunga transition) and classical Sanskrit literature connections to historical figures.
Kalidasa's Sanskrit Plays
Art And Culture Malavikagnimitra Kalidasa
Kalidasa's Three Plays: Plots, Characters & UPSC Connections
Kalidasa wrote three Sanskrit plays during the Gupta period
Malavikagnimitra features Agnimitra (son of Sunga dynasty founder)
Abhijnana Shakuntalam is considered his masterpiece
All three are romantic dramas with historical or mythological characters
Kalidasa is considered the greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist of ancient India. His three plays combine romantic plots with historical figures, making them frequent UPSC targets for questions linking literature to dynasties.
Kalidasa's Three Plays
Play | Main Characters | Historical Connection | Plot Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
Malavikagnimitra | King Agnimitra & Malavika | Sunga dynasty (Agnimitra = son of founder Pushyamitra) | Love story between king and court dancer |
Vikramorvashiyam | King Pururavas & Urvashi | Lunar dynasty (mythological) | Love between mortal king and celestial nymph |
Abhijnana Shakuntalam | King Dushyanta & Shakuntala | Lunar dynasty (mythological) | Separation and reunion due to curse |
Question Connection
The question asks specifically about 'son of founder of Sunga dynasty' = Agnimitra
Pushyamitra Sunga founded the dynasty after overthrowing the last Mauryan ruler in 185 BCE
Only Malavikagnimitra connects to the Sunga dynasty through this father-son relationship
Trap: Meghadoota is also by Kalidasa but it's a lyrical poem, not a play about dynasties
Trap: Don't confuse Agnimitra (Sunga) with Dushyanta or Pururavas (both Lunar dynasty)
Memory aid: Malavika-Agni-mitra = Malav region + Agni (fire/founder's son) + mitra (friend)
Sunga Dynasty
Ancient And Medieval History Sunga dynasty founder
Sunga Dynasty: Foundation, Rulers & Historical Context
Pushyamitra Sunga founded the dynasty by overthrowing the last Mauryan king in 185 BCE
Agnimitra was Pushyamitra's son and successor
Ruled for about 112 years (185-73 BCE) in the post-Mauryan period
Known for Brahmanical revival and Ashvamedha sacrifices
The Sunga dynasty emerged after the collapse of the Mauryan Empire. Pushyamitra Sunga, who was the commander-in-chief of the last Mauryan ruler, assassinated his king and established Sunga rule around 185 BCE.
Key Sunga Rulers
Ruler | Relationship | Period | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
Pushyamitra Sunga | Founder | 185-151 BCE | Overthrew Mauryans, performed Ashvamedha |
Agnimitra | Son of Pushyamitra | 151-143 BCE | Featured in Kalidasa's Malavikagnimitra |
Vasumitra | Son of Agnimitra | 143-131 BCE | Defended against Indo-Greek invasions |
Historical Significance
Brahmanical revival: Reversed some Buddhist policies of later Mauryan rulers
Capital: Initially Pataliputra, later shifted to Vidisha
Faced invasions from Indo-Greeks in the northwest
Last Sunga ruler Devabhuti was killed by his minister Vasudeva Kanva in 73 BCE
Trap: Pushyamitra was the founder, Agnimitra was his son - don't reverse this relationship
Trap: Sunga dynasty came after Mauryans, before Kanvas - not contemporary with Mauryans
Memory: Push-ya-mitra literally means 'friend of nourishment' - he 'nourished' Brahmanical traditions
Other Classical Sanskrit Plays
Art And Culture Swapnavasavadatta Ratnavali
Classical Sanskrit Drama: Bhasa, Harsha & Other Playwrights
Swapnavasavadatta by Bhasa features King Udayana of Vatsa
Ratnavali by King Harshavardhana also about Udayana
Bhasa predates Kalidasa and wrote 13 plays
Udayana was a popular character across multiple Sanskrit dramas
Sanskrit drama flourished across different periods with various playwrights. King Udayana of Vatsa became a recurring romantic hero in multiple plays by different authors, making him a favorite subject for classical dramatists.
Sanskrit Plays in Options
Play | Author | Period | Main Character | Plot Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Swapnavasavadatta | Bhasa | 2nd-3rd century CE | King Udayana | Dream sequence, political intrigue |
Ratnavali | Harshavardhana | 7th century CE | King Udayana | Love story with princess Ratnavali |
Meghadoota | Kalidasa | 4th-5th century CE | Yaksha (demigod) | Lyrical poem, not a play |
Key Distinctions
Bhasa: Considered predecessor to Kalidasa, wrote Swapnavasavadatta and Pratijnayaugandharayana
Harshavardhana: Not just a king but also authored Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, and Nagananda
Udayana of Vatsa: Historical king who became legendary figure in multiple Sanskrit dramas
Meghadoota: Unique as lyrical poetry, not drama - yaksha sends message via cloud to his wife
Trap: Swapnavasavadatta and Ratnavali both feature Udayana - but neither connects to Sunga dynasty
Trap: Meghadoota is by Kalidasa but it's poetry, not a play about kings
Memory: Ratna-vali = Ratna (gem) + vali (possessor) - Harsha's 'gem' of a play
Classical Sanskrit Literature Periods
Art And Culture
Sanskrit Literature: Periods, Patronage & Major Works
Gupta period (4th-6th century CE) marked the golden age of Sanskrit literature
Court patronage enabled flourishing of drama, poetry, and epics
Kalidasa represents the peak of Gupta literary achievement
Post-Gupta period saw continued literary production under regional kingdoms
Classical Sanskrit literature reached its zenith during the Gupta period, when royal patronage and cultural renaissance created ideal conditions for literary creativity. The tradition continued through regional courts in subsequent centuries.
Literary Periods & Authors
# Classical Sanskrit Literature
## Pre-Gupta Period
- **Bhasa** (2nd-3rd century)
- **Ashvaghosha** (Buddhist)
- Early dramatic traditions
## Gupta Period
- **Kalidasa** (greatest poet)
- **Bhartrhari** (poetry)
- **Vishakhadatta** (drama)
## Post-Gupta Period
- **Harshavardhana** (7th century)
- **Bhavabhuti** (8th century)
- Regional court poetsUPSC Pattern
Questions often link literary works to historical dynasties (like this Sunga-Kalidasa connection)
Author-work pairing is frequently tested across different time periods
Historical characters in literature (like Udayana, Agnimitra) appear in multiple questions
Genre distinctions matter - poetry vs drama vs epic literature