Q40. Which of the following works were associated with the Gupta/classical Sanskrit age: Amarakosha, Kamasutra, Meghaduta and Mudrarakshasa?
[UPPCS Mains, 2009]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. All four
Answer: D. All four
Explanation: These works are conventionally placed within or around the broad Gupta-classical literary milieu and represent lexicography, erotics, poetry and political drama respectively.
Q39. Who composed Dashakumaracharita?
[UP Lower Subordinate, 2008]
A. Dandin
B. Bana
C. Subandhu
D. Bharavi
Answer: A. Dandin
Explanation: Dandin’s prose romance follows the adventures of ten princes and is renowned for its complex narrative construction, humour and sophisticated Sanskrit prose.
Q38. Ashvaghosha, author of Buddhacharita, is traditionally associated with the reign of:
[UPPCS Mains, 2008]
A. Kanishka
B. Ashoka
C. Harsha
D. Samudragupta
Answer: A. Kanishka
Explanation: Buddhist tradition connects Ashvaghosha with Kushana emperor Kanishka. His literary works helped establish polished Sanskrit as an important medium for Buddhist expression.
Q37. Who among the following was NOT traditionally associated with Kanishka’s court?
[UP Lower Subordinate, 2008]
A. Ashvaghosha
B. Vasumitra
C. Nagarjuna
D. Patanjali
Answer: D. Patanjali
Explanation: Patanjali, author of the Mahabhashya, lived considerably earlier than Kanishka, while later traditions associate Ashvaghosha, Vasumitra and Nagarjuna with the Kushana milieu.
Q36. Aryabhata was principally famous as an Indian:
[Uttarakhand UDA/LDA, 2007]
A. Mathematician and astronomer
B. Dramatist
C. Grammarian
D. Physician
Answer: A. Mathematician and astronomer
Explanation: Aryabhata’s Aryabhatiya made major contributions to mathematical computation and astronomy, including trigonometric methods and explanations of celestial phenomena.
Q35. Who wrote Gita Govinda?
[Uttarakhand UDA/LDA, 2007]
A. Jayadeva
B. Bilhana
C. Kalhana
D. Bhavabhuti
Answer: A. Jayadeva
Explanation: Jayadeva’s lyrical poem portrays the love of Radha and Krishna and profoundly shaped later devotional literature, music, dance and visual arts.
Q34. Manusmriti primarily deals with:
[UPPCS Prelims, 2007]
A. Social and legal norms
B. Astronomy
C. Drama
D. Medicine
Answer: A. Social and legal norms
Explanation: As a Dharmashastra, Manusmriti discusses duties, social relationships, kingship, judicial matters, inheritance, penances and the idealised varna-ashrama social order.
Q33. Which author–work pair is incorrectly matched?
[UPPCS Mains, 2006]
A. Kalidasa–Raghuvamsha
B. Bhasa–Svapnavasavadatta
C. Subandhu–Kadambari
D. Harsha–Ratnavali
Answer: C. Subandhu–Kadambari
Explanation: Kadambari was composed chiefly by Banabhatta and completed by his son Bhushanabhatta. Subandhu is associated with the Sanskrit prose romance Vasavadatta.
Q32. Sanskrit writer Dandin is traditionally connected with the court of which dynasty?
[UP UDA/LDA Special, 2006]
A. Pallava
B. Gupta
C. Kushana
D. Maurya
Answer: A. Pallava
Explanation: Dandin is generally associated with the Pallava cultural milieu and is known for Dashakumaracharita and the important literary-critical treatise Kavyadarsha.
Q31. Which ruler is credited with the encyclopaedic Sanskrit work Manasollasa?
[UP UDA/LDA Special, 2006]
A. Someshvara III
B. Bhoja
C. Harsha
D. Rajaraja I
Answer: A. Someshvara III
Explanation: Western Chalukya king Someshvara III’s Manasollasa covers governance, music, food, sports, painting, courtly culture and numerous branches of practical knowledge.
