Q30. Who composed Dashakumaracharita?
[UPPCS Mains, 2005]
A. Dandin
B. Kalidasa
C. Bana
D. Bharavi
Answer: A. Dandin
Explanation: The work is a Sanskrit prose narrative about ten princes whose adventures provide lively descriptions of society, politics, cities and human behaviour.
Q29. Mudrarakshasa was written by:
[BPSC, 2005]
A. Vishakhadatta
B. Bhasa
C. Shudraka
D. Kalidasa
Answer: A. Vishakhadatta
Explanation: Vishakhadatta’s political drama focuses on Chanakya’s efforts to consolidate Chandragupta Maurya’s power and recruit the capable Nanda minister Rakshasa.
Q28. Which of the following is NOT a work of Kalidasa?
[MPPSC, 2005]
A. Raghuvamsha
B. Meghaduta
C. Janaki Harana
D. Kumarasambhava
Answer: C. Janaki Harana
Explanation: Janaki Harana is traditionally attributed to Kumaradasa. Kalidasa’s accepted works include Raghuvamsha, Kumarasambhava, Meghaduta and three surviving dramas.
Q27. Which is NOT regarded as a masterpiece of Kalidasa?
[Chhattisgarh PSC, 2005]
A. Abhijnanashakuntalam
B. Meghaduta
C. Mrichchhakatika
D. Raghuvamsha
Answer: C. Mrichchhakatika
Explanation: Mrichchhakatika is traditionally attributed to Shudraka. The remaining works listed are among the most celebrated compositions of the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa.
Q26. Who among the following was NOT traditionally associated with Kanishka’s court?
[UPPCS Mains, 2005]
A. Ashvaghosha
B. Vasumitra
C. Vishakhadatta
D. Nagarjuna
Answer: C. Vishakhadatta
Explanation: Vishakhadatta is best known for Mudrarakshasa and belongs to a considerably later literary context than the scholars conventionally associated with Kushana emperor Kanishka.
Q25. Who was regarded in ancient Indian tradition as the great lawgiver associated with a major Dharmashastra?
[UPPCS Mains, 2004]
A. Manu
B. Panini
C. Bharata
D. Charaka
Answer: A. Manu
Explanation: Manu is the traditional authority behind Manusmriti or Manava Dharmashastra, an influential Sanskrit work concerning dharma, law, social duties and kingship.
Q24. The Tripitaka is a collection of the teachings associated with:
[UP Lower Subordinate, 2004]
A. Buddhism
B. Jainism
C. Ajivikas
D. Vedic ritualism
Answer: A. Buddhism
Explanation: The Buddhist Tripitaka consists of Vinaya, Sutta and Abhidhamma collections, covering monastic discipline, discourses and systematic analysis of Buddhist teachings.
Q23. Which category of Vedic literature particularly explores philosophical questions concerning knowledge and liberation?
[UPPCS Mains, 2003]
A. Upanishads
B. Brahmanas only
C. Sutras on ritual only
D. Vedangas
Answer: A. Upanishads
Explanation: The Upanishads shift emphasis towards philosophical inquiry into Brahman, Atman, knowledge, karma and liberation and therefore form the concluding philosophical layer of Vedic literature.
Q22. Match the court writers with rulers: Kalidasa–Chandragupta II; Harisena–Samudragupta; Banabhatta–Harsha. Which statement is correct?
[UP UDA/LDA, 2002]
A. Only first
B. First and second
C. Second and third
D. All three
Answer: D. All three
Explanation: Traditional historical associations connect Kalidasa with Chandragupta II, Harisena directly with Samudragupta’s Prashasti, and Banabhatta securely with Harshavardhana’s court.
Q21. Who wrote Kumarasambhava?
[BPSC, 2001]
A. Kalidasa
B. Bharavi
C. Magha
D. Bhavabhuti
Answer: A. Kalidasa
Explanation: Kalidasa’s epic poem centres on Shiva, Parvati and the birth of Kumara or Kartikeya, combining mythology with celebrated descriptions of nature and emotion.
