Q20. Who was the author of Abhijnanashakuntalam?
[MPPSC, 2000]
A. Kalidasa
B. Bhasa
C. Shudraka
D. Harsha
Answer: A. Kalidasa
Explanation: Kalidasa transformed the Mahabharata’s Shakuntala narrative into one of Sanskrit drama’s greatest works, centred on love, separation and eventual recognition.
Q19. Who continued the historical narrative of Kashmir after Kalhana’s Rajatarangini?
[UPPCS Prelims, 2000]
A. Jonaraja and Srivara
B. Bana and Dandin
C. Bilhana and Bharavi
D. Somadeva and Kshemendra
Answer: A. Jonaraja and Srivara
Explanation: Later Kashmir chroniclers, notably Jonaraja and Srivara, continued the Rajatarangini tradition, extending the narrative beyond the period covered by Kalhana.
Q18. Nagananda, Ratnavali and Priyadarshika are traditionally attributed to:
[RPSC/RAS, 1999]
A. Harshavardhana
B. Kalidasa
C. Bhasa
D. Rajasekhara
Answer: A. Harshavardhana
Explanation: These three Sanskrit dramas are traditionally credited to seventh-century ruler Harsha, illustrating the close relationship between royal courts and literary production.
Q17. Who wrote Svapnavasavadatta?
[BPSC, 1999]
A. Bhasa
B. Shudraka
C. Kalidasa
D. Bhavabhuti
Answer: A. Bhasa
Explanation: Bhasa’s drama about King Udayana and Vasavadatta is considered one of the finest surviving works attributed to this early Sanskrit playwright.
Q16. Jayadeva, author of Gita Govinda, is traditionally associated with the court of:
[UPPCS, 1999]
A. Lakshmana Sena
B. Harshavardhana
C. Bhoja
D. Chandragupta II
Answer: A. Lakshmana Sena
Explanation: Literary tradition links Jayadeva with Bengal’s Sena ruler Lakshmana Sena, whose court became associated with distinguished Sanskrit poets and scholars.
Q15. The Buddha’s teaching of the Noble Eightfold Path is classically associated with which discourse?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, 1998]
A. Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
B. Mahaparinibbana Sutta
C. Satipatthana Sutta
D. Tevijja Sutta
Answer: A. Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
Explanation: The discourse traditionally represents Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath and explains the Middle Way, Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path.
Q14. Who is the principal king and hero of Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitram?
[UPPCS Prelims, 1998]
A. Agnimitra
B. Pushyamitra
C. Dushyanta
D. Udayana
Answer: A. Agnimitra
Explanation: The play centres on Shunga prince-king Agnimitra and his love for Malavika, while also preserving literary references to the Shunga political setting.
Q13. Milindapanha records a dialogue between King Menander and:
[UPSC CSE Prelims, 1997]
A. Nagasena
B. Ashvaghosha
C. Nagarjuna
D. Vasumitra
Answer: A. Nagasena
Explanation: The dialogue explores Buddhist doctrines through logical questions posed by Indo-Greek ruler Menander and explanations offered by the monk Nagasena.
Q12. Milindapanha is primarily preserved in which language?
[UPPCS, 1996]
A. Pali
B. Sanskrit
C. Tamil
D. Persian
Answer: A. Pali
Explanation: The surviving canonical version of Milindapanha is in Pali and is especially significant for its lucid philosophical dialogue and analogies explaining Buddhist doctrines.
Q11. Match the scholars with their fields: Vishakhadatta–Drama; Varahamihira–Astronomy; Charaka–Medicine; Brahmagupta–Mathematics. Which are correctly matched?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, 1996]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 4 only
D. All four
Answer: D. All four
Explanation: Vishakhadatta was a dramatist; Varahamihira an astronomer; Charaka is associated with medicine; and Brahmagupta made major contributions to mathematics and astronomy.
