Q140. Which of the following are Jain texts: 1. Nettipakarana 2. Parishishtaparvan 3. Avadanashataka 4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, 2022]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B. 2 and 4 only
Explanation: Parishishtaparvan by Hemachandra and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana belong to Jain literature, whereas Nettipakarana and Avadanashataka are Buddhist works.
Q139. The Arabic work Kalila wa Dimna ultimately derives from which Indian collection of animal fables?
[UPSC NDA-II, 2022]
A. Hitopadesha
B. Panchatantra
C. Kathasaritsagara
D. Jataka
Answer: B. Panchatantra
Explanation: The Panchatantra travelled through Middle Persian and Arabic translations, notably Kalila wa Dimna, becoming one of India’s most internationally transmitted literary works.
Q138. Kautilya’s Arthashastra primarily deals with:
[UPSC NDA-I, 2022]
A. Dramaturgy
B. Statecraft and administration
C. Medicine
D. Grammar
Answer: B. Statecraft and administration
Explanation: The Arthashastra examines governance, taxation, diplomacy, intelligence, military policy, law and economic administration, making it a major treatise on ancient Indian polity.
Q137. Which of the following is NOT regarded as a work of Ashvaghosha?
[UPSC CDS-II, 2022]
A. Buddhacharita
B. Saundarananda
C. Shariputraprakarana
D. Manjushrimulakalpa
Answer: D. Manjushrimulakalpa
Explanation: Ashvaghosha is associated with Buddhacharita and Saundarananda. Manjushrimulakalpa is a Buddhist ritual and doctrinal work not attributed to him.
Q136. Which Indian epic is generally considered the longest epic poem in world literature?
[RRB Group D, 2022]
A. Ramayana
B. Mahabharata
C. Raghuvamsha
D. Buddhacharita
Answer: B. Mahabharata
Explanation: The Mahabharata, traditionally attributed to Vyasa, contains roughly 100,000 verses and incorporates narrative, philosophical, religious, legal and didactic material.
Q135. Who wrote the Sanskrit drama Ratnavali?
[RRB NTPC Stage-II, 2022]
A. Harshavardhana
B. Kalidasa
C. Bhavabhuti
D. Shudraka
Answer: A. Harshavardhana
Explanation: Harsha is traditionally credited with three Sanskrit dramas—Ratnavali, Priyadarshika and Nagananda—reflecting the flourishing literary culture of his court.
Q134. Which work was NOT composed by Kalidasa?
[RRB NTPC Stage-II, 2022]
A. Meghaduta
B. Raghuvamsha
C. Kumarasambhava
D. Nitisara
Answer: D. Nitisara
Explanation: Nitisara is associated with Kamandaka. Kalidasa’s famous works include Meghaduta, Raghuvamsha, Kumarasambhava and several celebrated dramas.
Q133. Meghaduta was originally composed in which language?
[RRB NTPC Stage-II, 2022]
A. Tamil
B. Sanskrit
C. Prakrit
D. Pali
Answer: B. Sanskrit
Explanation: Kalidasa’s lyrical Meghaduta is a Sanskrit messenger poem in which an exiled Yaksha asks a cloud to carry a message to his beloved.
Q132. Kalidasa’s Vikramorvashiyam tells the love story of:
[RRB NTPC Stage-II, 2022]
A. Dushyanta and Shakuntala
B. Pururavas and Urvashi
C. Charudatta and Vasantasena
D. Rama and Sita
Answer: B. Pururavas and Urvashi
Explanation: Vikramorvashiyam dramatises the ancient legend of mortal king Pururavas and celestial nymph Urvashi, a story with roots in Vedic literature.
Q131. Nagananda is traditionally attributed to which ruler-author?
[RRB NTPC Stage-II, 2022]
A. Harshavardhana
B. Bhoja
C. Chandragupta II
D. Mahendravarman I
Answer: A. Harshavardhana
Explanation: Nagananda is one of three dramas associated with Harsha and notably combines Brahmanical and Buddhist themes in the story of Jimutavahana.
