Question 36
1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.
2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.
3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta - II.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AOptions
BSolution
Let's examine each statement:
1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga. This statement is incorrect. Panini, the renowned Sanskrit grammarian who authored the Ashtadhyayi, lived much earlier, around the 5th to 4th century BCE. Pushyamitra Shunga founded the Shunga dynasty in the 2nd century BCE, meaning Panini predates him by several centuries.
2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana. This statement is incorrect. Amarasimha, the author of the Amarakosha (a Sanskrit lexicon), was one of the 'Navaratnas' (nine gems) in the court of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) of the Gupta dynasty, who reigned in the late 4th to early 5th century CE. Harshavardhana ruled in the 7th century CE, much later than Amarasimha.
3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta - II. This statement is correct. Kalidasa, one of the greatest Sanskrit poets and dramatists, is widely believed to have been a prominent figure in the court of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), during the golden age of the Gupta Empire. His works like Abhijnanasakuntalam and Meghaduta are masterpieces of that era.
Therefore, only statement 3 is correct.
CStrategy
Questions linking ancient scholars/litterateurs with rulers or dynasties require precise chronological knowledge and an understanding of prominent court associations. Creating timelines or charts that connect key personalities with their patrons can be very helpful.
DSyllabus Analysis
This question falls under Ancient Indian History, specifically focusing on the cultural development, literature, and prominent scholars during various ancient Indian dynasties.
EQuestion Analysis
Medium to Difficult. Requires precise factual knowledge of the periods and associations of multiple historical figures.