Which of the following statements about the Bengali literary epic, Meghnad Badh Kabya (1861), is/are correct? 1. It was written by Michael Madhusudan Dutta. 2. It draws upon existing Hindu and Jain traditions of Ramayana. 3. It was translated into Assamese and Hindi. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
CAPF 2016
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3
C. 1 and 2
D. 1 and 3
Answer: 1 and 2
Option c is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: Meghnad Badh Kabya was indeed written by Michael Madhusudan Dutta. He was a Bengali poet and playwright who is considered one of the pioneers of modern Bengali literature.
Statement 2 is correct: Meghnad Badh Kabya draws upon existing Hindu and Jain traditions of Ramayana. The poem is based on the story of Meghnad, the son of Ravana, the king of Lanka. Meghnad is a powerful warrior who is killed by Lakshmana, Rama's brother.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Meghnad Badh Kabya was not translated into Assamese or Hindi. It was only translated into English by Edward J. Thomas in 1924.