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U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997

Literary and Royal Associations

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Associating the correct intellectual figures with their royal patrons is essential for mapping the cultural geography of ancient India.

Explanation Harisena was the court poet and minister of Samudragupta (Gupta Emperor), not Harsha. Harsha's court poet was Banabhatta, the author of *Harshacharita*.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1 (Mismatch): Harisena is famous for the Prayag Prashasti of the 4th Century; Harsha ruled in the 7th Century.
Logic 2 (Correct): Ravi Kirti composed the Aihole inscription for the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II.
Logic 3 (Correct): Bhavabhuti was at the court of Yasovarman of Kannauj and wrote *Malatimadhava*.
Logic 4 (Correct): Dandi was the poet for the Pallava king Narasimha Varman and wrote *Dashakumaracharita*.

Active Recall

Question

Who was the actual court poet of King Harsha?

Answer

The court poet of King Harsha was Banabhatta, who wrote the biographical work Harshacharita.

Core Insight

These literary figures were not just poets but also political chroniclers whose works provide the primary skeletal framework for ancient Indian chronology.

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