U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005

Sanskrit Prose Narrative

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Daskumar Charitam was composed by-

Answer: B

Concept Prose romances in ancient India provided a vivid, often gritty, window into the social life, crime, and adventure of the classical period.

Explanation Daskumar Charitam (The Adventures of the Ten Princes) was written by Dandin (c. 7th-8th century CE).

Logical Breakup

Logic 1: The work is a prose masterpiece detailing the disparate adventures of ten companions as they travel through India.

Logic 2: Dandin is also known for *Kavyadarsha*, a foundational text on Sanskrit poetics.

Context: Unlike devotional literature, this work is secular and realistic, featuring thieves, courtesans, and political plots.

Question

What does Daskumar Charitam tell us about ancient society?

Answer

It provides a realistic picture of low-life activities, urban settings, and the complex social hierarchy of the 7th century.

Dandin’s writing is celebrated for its 'Padalalityam' (graceful words) and its move away from rigid religious moralizing toward human storytelling.