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R.A.S./R.T.S. Prelims 2012

Chahamana Historiography

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who is the author of 'Prithviraja Vijaya'?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept While *Prithviraj Raso
is the most famous work on the king, *Prithviraja Vijaya* is a contemporary Sanskrit epic that provides a more historically grounded (though still eulogistic) account of his reign.

Explanation
Jayanaka, a Kashmiri poet in the court of Prithviraja III, wrote the *Prithviraja Vijaya
around 1191–1192 CE. It focuses on the ancestry and victories of the Chahamana ruler.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option C is correct. Jayanaka’s work is considered more reliable than later epics as it was composed during the king's lifetime.
Logic 2: Chand Bardai (A) wrote the *Prithviraj Raso* in Brajbhasa/Rajasthani. Nayanchand Suri (D) wrote the *Hammira Mahakavya* in the 15th century.

Active Recall

Question

How does Prithviraja Vijaya differ from Prithviraj Raso?

Answer

Prithviraja Vijaya is a contemporary Sanskrit work, whereas Prithviraj Raso is a later heroic ballad written in the vernacular with many legendary additions.

Core Insight

Jayanaka's work is vital for tracing the lineage of the Chauhan dynasty and understanding the political atmosphere of North India before the Ghorid conquest.

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