UPSC CSE Pre. 2020, GS Paper I

Ancient Indian Literature

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: 1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra. 2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana. 3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept This question tests the chronological and court associations of India's greatest classical scholars and poets.

Explanation Kalidasa and Amarasimha are traditionally counted among the 'Navaratnas' (Nine Gems) of Vikramaditya (Chandra Gupta II). Panini lived much earlier, around the 5th-4th century BCE.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Statement 1 is incorrect. Panini (grammarian) lived centuries before Pushyamitra Shunga (2nd BCE). Patanjali is the scholar associated with Pushyamitra.
Logic 2: Statement 2 is incorrect. Amarasimha was a contemporary of Chandra Gupta II, not Harshavardhana (7th century CE).
Logic 3: Statement 3 is correct. Kalidasa flourished in the Gupta court under Chandra Gupta II.

Active Recall

Question

Which grammarian is actually associated with Pushyamitra Shunga?

Answer

Patanjali, the author of Mahabhashya, who performed Ashvamedha sacrifices for him.

Core Insight

The Gupta period is considered the 'Golden Age' of Sanskrit literature due to patrons like Chandra Gupta II.