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

Royal Patronage and Inscriptions

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Court poets (Rajakavi) were instrumental in creating 'Prashastis' (eulogies) that legitimized the ruler's power and documented their conquests.

Explanation Harisena was the court poet and minister of the Gupta Emperor Samudragupta. Emperor Harsha's court poet was Banabhatta.

Logical Breakup
Option C is Incorrect: Harisena is famous for the Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription), not for the Harsha era.
Correct Pairs: Ravi Kirti wrote the Aihole inscription for Pulakeshin II. Bhavabhuti served Yasovarman. Dandi was a scholar in the Pallava court.

Active Recall

Question

Who was Harsha's actual court poet?

Answer

Banabhatta, who wrote the 'Harshacharita'.

Core Insight

The confusion between Harisena and Harsha's time highlights the similarity in courtly 'Prashasti' traditions across the Gupta and post-Gupta periods.

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