Ancient Sanskrit Prose and Fiction

Who wrote Kadambari? Banabhatta vs Subandhu

The novel 'Kadambari' was written by Banabhatta, not Subandhu. Subandhu is famous for his work 'Vasavadatta'.

Primary Reference: Standard Educational Reference

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Which one of the following is not correctly matched?

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


Identifying the correct authors of early Indian novels and plays is essential for establishing literary timelines.

Authentic Source Evidence


Kadambari is a romantic novel written by Banabhatta, the court poet of King Harsha. Subandhu is the author of another romantic prose work titled Vasavadatta.

Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: Option C is mismatched. Banabhatta's Kadambari is considered one of the world's first novels.

  • Logic 2: Kalidasa wrote the epic poem Raghuvansa (Option A).

  • Logic 3: Bhasa is the legendary author of Svapna Vasavadattam (Option B).

  • Logic 4: Emperor Harsha wrote the play Ratnavali (Option D).
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "What other major work did Banabhatta write?"

    He wrote 'Harshacharita', the biography of the Emperor Harshavardhana.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "Banabhatta’s prose in Kadambari is famous for its extremely long compounds and layered storytelling, a peak of the Sanskrit 'Gadyakavya' style."

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