[Solved] Jurists of Medieval India | Vijnaneshwara vs Rajashekhara

Who among the following was not a famous jurists of medieval India?

[UPSC CSE Prelims 1995]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Medieval India saw the compilation of significant legal treatises (Dharmashastras/Digests) that governed social life and inheritance. Jurists like Vijnaneshwara provided the legal foundation for modern Hindu law.

Authentic Source Evidence

Vijnaneshwara (Mitakshara), Hemadri (Chaturvargachintamani), and Jimutavahana (Dayabhaga) were all renowned for their legal scholarship. Rajashekhara was a poet and critic at the Pratihara court.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Vijnaneshwara and Jimutavahana represent the two major schools of Hindu Law (Mitakshara and Dayabhaga).

Logic 2: Rajashekhara, while famous, is known for works like Kavyamimamsa and Karpuramanjari, which deal with literature and poetics, not law.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What is the main difference between Mitakshara and Dayabhaga?"

In Mitakshara, sons acquire interest in ancestral property by birth, whereas in Dayabhaga, they only inherit after the father's death.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The codification of laws by these jurists allowed for a uniform social structure across various kingdoms in Medieval India."

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