Ancient Sanskrit Literature

Authors of Classical Sanskrit Works: Correct Matching

Kalidasa is not the author of 'Vasavadatta'; it was written by the poet Subandhu. Kalidasa is known for works like Raghuvamsa and Meghaduta.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part I

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Which one of the following pairs of authors and Sanskrit literary works is not correctly matched?

[CAPF 2021]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


Identifying correct authors of Sanskrit classics is essential for chronology. This question highlights the difference between Gupta-era writers and later medieval scholars.

Authentic Source Evidence


Vasavadatta is a famous Sanskrit romance written by Subandhu (7th century). Kalidasa's works include Raghuvamsa, Meghaduta, and Abhijnanashakuntalam.

Analytical Breakdown


  • Option D is Incorrectly Matched: Kalidasa did not write Vasavadatta; Subandhu did.

  • Logic: Somadeva wrote Kathasaritsagara, Ashvaghosha authored Buddhacharita, and Bilhana composed Vikramankadeva Charita.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "Who wrote the play Svapnavasavadatta?"

    Bhasa wrote Svapnavasavadatta, while Subandhu wrote the prose work Vasavadatta.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "The confusion between authors often arises from similar titles or characters across different literary periods."

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