Question 11 from UPSC CSE 2020 - ANCIENT INDIA

Question

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

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 3 only

Strategy: - Verify historical timelines for each ruler-scholar pairing.
- Identify Panini's placement centuries before Pushyamitra Shunga.
- Note Amarasimha's activity during the Gupta era, predating Harshavardhana.
- Confirm the accurate pairing of Kalidasa with Chandragupta II Vikramaditya.
- Conclude that only statement 3 is historically correct.

Key Info: ## Panini
Panini was an eminent Sanskrit grammarian and author of the *Ashtadhyayi*, often dated to the 6th-5th century BCE. His work profoundly shaped classical Sanskrit grammar. He lived during the Mahajanapada era, centuries before the Shunga dynasty, which was founded by Pushyamitra Shunga around 185 BCE. Pushyamitra, originally a Mauryan general, established the Shunga dynasty after assassinating Brihadratha Maurya.

## Amarasimha
Amarasimha was a famed Sanskrit scholar, best known for compiling the *Amarakosha*, an authoritative thesaurus and lexicon still referenced today. He lived during the Gupta period and was one of the 'Navaratnas' (Nine Gems) at the royal court of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya, reigned c. 380-415 CE). Harshavardhana, in contrast, ruled later, approximately from 606-647 CE, in northern India.

## Kalidasa
Kalidasa is widely regarded as the greatest Sanskrit poet and dramatist. He was active during the reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya). His celebrated works include *Abhijnanasakuntalam*, *Malavikagnimitram*, *Raghuvamsa*, and *Kumarasambhava*. His period marks the cultural zenith of the Gupta Empire, often called the 'Golden Age' of ancient India. The Navaratnas, an illustrious assembly of scholars and artists, included both Kalidasa and Amarasimha at Chandragupta II's court.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3

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

With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:

Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.

Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.

Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?