Question 52 from UPSC CSE 2021 - Ancient History

Question

With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla, and Kshemeshvara were famous

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. playwrights

Strategy: Focus on the literary and artistic resonance of the names. Use Bhavabhuti's distinct recognition as a Sanskrit dramatist as the key identifier. Associate the other two names with this context, while eliminating links to Jainism, temple architecture, or philosophy, to correctly classify them as playwrights.

Key Info: **Bhavabhuti** was an eminent 8th-century Sanskrit playwright and poet from Vidarbha, best known for his dramas such as 'Mahaviracharita', 'Malatimadhava', and 'Uttaramacharita'. A contemporary of King Yashovarman of Kannauj, his works often drew from the Ramayana and established him as a rival to Kalidasa in Sanskrit dramatic literature.

**Hastimalla** was a noted Kannada playwright of the early medieval period in southern India, associated with the Hoysala court. He contributed to Kannada classical drama and poetry, reflecting the flowering of regional literatures during this period.

**Kshemeshvara** was another medieval playwright, recognized for works in Prakrit or Sanskrit drama. Though lesser-known, his plays formed part of the ancient Indian dramatic tradition that survived into the early medieval era.

This tradition of classical Sanskrit and regional drama was pivotal to cultural and courtly life and flourished with royal patronage. Neither Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla, nor Kshemeshvara are recorded as Jain monks, temple architects, or philosophers—rather, all are consistently referenced in literary history as playwrights.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Jain monks

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: temple architects

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: philosophers