Ancient Literature and Litterateur

31. When did Charaka Samhita originate?

When did Charaka Samhita originate?

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6th Century BCE
3rd to 2nd Century BCE
4th Century BCE
5th Century BCE
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The correct answer is B) 3rd to 2nd Century BCE.
The precise dating of the Charaka Samhita is debated among scholars. While the final redaction by Dridhabala is placed in the 4th century CE and Charaka himself is often associated with the Kushan period (1st-2nd century CE), the core material and earlier versions of the text are believed to have been compiled much earlier. The period from the 3rd to the 2nd century BCE is considered by some scholars as a possible time frame for the significant development or compilation of earlier Ayurvedic texts that form the basis of the Charaka Samhita.
The Charaka Samhita is one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. It is a comprehensive treatise on various aspects of medicine, including pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and pharmacology. Alongside the Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya, it forms part of the ‘Greater Trinity’ (Brihat Trayee) of Ayurvedic classics.

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32. Arthashastra, the classical work of Indian political thought, focuses

Arthashastra, the classical work of Indian political thought, focuses primarily on

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economy
culture
statecraft
monarchy
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The correct answer is C) statecraft.
Arthashastra is a comprehensive ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy written by Kautilya (also known as Chanakya), the chief advisor to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. While it does discuss economic aspects (Artha means wealth or economy), its primary focus is on the theory and practice of effective governance, administration, diplomacy, and law necessary for the welfare of the state.
The text is divided into 15 books, covering topics from the training of a king and the organization of government departments to foreign policy, war, and social welfare. It is considered one of the most important works on political science in ancient India and reflects a pragmatic and results-oriented approach to governance.

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33. In the Manusmriti which form of marriage results from the “Voluntary u

In the Manusmriti which form of marriage results from the “Voluntary union of a maiden and her lover”?

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Eighth form
Fifth form
Seventh form
Sixth form
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In the Manusmriti, the form of marriage resulting from the “Voluntary union of a maiden and her lover” is the sixth form.
Manusmriti describes eight forms of marriage. The “voluntary union of a maiden and her lover, with carnal desire for its motive” is the definition of the Gandharva form of marriage, which is listed as the sixth form.
The eight forms are (typically listed as): Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Asura, Gandharva, Rakshasa, and Paishacha. Gandharva is considered a less approved form than the first four (Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya).

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34. Which of the following is/are NOT historical biography/biographies ?

Which of the following is/are NOT historical biography/biographies ?

  • 1. Dipavamsa
  • 2. Harshacharitra
  • 3. Vikramankadevacharitam
  • 4. Prithvirajavijaya

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1 only
2 and 3 only
2, 3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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Dipavamsa is a historical chronicle of Sri Lanka and Buddhism, focusing on the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and its spread. While it contains historical information, it is not a biography of a specific person. Harshacharitra by Bana is a biography of King Harsha. Vikramankadevacharitam by Bilhana is a biography of the Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI. Prithvirajavijaya by Jayanaka is an epic poem describing the life and exploits of Prithviraj Chauhan, functioning as a biographical account. Therefore, only Dipavamsa among the given options is NOT a historical biography of a person.
Historical biographies provide accounts of the lives of individuals, often prominent figures like rulers, scholars, or saints. Chronicles are historical records that describe events in chronological order, typically focusing on the history of a region, dynasty, or period.
Other famous historical biographies from ancient and medieval India include Bana’s Kadambari (a romance but with historical context), Kalhana’s Rajatarangini (a chronicle of Kashmir but focusing on various rulers), and various regional Prashastis (eulogies) inscribed on pillars or plates, which often contain biographical elements of rulers.

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35. Consider the following statements: The Arthashastra is the first Ind

Consider the following statements:

  • The Arthashastra is the first Indian text to define a State.
  • The main concerns of the Arthashastra are theoretical issues like the origins of the State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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Statement 1 is correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. The Arthashastra is widely considered the first systematic and comprehensive treatise on statecraft in ancient India, offering a detailed definition of the components and functions of a state (the Saptanga theory). Statement 2 is incorrect because the Arthashastra is primarily a practical guide to governance, administration, economics, and foreign policy, focusing on pragmatic issues of running and maintaining a state rather than theoretical issues like its origins.
– Arthashastra provides a detailed structure and function of the state (Saptanga theory).
– Its focus is practical statecraft (politics, economics, administration, diplomacy, military strategy).
– It does not dwell on the theoretical origins of the state.
The Saptanga theory describes the seven limbs or constituent elements of a state: Swami (the ruler), Amatya (the minister), Janapada (the territory and population), Durga (the fort), Kosha (the treasury), Danda (the army), and Mitra (the ally). Kautilya’s work is a manual for rulers on how to govern effectively, maintain order, and ensure prosperity and security.

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36. Chronologically arrange the following Sanskrit texts (starting from th

Chronologically arrange the following Sanskrit texts (starting from the earliest):

  • 1. Brihat Samhita of Varahmihir
  • 2. Sushrut Samhita
  • 3. Ashtadhyayi of Panini
  • 4. Natyashastra of Bharat

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1, 4, 2, 3
4, 3, 1, 2
3, 2, 4, 1
2, 3, 1, 4
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Let’s establish the approximate chronological periods for each text:
1. Brihat Samhita of Varahamihira: Varahamihira was a 6th-century CE astronomer and mathematician (c. 505–587 CE). Brihat Samhita is from this period.
2. Sushruta Samhita: A foundational text of Ayurveda, its core text is generally dated to the late BCE to early CE period (e.g., 1st-4th century CE).
3. Ashtadhyayi of Panini: The fundamental text of Sanskrit grammar, Panini’s work is widely dated to the 5th-4th century BCE.
4. Natyashastra of Bharat Muni: A comprehensive treatise on the performing arts, its composition period is debated but generally placed between 200 BCE and 200 CE, or broadly 1st-4th century CE, making it roughly contemporary with or slightly later than the core Sushruta Samhita.

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Arranging from earliest to latest:
Panini’s Ashtadhyayi (5th-4th Century BCE) comes first (3).
Sushruta Samhita (1st-4th Century CE) and Natyashastra (1st-4th Century CE) come next. The order between 2 and 4 is debated and often considered close, but Sushruta is sometimes placed slightly earlier.
Varahamihira’s Brihat Samhita (6th Century CE) is the latest (1).

The chronological order is 3 (Panini), followed by 2 (Sushruta) and 4 (Natyashastra), followed by 1 (Varahamihira). Option C, 3, 2, 4, 1, fits this sequence.

The accepted chronology places Panini earliest, followed by the early CE texts like Sushruta Samhita and Natyashastra, with Varahamihira being significantly later in the 6th century CE.
These texts are foundational works in their respective fields in ancient India: grammar (Ashtadhyayi), medicine (Sushruta Samhita), performing arts (Natyashastra), and encyclopedic science including astronomy/astrology (Brihat Samhita). Establishing their precise dates can be complex, but the relative order is generally agreed upon.

37. Which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. The Bakshali Ma

Which of the following statements is/are correct ?

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1. The Bakshali Manuscript written in the Gatha language (a refined version of old Prakrit) using the Sharada script deals with topics such as fractions, square roots, arithmetic and geometric progressions.

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2. In the field of geometry, Aryabhatta described the various properties of a circle giving a very accurate value for pi (π) correct to four decimal places at 3.1416.

3. Sharangadhara Samhita is an important text on political system of ancient India.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1, 2 and 3
1 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
2 only
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Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.
The Bakshali Manuscript is a significant ancient Indian text on mathematics. Aryabhata was a pioneering Indian mathematician and astronomer. The Sharangadhara Samhita is a well-known medical text.
Statement 1 is correct: The Bakshali Manuscript is indeed written in Gatha language (a form of Prakrit) using the Sharada script and covers various mathematical topics, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, fractions, square roots, and series. Statement 2 is correct: Aryabhata, in his work Aryabhatiya, calculated the value of pi (π) and gave an approximation equivalent to 3.1416, which was remarkably accurate for his time. Statement 3 is incorrect: The Sharangadhara Samhita, compiled by Sharangadhara, is a famous Ayurvedic medical text, not a text on the political system of ancient India. Important texts on ancient Indian polity include Kautilya’s Arthashastra.

38. Which one of the following statements on the issue of ownership accord

Which one of the following statements on the issue of ownership according to Smriti literature is not correct ?

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The paternal estate was to be divided equally amongst sons.
Women were allowed to retain the gifts they received on the occasion of their marriage.
The gifts to women on the occasion of their marriage were known as Stridhana.
Stridhana was not inherited by the children without the permission of the husband.
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According to Smriti literature, Stridhana was a woman’s absolute property, comprising gifts received at marriage, from paternal relatives, etc. Women were allowed to retain these gifts (statement B), and these gifts were indeed known as Stridhana (statement C). The paternal estate was primarily inherited by sons and was divided equally among them in many cases (statement A). However, Stridhana was inheritable by the woman’s own heirs upon her death, typically her daughters first, and then her sons, according to specific rules laid down in the Smritis. The husband’s permission was generally not required for the children to inherit their mother’s Stridhana; it devolved upon her death based on the prescribed rules of succession for Stridhana. Therefore, statement D is incorrect.
Stridhana represented a form of economic security and independent property for women in ancient India, recognized by Smriti law. Its inheritance pattern was distinct from that of other forms of property.
The definition and scope of Stridhana, as well as the rules regarding its inheritance, varied slightly among different Smritis (e.g., Manu Smriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti, Narada Smriti) and commentators (like Jimutavahana or Vijnaneshwara), but the core concept of it being a woman’s separate, inheritable property was consistent. The husband had limited rights over Stridhana during her lifetime, primarily in times of distress, but this did not extend to controlling its inheritance by her children.

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39. Which among the following are Charvaka Schools of Philosophy ? Dhur

Which among the following are Charvaka Schools of Philosophy ?

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  1. Dhurtta
  2. Nyaya
  3. Sushikshita
  4. Vaisheshika
1, 2 and 3
2 and 3 only
2 and 4 only
1 and 3 only
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The correct answer is D) 1 and 3 only.
Charvaka, also known as Lokayata, is an ancient Indian materialistic and atheistic philosophical school. Traditional texts that describe different schools of Indian philosophy often mention different branches or interpretations within Charvaka. Sources like Madhavacharya’s *Sarvadarshanasangraha* classify Charvakas into types such as Dhurtta (literally ‘rogue’ or ‘cunning’, representing a more radical, sensualist view) and Sushikshita (meaning ‘well-educated’ or ‘refined’, possibly a more moderate view). Nyaya and Vaisheshika are distinct, orthodox (Astika) schools of Indian philosophy focused on logic and atomism, respectively, entirely separate from Charvaka.
Charvaka philosophy rejects concepts like reincarnation, karma, liberation (moksha), and the authority of the Vedas. It emphasizes empirical perception as the only valid source of knowledge and advocates for living life fully while pursuing pleasure. The distinction between different Charvaka “schools” like Dhurtta and Sushikshita might reflect variations in their ethical views or the degree of emphasis on sensual pleasure versus more refined forms of enjoyment.

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40. Which one of the following is not the work of Ashvaghosa?

Which one of the following is not the work of Ashvaghosa?

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Sariputraptakarana
Buddhacharita
Saundarananda
Manjushrimulakalpa
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Manjushrimulakalpa is not a work attributed to Ashvaghosa.
– Ashvaghosa was a renowned Buddhist philosopher, poet, and dramatist, considered one of the greatest Sanskrit poets.
– His known major works include Buddhacharita (an epic poem on the life of the Buddha), Saundarananda (an epic poem about the conversion of Nanda, the Buddha’s half-brother), and Sariputraprakarana (a drama about the conversion of Sariputra and Maudgalyayana).
– Manjushrimulakalpa is a Mahayana Buddhist text, classified as a Tantra, whose authorship is uncertain but it is not attributed to Ashvaghosa.
– Ashvaghosa lived around the 1st-2nd century CE, likely in the time of Kanishka.
– His works are significant for their literary merit and their role in spreading Buddhist philosophy through Sanskrit literature.

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