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

Select the correct answer from the code given below :

1 only
2 and 3 only
2, 3 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
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.