UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 63
With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:
- Panini is associated with Pushyamitra
- Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana
- Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C (3 only)
Explanation: Kalidasa is traditionally associated with Chandragupta II’s Gupta court; Panini lived many centuries before Pushyamitra, while Amarasimha is linked to the Gupta milieu rather than Harshavardhana.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Incorrect - Panini is normally dated centuries before the Shunga ruler Pushyamitra.
2. Incorrect - Amarasimha is traditionally associated with the Gupta/Vikramaditya setting, not Harsha.
3. Correct - Kalidasa is conventionally linked with Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 1 (Panini is normally dated centuries before the Shunga ruler Pushyamitra); includes incorrect item 2 (Amarasimha is traditionally associated with the Gupta/Vikramaditya setting, not Harsha); omits correct item 3 (Kalidasa is conventionally linked with Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)).
B. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 2 (Amarasimha is traditionally associated with the Gupta/Vikramaditya setting, not Harsha).
C. Correct-includes all and only valid statements/items 3.
D. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 1 (Panini is normally dated centuries before the Shunga ruler Pushyamitra); includes incorrect item 2 (Amarasimha is traditionally associated with the Gupta/Vikramaditya setting, not Harsha).
Review note: Exact datings and court associations of ancient authors have scholarly uncertainties.