1995 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies

Question 18: History and Culture

In Sanskrit plays written during the Gupta Period women and sudras speak

aSanskrit
bPrakrit
cPali
dSauraseni

AnswerThe answer is (b).

In Sanskrit plays of the Gupta age, the conventions of drama gave Sanskrit to kings, Brahmins and other men of high rank, while women and lower-status characters, including sudras, spoke Prakrit. Different Prakrits were used, such as Sauraseni for women's prose and Maharashtri for songs. Kalidasa's plays follow this pattern. Remember: Sanskrit for the elite, Prakrit for women and servants.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Sanskrit was spoken by kings, Brahmins and other high-ranking male characters.
  • (b) Right: women and sudras spoke Prakrit.
  • (c) Pali is the language of early Buddhist texts, not of the Gupta stage.
  • (d) Sauraseni is one particular Prakrit; the key goes with the general term Prakrit.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.