2002 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies
Question 35: History and Culture
The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadutt has its subject on
aa conflict between Gods and Demons of ancient Hindu lore
ba romantic story of an Aryan prince and a tribal woman
cthe story of the power struggle between two Aryan tribes
dthe court intrigues at the time of Chandragupta Maurya
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Mudrarakshasa, by Vishakhadatta, is a Sanskrit political drama. It tells how Chanakya, helped by his spies and clever plans, wins over Rakshasa, the minister of the fallen Nanda dynasty, to serve Chandragupta Maurya. It is therefore a play of court intrigue at the time of Chandragupta Maurya, and it is often cited for memories of Mauryan statecraft.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) It is not a myth of gods and demons; it is a political play.
- (b) It has no romance of a prince and a tribal woman; the plot is political.
- (c) It is not about a struggle between two tribes.
- (d) Right: court intrigue at the time of Chandragupta Maurya.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.