UPSC Prelims 2016 · GS Paper I
Question 10: History and Culture
Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Malavikagnimitram is Kalidasa's play about the love of Agnimitra, son of Pushyamitra Shunga, the founder of the Shunga dynasty, for Malavika, a princess serving as a maid in disguise. The other works are unrelated: Swapnavasavadatta (Bhasa) is about King Udayana, Meghaduta (Kalidasa) is a lyric poem of a yaksha's message to his wife, and Ratnavali (attributed to Harsha) is a play about Udayana and Ratnavali.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Swapnavasavadatta is Bhasa's play about King Udayana and Vasavadatta.
- (b) Right: Malavikagnimitram tells of Agnimitra, son of Pushyamitra Shunga.
- (c) Meghaduta is a lyric poem, not a love story of a Shunga prince.
- (d) Ratnavali is a drama about Udayana, not Agnimitra.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.