2021 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I
Question 41: History and Culture
With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous
aJain monks
bplaywrights
ctemple architects
dphilosophers
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were all Sanskrit playwrights. Bhavabhuti wrote Malatimadhava and Uttararamacharita, Hastimalla was a Jain dramatist of the medieval south, and Kshemeshvara wrote Chandakaushika. They were writers of drama, not monks, architects or philosophers. Remember: Bhavabhuti is among the great Sanskrit dramatists after Kalidasa.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: they were dramatists, even though Hastimalla was himself a Jain.
- (b) Right: all three wrote plays in Sanskrit.
- (c) Wrong: none is known as a temple architect.
- (d) Wrong: they are known for drama, not philosophy.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.