2024 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2024 · GS Paper I

Question 63: History and Culture

Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa ?

aKavyalankara
bNatyashastra
cMadhyama-vyayoga
dMahabhashya

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

Madhyama-vyayoga, a one-act play, is attributed to Bhasa, the Sanskrit playwright who also wrote Svapnavasavadatta and Pratijna-Yaugandharayana. Natyashastra is Bharata's treatise on drama, Mahabhashya is Patanjali's commentary on Panini's grammar, and Kavyalankara is a treatise on poetics, not a play. Remember: Bhasa wrote plays; the other three titles are works of theory or commentary.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: Kavyalankara is a treatise on poetics, not a play.
  • (b) Wrong: Natyashastra is Bharata's treatise on dramaturgy.
  • (c) Right: Madhyama-vyayoga is a one-act play attributed to Bhasa.
  • (d) Wrong: Mahabhashya is Patanjali's commentary on Panini's grammar.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.