UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I
Question 14: History and Culture
Who among the following rulers in ancient India had assumed the titles ‘Mattavilasa’, ‘Vichitrachitta’ and ‘Gunabhara’?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
The Pallava king Mahendravarman I (c. 600-630 CE) used titles such as Mattavilasa, Vichitrachitta and Gunabhara. 'Mattavilasa' is also the name of the Sanskrit farce he wrote, the Mattavilasa Prahasana. He is known for introducing rock-cut cave temples in the Tamil region. His son Narasimhavarman I is remembered as Mahamalla and for capturing Vatapi, so the titles do not belong to him. Remember: Mahendravarman I was the playwright and cave-temple builder.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: these are titles of Mahendravarman I, who also wrote the Mattavilasa Prahasana.
- (b) Wrong: Simhavishnu was Mahendravarman's father and the early Pallava revival king, not the holder of these titles.
- (c) Wrong: Narasimhavarman I is known as Mahamalla and Vatapikonda.
- (d) Wrong: Simhavarman was an earlier Pallava king, not associated with these titles.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.