Literary work                                  Author

1. Devichandragupta             :            Bilhana

2. Hammira-Mahakavya        :            Nayachandra Suri

3. Milinda-panha                    :            Nagarjuna

4. Nitivakyamrtia                   :            Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one              

(b) Only two

(c) Only three              

(d) All four

Answer: b

Explanation:

Devichndraguptam (The Queen and ChandraGupta ) is a Sanskrit play written by Vishakdutta , it is the story of the rise of power of Chandra Gupta II, he is also the author of  Mudrarakshasa (Ministers Signet Ring) which describes Chandragupta Maurya’s triumph over Nandas.

Vikaramankadevacarita is written by Bilahan – The book deals with the life and adventure of the great Calukya emperor Vikramaditya VI.

Hence, the first pair is incorrectly matched.

Nayachandra Suri, a Jain monk, has written Hammira-maha kavya – a poem that deals with the life of Hammira, the last of the dynasty Cahamana, who was defeated and killed by Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1301 along with the seizure of his capital Ranthambore / Ranasthambhapura.

Hence, the second pair is correctly matched.

Milandpanho is a Non-canonical Buddhist literature in Pali that consists of dialogue on various philosophical issues between Milinda or  Indo greek  King Menander and the monk Nagasena.

Hence, 3rd pair is incorrectly matched.

 Nitivakyamrtia is written by Jain author Somadeva Suri, who wrote it in Sanskrit in the 10th century A.D., he is also the author of Yashastilaka.  

Hence, the fourth pair is correctly matched. 

Read: Previous Year UPSC History Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2023