With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs: Literary work: Author 1. Devichandragupta: Bilhana 2. Hammira-Mahakavya: Nayachandra Suri 3. Milinda-panha: Nagarjuna 4. Nitivakyamrita: Somadeva Suri How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Question

GSHardPrelims 2023Art & Culture

With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:

Literary work: Author

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Devichandraguptam is attributed to Vishakhadatta, a Sanskrit playwright. Bilhana was a poet who lived much later.
Statement 2 is correct: Hammira-Mahakavya was written by Nayachandra Suri, a Jain scholar and poet.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Milinda-Panha is a dialogue between Buddhist philosopher Nagasena and Indo-Greek King Milinda, focusing on Buddhist concepts like non-self (anatta) and nirvana. Nagasena belonged to the Hinayana tradition, while Nagarjuna, often confused with him, was a Mahayana scholar. For clarity in UPSC, refer to the Milinda-Panha philosopher as Nagasena.
Statement 4 is correct: Nitivakyamrita was written by Somadeva Suri.

Thus, statements 2 and 4 are correct.