Q10 · UPSC Prelims 2016 · Set A · Art and Culture

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Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?

A Swapnavasavadatta
B Malavikagnimitra
C Meghadoota
D Ratnavali

Correct answer: (b) Malavikagnimitra

Explanation

  1. A

    Swapnavasavadatta

    Swapnavasavadatta. Bhasa’s play on Udayana and Vasavadatta is not the Sunga-prince romance. This letter is not the key.

  2. B

    Malavikagnimitra

    Malavikagnimitra. Kalidasa’s play is the love story of Agnimitra, son of Pushyamitra, founder of the Sunga dynasty, and Malavika. That stored letter is the official key.

  3. C

    Meghadoota

    Meghadoota. Kalidasa’s lyric of a yaksha and a cloud is not a Sunga court romance. This letter is not the key.

  4. D

    Ratnavali

    Ratnavali. Harshavardhana’s play on Udayana and Ratnavali is later and unrelated to the Sunga founder’s son. This letter is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (b) Malavikagnimitra. Agnimitra is Pushyamitra Sunga’s son; Kalidasa stages his love for Malavika. Swapnavasavadatta, Meghadoota and Ratnavali are other classics with different plots. Honour the stored letter (b).