Q. With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:

  1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra
  2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana
  3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • (a) 1 and 2 only
  • (b) 2 and 3 only
  • (c) 3 only
  • (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 3 only

Panini:
  • He was born in Shalatula on the Indus River in present-day Pakistan.
  • Panini is a Sanskrit grammarian known for his comprehensive and scientific theory of phonetics, phonology, and morphology.
  • His major work, Astadhyayi, consists of eight chapters detailing the rules of Sanskrit grammar.
  • He is considered the founder of the language and literature of Sanskrit, and his dates are generally placed in the 4th to 7th century BCE, all of which are pre-Mauryan.
Pushyamitra Shunga
  • Pushyamitra Shunga on the other hand was the founder and first ruler of the Shunga Empire and ruled around 1st century BC.
  • Pushyamitra Sunga was Brahmin army chief of Brihadratha, the last king of the Mauryas.
  • During a military parade, he killed Brihadratha and established himself on the throne in 185 or 186 BC.
    • According to some historians, this was an internal revolt against the last Mauryan king. Some say it was a Brahminical reaction to the Mauryan overwhelming patronage of Buddhism.
  • Pushyamitra Sunga’s capital was at Pataliputra.
  • He successfully countered attacks from two Greek kings namely, Menander and Demetrius.
  • He also thwarted an attack from the Kalinga king Kharavela.
  • He conquered Vidarbha.
  • He followed Brahminism. Some accounts portray him as a persecutor of Buddhists and a destroyer of stupas but there has been no authoritative evidence to this claim.
  • During his reign, the Stupas at Sanchi and Barhut were renovated. He built the sculptured stone gateway at Sanchi.
  • He performed Vedic sacrifices such as Ashvamedha, Rajasuya and Vajapeya.
  • Pushyamitra Sunga patronised the Sanskrit grammarian Patanjali.
  • According to the Puranas, his reign lasted for 36 years. He died in 151 BC.
Amarasimha:
  • Amarasimha was a Sanskrit grammarian and poet, reputed to be one of the “nine gems” in the court of Vikramaditya.
  • His notable work, Amara-Kosha, is a vocabulary of Sanskrit roots divided into three books.
  • Amarasimha belongs to the Gupta era, while Harshavardhana is a post-Gupta king.
Kalidasa:
  • Kalidasa is often regarded as the greatest playwright and dramatist of ancient India, known for works such as Shakuntala and Malavika and Agnimitra.
  • Traditionally, he is believed to have been associated with Chandra Gupta Vikramaditya (Chandra Gupta II), although the exact dates of his life remain disputed.
Chandragupta II
  • Chandragupta II, also known by his title Vikramaditya, as well as Chandragupta Vikramaditya, was the third ruler of the Gupta Empire.
  • Chandragupta II was the next great emperor of Gupta empire after his father Samudragupta. He came to be known by his title Vikramaditya (Power of Sun).
  • The most important event of Chandragupta II’s reign was conquest of Sakas. He destroyed the Saka chieftain Rudrasena III and annexed his kingdom. Banabhatta’s Harshacharita gives a reference to this event. According to Banabhatta, Rudrasena was killed while courting another man’s wife by Chandragupta.
  • His daughter Prabhavati Gupta was married to Vakataka king Rudrasena II. 
  • He issued silver currency in close imitation of that of the Sakas after the occupation of their territory.
  • Chandragupta made Ujjain his second capital. Ujjain enjoyed pre-eminence as a religious & political centre.
  • Chinese traveller Fa Hien had visited India during the time of Chandragupta II.
  • Mehrauli Iron Pillar (established by Chandragupta as Vishnupada in the honour of Lord Vishnu) credits Chandragupta with spread of his fame to southern seas and attainment of Ekadhirajjyam (United Kingdom) by prowess of his arms.
  • Chandragupta II was known for his deep interest in art and culture and nine gems or Navratna adorned his court.
    • Amarsimha (Sanskrit lexicographer and a poet, Author of Amarkosha)
    • Dhanvantri (Physician & medicine)
    • Harisena (composed the Prayag Prasasti or Allahabad Pillar Inscription)
    • Kalidasa (Most famous Sanskrit poet and playwright)
    • Kahapanaka (astrologer)
    • Sanku (field of Architecture)
    • Varahamihira (astronomical systems, mathematician and sciences)
    • Vararuchi (grammarian and Sanskrit scholar)
    • Vetalbhatta (magician)