Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? Select the correct answer using the code given below:(Inscription/Event) (Time Period) 1. Prayag Prashasti by Harishena 4th century CE 2. Chinese traveller Fa Xian's Account 6th century CE 3. Mudrarakshasa of Vishakhadatta 5th century CE 4. Harshacharita of Banabhatta 6th century CE 5. Aihole Prashasti of Ravikirti 7th century CE 6. Kavirajamarga of Amoghavarsha 8th century CE
1, 3 and 5 only
Understanding Ancient Indian Historical Sources and Time Periods
To answer this question, we need to correctly match various historical sources like inscriptions, traveller accounts, and literary works with their respective time periods in ancient India. Let's examine each pair provided in the table.
| Inscription/Event | Time Period | Analysis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Prayag Prashasti by Harishena | 4th century CE | Harishena was the court poet of Samudragupta. The Prayag Prashasti, also known as the Allahabad Pillar inscription, details Samudragupta's conquests and reign. Samudragupta ruled during the 4th century \(\text{CE}\). This pair is correct. |
| 2. | Chinese traveller Fa Xian's Account | 6th century CE | The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Fa Xian (also known as Faxian) visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II of the Gupta dynasty. His travels in India primarily took place between 399 and 412 \(\text{CE}\), which falls in the late 4th and early 5th centuries \(\text{CE}\). Therefore, the 6th century \(\text{CE}\) time period is incorrect. |
| 3. | Mudrarakshasa of Vishakhadatta | 5th century CE | Mudrarakshasa is a Sanskrit play by Vishakhadatta. While the exact date is debated, it is generally placed around the late 4th or 5th century \(\text{CE}\), possibly during the Gupta period. The 5th century \(\text{CE}\) is a plausible and commonly cited period for this work. This pair is considered correct based on common dating. |
| 4. | Harshacharita of Banabhatta | 6th century CE | Harshacharita is a biography of Emperor Harsha written by his court poet Banabhatta. Emperor Harsha reigned from 606 to 647 \(\text{CE}\), which is firmly in the 7th century \(\text{CE}\). Therefore, the 6th century \(\text{CE}\) time period is incorrect. |
| 5. | Aihole Prashasti of Ravikirti | 7th century CE | The Aihole Prashasti is an inscription composed by Ravikirti, the court poet of the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II. This inscription records Pulakeshin II's victories, including his defeat of Harsha. Pulakeshin II reigned in the 7th century \(\text{CE}\). The inscription itself is dated to 634-635 \(\text{CE}\). This pair is correct. |
| 6. | Kavirajamarga of Amoghavarsha | 8th century CE | Kavirajamarga is the earliest Kannada literary work on rhetoric, attributed to the Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha I. Amoghavarsha I reigned from 814 to 878 \(\text{CE}\), which falls in the 9th century \(\text{CE}\). Therefore, the 8th century \(\text{CE}\) time period is incorrect. |
Based on the analysis, the pairs that are correctly matched are:
- 1. Prayag Prashasti by Harishena (4th century CE)
- 3. Mudrarakshasa of Vishakhadatta (5th century CE)
- 5. Aihole Prashasti of Ravikirti (7th century CE)
Thus, the correct pairs are 1, 3, and 5.
Selecting the Correct Option
We need to find the option that includes only the correctly matched pairs (1, 3, and 5).
- Option 1: 1, 2 and 3 only (Incorrect, 2 is wrong)
- Option 2: 2, 3 and 4 only (Incorrect, 2 and 4 are wrong)
- Option 3: 4, 5 and 6 only (Incorrect, 4 and 6 are wrong)
- Option 4: 1, 3 and 5 only (Correct, includes only the correct pairs)
Therefore, option 4 is the correct answer.
Revision Table: Key Historical Sources and Periods
| Source/Event | Associated Figure | Approximate Time Period | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription) | Harishena (composed), Samudragupta (subject) | 4th century CE | Details Samudragupta's conquests and administration. Important source for the Gupta Empire. |
| Fa Xian's Account (Fo-guo-ji) | Fa Xian (Chinese traveller) | Late 4th - Early 5th century CE | Account of Buddhist sites and conditions in India during the Gupta period (Chandragupta II). |
| Mudrarakshasa | Vishakhadatta | Late 4th / 5th century CE | Sanskrit play about the overthrow of the Nanda dynasty and the rise of Chandragupta Maurya. |
| Harshacharita | Banabhatta | 7th century CE | Biography of Emperor Harsha, providing insights into the political and social life of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. |
| Aihole Prashasti | Ravikirti (composed), Pulakeshin II (subject) | 7th century CE (Specifically 634-635 CE) | Details the achievements of Chalukya king Pulakeshin II, including his victory over Harsha. |
| Kavirajamarga | Amoghavarsha I | 9th century CE | Important work in Kannada literature, discussing poetry and rhetoric. |
Additional Information on Ancient Indian Sources
Studying ancient Indian history relies heavily on various types of sources. Understanding these sources and their contexts is crucial for accurate historical knowledge.
- Inscriptions (Prashastis): These are engraved writings on hard surfaces like rocks, pillars, and metal plates. Prashastis are eulogies, often composed by court poets, praising the king and detailing his achievements. They provide valuable information about political history, administration, and geography. Examples include the Prayag Prashasti and Aihole Prashasti.
- Traveller Accounts: Foreign travellers who visited India wrote accounts of their experiences, observations, and the conditions they witnessed. Chinese pilgrims like Fa Xian and Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) provided important insights into Buddhism, society, and administration. Greek accounts, like those related to Megasthenes (Indica), also offer valuable information.
- Literary Works: A vast body of literature from ancient India serves as a historical source. This includes religious texts (Vedas, Upanishads, Epics), secular literature (plays like Mudrarakshasa, poems, scientific treatises), and historical chronicles (like Rajatarangini). They shed light on social structures, economic practices, religious beliefs, and political events.
It is important to analyze each source critically, considering its nature, purpose, and potential biases, to reconstruct historical events accurately.
Important Questions from Travellers in Ancient India
The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim, Xuan Zang, came to the Indian subcontinent about years ago.
The famous Arabic scholar Al Biruni came to contact with India through ______ in the eleventh century A.D.
According to Megasthenes, the guards of Chandragupta rode _________ decorated with gold and silver during royal processions.
In the seventeenth century, Peter Mundy, a foreign traveller from __________ visited India.
In the seventeenth century, Peter Mundy, a foreign traveller from ______ visited India.
