Who among the following composed the 'Prayag Prashasti' of Samudragupta?
Harishena
Understanding the Prayag Prashasti and Samudragupta
The question asks about the composer of the famous 'Prayag Prashasti' related to the great Gupta ruler, Samudragupta. The Prayag Prashasti is a significant historical inscription, providing valuable information about Samudragupta's reign, conquests, and administration. It is inscribed on the Allahabad Pillar, which was originally erected by Emperor Ashoka.
Who Composed the Prayag Prashasti?
The Prayag Prashasti was composed by Harishena. Harishena was a court poet and a minister (specifically, Mahasandhivigrahika or minister of peace and war) in the court of Samudragupta. His composition is written in highly ornate Sanskrit, in the champu style (a mix of prose and poetry), and details Samudragupta's military campaigns, his character, and his benevolent rule.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the given options:
- Harishena: As mentioned above, Harishena was indeed the composer of the Prayag Prashasti. He was a key figure in Samudragupta's court.
- Chand Bardai: Chand Bardai was a court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan, a Rajput king of the Chauhan dynasty, who lived centuries after Samudragupta. He is famous for composing 'Prithviraj Raso', an epic poem about Prithviraj Chauhan's life. Therefore, he is not associated with Samudragupta or the Prayag Prashasti.
- Vishakhadatta: Vishakhadatta was a playwright who lived during a later period of the Gupta Empire, possibly during the reign of Chandragupta II or later. His most famous works are 'Mudrarakshasa' and 'Devichandraguptam', which are Sanskrit plays dealing with political intrigue. He was not the composer of the Prayag Prashasti.
- Kalidasa: Kalidasa was a renowned classical Sanskrit writer, widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in the Sanskrit language. He is believed to have lived during the reign of Chandragupta II (Samudragupta's son). His famous works include plays like 'Abhijnanashakuntalam' and epic poems like 'Raghuvamsa'. While a contemporary of the Gupta era, he did not compose the Prayag Prashasti.
Statement Analysis
Based on historical sources and evidence, the composer of the Prayag Prashasti is unequivocally identified as Harishena. The inscription itself mentions him as its composer.
To summarize:
| Figure | Period (Approx.) | Famous Work(s) | Connection to Prayag Prashasti |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harishena | Samudragupta's reign (4th Century CE) | Prayag Prashasti | Composer of the Prayag Prashasti and minister of Samudragupta. |
| Chand Bardai | Prithviraj Chauhan's reign (12th Century CE) | Prithviraj Raso | Lived much later; no connection to Samudragupta. |
| Vishakhadatta | Gupta period (later than Samudragupta) | Mudrarakshasa, Devichandraguptam | Playwright; no connection to the Prayag Prashasti. |
| Kalidasa | Gupta period (likely Chandragupta II's reign) | Abhijnanashakuntalam, Raghuvamsa, etc. | Poet and dramatist; no connection to the Prayag Prashasti. |
Therefore, the individual credited with composing the Prayag Prashasti of Samudragupta is Harishena.
Revision Table: Key Figures and Works
| Name | Associated Ruler/Period | Notable Work |
|---|---|---|
| Harishena | Samudragupta | Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar inscription) |
| Chand Bardai | Prithviraj Chauhan | Prithviraj Raso |
| Vishakhadatta | Later Gupta Period | Mudrarakshasa, Devichandraguptam |
| Kalidasa | Chandragupta II (likely) | Numerous poems and plays (e.g., Meghaduta, Raghuvamsa, Abhijnanashakuntalam) |
Additional Information: Significance of Prayag Prashasti
The Prayag Prashasti is invaluable for understanding the political history of the Gupta Empire, especially the reign of Samudragupta (often called the 'Napoleon of India' by V.A. Smith for his military campaigns). The inscription lists the rulers and regions conquered or subjugated by Samudragupta, providing details about his various campaigns, including those in North India (Aryavarta) and South India (Dakshinapatha).
Key aspects detailed in the inscription include:
- Genealogy of the Gupta dynasty up to Samudragupta.
- Descriptions of Samudragupta's military achievements and conquests.
- Mention of various kingdoms and tribes that paid him tribute or accepted his suzerainty.
- Information about Samudragupta's character, learning, and patronage of arts.
- It is written in Sanskrit using the Brahmi script.
The pillar itself dates back to Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) and bears his edicts. Samudragupta's inscription was added to it much later.
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Important Questions from Gupta Age
From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India?
1. The Guptas of Magadha
2. The Paramaras Malwa
3. The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
4. The Maukharis of Kanauj
5. The Yaduvas of Devagiri
6. The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Identify the person from the following description :
a. Founder of a great empire.
b. Cultured, scholar and a poet.
c. The famous poet Harisena was his court poet and Buddhist scholar Vasubandhu was in his court.
d. Vincent Smith praises him as the 'Indian Napoleon'.
The campaigns of which of the following Gupta ruler are described in the ‘Prayagprasasti’ ?
Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
Assertion (A): The Gupta period saw the ascendency of Hinduism, especially Bhagavatism or vaishnavism
Reason (R): Fahsien given the impression that Buddhism was flourishing during this period. It may be said first that four Buddha images were added at the four entrances of the great stupa of Sanchi. Nalanda also became a centre of Buddhist education during this period.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Ujjain was the capital of ancient Avanti and was ruled by
