With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements: 1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga. 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
Correct Answer
D
1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 3 is correct as Kalidasa was a legendary poet and one of the 'Nine Gems' (Navaratnas) in the court of the Gupta Emperor Chandra Gupta II. Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect because Panini lived centuries before Pushyamitra Shunga (who was actually a contemporary of the grammarian Patanjali), and Amarasimha was a peer of Kalidasa in the Gupta court, not associated with Harshavardhana. The core concept tested is the historical chronology and royal patronage of prominent ancient Indian scholars.
Ancient Scholars and LiteratureScholars and their PatronsPaniniPushyamitra ShungaAmarasimhaHarshavardhanaKalidasaChandra Gupta-II