CAPF AC 2022 Q80: Ancient History – Post - Gupta & Early Medieval Dynasties
- (a) Harshacharita
- (b) Kadambari
- (c) Ratnavali
- (d) Gitagovinda
Answer: (c) Ratnavali
Explanation
Works of Harshavardhana
How to think: King Harsha of Kanauj (606-647 CE) was himself a writer.
He wrote three Sanskrit plays.
The book about his life was written by his court poet, not by him.
| Work | Author |
|---|---|
| Ratnavali | Harshavardhana |
| Nagananda | Harshavardhana |
| Priyadarshika | Harshavardhana |
| Harshacharita | Banabhatta (a life of Harsha) |
| Kadambari | Banabhatta (a prose romance) |
| Gitagovinda | Jayadeva (12th century, Bengal) |
More on Harsha: the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) visited his court.
Harsha was defeated by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II on the Narmada.
Answer: (c) Ratnavali.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Harshacharita is about Harsha but was written by Banabhatta.
- (b) Incorrect. Kadambari is a prose romance by Banabhatta.
- (c) CORRECT. Ratnavali is one of the three plays written by Harsha.
- (d) Incorrect. Gitagovinda was written by Jayadeva in the 12th century.
Key point
Harsha's plays: Ratnavali, Nagananda, Priyadarshika. Banabhatta: Harshacharita, Kadambari. Xuanzang's account: Si-yu-ki. Aihole inscription of Ravikirti records Pulakeshin II's victory over Harsha.
Remember
Harsha wrote Ratnavali, Nagananda, Priyadarshika.
Common mistakes
- Marking Harshacharita because it carries Harsha's name.
- Mixing up Banabhatta's Kadambari with Harsha's own plays.
- Placing Jayadeva's Gitagovinda in the 7th century.
Exam tip
Educated guess: a charita is a biography, and kings do not usually write their own. So Harshacharita is by someone else, his court poet Bana.
Sources
- NCERT Class VI History — Our Pasts I (New Empires and Kingdoms: Harshavardhana and the Harshacharita)
- R. S. Sharma, India's Ancient Past — Harsha and His Times