Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
Ready to check the official UPSC Answer Key?
Click any option above to test yourself under exam conditions, or reveal the explanation directly.
Correct Answer: Option (C) — 3 only
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference Verified- Statement 1 is incorrect: Panini, author of the Sanskrit grammar treatise Ashtadhyayi, lived around the 5th–4th century BCE (pre-Mauryan/Mauryan period). Patanjali, author of the Mahabhasya, is the grammarian associated with Pushyamitra Shunga (2nd century BCE).
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Amarasimha, author of the Sanskrit thesaurus Amarakosha, was one of the 'Nine Jewels' (Navaratnas) at the court of Chandragupta II (Gupta Empire, 4th–5th century CE), not Harshavardhana (7th century CE).
- Statement 3 is correct: Kalidasa flourished in the court of Gupta Emperor Chandragupta II (Chandragupta Vikramaditya).
Practice Full-Length & Sectional Prelims Mocks on this Interface
50 simulated tests in the APT Prelims Test Series (₹1,493) or 1-on-1 Mentorship with Avinash Sir.