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Which Sanskrit play deals with court intrigues and the rise of Chandragupta Maurya to power, through the plans of Chanakya?

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Answer: Option C — Mudrarakshasa

Detailed Solution

"Mudrarakshasa" ("The Signet Ring of Rakshasa") is a Sanskrit political drama that deals with court intrigues and the establishment of Chandragupta Maurya's rule, through the clever plans of Chanakya.

About the play:

  • It was written by Vishakhadatta, probably in the Gupta period (around the 4th-6th century CE; dates are debated).
  • It has seven acts.
  • It is unusual among Sanskrit plays because it is a political thriller, with no romance or love story at its centre.

Its story:

  • After the fall of the Nanda dynasty, Chandragupta Maurya has become king, but Rakshasa, the loyal minister of the Nandas, is still trying to overthrow him.
  • Chanakya wants to win Rakshasa over to serve Chandragupta, because he admires Rakshasa's loyalty and ability.
  • Chanakya obtains Rakshasa's signet ring (mudra), and uses it to seal a forged letter, which creates suspicion between Rakshasa and his ally, Malayaketu.
  • Through a series of clever schemes, Chanakya isolates Rakshasa and finally persuades him to become the minister of Chandragupta.
  • The play shows Chanakya as a master of political strategy and diplomacy.
  • Chandragupta is called "Vrishala" in the play, which some scholars interpret as indicating a humble origin.

Importance:

  • It is an important literary source for the early Mauryan period, though written several centuries later.
  • It reflects ideas of statecraft similar to those in the Arthashastra.

Other works of Vishakhadatta:

"Devichandraguptam", a play about the Gupta king Chandragupta II, survives only in fragments.

Other famous Sanskrit plays:

  • "Mrichchhakatika": by Shudraka.
  • "Malavikagnimitra": by Kalidasa, about King Agnimitra of the Shunga dynasty.
  • "Svapnavasavadattam": by Bhasa, about King Udayana.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗Mrichchhakatika ("The Little Clay Cart") is a social drama.
  • ✗Malavikagnimitra is a romantic play about the Shunga king Agnimitra.
  • ✗Svapnavasavadattam is about King Udayana and Vasavadatta.

Quick tip

Remember: Mudrarakshasa = Vishakhadatta (Chanakya vs Rakshasa, minister of the Nandas; Chandragupta called "Vrishala"); Devichandraguptam = also Vishakhadatta.

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Books & Authors — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Books & Authors, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers famous books and their authors, including ancient Indian texts, works of the freedom struggle, classic and modern literature, autobiographies of famous people, and recently published books by well-known personalities. Questions usually name a book and ask for its author, or the other way round. Ancient and historical books, such as Arthashastra (Kautilya), Indica (Megasthenes) and Gitanjali (Rabindranath Tagore), are tested most often. Autobiographies are another favourite, so learn titles such as 'My Experiments with Truth' (Mahatma Gandhi) and 'Wings of Fire' (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam). Practise the books and authors questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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