Question

Who among the following had written down the ‘Ramacharitam’?
A) Sandhyakar Nandi
B) Chand Bardai
C) Banabhatta
D) Kalhana

Answer 1

Hint: The “Ramacharitam” is a Sanskrit epic poem that was composed in Arya metre, roughly during the 11th century. It was written in 215 verses by a medieval Indian poet from the Pala Empire.

Complete answer:
The “Ramacharitam” is a Sanskrit epic poem written by Sandhyakar Nandi in an Arya metre. It was written between approximately 1050 and 1150 CE during the Pala Empire. The text provides information about the historical events that took place in Bengal from the Pala Emperor Mahipala II’s assassination by Divya, a rebel Kaivarta officer, till the reign of Madanapala. This was expressed through 215 verses, by using a figure of speech known as the ‘Shlesha’ (double-meaning words) in each verse. Simultaneously it also narrates the story of the Ramayana and Ramapala, the Pala king. The work is biased in Ramapala’s favour but remains an important historical source for the history of Pala.

Option A) Sandhyakar Nandi: He was a medieval Indian poet from the Pala Empire. He wrote the epic poem Ramacharitam. Thus, it is the correct option.
Option B) Chand Bardai: He was an Indian poet who composed an epic poem in Braj Bhasha called “Prithviraj Raso'', which is about the life of Prithviraj Chauhan, the Chahamana king. Thus, it is an incorrect option.
Option C) Banabhatta: He was the ‘Asthana Kavi' in king Harshavardhana's court. His major works include the “Harshacharita”, biography of Harshavardhana, and one of the earliest novels of the world “Kadambari”. Thus, it is an incorrect option.
Option D) Kalhana: He was the author of “Rajatarangini” (River of Kings). It is an account of Kashmir’s history and consists of 7826 verses divided into 8 books referred to as ‘Tarangas’, and was written in Sanskrit between 1148 and 1149. Thus, it is an incorrect option.

Thus, the correct answer is option ‘A’ i.e, Sandhyakar Nandi had written the Ramacharitam.

Note: A palm-leaf manuscript of the Ramacharitam is preserved in the museum of the Asiatic Society, Kolkata. It was discovered by ‘Haraprasad Shastri’. It is regarded as an essential source by historians for reconstructing the ancient history of Bengal.