Question

Who among the following was not the nine jewels of Chandragupta II?

A. Amarsimha

B. Varahamihira

C. Vararuchi

D. Shudraka

Answer 1

Hint: Chandragupta II was one of the powerful rulers of the Gupta Empire. In his court, there were nine jewels or scholars who were known as Navratna. Kalidas the great poet also belonged to this period.

Complete answer:

Chandragupta II also known as Vikramaditya who continued the expansionist policy of his father. Under his rule, the administration reached its zenith and appointed nine jewels or Navratna named as Amarasimha, Dhanvantari, Ghatakarapara, Kalidasa, Kshapanaka, Shanku, Varahamihira, Varuchi, Vetala- Bhatta. But many historians criticized it by saying that there is no historical evidence to show that they all were under the same king. 

Looking at the options given: 

Option A. Amarsimha was the poet from ancient India and his work ‘Amar Kosha’ was greatly celebrated. He was one of the nine jewels of Chandragupta II. It is an incorrect option.

Option B. He wrote three important books- i) He composed Pancha Siddhantika, the five astronomical systems. ii)His work Brihadsamhita is a great work in the Sanskrit language. It deals with a variety of subjects like astronomy, astrology, geography, architecture, weather, animals, marriage and omens. iii) His Brihat Jataka is considered to be a standard work on astrology.

Option C. Vararuchi was one of the nine jewels of Chandragupta II, and it is believed that he was the author of ‘Prakrit Prakash’, the oldest treatise on the grammar of Prakrit. It is an incorrect option.

Option D.In the prologue of the play Mrichchhakatika, the stager states that its poet was a wise king renowned as "Shudraka". He had performed Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice) ritual to prove his superiority, and immolated himself at the age of 110 years, after crowning his son as the new king. The prologue describes him as a distinguished mentor, who had gained knowledge of the Rigveda, the Samaveda, mathematics, the Kamashastra and also the art of training elephants.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note: Chandragupta II was characterized as an ideal king who is known for his courage and patronage of scholars. Nalanda was established during the Gupta Empire era.