Question

Who was the court poet of Harshavardana who recorded his achievements ?
A. Aryabhatta
B. Banabhatta
C. Kalidasa
D. Hieun Tsang

Answer 1

Hint: The biography of the great ruler Harshavardana was written in the seventh century C.E India. It is named as Harshacharita and contains the records of all the achievements of Harshavardana.

Complete answer:
Banabhatta, also known as Bana, was a Sanskrit writer. He was the court poet of Harshavardhana and gave a detailed account of the life of the great ruler.

Aryabhatta was a mathematician and astronomer in the court of the Gupta ruler Chandragupta II (also known as Chandragupta Vikramaditya). He gave the geometric value of π (pi) employing 62,832/20,000 (= 3.1416). He was the one who invented the theorems of quadratic equations, compound interest, ratio and proportions, linear equations among his other numerous works.

Banabhatta, also known as Bana was the Asthana Kavi in the court of King Harshavardhana, who reigned c. 606–647 CE. He was a Sanskrit prose writer and poet of India. His major works include the biography of Harshavardana, Harshacharita and a novel named Kadambari which was left unfinished due to his death. Later, the novel was completed by his son.

Kalidasa adorned the court of Chandragupta Vikramaditya like Aryabhatta. He was a Sanskrit author and is often said to be India’s greatest dramatist and playwright. Kalidasa is the author of two epic poems, Raghuvaṃsa ("Dynasty of Raghu") and Kumarasambhava (Kumara meaning son, and sambhavam meaning possibility of an event to take place, in this context it means birth.

Hieuen Tsang was a Chinese traveller, buddhist monk and scholar who travelled India during the reign of King Harshavardhana during the Seventh century. He gave elaborate accounts of the state of Buddhism and Buddhists across India when he travelled and studied for seven years. He was given a grand farewell by King Harshavardhana before his return to China.

The correct answer is option (B) Banabhatta.

Note: Banabhatta is said to be a proficient thinker and that he had written about everything that exists on this Earth. He had presented vivid descriptions of the rural life in India during Harshavardana’s reign in Harshacharita.