Question

The composer of the Allahabad pillar inscription is____________.
A)Harisena
B)Banabhatta
C)Dandin
D)Sudraka

Answer 1

HINT: The Allahabad inscription projects king Samudragupta as an ideal king. Some scholars refer to it as Gupta inscription, which mentions the ancestors of the kings and their titles, virtues and military exploits.

Complete step by step solution:
Option A- Harisena by-name Hirisena, was an important figure in the court of the Gupta Emperor, Samudragupta. He was a 4th century Sanskrit poet, government minister and panegyrist. He was the resident of Khadyatapakika. He assumed the titles of Sandhi Vigraha i.e. minister of war and peace along with ‘Kumaramatya’; minister attached to the king. The inscription is written in Sanskrit language; It is written in both prose and verse. There are thirty-three lines in total where the verses are numbered serially; mentioning the achievements of Samudragupta in the Prayag-Prasasti inscription( Allahabad inscription).So, option A is correct.
Option B- Banabhatta, was a court poet of king Harsha Vardhana, he used to write in Sanskrit and belonged to the 7th century. This is an incorrect option.
Option C- Dandin, was an Indian aesthetician, belonging to the sixth and seventh century. His notable works are 'Dasakumaracharita’ and “ Kavyadarsa’. This is not a correct option.
Option D- Sudraka , also spelled Shudraka or Cudraka. He was a playwright as well as an Indian king. He used to write plays in Sanskrit.

NOTE: Ancient Indian poets beautifully showcase the magnificence of Indian Emperors.The Allahabad inscription informs us about two rulers of Gupta kingdom; they are Srigupta and Ghatotkacha Gupta.Most likely they were the grandfather and great grandfather of Samudragupta.