Question

Which book of Kalidas impressed the German poet Goethe very much?
  (A) Malvikagnimitram
  (B) Ritusamhar
  (C) Vikramovarshiyam
  (D) Abhigyana Shankuntalam

Answer 1

Hint: The book that impressed German Poet Goethe was a Sanskrit play based on the plot of Mahabharata. He was so impressed with Kalidas that he crowned him with the title 'Shakespeare of India'. This book was published in the year 1885.

Complete answer:
The Abhigyana Shankuntalam is a Sanskrit play that revolves around the character of Shakuntala from the story of Mahabharata. Now before, looking at the story of Abhigyan Shakuntalam, let's take a brief note about its author, Kalidas. He was a Sanskrit author or a poet who basically wrote stories and the poems based on the plot of Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas. He was born during the rule of the Gupta Dynasty. He wrote many well-known poems which include Abhigyan Shankuntalam, Raghuvasma, Meghaduta and many more. His Sanskrit drama named 'Abhigyan Shankuntalam' was loved a lot by Goethe, and he wanted to publish that in his country too.
The story fluctuates about the two lovers Dushyanta and Shakuntala. Shakuntaka was the daughter of scholar Vishwamitra who renounced her soon after her birth. She was then taken to sage Kanava by the birds in the forest, who treated her as his own daughter. She was then married to King Dushyanta, and they both gave birth to a child and named him 'Bharat'.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: India is named as 'Bharat', after the name of Shakuntala and Dushyanta's son. Abhigyan Shakuntalam was the first Sanskrit play which was translated into many other languages, including English. William Jones was the first person who translated this play in the English language.