Question

Which of the following pairs of kings of ancient and medieval periods of Indian history and the works authored by them is correctly matched?
A) Krishnadevaraya: Samaranganassutrad-hara
B) Mahendravarman: Mattavilasa Prahasana
C) Bhojadeva: Manasollasa
D) Somesvara: Amuktamalyada

Answer 1

Hint: India's history and culture are rich and diverse, dating back to the dawn of civilization. It all starts with a strange civilization that developed around the Indus River and in farming settlements in India's southern regions. The Chalukyas, Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, Rashtrakutas, Muslims, and eventually the Mughal Empire ruled over India for over three centuries in the Medieval period.

Complete answer:
Kings who ruled in different parts of India were known in terms of their knowledge and work in literature and different art forms. Many authors contributed to the vast body of early Indian literature, which included poetry, theatre, and texts on religion, philosophy, linguistics, mathematics, and a variety of other subjects. Emperor Vikramaditya, who penned 'Vikram and Vetal,' King Janaka, who supplied multiple portions in the Upanishads, various Tamil Kings who composed Tamil Sangam Poems, and Asoka, who issued edicts based on Buddha's teachings are only a few of them.

Let us now consider each options:
A) Krishnadevaraya: Samaranganassutrad-hara: The Samaranganassutrad-hara is a scholarly treatise on Indian 'Vastu Shastra.' Bhoja (1000–1055 AD), the famous ruler of Dhar, composed it. This book is divided into 43 chapters that cover topics such as city planning, construction crafts, temple crafts, sculpture, and postures. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

B) Mahendravarman: Mattavilasa Prahasana: Mattavilasa Prahasana is a short Sanskrit play with only one act. It is one of two outstanding one-act plays written in Tamil Nadu at the beginning of the seventh century by Pallava King Mahendravarman I (571–630 CE). The play depicts an altercation between an inebriated Kapali and a Buddhist monk. The intoxicated Kapali suspects the Buddhist monk of stealing his begging bowl made of a skull after a long dispute, but it is subsequently determined that it was stolen by a dog. Hence, this is the correct match and thus the correct option.

C) Bhojadeva: Manasollasa: This book, titled 'Manasolasa,' is about conflict. This book is thought to be the 'Chalukya dynasty's royal scripture. Raja Someswara III (1129) proposed Mansolasa, a Sanskrit writing for all classes of society. ​According to the first sub-book of the Manasollasa, the emperor, ministers, and citizens should refrain from injuring others, practise self-restraint and generosity, have confidence in gods, feed and support the destitute and defenceless, and be friendly. According to the text, the king should respect his forefathers and all visitors. Thus, this is an incorrect option.

D) Somesvara: Amuktamalyada: Krishnadevaraya composed the Telugu epic poem Amuktamalyada. Between 1509 and 1530, he was the Emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire. The name Amuktamalyada means "one who offered the garland after wearing it." The Hindu Lord Ranganayaka, an avatar of Vishnu, married Goda Devi aka Andal, the Tamil Alvar poet and daughter of Periyalvar, at Srirangam, according to the Amuktamalyada. Hence, this is an incorrect option.

Thus, the correct option is B) Mahendravarman: Mattavilasa Prahasana. King Mahendravarman I wrote Mattavilasa Prahasana in the early seventh century. It's one of Ekanki's best plays.

Note: The legendary burlesque Mattavilasa Prahasana was written by Mahendravarman, a versatile Pallava ruler and a great scholar. Mattavilasa Prahasana translates to "Drunkards' Sport."It is a one-act Sanskrit play. Mattavilasa Prahasana is a parody that mocks Buddhists and Jainists, as well as the heretical Kapalika and Pasupata Saivite sects. The play takes place in Kanchipuram, the seventh-century capital of the Pallava dynasty. The play centres on Satya Soma, a Kapalika mendicant, and Devasoma, his wife, as well as the disappearance and return of their skull-bowl.