Who among the following composed the 'Prayag Prashasti' of Samudragupta?
- A.Harishena
- B.Chand Bardai
- C.Vishakhadatta
- D.Kalidasa
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, Harishena. The Prayag Prashasti, also called the Allahabad Pillar Inscription, is a Sanskrit eulogy of the Gupta emperor Samudragupta (about 335 to 375 CE) composed by his court poet and minister Harishena, who held the titles sandhivigrahika (minister of peace and war) and kumaramatya. It is engraved on the Ashokan pillar now at Allahabad Fort and lists the kings Samudragupta defeated in the north (uprooted) and in the south (defeated and released), which is why historians call him the Napoleon of India. Written in the champu style, it also describes him as a poet and musician. B, Chand Bardai, wrote the Prithviraj Raso in the twelfth century. C, Vishakhadatta, wrote the play Mudrarakshasa about Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya. D, Kalidasa, the poet of Abhijnanashakuntalam and Meghaduta, is linked to Chandragupta II, not to this inscription. Exam tip: Harishena, Prayag Prashasti, Samudragupta; Ravikirti, Aihole inscription, Pulakeshin II.
Practice Questions
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