Question

Explain how Sanskrit literature was developed during the Gupta period.

Answer 1

Instructions:
The answer to this question should have the following points:

• The plays and poems written by Kalidasa
• Names and compositions of the other playwrights of the period

Solution:

• Sanskrit literature grew massively during the Gupta period.
• Kalidasa was a major poet of the time, and is considered to be one of the best playwrights in the world.
• He was one of the ‘Navaratnas’ present in the court of Chandragupta II, and has written four epic poems and three dramas.
• Kalidasa is also known as ‘Kavi Kula Guru’, meaning ‘the teacher to the poets’ tribe’. ‘Abhijnana Shankutala’ is one of Kalidasa’s famous dramas.
• Shudrakawho wrote ‘Mrichakatika’ and Vishakadutta who wrote ‘Mudraraakshasa’ were a few other famous playwrights of this period.
• The ‘Panchatantra’ of Vishnusharma also belongs to this period.
• The dictionary by Amarasimha called ‘Amarakosha’is a popular text, and is still in use.