Question map
Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?
Explanation
Kalidasa's famous dramas include Malavikagnimitram[1], which is the correct answer. Pushyamitra was the Sunga emperor who had usurped the throne after the last Mauryan ruler[2], making him the founder of the Sunga dynasty. Malavikagnimitram tells the love story of Agnimitra, who was Pushyamitra's son and successor. The play revolves around King Agnimitra's romantic involvement with Malavika, a palace servant who is later revealed to be a princess. The other options are incorrect: Swapnavasavadatta is a play by Bhasa about Udayana; Meghadoota is Kalidasa's lyrical poem about a yaksha sending a message through a cloud; and Ratnavali is attributed to Harsha, dealing with King Udayana's story. Only Malavikagnimitram specifically features the son of the Sunga dynasty's founder.
Sources- [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Secular Literature > p. 99
- [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period > Demetrius > p. 78
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Sitter' question. It rewards basic reading of Ancient History standard texts (RS Sharma or TN Board). The question sits at the intersection of Political History (Sunga Dynasty) and Cultural History (Sanskrit Literature), a favorite zone for UPSC.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Explicitly lists the classical drama title 'Malavikagnimitram' among Kalidasa's famous plays.
- The play title contains the element 'Agnimitram', indicating a central role or subject named Agnimitra.
- Places the play within the established classical (Kalidasa) repertoire, supporting its identification as an ancient play.
- Identifies Pushyamitra as the Sunga emperor who usurped the throne after the last Mauryan ruler.
- Provides the historical figure (Pushyamitra Sunga) referenced in the statement, linking the royal context for Agnimitra.
- Notes Pushyamitra Sunga's patronage and prominence (Vedic religion received royal patronage from him).
- Reinforces the historical significance of Pushyamitra within the Sunga period mentioned in the statement.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly available in TN Board Class XI (Page 99) and Old NCERT RS Sharma. If you missed this, your core static notes are incomplete.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Ancient Indian Literature (Secular Drama) and its connection to historical personalities.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Don't just memorize authors; memorize the *Protagonists*. 1. Swapnavasavadatta (Bhasa) -> Udayana & Vasavadatta. 2. Ratnavali (Harsha) -> Udayana & Ratnavali. 3. Mrichchhakatika (Shudraka) -> Charudatta & Vasantasena. 4. Mudrarakshasa (Visakhadatta) -> Chanakya & Chandragupta Maurya. 5. Devichandraguptam (Visakhadatta) -> Chandragupta II & Dhruvadevi.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Always decode the Sanskrit titles of plays. They are often compound words of the main characters (e.g., Malavika + Agnimitra). When studying a dynasty (Sungas), explicitly look for 'Sources of Information'—literary texts are usually the first subheading.
Reference 6 lists Kalidasa's famous plays including 'Malavikagnimitram', the title relevant to Agnimitra in the question.
Kalidasa and his principal works are high-yield for culture/literature portions of ancient history; questions often ask to match authors to works or to identify historical figures depicted in classical drama. Memorise key titles (Sakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram, Vikramorvashiyam) and associate them with contexts (royalty, legends, historical personae).
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Secular Literature > p. 99
The statement names Pushyamitra Sunga; references 1 and 4 provide his historical role and patronage.
Understanding the Sunga dynasty (founding, policies, religious patronage) is frequently tested in ancient Indian history. Mastering Pushyamitra's role helps answer questions on post-Mauryan politics, religious shifts, and cultural patronage. Study dynasty chronology, major rulers, and key sources mentioning them.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period > Demetrius > p. 78
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Decline of Buddhism in India > p. 44
Reference 10 discusses plays (Mudrarakshasa) as literary works used as sources; reference 6 lists classical dramas, showing literature's role in reconstructing history.
UPSC often expects candidates to evaluate literary texts as historical evidence (chronology, bias, composition periods). Grasp how dramas and poems can illuminate rulers and events, but require cautious use. Practice by linking specific works to the historical figures/events they reference and noting their composition context.
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Emergence of State and Empire > Sources > p. 47
- History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > Secular Literature > p. 99
Since they asked about Agnimitra (Sunga), the next logical question is about the 'Devichandraguptam' by Visakhadatta, which describes how Chandragupta II killed his brother Ramagupta to save the empire and marry Dhruvadevi. Another sibling fact: Patanjali, author of Mahabhasya, was the priest for Pushyamitra Sunga's Ashvamedha yajna.
Etymological Hack: The question asks about the son of the founder (Pushyamitra). The son's name is Agnimitra. Look at the options. Option B is 'Malavikagnimitra'. The title literally splits into 'Malavika' (the heroine) and 'Agnimitra' (the hero). Even if you knew nothing about the plot, matching the name 'Agnimitra' to the title solves it instantly.
Mains GS1 (Art & Culture): Use this to exemplify 'Secular Literature as a Source of History'. While religious texts dominate, plays like Malavikagnimitra provide corroborative evidence for the Sunga-Vidarbha conflict and the revival of Vedic sacrifices (Ashvamedha) mentioned in the play.