Previous Year Question
Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
Malavikagnimitra is a Sanskrit play written by Kalidasa. It presents the love story of Agnimitra, the son of Pushyamitra Shunga—the founder of the Shunga dynasty—and Malavika.
At the beginning of the play, Agnimitra is the Shunga ruler at Vidisha. He falls in love with Malavika, an attendant of his queen Dharini, after seeing her portrait. Malavika is subsequently revealed to be a princess of Vidarbha, thereby clearing the way for their marriage. The play also refers to political events of the Shunga period, particularly the conflict with Vidarbha and Vasumitra’s defeat of the Yavanas while protecting the sacrificial horse of Pushyamitra’s Ashvamedha sacrifice.
The remaining options are different works:
(a) Swapnavasavadatta is a play written by Bhasa. Its story concerns King Udayana of Vatsa and his queen Vasavadatta.
(c) Meghadoota is a lyric poem by Kalidasa in which an exiled Yaksha sends a message to his wife through a cloud.
(d) Ratnavali is a Sanskrit play associated with Emperor Harsha. It concerns the love of King Udayana and Princess Ratnavali.