Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?
- (a) Swapnavasavadatta
- (b) Malavikagnimitra ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Meghadoota
- (d) Ratnavali
Why the answer is (b)
• Kalidasa's play Malavikagnimitra tells the love story of Agnimitra, son of Pushyamitra Shunga (founder of the Shunga dynasty, c. 185 BCE), and Malavika, a maid in his queen's household — option (b).
• Swapnavasavadatta (a) by Bhasa concerns King Udayana of Vatsa; Meghadoota (c) is Kalidasa's lyric poem of a yaksha's message; Ratnavali (d), attributed to Harsha, also concerns Udayana.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Swapnavasavadatta
- Swapnavasavadatta is about Udayana, not Agnimitra.
- (c) Meghadoota
- Meghadoota is a lyric poem, not a Shunga love story.
- (d) Ratnavali
- Ratnavali is about Udayana.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.