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Ritika Chitlangia

Question Q.9Answer in 250 wordsGS1GS1

Sanskrit literature in general and particularly in the Guptan age set a high watermark for the literary history of ancient India. Discuss.

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Introduction

Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages, believed to be the 'mother' of modern-day Aryan linguistic and Dravidian linguistic families.

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Main Body

SANSKRIT LITERATURE

Pre-Guptan Age:

1Beginning of Vedic Age.

eg: Rigveda => written in sanskrit. it became the language of priests for performing various rituals and sacrifices.

2[illegible] is mentioned as [illegible] => composed by Bhirgi in sanskrit
3Didactic parts of Mahabharata and Ramayana were written in sanskrit.

[Guptan Age] => golden period of sanskrit literary texts

Uenual characteristics:

1most of the stories and texts were melodramatic => forceful happy endings.
2tells about socio-economic life => prevalence of caste, castle-system etc.

Development of sanskrit literary works:

1Kalidasa => some of the most popular sanskrit poems. eg: Meghdutum, Raghuvansha etc.
2Works of various astronomical mathematicians and physicists.

(i) Varahamihira => wrote 'Panchsiddhantika' => number system.

(ii) Brahmyamuhita => written by Brahmagupta => famous mathematician.

(iii) Aryabh Samhita => written by Aryabh => status of Aryabh.

(iv) Sushmi Samhita => Father of surgery

3Gupta period also symbolized the epitome of urbanism => gave rise to Vaksyayan's => 'Ramasutra'.

Therefore, Sanskrit literary tradition excelled since Vedic times, but at present, due to increasing globalisation & over-emphasis on use of English => loss of sanskrit tradition. The want of India, along with UNESCO needs to work on preserving the rich literary tradition.

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Conclusion

Therefore, Sanskrit literary tradition excelled since Vedic times, but at present, due to increasing globalisation & over-emphasis on use of English => loss of sanskrit tradition. The want of India, along with UNESCO needs to work on preserving the rich literary tradition.

42 words

  • Good structure separating pre-Guptan and Guptan periods
  • Specific literary examples provided
  • Mentions scientific contributions

Topper

Ritika Chitlangia

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Salient aspects of Literature from ancient to modern times

Pre Vedic

Literature

Writing Stats

267

Total words

2

Paragraphs