Question

The book "Indica" was written by

• A. Kautilya
• B. Visakadatta
• C. Aswaghosha
• D. Megasthenes

Hint:

Important Ancient Indian Texts and Authors: - Indica: Megasthenes (Greek account of Mauryan India). - Arthashastra: Kautilya/Chanakya (treatise on statecraft). - Mudrarakshasa: Visakadatta (historical play). - Buddhacharita: Ashvaghosha (epic on Buddha's life).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Recall ancient authors and their works related to India.
"Indica" is a famous account of Mauryan India.

Step 2: Identify the author of "Indica".
Megasthenes was a Greek ethnographer and ambassador of Seleucus I Nicator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra.
His work, "Indica," though now largely lost, survives through fragments quoted by later Greek and Roman writers.
It provides valuable information about the society, administration, and geography of Mauryan India.

Step 3: Consider other authors.
- (1) Kautilya (also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta): The author of the "Arthashastra," an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy.
He was an advisor to Chandragupta Maurya.
- (2) Visakadatta (Vishakhadatta): A Sanskrit poet and playwright, best known for his historical play "Mudrarakshasa," which deals with the rise of Chandragupta Maurya and the machinations of Chanakya.
- (3) Aswaghosha (Ashvaghosha): An Indian Buddhist philosopher, poet, and dramatist.
He is known for works like "Buddhacharita" (an epic on the life of Buddha).

Step 4: Confirm the author.
"Indica" was written by Megasthenes.
This matches option (4).