Question

Who among the following wrote a famous dissertation on Sanskrit grammar?

• A. Panini
• B. Patanjali
• C. Sushruta
• D. Chanakya

Hint:

When studying ancient history, create a table of important figures, their field of expertise (e.g., grammar, medicine, politics), and their major works. This helps in distinguishing their contributions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the ancient Indian scholar known for a foundational work on Sanskrit grammar.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Panini was an ancient Indian philologist, grammarian, and a revered scholar in ancient India.
His most famous work is the Ashtadhyayi (meaning "Eight Chapters"). This text is a comprehensive and scientific treatise on Sanskrit grammar.
It is considered a masterpiece of brevity and completeness, laying down the grammatical rules of classical Sanskrit in a highly systematic and technical manner.
Other Options:
- Patanjali: Wrote the Mahabhashya, a commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi.
- Sushruta: A pioneer in the field of medicine and surgery, known for the Sushruta Samhita.
- Chanakya: Also known as Kautilya, he was a statesman and philosopher, famous for the political treatise Arthashastra.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Panini is the correct answer as he authored the foundational dissertation on Sanskrit grammar, the Ashtadhyayi.