Ancient Literature Notes with PDF
These notes are your ultimate revision weapon to revise Ancient Literature. We’ve distilled years of previous exam questions (PYQs) into one powerful, concise resource. Everything you need to know, nothing you don’t.
- PYQs, Decoded: All key concepts from past exams, organized and simplified.
- Revise in Record Time: Short, precise, and designed for last-minute review.
- Focus on What Matters: Master high-probability topics and boost your confidence.
- Free PDF to download.
You'll Read
Ancient Indian Literature & Scholars: A Structured Overview
Sanskrit Literature
A. Drama & Plays
| Work | Author | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Mudrarakshasa | Vishakhadatta | – Sanskrit play from the Gupta period. – Narrates the story of Chandragupta and Kautilya overthrowing the Nanda dynasty. |
| Devi-Chandragupta | Vishakhadatta | – Another play by Vishakhadatta. |
| Mrichchhakatika (The Little Clay Cart) | Shudraka | – A famous Sanskrit play. |
| Swapnavasavadatta | Bhasa | – Play by the renowned poet Bhasa. |
| Matta Vilasa Prahasana | Mahendra Varman (Pallava ruler) | – Discusses contemporary religious and social life. |
| Plays by Kalidasa | Kalidasa | – Wrote Abhijnana Shakuntalam, Vikramorvashi, and Malavikagnimitram (a romantic story about King Agnimitra). – Did not write Mrichchhakatikam or Janaki Haranama. |
| Plays by Harsha | Harshavardhana (King) | – Wrote Nagananda, Ratnavali, and Priyadarshika. – Did not write Karpuramanjari. |
| Other Playwrights | Bhavabhuti | – Wrote Mahavira Charita, Malatimadhava, and Uttararamacharita. |
| Rajasekhara | – Wrote Karpuramanjari. | |
| Hastimalla & Kshemeshvara | – Also famous ancient playwrights. |
B. Poetry & Epics (Mahakavyas)
| Work | Author | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Kumarasambhava (“The Birth of the War God”) | Kalidasa | – An epic poem. |
| Raghuvamsa | Kalidasa | – An epic poem. |
| Meghaduta (The Cloud Messenger) | Kalidasa | – A lyrical poem. |
| Ritusamhara | Kalidasa | – A poem. |
| Kiratarjuniya | Bharavi | – Epic based on a story from the Mahabharata. |
| Dashkumarcharitam (The Tale of the Ten Princes) | Dandin (Dandi) | – A poetic work. |
| Geet Govind | Jayadeva (Court poet of King Lakshman Sen) | – A poem divided into twelve sections (12th century). |
| Mahabharata | Vyasa | – Known for the saying: “What is here is also found elsewhere, but if not here is found nowhere else.” |
| Bhagavad Gita (Part of Mahabharata) | – States the philosophy: “The right is to work only, but never with its fruits.” | |
| Panchatantra | Attributed to Vishnu Sharma | – A collection of animal fables. – Translated into 15 Indian and 40 foreign languages. – Translated into Persian by Abul Fazl as Ayar-e-danish. |
| Works based on Mahabharata | Various | – Include Naishadha Charita, Kiratarjuniya, and Sisupalavadha. |
C. Prose, Historical Texts & Biographies
| Work | Author | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Rajatarangini (River of Kings) | Kalhana | – A history of Kashmir. – Kalhana was a contemporary of King Jai Singh (c. 1128-1149 CE). – Narrative continued by Jonaraja and Srivara. |
| Harshacharita | Banabhatta | – Biography of King Harshavardhana. |
| Vikramankadevacharita | Bilhana | – A historical biography. |
| Gaudavaho | Vakpati (in Prakrit) | – A historical poem about King Yasovarman of Kanauj; similar to Rajatarangini. |
| Kadambari | Banabhatta | – A novel/prose romance. – Was not written by Subandhu. |
| Vinaya-Patrika | Tulsidas | – A book of religious poetry (Bhakti literature). |
D. Lexicography & Grammar
| Work | Author | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Amarakosha | Amarasimha (Gupta period) | – A Sanskrit lexicon (thesaurus). |
| Ashtadhyayi | Panini | – Foundational text of Sanskrit grammar. |
| Mahabhasya | Patanjali | – A commentary on Sanskrit grammar. |
| Katantra | Associated with Sarva Varma | – A Sanskrit grammar text. |
Scientific, Technical & Philosophical Treatises
| Field | Treatise | Author | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Politics & Statecraft | Arthashastra | Chanakya (Kautilya) | – Treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. |
| Science & Astronomy | Brihat Samhita, Brihat Jataka, Pancha Siddhantika | Varahamihira | – Brihat Samhita is an encyclopedic work. – Panchasiddhantika is based on Greek astronomy. |
| Mathematics | Lilavati | Bhaskara II (Bhaskaracharya) | – 12th-century mathematician known for Algebra. |
| Decimal Place Value System | Aryabhatta | – Credited with its invention. | |
| Medicine (Ayurveda) | Charaka Samhita | Charaka | – Foundational text of medicine; Charaka is the father of Indian medicine. |
| Ashtanga-Samgraha | Vagbhata | – A medical text. | |
| Performing Arts | Natyashastra | Bharata Muni | – Foundational text on performing arts; considered the primary source for North Indian classical music. |
| Erotics | Kamasutra | Vatsyayana | – A text on erotics. |
| Law | Mitakshara | Vigneshwara | – A commentary on Yajnavalkya Smriti (important in Hindu law). |
| Philosophy | Charvaka/Lokayata | – School of Indian materialism. – Accepts only Perception as a valid source of knowledge. – Rejects god, afterlife, and liberation (moksha). |
|
| Nyaya | Gautam | – School of logic and epistemology. |
Historical & Religious Texts
A. Puranas & Dharmashastras
- Vayu Purana: Mentions the ancient name “Nilotpala” for the Mahanadi River.
- Manusmriti (Laws of Manu):
- Related to the Social System (varna, ashrama, duties).
- Also known as Manav Dharam Shastra (18 chapters).
- Attributed to Manu, the first law-giver of India.
- Foundation of Indian law and society.
B. Buddhist Literature
- Milindapanha:
- A Buddhist text in the Pali language.
- A dialogue between King Menander (Milinda) and the Buddhist monk Nagasena.
- It is not a Jain chronicle, Sanskrit drama, or Persian epic.
- Buddhacharita:
- A Sanskrit epic on the life of Buddha, written by Ashvaghosha (not Vasubandhu).
- Saundarananda: Also written by Ashvaghosha.
C. Sangam Literature
- Sangam Sahitya (Sangam Literature) is silent about the trade routes of ancient India.
Court Poets & Their Patrons
| Poet/Scholar | Patron / Court |
|---|---|
| Kalidasa | Court of Chandra Gupta II (Gupta Period) |
| Harishena | Court of Samudra Gupta (Composed the Allahabad Pillar Inscription) |
| Banabhatta | Court of Harshavardhana |
| Bhavabhuti | Court of King Yasovarman of Kannauj |
| Vakpati | Court of King Yasovarman of Kanauj |
| Jayadeva | Court of King Lakshman Sen of Bengal (12th century) |
| Amir Khusrau | Court of Sultan Alauddin Khilji |
Foreign Accounts of India
| Historian/Author | Work | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Herodotus (Greek) | The Histories | – Known as the ‘Father of History’. – Discusses the relationship between India and Persia in the 5th century BCE. |
| Pompeius Trogus (Roman) | Historial Philippical | – Wrote about history. |
| Pliny the Elder (Roman) | The Natural History | – A Roman author; work was not written by Ptolemy. |
| Hui-li (Chinese) | Life of Hiuen Tsang | – Wrote the biography of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang. |
The Gupta Period: A Golden Age of Literature
- Known as the “Golden Age of Sanskrit Literature”.
- Notable works from this era include:
- Amarakosha by Amarasimha
- Kamasutra by Vatsyayana
- Meghadūta by Kalidasa
- Mudrarakshasa by Vishakhadatta
Miscellaneous Facts
- Concept of Zero: Invented by Indians, transferred to Arabs (c. 873 A.D.), and then to Europe.
- Musical Instruments: The Veena is the most ancient instrument among Sitar, Sarod, and Tabla.
- Dramaturgy: Das Rupaka refers to the ten types of plays in Sanskrit literature.
Know More about Ancient Literature: