Ancient Indian Dramas

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge about Ancient Indian Dramas.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: indian literature indian dramas and plays ancient indian dramas
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Which of the following is considered the earliest surviving Sanskrit drama?

  1. Abhijñānaśākuntalam

  2. Mṛcchakatika

  3. Uttara-Rāmacarita

  4. Malavikāgnimitram


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Mṛcchakatika, also known as The Little Clay Cart, is a Sanskrit play attributed to Śūdraka. It is considered to be the earliest surviving Sanskrit drama.

Who is considered the greatest playwright of ancient India?

  1. Kālidāsa

  2. Bhāsa

  3. Viśākhadatta

  4. Bhavabhūti


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Kālidāsa is considered the greatest playwright of ancient India. He is known for his plays Abhijñānaśākuntalam, Vikramōrvaśīyam, and Mālavikāgnimitram.

Which of the following is a famous play by Bhāsa?

  1. Svapnavāsavadattam

  2. Pratima-Nāṭaka

  3. Bālacarita

  4. Madhyamavyayoga


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Svapnavāsavadattam, also known as The Dream of Vāsavadattā, is a famous play by Bhāsa. It is a romantic comedy about the love between King Udayana and Princess Vāsavadattā.

Which of the following is a famous play by Viśākhadatta?

  1. Mudrārākṣasa

  2. Devīcandraguptam

  3. Abhiṣeka-Nāṭaka

  4. Priyadarśikā


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Mudrārākṣasa is a famous play by Viśākhadatta. It is a political thriller about the struggle between Chanakya and Rākṣasa for the control of the Magadha Empire.

Which of the following is a famous play by Bhavabhūti?

  1. Mālatīmādhava

  2. Uttararāmacarita

  3. Mahāvīracarita

  4. Haṃsamukti


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Mālatīmādhava is a famous play by Bhavabhūti. It is a romantic drama about the love between Mālatī and Mādhava.

What is the main theme of Kālidāsa's play Abhijñānaśākuntalam?

  1. Love and separation

  2. Revenge and justice

  3. Political intrigue

  4. Religious devotion


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main theme of Kālidāsa's play Abhijñānaśākuntalam is love and separation. The play tells the story of the love between King Duṣyanta and the apsara Śakuntalā, and their eventual reunion after a long separation.

What is the main theme of Bhāsa's play Svapnavāsavadattam?

  1. Love and romance

  2. Political power

  3. Religious devotion

  4. Social justice


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main theme of Bhāsa's play Svapnavāsavadattam is love and romance. The play tells the story of the love between King Udayana and Princess Vāsavadattā, and their eventual marriage.

What is the main theme of Viśākhadatta's play Mudrārākṣasa?

  1. Political intrigue

  2. Love and romance

  3. Religious devotion

  4. Social justice


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main theme of Viśākhadatta's play Mudrārākṣasa is political intrigue. The play tells the story of the struggle between Chanakya and Rākṣasa for the control of the Magadha Empire.

What is the main theme of Bhavabhūti's play Mālatīmādhava?

  1. Love and romance

  2. Political power

  3. Religious devotion

  4. Social justice


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main theme of Bhavabhūti's play Mālatīmādhava is love and romance. The play tells the story of the love between Mālatī and Mādhava, and their eventual marriage.

Which of the following is a famous character in ancient Indian drama?

  1. Dushyanta

  2. Shakuntala

  3. Vidushaka

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Dushyanta, Shakuntala, and Vidushaka are all famous characters in ancient Indian drama. Dushyanta is the king who falls in love with Shakuntala, a beautiful apsara. Vidushaka is the king's jester, who provides comic relief.

What is the purpose of the Vidushaka in ancient Indian drama?

  1. To provide comic relief

  2. To comment on the action of the play

  3. To provide moral instruction

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Vidushaka in ancient Indian drama serves multiple purposes. He provides comic relief, comments on the action of the play, and provides moral instruction.

Which of the following is a characteristic of ancient Indian drama?

  1. Use of Sanskrit language

  2. Elaborate stagecraft

  3. Musical interludes

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Ancient Indian drama is characterized by the use of Sanskrit language, elaborate stagecraft, and musical interludes.

What is the significance of ancient Indian drama?

  1. It provides insights into ancient Indian culture and society

  2. It is a valuable source of entertainment

  3. It has influenced the development of modern Indian drama

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Ancient Indian drama provides insights into ancient Indian culture and society, is a valuable source of entertainment, and has influenced the development of modern Indian drama.

Which of the following is a modern adaptation of an ancient Indian drama?

  1. The Clay Cart

  2. Shakuntala

  3. Mudrarakshasa

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Clay Cart, Shakuntala, and Mudrarakshasa are all modern adaptations of ancient Indian dramas.

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