Who was the author of Mudrarakshasa?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — C, Vishakhadutta (Visakhadatta). He wrote Mudrarakshasa, a Sanskrit political drama in seven acts dramatising Chanakya's scheming to win over Rakshasa — the loyal minister of the deposed Nanda king — and secure the throne for Chandragupta Maurya.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) A 12th-century Jain scholar (court of the Chaulukya king Kumarapala), famous for the Sanskrit grammar Siddha-Hema-Shabdanushasana — not for Mudrarakshasa.  (b) Not connected to Mudrarakshasa; no established authorship link to this Mauryan-era political drama.  (d) A court poet ('Parimala') of the Paramara king Sindhuraja, known for the Navasahasankacharita — a different work, different dynasty, different century.

Concept: Mudrarakshasa ('The Signet Ring of Rakshasa') is a Sanskrit Nataka (political drama) set at the fall of the Nanda dynasty and the rise of Chandragupta Maurya. Its central figure is Chanakya (Kautilya), whose statecraft and intrigue — not battlefield victory — bring Rakshasa, the last Nanda minister, over to the Mauryan side.

State PCS 2021 Q96 — History PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2021 Q96 — History PYQ with Answer