The correct option is (c) Both 1 and 2.
Explanation
The Allahabad Pillar Inscription, also known as the Prayaga Prashasti, is a critical epigraphic source for the Gupta period. It serves as a panegyric (eulogy) detailing the reign, personality, and military conquests of Emperor Samudragupta.Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The inscription was composed by Harishena, the court poet and Minister of War and Peace (Sandhivigrahika) under Samudragupta. It is written in refined Sanskrit and follows the Champu style, which is a combination of prose and verse. It is formally recognized as a Kavya due to its literary merit.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The text glorifies Samudragupta as a supreme warrior whose body was beautified by the scars of battle axes, arrows, and swords. It elevates his status to that of a deity, explicitly comparing him to four gods: Kubera (God of Wealth), Varuna (God of the Ocean), Indra (God of Rains), and Yama (God of Death).
Key Takeaway: The Prayaga Prashasti is the most important source for Samudragupta's expansionist policies (Digvijaya) and portrays the Gupta emperor as a divine figure on earth.