The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Manimekalai is one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil literature. It is a sequel to the epic Silappadikaram and is renowned for its exposition of Buddhist philosophy and logic.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The epic Manimekalai was composed by a Buddhist merchant named Sattanar (also known as Chithalai Chathanar). Date its composition to approximately 1400 years ago.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The narrative follows the life of Manimekalai, the daughter of Kovalan and the courtesan Madhavi (characters from the Silappadikaram). It details her spiritual transformation and eventual conversion to Buddhism.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Like much of early Tamil literature, the manuscripts of Manimekalai were not continuously preserved in the public domain. Many Sangam and post-Sangam works were forgotten over centuries and were rediscovered and preserved in the 19th century by scholars like U.V. Swaminatha Iyer, who retrieved them from palm-leaf manuscripts often found in deteriorating conditions.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: The epic does not focus on a war between the Pandyas and the Cholas. Instead, it is a religious and philosophical work that emphasizes the teachings of the Buddha, the impermanence of life, and the virtue of charity (specifically feeding the hungry).
Key Takeaway:
Manimekalai, authored by Sattanar, is a Buddhist Tamil epic that serves as a sequel to Silappadikaram, focusing on the spiritual journey of the daughter of Kovalan and Madhavi.