NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns - Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE)

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The Prayaga Prashasti, also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription of Samudragupta, was composed by which of the following court poets?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

ABanabhatta
BKalidasa
CHarishena
DRavikirti

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Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is Harishena

Explanation

The Prayaga (Allahabad Pillar Inscription) is a eulogy (panegyric) inscribed on an Ashokan pillar found at Allahabad (Prayagraj). It serves as the primary source of information regarding the reign and military conquests of the Gupta Emperor Samudragupta.

Composition: It was composed by Harishena, who was the court poet and a high-ranking official (Sandhivigrahika or Minister of War and Peace) under Samudragupta.
Style and Language: The inscription is written in Sanskrit using the Brahmi script. It is composed in the Champu style, which is a combination of prose and poetry.
Content: It details Samudragupta's conquests in the North (Aryavarta) and South (Dakshinapatha), his policy towards frontier kingdoms, and his personal qualities.

Analysis of Other Options:

Kalidasa Kalidasa: A renowned Classical Sanskrit writer and poet, often associated with the court of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), not Samudragupta. His works include Abhijnanasakuntalam and Meghaduta.
Banabhatta Banabhatta: The court poet of King Harshavardhana (7th century CE). He composed the Harshacharita and Kadambari.
Ravikirti Ravikirti: The court poet of the Chalukya King Pulakeshin II. He composed the Aihole Inscription, which details Pulakeshin II's victory over Harshavardhana.

Key Takeaway: Harishena composed the Prayaga Prashasti in Sanskrit to record the military achievements and personality of Samudragupta.

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Correct Option

The correct option is Harishena

Explanation

Composition: It was composed by Harishena, who was the court poet and a high-ranking official (Sandhivigrahika or Minister of War and Peace) under Samudragupta.
Style and Language: The inscription is written in Sanskrit using the Brahmi script. It is composed in the Champu style, which is a combination of prose and poetry.
Content: It details Samudragupta's conquests in the North (Aryavarta) and South (Dakshinapatha), his policy towards frontier kingdoms, and his personal qualities.

Analysis of Other Options:

Kalidasa Kalidasa: A renowned Classical Sanskrit writer and poet, often associated with the court of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), not Samudragupta. His works include Abhijnanasakuntalam and Meghaduta.
Banabhatta Banabhatta: The court poet of King Harshavardhana (7th century CE). He composed the Harshacharita and Kadambari.
Ravikirti Ravikirti: The court poet of the Chalukya King Pulakeshin II. He composed the Aihole Inscription, which details Pulakeshin II's victory over Harshavardhana.

Key Takeaway: Harishena composed the Prayaga Prashasti in Sanskrit to record the military achievements and personality of Samudragupta.