Who wrote Prayag Prashasti ?

Question

Accepted Answer

Explanation:

1. **Why Option 1 (Harishena) is Correct:**

Harishena was a renowned poet and courtier in the Gupta Empire, serving under Emperor Samudragupta. He is credited with composing the Prayag Prashasti, also known as the Allahabad Pillar Inscription. This inscription is a eulogy that praises the achievements and conquests of Samudragupta. It is inscribed on an Ashokan pillar located in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and is considered a significant historical document that provides insights into the political and military accomplishments of the Gupta period. Harishena's role as the composer of this prashasti is well-documented in historical texts, making Option 1 the correct answer.

2. **Why the Other Options are Incorrect:**

- **Option 2 (Kalhan):** Kalhan was a 12th-century historian and poet from Kashmir, best known for his work "Rajatarangini," which chronicles the history of Kashmir. He lived several centuries after the time of Samudragupta and had no connection to the composition of the Prayag Prashasti.

- **Option 3 (Harshavardhana):** Harshavardhana was a 7th-century Indian emperor who ruled over a large part of North India. While he was a patron of the arts and literature, he was not involved in the creation of the Prayag Prashasti, which predates his reign by several centuries.

- **Option 4 (Kalidas):** Kalidas was a classical Sanskrit poet and playwright, renowned for his works such as "Shakuntala" and "Meghaduta." Although he was a contemporary of the Gupta period, there is no historical evidence linking him to the composition of the Prayag Prashasti. His literary contributions were primarily in the realm of drama and poetry, not historical inscriptions.

In conclusion, Harishena's authorship of the Prayag Prashasti is well-established, and the other options do not have any historical basis for being associated with this inscription. Therefore, Option 1 is the correct answer.