According to Sharangdev - the number of Vikrit Swaras are:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:
Pandit Sharangdev, in his monumental 13th-century treatise *Sangeet Ratnakar*, established a comprehensive system for the notes (*Swaras*) of Indian classical music. He categorized the notes into *Shuddha* (natural) and *Vikrit* (altered) to provide a complete theoretical framework for the music of his time. Sharangdev recognized 7 fundamental *Shuddha Swaras* (Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni). In addition to these seven, he defined the existence of **12 *Vikrit Swaras*** (altered notes), which accounted for the various microtonal and flat/sharp positions prevalent in the musical practice. Thus, according to Sharangdev's definitive framework, there are exactly twelve *Vikrit Swaras*, a concept which foreshadows the modern 12-semitone chromatic scale.

The incorrect option is 1:
The number **5** does not represent the number of *Vikrit Swaras* in Sharangdev's system. Five typically relates to the notes that possess both a *Shuddha* and a *Vikrit* form in the modern system (Re, Ga, Ma, Dha, Ni), which is not the same as the total count of *Vikrit Swaras* he defined. It can also refer to the number of notes in a pentatonic scale (*Audav Jati* Raga) or the total number of *Jatis* (classes) in the *Laghu* component of the Carnatic *Tala* system.

The incorrect option is 2:
The number **7** is the count of the fundamental, or **Shuddha Swaras** (Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni). These are the seven natural notes of the octave, serving as the foundation for any melodic scale. Sharangdev clearly distinguished these 7 *Shuddha Swaras* from the *Vikrit Swaras*. If the question had asked for the number of *Shuddha Swaras*, 7 would be the correct answer.

The incorrect option is 4:
The number **22** represents the **total number of *Shrutis*** (microtones) in the octave, as accepted by both Bharat and Sharangdev. *Shrutis* are the 22 smallest perceptible intervals used to define the precise positions of the *Swaras*. Since the question specifically asks for the number of *Vikrit Swaras* (the notes themselves) and not the total number of *Shrutis*, this option is conceptually incorrect.