What is the total number of 'Ansh Swara' of ancient 18 Jatis?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:

The number 63 represents the precise total count of all permitted Ansh Swaras across the ancient 18 Jatis of *Natyashastra*. The *Ansh Swara* (dominant note, similar to the modern *Vadi*) was the most crucial defining feature of a *Jati*, guiding its melody, mood, and structure. Since the 18 *Jatis* (7 *Shuddha* and 11 *Vikrit*) were all derived from the two principal scales (*Shadaj Grama* and *Madhyam Grama*), each *Jati* was not limited to just a single dominant note. The number 63 is a highly specific, traditionally accepted total derived from summing the distinct, approved *Ansh Swaras* that were assigned to each of the 18 individual *Jatis*, reflecting the diverse melodic possibilities of this foundational system of Indian music.

The incorrect option is 1:
The option 21 is a number associated with another specific feature of *Jati Gayan*, but it is not the count for *Ansh Swaras*. According to the ancient texts, 21 is the established total number of *Nyaas Swaras* (final resting notes) across all 18 *Jatis*. This is a distinct structural element from the *Ansh Swara*, which acts as the center of melodic gravity for the entire *Jati*. While *Nyaas* marks the end, *Ansh* governs the overall character, making 21 an incorrect answer for the total number of *Ansh Swaras*.

The incorrect option is 2:
The value 39 is not the established number for *Ansh Swaras* and does not correlate with any major, widely accepted count for the ten *Jati Lakshanas* (features). It appears to be an arbitrary distracter intended to test the student's factual knowledge of these specific historical figures. The correct number for the *Ansh Swaras* is significantly higher than 39 because the ancient musicologists allowed multiple notes to function as the dominant note within the 11 *Vikrit Jatis*.

The incorrect option is 3:
The number 49 is an incorrect value, though it is closer to another significant count within the *Jati* system. The number of *Upanyaas Swaras* (intermediate resting notes) for the 18 *Jatis* is traditionally cited as 56, which is nearer to 49 than the other low options. This question, however, is asking specifically for the *Ansh Swara*, whose count is 63, indicating that 49 is merely a factual confusion.