Who was the court poet of Harshavardhana and authored the biography 'Harshacharita'?
Correct Answer: Banabhatta
Subject: history
- Kalidasa
- Banabhatta
- Aryabhatta
- Tulsidas
Explanation: • Banabhatta — Asthana Kavi (court poet) of Harshavardhana
• Harshacharita — first historical biography in Indian literature (ornate Sanskrit prose)
• Also wrote Kadambari — considered the world's first novel
• Harsha himself wrote 3 Sanskrit plays: Ratnavali, Priyadarshika, Nagananda
• Kalidasa → Chandragupta II's court; Aryabhatta → mathematician-astronomer (Gupta era)
• Banabhatta's title: 'Vachaspati' (Lord of Speech)