Who among the following was the author of ‘Indica’, an account of India under the reign of the Maurya dynasty?

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SSC CGL 2023 Tier-I Official Paper (Held On: 19 Jul 2023 Shift 1)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Megasthenes.Key Points

The author of 'Indica' was Megasthenes.
He was a Greek ambassador sent to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire, by Seleucus I Nicator.
Seleucus I Nicator was one of the generals of Alexander the Great who, after Alexander's death, took control of the eastern part of his empire, which included territories in Asia Minor, Persia, and parts of India.
His work 'Indica' is a significant source of information about India, providing valuable details about its geography, society, and culture during the Mauryan period.

Additional InformationMegasthenes wrote an account of his observations about India in his book named "Indica"..

Geographical Details: Megasthenes provided an account of India's geography, including its mountains, rivers, flora and fauna, and climatic conditions.
Description of Society: "Indica" included distinct details about social divisions, including the caste system and occupations of various groups.
Urban Centers: Megasthenes described the city of Pataliputra (modern Patna), capital of the Maurya empire, in detail. This gave us information about city life, architecture, and administration.
Administration and Military: The book portrayed the organized administrative structures and gave an account of the Mauryan army, with descriptions of elephants in warfare.
Customs and Practices: "Indica" included information about contemporary customs, diets, festivals, and religious practices, and reported that India had no slavery.
Megasthenes also provided an account of Chandragupta Maurya’s reign and wrote about the prosperity and peace within the empire.
It is important to note that "Indica" had some inaccuracies or exaggerations possibly due to misunderstandings or cultural differences. For example, Megasthenes reported on creatures such as giant ants that dug up gold dust and humans with no mouths, which are widely considered to be based on misunderstandings or myths.

Important Points

Book	Author	Description
"Arthashastra"	Chanakya/ Kautilya	This ancient treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy provides valuable insights into the political and economic life of the Mauryan period.
"Buddhacharita"	Ashvaghosha	This is a biography of the Buddha, giving an account of his life and teachings, and offers insights into the contemporary society and culture.
"Ashtadhyayi"	Panini	This work is a comprehensive descriptive grammar of Sanskrit, giving us an understanding of the development of the language as well as some sociocultural aspects.
"Ain-i-Akbari"	Abu'l Fazl	Describes the administration, culture, and society during the reign of Akbar in the Mughal empire. While not as ancient as the others in this list, it's a crucial historical account.