Q. With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements :

1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.
2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.
3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta - II.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2020)
Answer: 3 only
Notes: The correct answer is [C] 3 only. This question tests the chronological and court associations of famous ancient Indian scholars and rulers.

• Kalidasa and Chandra Gupta II (Statement 3 – Correct): Kalidasa, the legendary Sanskrit poet and playwright (author of Shakuntala and Meghaduta), was one of the "Nine Gems" (Navaratnas) in the court of the Gupta Emperor Chandra Gupta II (also known as Vikramaditya), who reigned circa 380–415 CE.
• Panini and Pushyamitra Shunga (Statement 1 – Incorrect): Panini, the great grammarian who authored the Ashtadhyayi, lived much earlier, likely in the 4th or 5th century BCE (during the Nanda period). Pushyamitra Shunga, who founded the Shunga dynasty after the Mauryas, ruled in the 2nd century BCE. The scholar associated with Pushyamitra Shunga is actually Patanjali, who wrote the Mahabhasya and performed a horse sacrifice for the King.
• Amarasimha and Harshavardhana (Statement 2 – Incorrect): Amarasimha, the Sanskrit grammarian and poet who wrote the Amarakosha (a famous Sanskrit lexicon), was also one of the "Nine Gems" of Chandra Gupta II. He was not associated with Harshavardhana (who ruled in the 7th century CE). The prominent scholar associated with Harshavardhana’s court was Banabhatta, the author of Harshacharita.

The "Nine Gems" tradition is a hallmark of the Gupta Golden Age, highlighting the peak of Sanskrit literature and science under imperial patronage.