Part of: Jammu And Kashmir Gk set 30

What is the style of kashmir writing by kalhana

Category: Jammu And Kashmir Gk

Hint: Consider the historical context and the genre of Kalhana's work.

Correct Answer: A) Rajtarangini

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The "Rajatarangini" is a historical chronicle written by Kalhana, a 12th-century Kashmiri poet and historian. This work is significant in the context of Indian history, particularly for its detailed account of the rulers of Kashmir. The term "Rajatarangini" translates to "River of Kings," which metaphorically represents the continuous flow of royal lineage and the history of Kashmir's rulers.

Kalhana's "Rajatarangini" is written in Sanskrit and is composed in a unique literary style that blends poetry and prose. This style is characterized by its narrative approach, which traces the genealogies and reigns of the kings of Kashmir. The work is divided into eight books, each covering a specific period of Kashmir's history. Kalhana's approach to history is notable for its reliance on both oral traditions and written records, which he critically evaluated to construct a coherent historical narrative.

The "Rajatarangini" is not just a historical text but also a literary masterpiece. It is written in a highly stylized form of Sanskrit, which includes various poetic devices and rhetorical flourishes. This literary style is distinct from other forms of writing and is specifically associated with Kalhana's work. The term "Rajatarangini" thus refers to both the content and the style of Kalhana's historical chronicle.

It is important to distinguish the "Rajatarangini" from other literary styles and scripts. For instance, Warli is a form of tribal art from Maharashtra and is unrelated to Kalhana's literary work. Devanagari, on the other hand, is a script used to write several Indian languages, including Sanskrit and Hindi, but it is not a literary style. The term "normal writing" is too vague and does not capture the specific literary style employed by Kalhana in his historical chronicle.

In summary, the "Rajatarangini" is a unique literary style used by Kalhana in his historical work, which is characterized by its poetic and narrative approach to chronicling the history of Kashmir's rulers. This style is distinct from other forms of writing and is an important aspect of Indian historical literature.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This is the correct answer. Kalhana wrote the "Rajatarangini," a historical chronicle of Kashmir, using a specific literary style that combines poetry and prose to narrate the history of Kashmir's rulers.
  • Option B: Warli is a style of tribal art from Maharashtra, not a literary style. It is unrelated to Kalhana's work.
  • Option C: Devanagari is a script used to write several Indian languages, including Sanskrit and Hindi. It is not a literary style used by Kalhana.
  • Option D: "Normal writing" is too vague and does not accurately describe the specific literary style Kalhana used in his historical work.

Mnemonic: Rajtarangini: "Raj" for "royal" and "Tarangini" for "wave," symbolizing the waves of royal history.

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