Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 245

Who of the following is the author of the well-known book 'History of Dharmasastra'?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the contributions of scholars in the field of Dharmasastra.

Correct Answer: A) Pandurang Vaman Kane.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Civil Services, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

Pandurang Vaman Kane is a significant figure in the study of ancient Indian legal and ethical codes, known collectively as Dharmasastra. Dharmasastra is a field of study that encompasses the rules and regulations that governed the social, religious, and moral life of ancient Indian society. The term 'Dharmasastra' refers to the body of texts that provide guidance on dharma, or the righteous way of living, as understood in Hindu tradition.

Pandurang Vaman Kane's most notable contribution to this field is his monumental work, 'History of Dharmasastra'. This work is a comprehensive study that traces the development and evolution of Dharmasastra from ancient times to the medieval period. It is a multi-volume work that provides a detailed analysis of the various Dharmasastra texts, their authors, and the historical context in which they were written. The work is considered a seminal contribution to the understanding of ancient Indian legal and ethical traditions.

The other options listed in the question are not associated with the book 'History of Dharmasastra'. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a prominent Indian nationalist and philosopher, known for his role in the Indian independence movement and his contributions to Indian philosophy. Pandurang Sadashiv Sane was a Marathi writer and journalist, known for his literary works and contributions to journalism. Bhandarkar is a surname associated with several Indian scholars, but none of them are known for writing 'History of Dharmasastra'. Therefore, the correct answer is Pandurang Vaman Kane.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is correct. Pandurang Vaman Kane is the author of the well-known book 'History of Dharmasastra'. His work is a detailed study of the Dharmasastra tradition in ancient India.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a prominent Indian nationalist and philosopher, but he is not known for writing 'History of Dharmasastra'. His contributions were more in the fields of politics and education.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. Pandurang Sadashiv Sane was a Marathi writer and journalist, but he is not associated with the book 'History of Dharmasastra'. His work was primarily in literature and journalism.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. Bhandarkar is a surname associated with several Indian scholars, but none of them are known for writing 'History of Dharmasastra'. The specific author of this work is Pandurang Vaman Kane.

Mnemonic: PVK for Pandurang Vaman Kane

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