Facts to remember on Ancient Indian Books

Book and its Author Facts to remember

Mudra Rakshasa by
Vishakha Datta.
The book which gives an account of how Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the
power of the Nandas with the help of Kautilya.
Padmavat by Malik Mohd
Jayasi
The book based on the life of Padmini, Queen of Chittor. Allauddin Khilji, the
ruler of Delhi, laid siege to the fort of Chittor in order to take Padmini as his
wife. When the soldiers died fighting, Queen Padmini committed Jauhar
alongwith other women of the fort.
Malavikagnimitra by
Kalidasa
The book which is based on the life of Agnimitra son of Pushyamitra Sunga. The
latter founded the Sunga dynasty after killing the last Mauryan King Brihadratha.
Arthashastra by Kautilya The ancient Indian treatise on Economics as well as politics written by Kautilya
(Chanakya) who had helped Chandragupta overthrow the power of the Nandas.
Panchatantra by Vishnu
Sharma
A collection of Sanskrit fables which seeks to illustrate the principles of Politics
(Rajneeti) through animal stories. It is considered a Nitishastra or a book on
conduct of life.
Geet Govinda by Jaidev The book which deals with the love plays of the Dark Lord Krishna and his fair
beloved Radha.
Kalidasas Abhigyan
Shakuntalam
The play based on the story of King Dushyant and Shakuntala as it appears in the
beginning of the Mahabharata. King Dushyant and Shakuntala had a son name
Bharat after whose name the country is named.
Kalhanas Rajtarangini The book which deals with the history of Kashmir from the earliest times to 1150
A.D.
Ashtadhyayi by Panini It is highly systemised and complete book of Sanskrit grammar divided into eight
chapters consisting of 3,995 sutras or rules.
Mahabhasya by Patanjali The book is a commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi in an effort to make
Ashtadhyayi easily accessible to the average reader.
Prashnottar Ratna Malika
by Adi Sankaracharya
The book is in the form of questions and answers of eternal values as preached
by Sanatana Dharma.
Kathasaritsagar by
Somadeva
The book is a collection of folk tales written for the entertainment of Queen
Suryamati, wife of King Anantadeva of Kashmir. The famous Betal Pachisi is a
part of this book.
Charaka Samhita by
Charaka
The book was authored by Charaka, known as the "Father of Indian Medicine".
The book contains the fundamentals of Ayurveda including between its covers
root causes of diseases, their treatment and also guidelines for a clean and
healthy life.
Sushruta Samhita by
Sushruta
The book was authored by Sushruta, known as the "Father of Indian Surgery". In
the books he explains various types of surgeries and surgical instruments.
Aryabhatiya by
Aryabhatta
The book authored by famed Indian astronomer and mathematician is one of the
most important ancient Indian books. The book explains the causes of eclipses
and also the value of pi equivalent to 3.1416.
Bhrigu Samhita by
Maharishi Bhrigu
The book in dialogue form is an ancient treatise on astrology (jyotish shastra).
Buddha-charitam by
Ashwaghosha
The first complete biography of the Buddha written by Ashwaghosha who was
patronised by Emperor Kanishka. It is considered a masterpiece of Sanskrit
literature.