History: Facts to remember on Ancient Indian Books

Book

Author

Facts to remember

Mudra Rakshasa

Vishakha Datta

The book which gives an account of how Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the power of the Nandas with the help of Kautilya.

Padmavat

Malik Mohd Jayasi

The book based on the life of Padmini, Queen of Chittoor. Allaudin Khilji, the ruler of Delhi, laid siege to the fort of Chittoor in order to take Padmini as his wife. When the soldiers died fighting, Queen Padmini committed Jauhar along with other women of the fort.

Malavikagnimitra

Kalidasa

The book which is based on the life of Agni Mitra son of Pushyamitra Sunga. The latter founded the Sunga dynasty after killing the last Mauryan King Brihadratha.

Arthashastra

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

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

Jaidev

The book which deals with the love plays of the Dark Lord Krishna and his fair beloved Radha.

Abhigyan Shakuntalam

Kalidasa’s

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.

Rajtarangini

Kalhana’s

The book which deals with the history of Kashmir from the earliest times to 1150 A.D.

Ashtadhyayi

Panini

It is highly systemised and complete book of Sanskrit grammar divided into eight chapters consisting of 3,995 sutras or rules.

Mahabhasya

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

Adi Sankaracharya

The book is in the form of questions and answers of eternal values as preached by Sanatana Dharma.

Kathasaritsagar

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

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

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

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

Maharishi Bhrigu

The book in dialogue form is an ancient treatise on astrology (jyotish shastra).

Buddha-charitam

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.