History · From State to Empire
UGC NET June 2019 History
'Perhaps it was as much for the Sakas' cultural innovations as for their political domination that a new era came to be named after them.' What, according to Sheldon Pollock, was this 'cultural innovation'?
AHeavily armoured cavalry
BParthian shot
CUse of wine, meat and tailored garments
DUse of Sanskrit for political purposes ✓ Correct
Correct answer: (D) Use of Sanskrit for political purposes — The cultural innovation was the use of Sanskrit for political purposes, so that is the answer.
Explanation
★The cultural innovation was the use of Sanskrit for political purposes, so that is the answer.
★The Sakas, also called Scythians, were tribes originally from Iran.
★The most famous Saka ruler in India was Rudradaman.
★He is noted for his public works, such as repairing the Sudarshana lake of the Mauryan period.
★He issued the first long inscription in chaste Sanskrit.
★According to Sheldon Pollock, this use of Sanskrit for political purposes was the Saka innovation.
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