Ancient Indian Books

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.
Kalidasa’s 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.
Kalhana’s 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.