Kathasaritsagara, a literary work, was originally composed in which of the following languages?

Correct option is C

Sol.

The Kathasaritsagara (literally meaning "Ocean of the Streams of Stories") is a famous Sanskrit literary work, originally composed by Somadeva in the 11th century CE. It is a monumental collection of Indian legends, fairy tales, and folk stories, many of which are framed within other stories, following the pattern of nested storytelling.

The work is based on the Brihatkatha, an older text composed by Gunadhya in Paishachi language, which is now lost. Somadeva re-rendered the stories in elegant Sanskrit verse and prose, making them more accessible to the scholarly and royal audience of his time, particularly in Kashmir.

Therefore, the correct answer is (c) Sanskrit.
Information Booster:

• Author: Somadeva, a court poet in Kashmir, under the patronage of King Anantadeva of the Lohara dynasty.
• The text is a prime example of Katha (narrative) literature in ancient India.
• It consists of 18 books and over 21,000 verses.
• The stories were intended to entertain and educate, blending morality, fantasy, and political wisdom.
• The frame story centers around the adventures of Prince Naravahanadatta.
• The work influenced several later Indian and Persian tales, including parts of the Panchatantra and Arabian Nights.

Other Books :

• Ramayana – Authored by Valmiki
• Mahabharata – Authored by Ved Vyasa
• Meghaduta – Authored by Kalidasa
• Arthashastra – Authored by Kautilya (Chanakya)