Indian Classical Criticism – Last Minute Revision for UGC NET English

Preparing for the UGC NET English exam? Here's a crucial reality: Indian Classical Criticism is not just a recurring topic, it’s a guaranteed question zone in every NTA UGC NET English paper. Whether it’s Abhinavagupta’s Śāntarasa, Dhananjaya’s plot structure, or Bharata’s ten forms of drama, these points aren’t optional — they’re essential.

That’s why daily revision is not just a habit; it’s a strategy.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled actual topics asked in the exam, presented in concise bullets to help you revise smarter, not harder. Make it a point to jot them down in your diary or digital notes — because chances are, at least one question will directly come from this list in your upcoming paper.

🎯 Whether you're revising in the last 7 days or final 7 hours, this set of facts will boost your confidence and accuracy. Let’s get into it — no fluff, just the core content that matters.

• Abhinavagupta, in defense of Śāntarasa, said, “The eight rasas are like eight gods, and the saint is like their highest centre — Śiva.

• According to Dhananjaya, the five junctures (Samdhis) of a dramatic plot are: Mukha, Pratimukha, Garbha, Avamarsa, and Upasamhriti.

• Dhvanyaloka is written by Ānandavardhana, Kāvyādarśa is written by Daṇḍin, Vākyapadīya is written by Bhartrhari, and Daśarūpaka is written by Dhananjaya.

• According to Dhananjaya in Daśarūpa, the five stages of action are: Praaptyaashaa (Prospect of success), Aarambha (Beginning), Yatna (Effort), Niyatapti (Certainty of success), and Phalaagama (Attainment of the result).

• Bhavabhuti is the author of Uttararamcharita, Bhāsa is the author of Urubhanga, and Somadeva is the author of Kathāsaritsāgara.

• Abhijñānaśākuntalam makes use of four languages: Sanskrit, Shauraseni, Maharashtri, and Magadhi.

• The three plays written by Bhāsa are: Charudatta, Urubhanga, and Karnabharam.

• Bharata, in his Nāṭyaśāstra, described ten major forms of drama.

• Bhāsa is regarded as the earliest available Indian dramatist.

• The correct chronological order of Indian literary critics is: Bhāmaha, Daṇḍin, Udbhata, Lollaṭa, and Bhoja.

• Charles Wilkins was the first to translate the Bhagavad Gita into English in 1785.

• The correct chronological order of characters in Indian literature is: Sakuni (Mahabharata), Gobar (Godan), Rusty (The Room on the Roof), and Praneshacharya (Samskara).

• The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute is in Pune, the Indian Institute of Advanced Study is in Shimla, the National Library of India is in Kolkata, and the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library is in New Delhi.

• The Connemara Public Library is in Chennai, Dhvanyaloka is in Mysore, the Bhandarkar Oriental Institute is in Pune, and the Asiatic Society is in Kolkata.

• The Kena, Isa, Katha, and Mundaka Upanishads were translated by Ram Mohan Roy, the Ramayana (1870–75) by Ralph T. H. Griffith, the Mahabharata (7 vols, 1895) by Manmatha Nath Dutt, and the Bhagavad Gita (1785) by Charles Wilkins.

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