Arrange the following in a chronological order : (A) Mahabharata(B) S…

The correct answer is Option (2) → (C), (A), (B), (E), (D)

(C) Ashtadhyayi — the Ashtadhyayi of Panini, a work on Sanskrit grammar, is dated c. 500 BCE.

(A) Mahabharata — the Ramayana and the Mahabharata (in Sanskrit) took shape over a long span, c. 500 BCE-400 CE.

(B) Sushruta Samhita — the Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas, works on medicine, are dated c. 100 CE.

(E) Natyashastra — the Natyashastra of Bharata, a work on dramaturgy, is dated c. 300 CE.

(D) Sanskrit plays of Kalidasa — Sanskrit plays including the works of Kalidasa belong to c. 400-500 CE.

Tip: NTA sets questions straight from the chapter timelines, so revise each timeline row by row.

Note 1: The given answer is as per the NTA answer key. Since the Ashtadhyayi (c. 500 BCE) and the Mahabharata (c. 500 BCE-400 CE) are both dated from c. 500 BCE, one can argue for Option (3), which puts the Mahabharata first. However, the Ashtadhyayi is a single work of c. 500 BCE, while the Mahabharata took shape over nine centuries, down to c. 400 CE. Therefore, it is the most appropriate answer.