Banabhatta was the court poet of ______.

Harshavardhana

The correct answer is Option 1- Harshavardhana

Banabhatta was the court poet of Harshavardhana, the emperor of North India from 606 to 647 CE. He wrote two of the most important works of Sanskrit literature, the Harshacharita, a biography of Harshavardhana, and the Kadambari, a novel.

The other options are incorrect. Ashoka ruled the Maurya Empire from 272 to 232 BCE. Kumaragupta ruled the Gupta Empire from 415 to 455 CE. Bindusara ruled the Maurya Empire from 297 to 272 BCE.