Arrange the following major textual traditions of India in chronological order, beginning with the earliest to the most recent.

(A) Natyashastra of Bharata Muni
(B) Manusmriti in Sanskrit
(C) Ashtadhyayi of Panini
(D) Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(C), (B), (D), (A)

The correct answer is Option (3) → (C), (B), (D), (A)

While precise dating for ancient Indian texts is often debated among scholars, the generally accepted timeline based on historical linguistics and textual evidence is as follows:

1. (C) Ashtadhyayi of Panini (c. 500–400 BCE): This is the foundational text on Sanskrit grammar and is widely considered the earliest of the four listed.
2. (B) Manusmriti in Sanskrit (c. 200 BCE – 200 CE): This legal and social code was compiled during the post-Vedic period.
3. (D) Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas (c. 100 BCE – 300 CE): These foundational texts of Ayurveda (medicine and surgery) reached their classical form during this window, though they likely have much older roots.
4. (A) Natyashastra of Bharata Muni (c. 200 BCE – 500 CE): While its origins may be earlier, most scholars place the finalized version of this treatise on performing arts as the most recent among the group.