Which of the following is considered the earliest known Marathi literary work?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -2nd)

Explanation

Lilacharitra, authored by Mhaimbhat around 1278 AD, is a prose biography of Chakradhar Swami, the founder of the Mahanubhava sect.
It is widely recognized by historians and linguists as the first significant prose text written in the Marathi language.
Among the options provided, it is the earliest work that is authentically classified as Marathi literature.

Option A: Gathasaptasati is an ancient collection of poems written in Maharashtri Prakrit, which is an ancestor language to Marathi, but not Marathi itself.
Option B: Dipavamsa is the oldest historical record of Sri Lanka and is written in the Pali language. It has no linguistic or historical connection to Marathi literature.
Option D: Jnanesvari, written by Sant Dnyaneshwar in 1290 AD, is a highly revered and foundational text in Marathi. However, it was composed slightly after Lilacharitra.

Visual 1: Timeline - A timeline showing the dates of composition for major early Indian literary works, including the Vedas, the Pali Canon, Sangam literature, Gathasaptasati, Lilacharitra, and Jnanesvari to provide chronological context.
Visual 2: Map - A linguistic map of India around the 13th century, showing the regions where languages like Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit were prevalent.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History of Marathi Literature as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests general knowledge outside the core nursing curriculum, which is a component of many nursing recruitment exams in India.
Understanding the historical and cultural context of the region is important for a well-rounded education and for connecting with the heritage of the community one serves.
What if the question asked for the first Marathi poetry? The answer would likely point towards the works of Mukundraj, such as 'Viveksindhu', which is believed by some scholars to predate even Lilacharitra and is in poetic form.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key requirements of the question: 'earliest' and 'Marathi literary work'.
Analyze each option based on these two criteria: language and date of composition.
Eliminate options that are not in the Marathi language (Gathasaptasati in Prakrit, Dipavamsa in Pali).
Compare the remaining Marathi works (Lilacharitra and Jnanesvari) based on their composition dates.
Select the work with the earlier date (Lilacharitra, c. 1278 AD) over the later one (Jnanesvari, 1290 AD).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q7VvgV1ejhqzhh8sgVbD-w

Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -2nd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.