Question

According to M. Winternitz (a prominent Indologist), what is the estimated composition period for the Upapuranas?

• A. 17th Century
• B. 6th to 10th Century
• C. 5th to 6th Century
• D. 11th Century

Hint:

Indologists generally place the Mahapuranas between 300-600 CE and the Upapuranas between 600-1000 CE. Knowing these "time blocks" helps in chronological questions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Determining the chronology of Puranic literature is a complex task for historians. Maurice Winternitz, in his seminal work "A History of Indian Literature", analyzed the linguistic, thematic, and social content of these texts to establish a timeline. He noted that while the major Puranas began taking shape in the early centuries of the common era, the Upapuranas emerged later as a result of expanding sectarian movements.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Winternitz and other Western Indologists generally agree that the majority of the Upapuranas were composed between the 6th and 10th centuries CE. This period was characterized by:
1. The Rise of Sectarianism: The development of specific cults focused on Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, and Surya required dedicated texts to codify rituals, local myths, and specific philosophical tenets.
2. The Post-Gupta Era: Following the decline of the Gupta Empire, regional kingdoms began patronizing local temples and bards, leading to the creation of texts that incorporated local geography and traditions.
3. Linguistic Evolution: The Sanskrit used in these texts often shows a transition from the classical style toward a simpler, more narrative form intended for public recitation.
Winternitz observed that many Upapuranas are quoted in the Dharmashastra nibandhas (digests) starting from the 11th century onwards (like those of Hemadri), implying that they must have been well-established by the 10th century. However, they were not present in the very early lists of Smritis. Thus, the 6th to 10th century window is considered the most accurate estimate for their growth and final codification.
Options C (5th-6th) is too early for the full development of this genre, and Option D (11th) is too late, as they were already being cited as authorities by then. Option A (17th) is completely incorrect as the corpus was finished long before the medieval period.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The estimated period is the 6th to 10th Century.