Question

State any three elements that historians considered while analysing the Mahabharata.

Answer 1

       

1. Plot
2. characters
3. context and relevance- the lessons are even useful now
4. Language in which the text was written- Pali, Prakrit, Sanskrit.
5. Kind of text- devoted to mantras meant to be learnt and chante
6. Author of the text.  
7. Audience- for whom the text is written.
8. Date and place of composition

Answer 2

Answer:  

The three elements historians consulted while analyzing the Mahabharata were – the age in which it is expected to have occurred, its social structure and beliefs and lastly the geographical location where the events may have occurred.  

Explanation:  

In order to analyse the great mythological book Mahabharata, which is laden with religious and spiritual themes on one side and speaks about politics, and civics and war tactics on the other, it is crucial that historians understand the exact time period in which the said events are said to have occurred, the then social structure and values and the geographical regions where the events may have unfurled.