Cover of The Little Clay Cart [Mṛcchakaṭika]

The Little Clay Cart [Mṛcchakaṭika]

by Sūdraka

Reading level
Easy
Price
Free

About the book

"The Little Clay Cart [Mṛcchakaṭika]" by Sūdraka is a ten-act Sanskrit drama possibly from the 5th century CE. Set in ancient Ujjayini, it tells the story of Cārudatta, a noble but impoverished Brahmin, who falls in love with Vasantasenā, a wealthy courtesan. Their romance faces danger when a vulgar courtier aggressively pursues Vasantasenā. The play blends love, comedy, and political intrigue while breaking tradition by focusing on fictional characters rather than mythology and featuring peasants speaking various dialects.

  • Sanskrit drama
  • Indic drama

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #21020. The Little Clay Cart [Mṛcchakaṭika] on Wikipedia.