Question 46 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Culture

Question

Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?
1. Avanti
2. Gandhara
3. Kosala
4. Magadha
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 3 and 4 only

Strategy: Focus on the kingdoms of Magadha and Kosala, as they are central to Buddha's life events and travels. Exclude Avanti and Gandhara, as they are not part of his core narrative.

Key Info: Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) was closely associated with several major Mahajanapadas of his time, particularly Kosala and Magadha.

- Kosala: The Shakya clan, to which Buddha belonged, ruled from Kapilavastu, located in the Kosala kingdom. Kosala's capital was Savatthi (Shravasti). During Buddha's lifetime, Kosala annexed the Shakya territory. Many important Buddhist events, including sermons and conversions, took place here.

- Magadha: Magadha, with its capital at Rajagaha (later Pataliputra), was ruled by King Bimbisara and later Ajatashatru. Both were contemporaries of the Buddha and significant patrons. Buddha spent considerable time in Magadha and delivered key teachings there. Nalanda and Rajagaha were important locations for the Buddhist community.

- Avanti: Located in western-central India with capital at Ujjayini, Avanti was a prominent Mahajanapada but not directly tied to Buddha's life events, though Buddhist influence spread later.

- Gandhara: Situated in the northwestern region (now Pakistan/Afghanistan), Gandhara was known for its unique Buddhist art and later significance in the spread of Buddhism, but had no direct association with Buddha's lifetime journeys, teachings, or core followers.

Most of Buddha's pivotal life events (birth, enlightenment, first sermon, Mahaparinirvana) are geographically associated with the Middle Ganga plain, where Kosala and Magadha were preeminent.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1, 2, and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1, 3, and 4

Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha? Avanti Gandhara Kosala Magadha Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

Avanti

Gandhara

Kosala

Magadha
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.