UPSC Prelims 2004 Q24: Ancient History – Foreign Travellers & Accounts
Consider the following statements:
1. The Chinese pilgrim Fa - Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council held by Kanishka.
2. The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen - Tsang met Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism.
Which of these statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang and Harsha
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 1. Fa-Hien attended the Fourth Buddhist Council under Kanishka | False: Fa-Hien came in the Gupta age, centuries after Kanishka |
| 2. Hiuen Tsang found Harsha antagonistic to Buddhism | False: Harsha was a patron of Buddhism |
Neither statement is correct: Fa-Hien visited in the time of Chandragupta II, and Harsha was friendly to Hiuen Tsang and Buddhism.
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Fa-Hien came long after Kanishka.
- (b) Incorrect. Harsha was a Buddhist patron.
- (c) Incorrect. Both statements are false.
- (d) CORRECT. Both statements are false.
Key point
Fa-Hien: Chandragupta II (about 405-411 AD); Hiuen Tsang: Harsha (630-644 AD).
Remember
Fa-Hien visited in the Gupta age and Harsha supported Buddhism.
Common mistakes
- Placing Fa-Hien in the Kushan age.
- Believing Harsha opposed Buddhism.
- Mixing the Fourth Council with the Third at Pataliputra.
Exam tip
Pilgrims: Fa-Hien (Gupta), Hiuen Tsang (Harsha), I-Tsing (late 7th century).
Sources
- Fa-Hien — A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms (translated by James Legge, 1886)
- Hiuen Tsiang — Si-Yu-Ki: Buddhist Records of the Western World (translated by Samuel Beal, 1884)