UPSC Prelims 2004 Q30: Art & Culture – Philosophy & Religion
Which one of the following sequences indicates the correct chronological order?
- (a) Shankaracharya - Ramanuja - Chaitanya
- (b) Ramanuja - Shankaracharya - Chaitanya
- (c) Ramanuja - Chaitanya - Shankaracharya
- (d) Shankaracharya - Chaitanya - Ramanuja
Answer: (a) Shankaracharya - Ramanuja - Chaitanya
Explanation
Chronology of Bhakti and Vedanta teachers
| Teacher | Approximate period |
|---|---|
| Shankaracharya | About 788-820 AD |
| Ramanuja | About 1017-1137 AD |
| Chaitanya | About 1486-1534 AD |
The correct order is Shankaracharya - Ramanuja - Chaitanya: Shankara of the 8th century expounded Advaita, Ramanuja of the 11th-12th century Vishishtadvaita, and Chaitanya of the 15th-16th century the Bhakti of Bengal.
Answer: (a) Shankaracharya - Ramanuja - Chaitanya.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Shankara, then Ramanuja, then Chaitanya.
- (b) Incorrect. Ramanuja came after Shankara.
- (c) Incorrect. Ramanuja came first in this order, which is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Ramanuja came before Chaitanya.
Key point
Shankara (8th c.), Ramanuja (11th-12th c.), Chaitanya (15th-16th c.).
Remember
Shankaracharya preceded Ramanuja, who preceded Chaitanya.
Common mistakes
- Putting Ramanuja before Shankara.
- Mixing Chaitanya with Kabir's period.
- Forgetting that Shankara founded Advaita first.
Exam tip
Vedanta: Advaita (Shankara), Vishishtadvaita (Ramanuja), Dvaita (Madhva).
Sources
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India
- NCERT Class XII History — Themes in Indian History Part II — Bhakti–Sufi Traditions