UPSC Prelims 2015 Q39: Ancient History – Mahajanapadas & Early Kingdoms
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 code given below.
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1, 3 and 4
- (d) 3 and 4 only
Answer: (d) 3 and 4 only
Explanation
Kingdoms associated with the life of the Buddha
| Kingdom | Associated with the Buddha's life? | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Avanti | No | The Buddha never went there; his disciple Mahakachchayana spread the faith in Avanti |
| 2. Gandhara | No | Buddhism reached the north-west later, under Ashoka and the Kushanas |
| 3. Kosala | Yes | He spent many rainy seasons at Jetavana, Sravasti; the Shakyas were under Kosala |
| 4. Magadha | Yes | Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya; Rajagriha; King Bimbisara was his patron |
Events of the Buddha's life:
| Event | Place |
|---|---|
| Birth | Lumbini (Shakya republic) |
| Enlightenment | Bodh Gaya (Magadha) |
| First sermon | Sarnath (Kashi) |
| Death | Kushinagar (Malla republic) |
Answer: (d) 3 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Avanti and Gandhara were not part of the Buddha's own life.
- (b) Incorrect. Gandhara is wrong, and Magadha is left out.
- (c) Incorrect. Avanti was not visited by the Buddha.
- (d) CORRECT. Only Kosala and Magadha were associated with the life of the Buddha.
Key point
Buddha's life: Kosala (Sravasti) and Magadha (Bodh Gaya, Rajagriha); birth at Lumbini, first sermon at Sarnath, death at Kushinagar.
Remember
Buddha's kingdoms: Kosala and Magadha.
Common mistakes
- Adding Gandhara because of Gandhara art, which came centuries later.
- Adding Avanti because it was a major kingdom of the same age.
- Forgetting that Sarnath lay in Kashi, then under Kosala.
Exam tip
The Buddha lived and taught in the middle Ganga plain: eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History Part I, Ch 4 (Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings)
- A.L. Basham — The Wonder That Was India (Religion: Buddhism)