UPSC Prelims 2014 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 code given below:

Explanation:

• Avanti was not directly associated with the life of Buddha. Buddha belonged to the Shakya clan whose capital was Kapilavastu, and who were later annexed by the growing Kingdom of Kosala during the Buddha's lifetime. So, point 1 is not correct.
  
  
• Gandhara is not directly associated with the life of Buddha. It was through the expansion of the Maurya empire that Gandhara received much Buddhist influence, notably during the reign of Ashoka. So, point  2 is not correct.
  
  
• Important holy locations related to the life of Buddha are known as Astamahasthanas:
  • Sravasti - It was located in Uttar Pradesh and most of the monastic life of Buddha was spent in Shravasti. In Buddha’s times, Shravasti was the capital of the Kosala Kingdom. So, point 3 is correct.
  • Rajgir - During the 5th century BC, Buddha preached his ideas at Rajgir, and King Bimbisara provided him with a forest monastery. It was here that Budhha delivered his famous Atanatiya Sutta. It was the capital of the kingdom of Magadha, which later on became the Mauryan Empire. So, point 4 is correct.
    
    

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Buddhism and Jainism