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Q54 (IAS/2024) History & Culture › Culture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy › Buddhist doctrine and sects Official Key

With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets ? 1. Nayaputta 2. Shakyamuni 3. Tathagata Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is option B (2 and 3 only) because after his achievement of buddhahood, Siddhārtha is known as Gautama, Śākyamuni, or simply the Tathāgata[1]. Additionally, "Śākyamuni" is one of the most common epithets of Gautama Buddha[1], and Tathagata is another name for the Buddha[2], as confirmed in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta.

The term "Nayaputta" (option 1) was not an epithet of Gautama Buddha. In fact, "Nayaputta" or "Nataputta" was the epithet used for Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara and founder of Jainism, referring to him as the son of the Nata (or Jnatri) clan. This term is not associated with Buddha in any historical or textual sources.

Therefore, only Shakyamuni and Tathagata (options 2 and 3) are correct epithets of Gautama Buddha, making option B the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Buddha
  2. [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > Why were stupas built? > p. 96
How others answered
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Out of everyone who attempted this question.
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got it right
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Q. With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets ? 1. Nayaputta 2. Shakyamuni 3.…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 3.3/10 · 3.3/10

This is a classic 'Comparative Biography' trap. UPSC tests if you can distinguish the specific clan epithets of Buddha (Sakya) from Mahavira (Jnatrika/Naya). While 'Tathagata' and 'Shakyamuni' are standard NCERT facts, 'Nayaputta' requires knowing the specific Pali/Prakrit titles of Mahavira to eliminate.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Was "Nayaputta" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: The Age of Reorganisation > Life under the Sātavāhanas > p. 126
Strength: 5/5
“In the Sātavāhana tradition, princes were often named after their mothers. Thus Gautamīputra Sātakarṇi was named after his mother, Gautamī Balaśhrī. She was a powerful queen who donated land to Buddhist monks and had an important inscription carved in Nāśhik, showing her influence in the kingdom. Fig. 6.10. Coin of the Sātavāhanas with”
Why relevant

Shows a naming pattern using the element "-putra" (e.g., Gautamīputra Sātakarṇi) indicating epithets formed from parentage or maternal names.

How to extend

A student could use this pattern to check whether "Nayaputta" follows the same morphological pattern ("-putta/putra") and therefore might mean 'son of Naya' or a lineage epithet applied to a figure.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Life of Buddha > p. 41
Strength: 4/5
“Gautama Buddha was born as Siddhartha in the Sakya clan to its king Suddhodhana and his chief queen Mahamaya. His mother Mahamaya dreamt of a white elephant with six tusks entering her womb when she was pregnant. Learned men prophesied that the child would either become 'a Universal Emperor or a Universal Teacher' While Mahamaya was going to her parents' home, Siddhartha was born in a park in Lumbini near Kapilavastu. Siddhartha grew in luxury as a royal prince. He married Yashodhara and had a son named Rahula. When he was riding on his chariot with his charioteer Channa one day outside the palace, he saw an old man, a sick man, a corpse and finally a religious mendicant Siddhartha wandered about and joined Alara Kalama as a disciple for a brief period.”
Why relevant

Gives the common practice of identifying the Buddha by personal/clan names (Siddhartha, Sakya, Gautama), showing epithets based on lineage or clan are attested.

How to extend

A student could compare known epithets of the Buddha (e.g., Gautama, Sakya) with the form "Nayaputta" to see if it fits existing naming/epithet conventions.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 94
Strength: 4/5
“Two of the most famed religious figures of the world—Siddhārtha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha, and Vardhamānan, better known as Mahāvīra—lived in the time of King Ajātaśhatru. Revisit their teachings in the Grade 6 textbook's 'India's Cultural Roots' chapter. Magadha was located in the resource-rich Ganga plains, with fertile land, abundant forests for timber, and elephants. Also, remember how the use of iron transformed other technologies, such as agriculture and warfare. Iron ore and other minerals from the nearby hilly regions proved crucial for the expansion of the kingdom. The use of iron ploughs to till the land increased agricultural produce, and lighter and sharper iron weapons strengthened the capabilities of the army.”
Why relevant

Confirms that Siddhārtha Gautama is known by multiple names (personal name + title), demonstrating flexibility in how religious figures were named or titled.

How to extend

Use this to motivate checking textual sources for alternate epithets like "Nayaputta" appearing alongside other known names.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Timeline and Sources of History > How Is Time Measured in History? > p. 62
Strength: 3/5
“They are now called Before Common Era or BCE. For example, 560 BCE is an approximate year of birth of Gautama Buddha (whom we”
Why relevant

Gives approximate dating and common scholarly reference practices for Buddha (e.g., BCE dating), which helps situate where and when epithets would appear in texts/inscriptions.

How to extend

A student could limit searches for the form "Nayaputta" to likely timeframes/regions (mid-first millennium BCE to later inscriptions) informed by this dating.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > Sacrifices and Debates > p. 84
Strength: 3/5
“The mid-first millennium BCE is often regarded as a turning point in world history: it saw the emergence of thinkers such as Zarathustra in Iran, Kong Zi in China, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle in Greece, and Mahavira and Gautama Buddha, among many others, in India. They tried to understand the mysteries of existence and the relationship between human beings and the cosmic order. This was also the time when new kingdoms and cities were developing and social and economic life was changing in a variety of ways in the Ganga valley (Chapters 2 and 3). These thinkers attempted to understand these developments as well.”
Why relevant

Describes the broader habit in the mid-first millennium BCE of thinkers acquiring multiple identifying labels in diverse local contexts.

How to extend

A student could treat "Nayaputta" as a candidate local/regional epithet and check regional literature or inscriptions where varied epithets occur.

Statement 2
Was "Shakyamuni" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"After his achievement of buddhahood, Siddhārtha is instead known as Gautama, Śākyamuni, or simply the TATHĀGATA. "Śākyamuni": "Śākyamuni... one of the most common epithets of GAUTAMA Buddha..." Buddha Shakyamuni: from the middle of the 3rd century BCE, several Edicts of Ashoka mention the Buddha and Buddhism"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states Siddhārtha is known as Gautama, Śākyamuni (showing Śākyamuni is a name/epithet for the Buddha).
  • Quotes a scholarly source (Buswell & Lopez) saying 'Śākyamuni' is 'one of the most common epithets of GAUTAMA Buddha.'
  • Mentions that from the middle of the 3rd century BCE several Edicts of Ashoka refer to the Buddha, providing an ancient-India timeframe for references to the Buddha.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Life of Buddha > p. 41
Strength: 5/5
“Gautama Buddha was born as Siddhartha in the Sakya clan to its king Suddhodhana and his chief queen Mahamaya. His mother Mahamaya dreamt of a white elephant with six tusks entering her womb when she was pregnant. Learned men prophesied that the child would either become 'a Universal Emperor or a Universal Teacher' While Mahamaya was going to her parents' home, Siddhartha was born in a park in Lumbini near Kapilavastu. Siddhartha grew in luxury as a royal prince. He married Yashodhara and had a son named Rahula. When he was riding on his chariot with his charioteer Channa one day outside the palace, he saw an old man, a sick man, a corpse and finally a religious mendicant Siddhartha wandered about and joined Alara Kalama as a disciple for a brief period.”
Why relevant

This snippet identifies Siddhartha as born into the Sakya clan (to king Suddhodhana), establishing a clear clan affiliation.

How to extend

A student could note that 'Shakya-' as a clan name could plausibly form part of an epithet meaning 'the sage/man of the Shakyas' and then check linguistic or epigraphic sources for such usage.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: India's Cultural Roots > Buddhism > p. 110
Strength: 4/5
“Other schools of thought also emerged, which did not accept the authority of the Vedas and developed their own systems. One of them is Buddhism. About two-and-a-half millenniums ago, a young prince named Siddhārtha Gautama was born in Lumbini (today in”
Why relevant

States Siddhārtha Gautama's birthplace (Lumbini) and personal name, reinforcing identification of the historical figure to which any epithet would attach.

How to extend

Combine the clear personal/clan identification with knowledge that ancient epithets often derive from clan/place (e.g., 'Gautama') to see if 'Shakyamuni' fits that naming pattern.

History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > 3.8 Emergence of Heterodox Thinkers > p. 37
Strength: 4/5
“Its culture in subsequent millennia as well. The impact also swept across South Asia. This awakening was the outcome of questioning the existing philosophy by a host of heterodox thinkers. Gosala, Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Ajita Kesakambalin and other thinkers renounced the world and wandered across the Gangetic plains, contemplating and reflecting on the social and cultural scenario of their times. It was not uncommon to see ascetics crisscrossing the Gangetic plains, propounding new ideas.”
Why relevant

Mentions 'Gautama Buddha' among heterodox thinkers and explicitly names 'Gautama' as identifier used in these narratives.

How to extend

Use this pattern (use of personal/lineage names like 'Gautama') to hypothesize that alternative epithets derived from lineage (Shakya) might also occur and then search ancient texts/inscriptions for 'Shakyamuni'.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.1 Why were stupas built? > p. 96
Strength: 3/5
“There were other places too that were regarded as sacred. This was because relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains or objects used by him were buried there. These were mounds known as stupas. The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism. Since they contained relics regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism. According to a Buddhist text known as the Ashokavadana, Asoka distributed portions of the Buddha's relics to every important town and ordered the construction of stupas over them.”
Why relevant

Cites the Ashokavadana and indicates that Buddhist hagiographical texts recorded relics and traditions—showing a textual tradition that could preserve epithets.

How to extend

A student could consult such hagiographies and related inscriptions (e.g., Ashokan or later Buddhist texts) to look for occurrences of clan-based epithets like 'Shakyamuni'.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 9.2 Symbols of worship > p. 100
Strength: 3/5
“Art historians had to acquire familiarity with hagiographies of the Buddha in order to understand Buddhist sculpture. According to hagiographies, the Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree. Many early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form – instead, they showed his presence through symbols. The empty seat (Fig. 4.14) was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha, and the stupa (Fig. 4.15) was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana. Another frequently used symbol was the wheel (Fig. 4.16). This stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath. As is obvious, such sculptures cannot be understood literally – for instance, the tree does not stand”
Why relevant

Notes that art historians rely on hagiographies to interpret Buddhist imagery, implying that textual honorifics and epithets were part of the tradition surrounding the Buddha.

How to extend

Recognize that epithets appear in both textual and artistic contexts; so one could examine inscriptions, sculptures, and hagiographies for the specific epithet 'Shakyamuni'.

Statement 3
Was "Tathagata" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > Why were stupas built? > p. 96
Presence: 5/5
“This is an excerpt from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, part of the Sutta Pitaka: As the Buddha lay dying, Ananda asked him: "What are we to do Lord, with the remains of the Tathagata (another name for the Buddha)?" The Buddha replied: "Hinder not yourselves Ananda by honouring the remains of the Tathagata. Be zealous, be intent on your own good." But when pressed further, the Buddha said: "At the four crossroads they should erect a thupa (Pali for stupa) to the Tathagata. And whosoever shall there place garlands or perfume … or make a salutation there, or become in its presence calm of heart, that shall long be to them for a profit and joy." ‹ Look at Fig.”
Why this source?
  • Quotes the Mahaparinibbana Sutta using the parenthetical gloss: 'Tathagata (another name for the Buddha)'.
  • Places the term in direct speech about the Buddha's remains, showing the term refers to Gautama Buddha in a canonical context.
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 9.2 Symbols of worship > p. 100
Presence: 2/5
“Art historians had to acquire familiarity with hagiographies of the Buddha in order to understand Buddhist sculpture. According to hagiographies, the Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating under a tree. Many early sculptors did not show the Buddha in human form – instead, they showed his presence through symbols. The empty seat (Fig. 4.14) was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha, and the stupa (Fig. 4.15) was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana. Another frequently used symbol was the wheel (Fig. 4.16). This stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath. As is obvious, such sculptures cannot be understood literally – for instance, the tree does not stand”
Why this source?
  • Explains that art historians rely on hagiographical literature to interpret Buddhist imagery and names.
  • Connects the tradition of textual/hagiographic labels to how the Buddha's person is represented in art and seals usage of epithets in cultural materials.
THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 4.The Buddha and the Quest for Enlightenment > p. 89
Presence: 2/5
“One of the most influential teachers of the time was the Buddha. Over the centuries, his message spread across the subcontinent and beyond – through Central Asia to China, Korea and Japan, and through Sri Lanka, across the seas to Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia. How do we know about the Buddha's teachings? These have been reconstructed by carefully editing, translating and analysing the Buddhist texts mentioned earlier. Historians have also tried to reconstruct details of his life from hagiographies. Many of these were written down at least a century after the time of the Buddha, in an attempt to preserve memories of the great teacher.”
Why this source?
  • Notes that hagiographies were written down to preserve memories of the Buddha, implying later textual traditions record names and epithets.
  • Frames the textual transmission context in which epithets like 'Tathagata' enter the Buddhist corpus.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC creates difficulty not by asking obscure facts about the subject, but by attributing a famous fact about a *peer* (Mahavira) to the subject (Buddha). Always cross-reference terms between contemporary historical figures.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Moderate. 'Tathagata' and 'Shakyamuni' are Sitters (Direct NCERT). 'Nayaputta' is a Trap (belongs to Mahavira).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Ancient India > Heterodox Sects > Comparative details of Buddha vs. Mahavira (Clans, Epithets, Symbols).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the Epithet Swap: 1. Buddha: Shakyamuni, Tathagata, Sugata, Sakyasimha, Siddhartha. 2. Mahavira: Nigantha Nataputta (Nayaputta), Kevalin, Jina, Arihant, Vardhamana. 3. Clans: Sakya (Buddha) vs. Jnatrika/Naya (Mahavira).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying religious founders, do not study them in isolation. Create a 'Confusion Matrix' listing their Clans, Parents, First Sermons, and Titles side-by-side. The examiner's favorite trick is swapping attributes between these two contemporaries.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Names and epithets of Gautama Buddha
💡 The insight

Gautama Buddha is referred to by multiple names and titles (Siddhartha, Gautama, Buddha), so distinguishing these forms is central to asking whether another label is an epithet.

High-yield for biography and source-based questions: knowing variants of a historical figure's name helps identify references in texts and inscriptions, and avoids conflating personal names with honorifics. It connects to questions on religious leaders and textual identification.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Life of Buddha > p. 41
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 94
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: Timeline and Sources of History > How Is Time Measured in History? > p. 62
🔗 Anchor: "Was "Nayaputta" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Clan- and lineage-based naming (use of -putra and clan names)
💡 The insight

Ancient Indian naming often used clan identifiers and suffixes like 'putra' (son) or names derived from mothers, affecting how individuals are labelled in records.

Useful for reading inscriptions and royal genealogies: recognizing patronymic/matronymic patterns clarifies whether a term is a family/clan marker or an epithet, aiding questions on epigraphy and prosopography.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Life of Buddha > p. 41
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: The Age of Reorganisation > Life under the Sātavāhanas > p. 126
🔗 Anchor: "Was "Nayaputta" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Distinguishing personal names from honorifics/epithets
💡 The insight

Determining whether a term is an epithet requires understanding the difference between a given name, clan-name, and an honorific used in religious or social contexts.

Enables precise source-analysis and answer justification in UPSC mains and prelims: useful for interpreting primary records and resolving claims about historical labels and titles.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Life of Buddha > p. 41
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: The Age of Reorganisation > Life under the Sātavāhanas > p. 126
🔗 Anchor: "Was "Nayaputta" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Sakya clan origin of Gautama
💡 The insight

Gautama Buddha was born into the Sakya clan, which is the social context behind clan-based names or epithets.

High-yield for questions on personal origins and social identity of religious founders; connects to topics on clan, lineage, and how names reflect social groups in ancient India. Helps answer name-origin and identity linkage questions in prelims and mains.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 3: Rise of Territorial Kingdoms and New Religious Sects > Life of Buddha > p. 41
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: India's Cultural Roots > Buddhism > p. 110
🔗 Anchor: "Was "Shakyamuni" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Multiple names and titles of the Buddha
💡 The insight

The historical figure had personal names (Siddhārtha Gautama) and later honorifics (the Buddha), illustrating that one individual can be known by several names or epithets.

Useful for source-based and cultural-history questions that ask for identification across texts and traditions; trains aspirants to map personal names to religious titles and spot alternative appellations in questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 94
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: India's Cultural Roots > Buddhism > p. 110
🔗 Anchor: "Was "Shakyamuni" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Stupas, relics and cultic veneration
💡 The insight

Stupas housed relics of the Buddha and became focal points of worship and naming practices in Buddhist tradition.

Important for questions on material culture, religious practices and the evolution of Buddhist worship; links archaeology, art history and religious studies in mains answers and source analysis.

📚 Reading List :
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 7.1 Why were stupas built? > p. 96
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > 9.2 Symbols of worship > p. 100
🔗 Anchor: "Was "Shakyamuni" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Tathagata as an epithet of the Buddha
💡 The insight

Tathagata functions as an alternative name for Gautama Buddha and appears in canonical texts concerning him.

High-yield for questions on Buddhist terminology and primary sources: knowing canonical epithets helps identify references in texts and inscriptions. It links religious vocabulary to textual and material culture questions in history and art history.

📚 Reading List :
  • THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings > Why were stupas built? > p. 96
🔗 Anchor: "Was "Tathagata" used as an epithet of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Since 'Nayaputta' (Mahavira) was the distractor here, the next logical question is on 'Makkhali Gosala' (Ajivika sect) or the specific epithet 'Jina' being confused with 'Jinna' or 'Tirthankara' definitions. Also, look out for 'Sakyaputta'—which *is* a valid epithet for Buddhist monks, unlike Nayaputta.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Linguistic Logic: 'Nayaputta' means 'Son of the Naya clan'. Ask yourself: Was Buddha from the Naya clan? No, he was a Sakya. Therefore, he would be 'Sakyaputta' (which exists), not 'Nayaputta'. Since 1 is false, Options A and C are eliminated. You are left with B vs D. Given 'Shakyamuni' is globally famous, B is the only logical choice.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connect 'Tathagata' (Thus Gone/Arrived) to GS4 Ethics: It represents the ideal of 'Equanimity' (Upekkha)—a state of mind that is stable and not swayed by the eight worldly winds (gain/loss, fame/disrepute).

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2023 · Q42 Relevance score: 3.15

With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements : 1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin. 2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics. 3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition. How many of the statements given above are correct?

IAS · 2020 · Q66 Relevance score: 2.74

With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements : 1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga. 2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana. 3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta - II. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2012 · Q47 Relevance score: 2.59

With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism ? 1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment 2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas 3. Denial of efficacy of rituals Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

IAS · 2020 · Q72 Relevance score: 2.44

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements : 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the Mahayana Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2023 · Q46 Relevance score: 2.24

With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs : Literary work Author 1. · Devichandragupta : Bilhana 2. Hammira-Mahakavya : Nayachandra Suri 3. Milinda-panha : Nagarjuna 4. Nitivakyamrita : Somadeva Suri How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?