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U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994

Kushan Cultural History

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Consider the following name of contemporaries of Kanishka and select the correct answer from codes given below:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept The court of the Kushan Emperor Kanishka was a vibrant center of intellectual activity, hosting prominent Buddhist philosophers, poets, and monks who shaped the Mahayana tradition.

Explanation Ashvaghosha and Vasumitra are well-documented as contemporaries of Kanishka. Ashvaghosha was a philosopher and the first Sanskrit dramatist, while Vasumitra was a monk who presided over the 4th Buddhist Council held in Kashmir.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Ashvaghosha (c. 80 - 150 CE) served as a spiritual adviser to Kanishka and authored the *Buddhacarita*.
Logic 2: Vasumitra (2nd century CE) played a pivotal role in the 4th Buddhist Council and the development of the *Mahāvibhāshā*.
Logic 3: Kalidasa (4th-5th century CE) and Kambar (12th century CE) lived centuries after Kanishka's era.

Active Recall

Question

What was the significance of the 4th Buddhist Council?

Answer

It was held under Kanishka's patronage to compile Buddhist doctrines, leading to the creation of the Mahāvibhāshā.

Core Insight

The presence of such diverse intellectuals at Kanishka's court highlights the Kushan Empire's role as a bridge for Indo-Greek and Buddhist cultural synthesis.

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