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UPSC CSE Prelims 2001, Paper I

Buddhist Councils and Patrons

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir during the reign of which king?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Identifying the royal patrons of the four major Buddhist councils is a core requirement for ancient Indian history.

Explanation Kanishka (Kushan king) organized the council around 72 CE at Kundalvana in Kashmir to resolve conflicts in Buddhist doctrine.

Logical Breakup
Ajatshatru (Haryanka): 1st Council (Rajgir).
Kalasoka (Shishunaga): 2nd Council (Vaishali).
Ashoka (Maurya): 3rd Council (Pataliputra).
Kanishka (Kushan): 4th Council (Kashmir).

Active Recall

Question

How did Kanishka's patronage differ from Ashoka's?

Answer

Ashoka promoted Dhamma as a moral code across his empire, while Kanishka's patronage led to the development of Buddhist art (Gandhara/Mathura) and the rise of Mahayana.

Core Insight

The choice of Kashmir as the venue highlights the region's historical role as a major hub for Buddhist scholarship and its transition to Central Asia.

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