Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2019

Social History of the Gupta Empire

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

In travel through India, Fahien has mentioned a hospital, it was located at-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Chinese travelers provided an outsider's validation of the social welfare systems in ancient India, particularly the presence of institutionalized healthcare.

Explanation Faxian (Fa-Hien), who visited during the reign of Chandragupta II, recorded a large hospital in Pataliputra. He noted it was funded by wealthy citizens and provided free treatment, food, and medicine to the poor and destitute.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: This is one of the earliest records of a charitable public health institution in world history.
Logic 2: Pataliputra was described as a prosperous city where people practiced Buddhist values of compassion and charity.
Logic 3: Faxian’s observation highlights the sophisticated level of medical and social service during the Gupta 'Golden Age'.

Active Recall

Question

Under whose reign did Faxian visit India?

Answer

Faxian visited India during the reign of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II.

Core Insight

The existence of free hospitals suggests that the prosperity of the Gupta era was supported by a robust private-public partnership in social welfare.