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U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999

Historical Geography of Buddhism

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

In the course of pilgrimage, Emperor Ashoka visited the following places. Which route did he follow?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Emperor Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism led to a major royal tour of the sites associated with the life of Gautama Buddha, documented in his edicts and Buddhist chronicles like the Ashokavadana.

Explanation Ashoka's inscriptions (like the Rummindei Pillar) confirm his visits. He started with the Buddha's birthplace and moved through the sites of Enlightenment, First Sermon, and Mahaparinirvana.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The route generally follows the biography of Buddha: Lumbini (4 - Birth), Kapilavastu (2 - Childhood), Gaya (1 - Enlightenment), Sarnath (5 - First Sermon), Kushinagar (3 - Death), and Shravasti (6 - Major Teaching site).
Logic 2: This chronological sequence of Buddha's life sites aligns with Option D.

Active Recall

Question

What administrative change did Ashoka make during his visit to Lumbini?

Answer

He reduced the tax burden (bali) of the village of Lumbini and fixed the grain tax (bhaga) to one-eighth, in honor of the Buddha's birthplace.

Core Insight

Ashoka's pilgrimage transformed these local religious sites into pan-imperial centers of devotion and pilgrimage.

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