64th B.P.S.C. Prelims 1999

International Buddhist Relations

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The ruler of Suvarnabhumi, who founded a Buddhist monastery at Nalanda and requested Devapala through his ambassador to grant, five villages for its maintenance, was-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Medieval India maintained deep maritime and religious ties with Southeast Asia (Suvarnabhumi). These connections are recorded in inscriptions documenting international religious patronage.

Explanation The Nalanda Copper-plate Inscription records that Balaputradeva, the king of the Sailendra dynasty of Srivijaya (Suvarnabhumi), built a monastery at Nalanda. He requested the Pala King Devapala to grant five villages for its upkeep.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option C is correct. This event highlights the global prestige of Nalanda as a center of Buddhist learning in the 9th century.
Logic 2: Devapala, known for his patronage of Buddhism, granted the request, strengthening ties with Southeast Asia.

Active Recall

Question

Where was 'Suvarnabhumi' located?

Answer

Suvarnabhumi (Land of Gold) refers to the region of Southeast Asia, particularly Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.

Core Insight

The Balaputradeva grant is a definitive archaeological proof of India's role as the 'cultural center' of the Buddhist world during the Pala era.