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U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 2008

Life of Gautama Buddha

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Gautam Buddha's Mother was from which clan?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept The Buddha's family connections linked several prominent republics of the 6th century BCE.

Explanation Buddhist chronicles state that Queen Maya (Mahamaya), the mother of Prince Siddhartha, was a princess from the Koliyan republic of Devadaha.

Logical Breakup
Koliyan Clan (D): This was the maternal clan of the Buddha.
Shakya Clan (A): This was the paternal clan (his father Suddhodana was a Shakya).

Active Recall

Question

Where was Queen Maya traveling when the Buddha was born?

Answer

She was traveling from the Shakya capital, Kapilavastu, to her natal home in Devadaha (Koliyan territory) when she gave birth in Lumbini.

Core Insight

The marriage between the Shakyas and Koliyans was common, though they were often in conflict over shared water resources like the Rohini river.

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