Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other three?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: C
Concept
Historical contemporaneity refers to figures existing during the same time period. The 6th century BCE was a landmark era for religious and political development in India.Explanation
Bimbisara (Haryanka dynasty), Gautama Buddha, and Prasenjit (King of Kosala) all lived and interacted in the 6th century BCE. Milinda (Menander I) was an Indo-Greek king who ruled in the 2nd century BCE.Logical Breakup
The 6th Century BCE Group: Bimbisara was the king of Magadha and a patron of Buddha; Prasenjit was the ruler of Kosala and also a contemporary of Buddha.
The Outlier: Milinda ruled roughly 400 years later. He is famous for the text 'Milinda Panha', a dialogue with the monk Nagasena.
Logic: Since three figures belong to the age of Mahajanapadas/Buddha and one belongs to the post-Mauryan Indo-Greek era, Milinda is the exception.