Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Consider the following statements: 1. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien attended the fourth Great Buddhist Council held by Kanishka. 2. The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang met Harsha and found him to be antagonistic to Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: D
Concept
The chronologies of Chinese pilgrims must align with the reigns of the Indian kings they visited.Explanation
Fa-Hien: Visited during the Gupta era (Chandragupta II), long after Kanishka's 1st/2nd-century council.
Hiuen-Tsang: Visited during Harsha's reign and described him as a great patron and devotee of Buddhism, not an antagonist.Logical Breakup
Logic 1 (Statement 1 is Incorrect): The 4th Council was in the 1st/2nd century CE; Fa-Hien visited in the 5th century CE. He only saw a stupa built by Kanishka but did not attend the council.
Logic 2 (Statement 2 is Incorrect): Hiuen-Tsang was highly honored by Harsha at the Kanauj and Prayaga assemblies. Harsha was a devout follower, far from being antagonistic.