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Foreign Accounts of India

Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang: Fact-Checking their Visits

Neither statement is correct. Fa-Hien visited long after Kanishka's council, and Hiuen-Tsang found King Harsha to be a great supporter of Buddhism, not an antagonist.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History

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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?

[UPSC CSE Pre 2004]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


The chronologies of Chinese pilgrims must align with the reigns of the Indian kings they visited.

Authentic Source Evidence


  • 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.

    • Analytical Breakdown


  • 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.

    • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "Who was the ruler during Fa-Hien's visit?"

    Fa-Hien visited India during the reign of the Gupta emperor Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "Misattributing travelers to wrong kings or councils is a common historical error; Fa-Hien belongs to the Guptas, and Hiuen-Tsang to the Pushyabhutis."

    Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

    Chandragupta II 7Fourth Buddhist Council 6Prayaga Assembly 2
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