[Solved] Buddhist Patronage: Pala vs Ikshvaku Dynasty Facts

Buddhist Patronage: Pala vs Ikshvaku Dynasty Facts

The Pala rulers were major patrons of Buddhism in Eastern India. In contrast, the Ikshvaku rulers were generally Vedic followers but not antagonistic to Buddhism; in fact, their queens often supported Buddhist monuments.

Primary Reference: Standard Educational Reference

Archived: 2006

Updated: 5 Sept 2025

Consider the following statements:
1. The Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism.
2. The Pala rulers of Eastern India were Patrons of Buddhism. Which of the statement(s) given above is/ are correct?

[UPSC CSE Prelims 2006]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The survival and expansion of Buddhism in India were heavily dependent on the varying degrees of patronage provided by regional dynasties.

Authentic Source Evidence

The Pala dynasty (Bengal/Bihar) was the last major royal patron of Buddhism in India, establishing great universities like Vikramashila. The Ikshvakus (Andhra region) were generally Vedic practitioners but not strictly 'antagonistic'.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Statement 1 is incorrect. While the Ikshvaku kings followed Brahmanism, their queens and female relatives were famously great patrons of Buddhism, funding several stupas at Nagarjunakonda.

Logic 2: Statement 2 is correct. The Palas (e.g., Dharmapala) were devout Buddhists who fostered the growth of Vajrayana Buddhism and maintained close links with Southeast Asian Buddhist kingdoms.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Which major Buddhist university was founded by the Pala king Dharmapala?"

Vikramashila University, which became a leading center for Buddhist learning alongside Nalanda.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The Ikshvaku example shows that religious life in ancient India was often pluralistic, with different members of the same royal household supporting different faiths."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Nagarjunakonda 2 Dharmapala 5 Vajrayana Buddhism 4

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Consider the following statements:1. The Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism.2. The Pala rulers of Eastern India were Patrons of Buddhism. Which of the statement(s) given above is/ are correct?