What was the historical significance of Mahapajapati Gotami?

She successfully advocated for the inclusion of women in the Buddhist monastic order, making Buddhism one of the first religions to have a female clergy.

Early Buddhist History

UPSC Archival Analysis

Q: Who among the following was Buddha's foster mother?

Mahapajapati Gotami was the foster mother of Gautam Buddha. She is also historically significant as the first woman to be ordained into the Buddhist Sangha as a nun.

Exam Year

2018

Evidence Source

Link

ID: HIS_PHI_2018_109 Ref: Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings