[Solved] Family Background of Mahavira & Buddha: UPSC Facts

Consider the following statements:
1. Vardhamana Mahavira's mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi King Chetaka.
2. Gautama Buddha's mother was a princess from the Koliyan dynasty.
3. Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Banaras.
Which of these statements is/are correct?

[UPSC CSE Prelims 2003]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Both Jainism and Buddhism were led by teachers born into the kshatriya (warrior/ruler) clans of Northern India.

Authentic Source Evidence

Trishala (Mahavira's mother) was the sister of Chetaka. Maya (Buddha's mother) belonged to the Koliyan clan. Parshvanatha was the son of King Ashvasena of Banaras.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Statement 1 is incorrect because Trishala was Chetaka's sister, not daughter.

Logic 2: Statement 2 is correct. The Koliyan dynasty was a minor republic linked to the Shakyas.

Logic 3: Statement 3 is correct. Parshvanatha is widely accepted as a historical figure who lived in Varanasi (Banaras) roughly 250 years before Mahavira.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Which clan did Siddhartha Gautama belong to?"

He belonged to the Shakya clan of Kapilavastu, which is why he is often called 'Shakyamuni'.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The aristocratic backgrounds of these teachers suggest that the new religious movements were partly led by the ruling elite challenging the ritual dominance of the Brahmins."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Tirthankaras 4

Analysing authentic UPSC CSE Prelimsprevious year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Biography of Religious Founders helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Mahavira's mother Trishala and Buddha's mother Maya builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →

Consider the following statements:1. Vardhamana Mahavira's mother was the daughter of Lichchhavi King Chetaka.2. Gautama Buddha's mother was a princess from the Koliyan dynasty.3. Parshvanatha, the twenty-third Tirthankara, belonged to Banaras.Which of these statements is/are correct?