[Solved] Who was NOT in Kanishka's Court? Patanjali Facts

Which one of the following is NOT associated with the Court of Kanishka?

[U.P. Lower Sub. Special Prelims 2008]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The court of the Kushan Emperor Kanishka (1st-2nd century CE) was a vibrant center of intellectual activity, particularly for the development of Mahayana Buddhism and Indian medicine.

Authentic Source Evidence

Patanjali lived in the 2nd century BCE, making him a contemporary of the Shunga King Pushyamitra, not Kanishka. Ashvaghosha (Poet/Monk), Charaka (Physician), and Nagarjuna (Philosopher) were all associated with Kanishka's patronage.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option D is correct. Patanjali's Mahabhashya references the Shungas, placing him centuries before the Kushans.

Logic 2: Kanishka's reign is famous for the Fourth Buddhist Council and scholars like Vasumitra and Parshva.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Who was the author of the 'Buddhacharita' in Kanishka's court?"

Ashvaghosha, who was a renowned philosopher and poet brought to Kanishka's court from Pataliputra.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The diverse range of scholars in Kanishka's court signifies that his empire was a cosmopolitan hub where science (Charaka), literature (Ashvaghosha), and philosophy (Nagarjuna) flourished simultaneously."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Ashvaghosha 4 Charaka Samhita 2 Fourth Buddhist Council 6

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