UPSC Prelims 2024
Ancient History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — Sarvastivada Vinaya

Sanghabhuti was a prominent Indian Buddhist monk and scholar of the Sarvastivada school who traveled to China at the end of the fourth century AD. He is particularly renowned for his commentary on the Sarvastivada Vinaya, which deals with monastic rules and discipline of the Sarvastivada tradition. His work was instrumental in transmitting and explaining the Vinaya texts to Chinese Buddhist communities.

Why other options are incorrect:

❌ Option 1 – Prajnaparamita Sutra: These Mahayana sutras focus on the concept of 'emptiness' (sunyata) and are not associated with Sanghabhuti's scholarly work.

❌ Option 2 – Visuddhimagga: This is a comprehensive Theravada Buddhist treatise written by Buddhaghosa in the 5th century, not by Sanghabhuti.

❌ Option 4 – Lalitavistara: This is a Mahayana sutra narrating the life of the Buddha and is not connected to Sanghabhuti's commentarial work.

📝 Short Notes: Sarvastivada School and Vinaya Literature

• Sarvastivada School: One of the major early Buddhist schools (Hinayana tradition) that flourished in northwest India and Central Asia; means "the doctrine that all exists"
• Vinaya Texts: The regulatory framework of monastic discipline in Buddhism, forming one of the three baskets (Tripitaka) of Buddhist scriptures
• Sanghabhuti's Contribution: Traveled to China around 383-395 AD during the Eastern Jin dynasty; translated and wrote commentaries on Sarvastivada Vinaya texts
• Historical Context: Part of the larger movement of Buddhist transmission from India to China during 1st-5th centuries AD
• Three Pitakas: Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutta Pitaka (discourses), Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical analysis)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only

Gautama Buddha was commonly known by several epithets that reflected his origins and spiritual attainment. Shakyamuni means 'Sage of the Shakya clan' (his birth clan), and Tathagata means 'one who has thus gone/come' (signifying his enlightenment). However, Nayaputta (son of Naya) was an epithet used for Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, not for Buddha.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Nayaputta was an epithet of Mahavira (founder of Jainism), not Gautama Buddha.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Shakyamuni means 'Sage of the Shakya clan' and was a common epithet for Buddha who belonged to the Shakya clan.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Tathagata, meaning 'one who has thus gone/come', is one of the most important epithets of Buddha signifying his enlightenment.

📝 Short Notes: Epithets and Titles of Gautama Buddha

• Shakyamuni: Sage of the Shakya clan; refers to his birth in the Shakya republic
• Tathagata: 'Thus-gone' or 'Thus-come'; signifies one who has achieved enlightenment and describes the nature of a Buddha
• Buddha: 'The Awakened One' or 'The Enlightened One'
• Siddhartha Gautama: His birth name; Siddhartha means 'one who has accomplished his goals'
• Bhagavan/Bhagavat: 'The Blessed One' or 'Lord'
• Sugata: 'Well-gone' or 'Well-spoken'
• Jina: 'The Conqueror' (of desires and ignorance)
• Note: Nayaputta (son of Naya) and Mahavira (Great Hero) were epithets of Vardhamana, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 only

This question tests knowledge about the chronology and characteristics of ancient Indian literary sources. Statement 1 is incorrect because Upanishads do contain parables and allegories to convey philosophical concepts. Statement 2 is correct as Upanishads (800-500 BCE) were indeed composed much earlier than the Puranas (3rd century CE onwards).

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Upanishads contain numerous parables and allegories, such as the story of Satyakama Jabala in Chandogya Upanishad and the parable of two birds in Mundaka Upanishad, used to explain complex philosophical ideas.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Upanishads, forming the Vedanta (end of Vedas), were composed between 800-500 BCE, while Puranas are a later genre of texts composed from around the 3rd century CE onwards, making Upanishads considerably older.

📝 Short Notes: Upanishads and Puranas

• Upanishads are also called Vedanta (Veda + anta = end) as they represent the culmination of Vedic thought and form the philosophical foundation of Hinduism.
• Major Upanishads include: Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka.
• Puranas popularized religious ideas among common people through stories and myths, playing a crucial role in the spread of Bhakti movement.
• Major Puranas include: Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Shiva Purana, Markandeya Purana, Matsya Purana.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3

This question tests the matching of archaeological sites with their respective states and descriptions. Only rows 2 and 3 contain correct information about Inamgaon (Maharashtra-Chalcolithic) and Mangadu (Kerala-Megalithic), while rows 1 and 4 have incorrect state associations.

❌ Row 1 – Incorrect: Chandraketugarh is located in West Bengal, not Odisha; it was indeed a trading port town known for terracotta figurines and maritime trade.

✅ Row 2 – Correct: Inamgaon in Maharashtra is a prominent Chalcolithic site (circa 1600-700 BCE) known for evidence of agriculture, domesticated animals, and burial practices.

✅ Row 3 – Correct: Mangadu in Kerala contains megalithic monuments consisting of laterite blocks, part of the widespread megalithic culture of South India.

❌ Row 4 – Incorrect: Salihundam in Andhra Pradesh is a Buddhist site with stupas and monastic remains, not rock-cut cave shrines; it was an important pilgrimage center of ancient Kalinga.

📝 Short Notes: Important Archaeological Sites of India