Previous Year Question
Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of:
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The Chinese Buddhist monk and traveller Fa-hien (Faxian) undertook his journey to India approximately between 399 and 414 CE. IGNCA also places his travels in the period 399–414 CE. This period overlaps with the reign of the Gupta ruler Chandragupta II.
Chandragupta II's reign is generally placed around 375–415 CE. NCERT likewise places Chandragupta II approximately in the period 375–415 CE. Thus, Faxian's journey clearly falls within his reign.
Faxian came to India primarily to study and obtain Buddhist texts and learn about Buddhist monastic traditions. He visited various Buddhist sites and left an account containing information about Indian society and Buddhist institutions. IGNCA treats the records of Chinese pilgrims such as Faxian as important sources for understanding India's cultural and political history.
Faxian → Chandragupta II → early 5th century CE
Xuanzang → Harshavardhana → 7th century CE