📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.15 | Classroom Explanation

(Ancient History)

📌 Question

Q.15) Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of

(a) Samudragupta
(b) Chandragupta II
(c) Kumara Gupta I
(d) Skanda Gupta

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✅ Correct Answer: (b)

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests knowledge of Gupta chronology and foreign travellers, a standard UPSC area linking political history with cultural and religious exchanges.

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🔍 Key Concept: Fa-hien (Faxian) and Gupta India

• Fa-hien (c. 399–414 CE) was a Chinese Buddhist monk
• He visited India primarily to:

• Collect Buddhist texts
• Study Buddhist practices and monastic life

• His visit coincides with the reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)

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🔍 Why Chandragupta II?

✅ Statement Validation

• Chandragupta II (c. 380–415 CE):

• Adopted the title Vikramaditya
• Presided over the golden age of the Gupta Empire
• Maintained political stability and cultural prosperity

• Fa-hien’s travel period aligns perfectly with Chandragupta II’s reign

➡️ Hence, option (b) is correct.

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🔍 What Fa-hien Observed (UPSC-Relevant)

• Described India as:

• Prosperous and well-governed
• Largely free from severe punishments
• Practising religious tolerance

• Noted:

• Flourishing Buddhist monasteries
• Patronage to Buddhism despite Guptas being largely Vaishnavas

• His account is titled “Fo-Kuo-Ki” (A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms)

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🧮 Logical Elimination (UPSC Style)

• Samudragupta → Earlier expansionist ruler
• Chandragupta II → Contemporary of Fa-hien ✅
• Kumara Gupta I → Later ruler
• Skanda Gupta → Post-Gupta decline phase

➡️ Correct option: (b)

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🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (b) Chandragupta II

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📦 Info Box — Extra Points (Prelims Value Add)

• Chandragupta II’s court at Ujjain was a major cultural centre
• Associated with the Navaratnas (traditionally)
• His reign marked:

• Peak of Gupta art (Ajanta paintings – Phase II)
• Growth of Sanskrit literature
• Strong trade links with Southeast Asia

• Contrast for UPSC:

• Fa-hien → Chandragupta II (peaceful society)
• Hiuen Tsang → Harshavardhana (later period)

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📍 GS Mapping

GS Paper I
Subject: Ancient History
Theme: Gupta Period — Culture & Foreign Accounts
Nature: Factual + Conceptual

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