UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 49: History and Culture
The following persons came to India at one time or another: I. Fa-Hien II. I-Tsing III. Megasthenes IV. Hieun-Tsang The correct chronological sequence of their visits is:
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Megasthenes came as Seleucus Nikator's envoy to Chandragupta Maurya's court around 300 BC. Fa-Hien came in the time of Chandragupta II, in the early 5th century AD. Hiuen-Tsang (Xuanzang) came in the 7th century, around 630-645, in Harsha's time. I-Tsing came later in that century, around 671-695. So the order is Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, Hiuen-Tsang, I-Tsing: III, I, IV, II.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Puts I-Tsing before Hiuen-Tsang.
- (b) Right. III (c. 300 BC), I (early 5th c. AD), IV (c. 630-645), II (c. 671-695).
- (c) Wrong. Puts Fa-Hien before Megasthenes and I-Tsing before Hiuen-Tsang.
- (d) Wrong. Puts Fa-Hien before Megasthenes, who came centuries earlier.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.