UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I
Question 15: History and Culture
Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Chinese Buddhist monk Fa-hien (Faxian) came to India around 399-414 CE during the reign of Chandragupta II, also called Vikramaditya, of the Gupta dynasty. He travelled in search of Buddhist texts and described a peaceful, prosperous country with mild administration and little use of capital punishment. Samudragupta ruled before Chandragupta II, and Kumaragupta I and Skandagupta ruled after him. Remember: Fa-hien under Chandragupta II; Hiuen Tsang under Harsha.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: Samudragupta ruled earlier, before Fa-hien's visit.
- (b) Right: Fa-hien visited during the reign of Chandragupta II.
- (c) Wrong: Kumaragupta I came after Chandragupta II.
- (d) Wrong: Skandagupta came later still.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.