Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?1.Avanti2.Gandhara3.Kosala4.MagadhaSelect the correct answer using the codes given below

1. A

   1, 2 and 3 only

   (a) 1, 2 and 3 only. Avanti (Ujjain) and Gandhara were not the kingdoms of the Buddha’s lived circuit in the sense this key requires. Including 1 and 2 is wrong.

2. B

   2 and 3 only

   (b) 2 and 3 only. Gandhara became a Buddhist art region centuries later; it was not a kingdom of the Buddha’s life. Kosala is valid, Gandhara is not.

3. C

   1, 3 and 4

   (c) 1, 3 and 4. Magadha and Kosala are right, but Avanti is not counted among the kingdoms associated with his life on this paper.

4. D

   3 and 4 only

   (d) 3 and 4 only. The Buddha taught in Kosala (Sravasti; Kapilavastu in the wider Kosalan world) and Magadha (Rajagriha, Bodh Gaya, Nalanda region). Avanti and Gandhara are dropped. That pair is the official key.

Summary. Official key is (d) 3 and 4 only. Kosala and Magadha are the mahajanapadas of the Buddha’s career. Avanti’s Pradyota was a contemporary but the stem’s key does not include Avanti; Gandhara is later Buddhist geography. Only Kosala and Magadha are keyed.