Q15 · UPSC Prelims 2025 · Set A · History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)

← Q14 Q16 →

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

A Samudragupta
B Chandragupta II
C Kumaragupta I
D Skandagupta

Correct answer: (b) Chandragupta II

Explanation

  1. A

    Samudragupta

    Samudragupta. Too early for Faxian’s stay.

  2. B

    Chandragupta II

    Chandragupta II. Faxian (Fa-hien) travelled in India in this reign (c. 399–414 CE).

  3. C

    Kumaragupta I

    Kumaragupta I. The next generation; the usual swap trap.

  4. D

    Skandagupta

    Skandagupta. Still later, Huna wars.

Summary. Official Set A key is (b) Chandragupta II. The Chinese pilgrim Faxian reached India in the Gupta high period under Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya), described Magadha and Pataliputra, and wrote Fo-kuo-ki. Kumaragupta I is the neighbouring reign and the common wrong tick.

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

  1. 2024 · Q64 · General Studies · 2 marks

    Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on :

    View answer →

PDF