During the reign of which of the following rulers did Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveller, come to India?
Harshavardhana
Understanding Hiuen Tsang's Visit to Ancient India
The question asks about the Indian ruler during whose reign the famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang (also known as Xuanzang) visited India. Hiuen Tsang was a prominent Buddhist monk and scholar from China who embarked on a long journey to India in the 7th century CE to collect Buddhist scriptures.
His travels across India spanned many years, providing valuable insights into the political, social, and religious conditions of the time through his detailed account, 'Great Tang Records on the Western Regions' (Da Tang Xiyu Ji).
Identifying the Ruler: Harshavardhana's Reign
Historical records and Hiuen Tsang's own writings confirm that he spent a significant period of his time in North India during the reign of King Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty. Harshavardhana ruled a large empire in northern India from 606 CE to 647 CE.
Hiuen Tsang arrived in India around 629 CE and stayed until approximately 645 CE. This period falls squarely within Harshavardhana's rule, making him the ruler during whose reign Hiuen Tsang travelled extensively in India and was even hosted by the king.
Analyzing Other Options
Let's consider why the other options are incorrect:
- Chandragupta II: He was a powerful ruler of the Gupta Empire who reigned in the late 4th and early 5th century CE (around 380-415 CE). This period is significantly earlier than Hiuen Tsang's visit in the 7th century CE.
- Samudragupta: He was another prominent ruler of the Gupta Empire who reigned in the 4th century CE (around 335-380 CE). His reign also predates Hiuen Tsang's arrival in India by several centuries.
- Ashoka: Emperor Ashoka belonged to the Mauryan dynasty and reigned in the 3rd century BCE (around 268-232 BCE). This period is far removed from the 7th century CE when Hiuen Tsang visited India.
Therefore, the ruler contemporary to Hiuen Tsang's visit to India was undoubtedly Harshavardhana.
| Traveller | Period of Visit | Contemporary Indian Ruler/Dynasty |
|---|---|---|
| Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) | 7th Century CE (c. 629-645 CE) | Harshavardhana (Pushyabhuti Dynasty) |
| Fa Hien (Faxian) | Early 5th Century CE (c. 399-414 CE) | Chandragupta II (Gupta Dynasty) |
| Megasthenes | 4th Century BCE (c. 302-298 BCE) | Chandragupta Maurya (Mauryan Dynasty) |
Based on historical evidence, Hiuen Tsang's visit occurred during the reign of Harshavardhana.
Revision Table: Key Travellers to Ancient India
| Traveller Name | Nationality | Century of Visit | Famous Work | Indian Ruler/Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang) | Chinese | 7th Century CE | Da Tang Xiyu Ji (Great Tang Records on the Western Regions) | Harshavardhana |
| Fa Hien (Faxian) | Chinese | 5th Century CE | Fo Guo Ji (A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms) | Chandragupta II |
| Megasthenes | Greek | 4th Century BCE | Indica (Fragments) | Chandragupta Maurya |
Additional Information: Significance of Hiuen Tsang's Account
Hiuen Tsang's account is a crucial primary source for reconstructing the history of 7th century India, particularly the reign of Harshavardhana. His observations on society, economy, religion (especially Buddhism and its various schools), administration, and geography provide a detailed picture of the period. He attended the large religious assemblies organized by Harshavardhana, like the one at Kannauj and the quinquennial assembly at Prayaga (modern Prayagraj), which he described vividly. His efforts to collect Buddhist texts and relics greatly influenced the development of Buddhism in China and East Asia.
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