Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of
Chandragupta II
Fa-hien's Visit to India During the Gupta Empire
Fa-hien, also known as Faxian, was a prominent Chinese Buddhist monk who embarked on a long and challenging journey to India. His primary objective was to visit important Buddhist sites and collect authentic Buddhist scriptures, particularly those related to the Vinaya Pitaka, the rules of monastic discipline.
His travels in India took place over several years, starting in the late 4th century CE and extending into the early 5th century CE. During this period, Northern India was largely under the rule of the powerful Gupta Empire. Historical records indicate that Fa-hien spent a significant portion of his time in the heartland of the Gupta territories.
The ruler presiding over the Gupta Empire during the main period of Fa-hien's stay in India was Chandragupta II. Chandragupta II, also known by the title Vikramaditya, reigned from approximately 380 CE to 415 CE. Fa-hien's travels in India are generally placed between 399 CE and 412 CE, fitting squarely within the reign of Chandragupta II.
Fa-hien's detailed account of his journey, recorded in his work "A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms" (Fo-kuo Chi), provides valuable insights into the conditions of India during the Gupta era, including aspects of the administration, society, and the state of Buddhism, although he focused primarily on religious matters.
Therefore, the Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien travelled to India during the reign of Chandragupta II.
Revision Table: Key Information about Fa-hien's Visit
| Chinese Pilgrim | Period of Travel to India | Ruler of India (Gupta Empire) |
| Fa-hien (Faxian) | c. 399 CE - 412 CE | Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) |
Additional Information: The Gupta Rulers and Other Travellers
The Gupta dynasty was a significant power in ancient India. The rulers mentioned in the options were all part of this illustrious lineage:
- Samudragupta: Father of Chandragupta II, known for his extensive military campaigns. His reign preceded Fa-hien's visit.
- Chandragupta II: The ruler during whose reign Fa-hien visited. Known for territorial expansion, economic prosperity, and cultural flourishing (the 'Golden Age').
- Kumaragupta I: Son of Chandragupta II. His reign followed Chandragupta II's. He is known for founding the Nalanda University.
- Skandagupta: Son of Kumaragupta I. He faced invasions from the Hunas. His reign came after Fa-hien's departure from India.
While Fa-hien was one of the earliest Chinese pilgrims to visit India, another famous pilgrim, Xuanzang (Hsuan-tsang), travelled to India much later, during the reign of Emperor Harsha Vardhana in the 7th century CE. Both Fa-hien and Xuanzang provided crucial historical accounts of ancient India.
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