Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the B

Which of the following kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?

  • 1. Avanti
  • 2. Gandhara
  • 3. Kosala
  • 4. Magadha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3
2 and 3 only
1, 3 and 4
3 and 4 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
The kingdoms of Kosala and Magadha were significantly associated with the life of the Buddha.
Gautama Buddha spent most of his life after enlightenment preaching and travelling within the territories of Kosala and Magadha Mahajanapadas.
– He was born near Kapilavastu, which was located in the foothills bordering the Kosala kingdom.
– He attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and gave his first sermon at Sarnath, both of which were in or near the Magadha kingdom.
– He frequently visited and preached in major cities of these kingdoms like Rajagriha (capital of Magadha) and Shravasti (capital of Kosala). Kings like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru of Magadha and Prasenajit of Kosala were his contemporaries and patrons.
Avanti (capital Ujjain) and Gandhara (north-western region) were important Mahajanapadas, but the Buddha’s direct interactions and travels were primarily concentrated in the middle Gangetic plain, encompassing Kosala and Magadha.
The Buddhist scriptures (like the Pali Canon) primarily describe the Buddha’s activities within the geographical area covered by Kosala and Magadha, and neighbouring republics and small kingdoms in the vicinity.