[Solved] Ashoka's Buddhist Pilgrimage Route | Key Locations

In the course of pilgrimage, Emperor Ashoka visited the following places. Which route did he follow?

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1999]

⚡ Generate AI Quick Summary

Correct Option: D

Emperor Ashoka's pilgrimage route generally followed: Lumbini, Kapilavastu, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, and Shravasti, tracing the life of Gautama Buddha.

A. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

B. 1, 3, 4, 2, 5 and 6

C. 4, 5, 6, 3, 2 and 1

D. 4, 2, 1, 5, 3 and 6

Analysis & Evidence

Concept

Emperor Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism led to a major royal tour of the sites associated with the life of Gautama Buddha, documented in his edicts and Buddhist chronicles like the Ashokavadana.

Authentic Source Evidence

Ashoka's inscriptions (like the Rummindei Pillar) confirm his visits. He started with the Buddha's birthplace and moved through the sites of Enlightenment, First Sermon, and Mahaparinirvana.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: The route generally follows the biography of Buddha: Lumbini (4 - Birth), Kapilavastu (2 - Childhood), Gaya (1 - Enlightenment), Sarnath (5 - First Sermon), Kushinagar (3 - Death), and Shravasti (6 - Major Teaching site).

Logic 2: This chronological sequence of Buddha's life sites aligns with Option D.

Historical Logic Quest

"What administrative change did Ashoka make during his visit to Lumbini?"

He reduced the tax burden (bali) of the village of Lumbini and fixed the grain tax (bhaga) to one-eighth, in honor of the Buddha's birthplace.

The Topper's Edge

"Ashoka's pilgrimage transformed these local religious sites into pan-imperial centers of devotion and pilgrimage."

Analysing the UPSC previous year question paper is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly solving and analyzing these questions helps you decode the examiner's mindset, identify recurring historical themes, and build the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practise UPSC PYQ here with interactive question sets to learn and sharpen your edge!