Consider the following statements:
- The Ikshvaku rulers of Southern India were antagonistic towards Buddhism.
- The Pala rulers of Eastern India were patrons of Buddhism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- I only
- II only
- Both I and II
- Neither I nor II
Explanation
Statement I is incorrect
- The Ikshvaku kingdom flourished for about one hundred years, from 220 to 320 CE. It patronised Buddhism, Brahminism, as well as older folk religions. Their capital city, Vijayapuri, had at least 18 Brahminical temples, mostly along the Krishna riverfront. Archaeologists have also found 30 Buddhist monasteries on some of the best real estate in the city, and a giant stupa said to contain relics of the Buddha. This kingdom supported multiple religions, traded with Rome, and built the only amphitheatre found in ancient India. It hosted Nagarjuna, also known as ‘the second Buddha’, and founder of Madhyamaka, or the influential Middle Path school of Mahayana Buddhism.
Statement II is correct
- The Pala rulers of eastern India, particularly rulers such as Dharmapala and Devapala, were great patrons of Buddhism and supported renowned centres of Buddhist learning such as Nalanda Mahavihara and Vikramashila Mahavihara. Therefore, only Statement II is correct.
