Where was the famous Buddhist monastery named 'Ashokaram' located?
Correct Answer: Pataliputra
Subject: history
- Rajgriha
- Pataliputra
- Vaishali
- Sarnath
Explanation: • Ashokaram — built by Emperor Ashoka in his imperial capital Pataliputra
• It was the venue of the 3rd Buddhist Council (~250 BC)
• Ashoka's other key Buddhist constructions: Bodhi Manda at Bodh Gaya; temples at Lumbini, Sarnath, Kushinagar; Dharmarajika Stupa at Taxila
• Pataliputra's monastic remains: Kumhrar excavations (Patna) revealed an 80-pillared Ashokan hall
• Both Fa-Hien and Hiuen Tsang described Pataliputra's magnificent monasteries