UPSC Prelims 2016 Question:

With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?

Explanation:

• During the Gupta period the task of collecting information and presenting it in literary form was the special task assigned to the Sutas and Magadhas (bards and chroniclers), who were the descendants of priestly families of the Vedic period.
  
  
• A person entering the Buddhist Sangha was given the status of 'Shramana' before the status of Upasampada (permanent membership), then he was given the status of 'monk' after 10 years after his eligibility was approved.
  
  
• The parivrajaka were wanderers. A few famous examples of parivrajaka were Vardhamana Mahavira, Gautama Buddha, Makhkhali Goshala and Ajita Keshkambalin.
  
  
• Agrahaarika were the contributions of land or taxes from a village by the king to the Brahmins.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: History | Gupta Age