NCERT Class 6 History — Chapter 9: Traders, kings and pilgrims

mcqhard

In the context of his return journey to China, where did the pilgrim Fa Xian halt for five months?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

ASumatra
BMyanmar
CJava
DSri Lanka

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Solution

The correct option is

Java

Explanation

Fa Xian (Faxian) was a Chinese Buddhist pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) to collect Buddhist scriptures. His return journey provides significant historical evidence regarding the maritime trade routes connecting India, Southeast Asia, and China during the Gupta period.

Detailed Analysis:

Route Overview: Unlike his arrival via the land route (Silk Road), Fa Xian returned to China via the sea route. He departed from the port city of Tamralipti (Bengal).
Sri Lanka: He first sailed to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and stayed there for two years collecting texts.
Java: From Sri Lanka, he boarded a merchant vessel which, after a perilous journey, reached Java (Java-dvipa). Fa Xian explicitly mentions halting in Java for five months. He noted that Brahmanism was flourishing in this region, while the Buddhist faith was not yet significant there.
China: After this five-month halt, he boarded another ship to finally reach China.

Key Takeaway: Fa Xian halted in Java for five months during his return sea voyage before proceeding to China.

Your note

More from Chapter 9: Traders, kings and pilgrims

In the context of ancient Indo-Roman trade, the term 'Black Gold' was used to refer to:

easy

With reference to the administration of the early kingdoms in South India (Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas), consider the following statements: 1. The chiefs collected regular taxes from the people to maintain large standing armies. 2. They demanded and received gifts from the people. 3. They distributed a portion of the wealth amongst their supporters, including poets. 4. Military expeditions were conducted to collect tribute from neighbouring areas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following ancient cities served as the primary port and capital of the early Cholas?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the Satavahana dynasty: 1. They became powerful in western India about 200 years after the Muvendar. 2. Gautamiputra Shri Satakarni is known through an inscription composed by his mother. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the trade evidence found in Sangam poems: 1. Horses were brought by sea in ships. 2. Gold was imported from the Himalayas. 3. Pottery was brought from Myanmar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

hard

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The correct option is

Java

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

Route Overview: Unlike his arrival via the land route (Silk Road), Fa Xian returned to China via the sea route. He departed from the port city of Tamralipti (Bengal).
Sri Lanka: He first sailed to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and stayed there for two years collecting texts.
Java: From Sri Lanka, he boarded a merchant vessel which, after a perilous journey, reached Java (Java-dvipa). Fa Xian explicitly mentions halting in Java for five months. He noted that Brahmanism was flourishing in this region, while the Buddhist faith was not yet significant there.
China: After this five-month halt, he boarded another ship to finally reach China.

Key Takeaway: Fa Xian halted in Java for five months during his return sea voyage before proceeding to China.