Question

What was the purpose of the Prayaga assembly called by Harshavardhana in 643 A.D.?

• A. To offer royal charities to all classes of people.
• B. To have a scholarly discussion on Mahayanism.
• C. To have a scholarly discussion on Shaivism.
• D. To honor the master of law Hieun Tsang

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

To offer royal charities to all classes of people.

In the year 643 A.D., Harsha held a great religious assembly in his capital at Kannauj on the bank of the river Ganges. The purpose of the assembly was to highlight the teachings of Buddha.

The Kannauj Assembly was followed by another spectacular assembly at Prayaga in the same year. While the Kannauj Assembly was a religious assembly to highlight Mahayanism, the Prayaga Assembly was an assembly of universal character for offerings of royal charities to all classes of people. It was known as the Maha Moksha Parishad.