Question

Ajivika sect was founded by _________.
 A) Raghulabadra
B) Uplai
C) Makkhali Gosala
D) Ananda

Answer 1

Hint: The Ajivikas were an ancient sect of Indian ascetics who believed in liberation, fatalism and karma. This sect was popular during the reign of the Mauryan emperor Bindusara. King Bindusara and his wife were the followers of this sect. This sect also mentioned in the edicts of Ashoka.

Complete answer:
The founder of Ajivika sect was Makkali Gosala. According to our current knowledge, Makkali Gosala is the name that is associated with this sect. He was the contemporary of Mahavira and Gautam Buddha. Jain texts mention that Makkali Gosala was a disciple of Mahavira for six years after which they parted ways and Gosala founded his own sect. During the early period of Jain and Buddhist traditions, Ajivika philosophy was major rival of them. Ajivika philosophy was popular during the period of Mauryan Emperor Bindusara. He was the father of Emperor Asoka. After Asoka embraced Buddhism, the popularity of Ajivika philosophy declined, but it was still able to survive for the next 1600 years in the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In the 14th century AD, finally came to an end of this sect.
So, the correct answer is Option C.

Note: We do not have direct texts of the Ajivika philosophy to refer to. The original texts of Ajivika philosophy might have been lost. We know about their principles only through the criticism of this philosophy in the books of other Indian traditions. Buddhist and Jain texts and have some fragmentary references, but they are not reliable sources of information.