Which Chinese pilgrim comes in search of Buddhist texts in c. 606-647…

The correct answer is Option (2) → Xuan Zang

Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, the question can have more than one correct answer, i.e. both Option (2) and Option (4), as explained below.

Option (1) Ian Tsing — Incorrect. The pilgrim of c. 606-647 CE was Xuan Zang, not Ian Tsing.

Option (2) Xuan Zang — Correct. In c. 606-647 CE, when Harshavardhana was king of Kanauj, the Chinese pilgrim Xuan Zang came in search of Buddhist texts.

Option (3) Xing Xuan — Incorrect. Xing Xuan only mixes up the syllables of his name.

Option (4) Huan Tsang — Also correct. ‘Huan Tsang’ (also written Hiuen Tsang) is another English spelling of the same pilgrim’s name, now usually written Xuan Zang.

Tip for students: Where two options are two spellings of the same name, mark the spelling used in the chapter you studied.

Note: The spelling ‘Huan Tsang’ is not in NCERT (2026-27), which uses only ‘Xuan Zang’; explained here for the benefit of the students.