Which of the following ancient Indian sects taught a strict doctrine of fate, holding that destiny determines everything and that human effort is powerless?

Introduction / Context:
In the age of the Buddha and Mahavira, ancient India saw the rise of many different philosophical and religious schools. These groups debated questions such as whether human effort, karma or destiny governs life. One radical sect, known as the Ajivikas, became famous for its extreme belief in fate or niyati. Exams often ask you to match this doctrine with the correct group, because it contrasts sharply with the teachings of Buddhism and Jainism on karma and ethical effort. This question focuses on that specific identification.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The statement describes a belief that destiny determines everything and human effort is powerless. - Options are Jains, Buddhists, Ajivikas and Mimamsakas. - We assume familiarity with broad differences among these schools. - The task is to pick the sect most strongly associated with strict fatalism.

Concept / Approach:
The Ajivikas were an ancient sect whose central doctrine was niyativada, the belief that everything is governed by an inexorable fate or cosmic determinism. According to this view, events unfold according to fixed destiny, and human effort or moral action does not change the final outcome. In contrast, both Buddhism and Jainism emphasise karma and ethical discipline, teaching that actions have consequences and can shape future rebirths. Mimamsa focuses on the correct performance of Vedic rituals and does not preach that human effort is entirely powerless. Therefore, the description of total reliance on destiny clearly points to the Ajivikas.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the key phrase in the question: destiny determines everything and man is powerless. Step 2: Recall that Ajivikas followed niyativada, which holds that all events are predetermined by an impersonal cosmic force. Step 3: Recognise that Jains stress self control, non violence and ascetic effort, and teach that individual actions influence the soul's bondage and liberation. Step 4: Note that Buddhists teach the Middle Path and the law of dependent origination, emphasising that right effort and moral conduct can transform suffering and future existence. Step 5: Understand that Mimamsa centres the power of Vedic rituals and human performance of them, which is the opposite of a belief in total powerlessness. Step 6: Conclude that the sect associated with rigid determinism is the Ajivikas.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical accounts of the time of the Buddha frequently mention three major shramana traditions: Buddhists, Jains and Ajivikas, along with other teachers. When describing these, textbooks consistently note that the Ajivikas followed an extreme deterministic doctrine of fate. In the Buddhist and Jain sources that argue against rival views, Ajivikas are criticised for denying the effective role of karma and effort. This repeated portrayal across multiple sources confirms that Ajivikas are the group that believed that destiny alone governs all events.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Jains are wrong because Jain philosophy places strong emphasis on personal effort, austerity and non violence as the means to purify the soul and escape karmic bondage.

Buddhists are wrong because Buddhism stresses right effort, mindfulness and ethical action as essential factors on the path to enlightenment, not the idea that man is powerless.

Mimamsakas are wrong because their school focuses on the efficacy of Vedic ritual actions, implying that correctly performed human actions produce specific results, not that destiny alone rules.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes assume that any Indian school that talks about karma must be fatalistic, or they mix up names like Ajivika and Jain because they appear together in historical narratives. Another pitfall is to interpret destiny loosely and imagine that all religions teach some predetermination. To avoid such confusion, remember this clear mapping: Ajivikas equals niyativada or strict fate doctrine, while Buddhists and Jains stress ethical and spiritual effort. Keeping this sharp distinction in mind will help you answer similar questions confidently.

Final Answer:
The sect that taught that destiny determines everything and that human effort is powerless is the Ajivikas.