Which of the following religious leaders was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha in ancient India?

Introduction / Context:
The 6th century BCE in north India witnessed a remarkable intellectual and spiritual ferment, with many teachers and sects emerging alongside early Buddhism and Jainism. Understanding who lived at roughly the same time as Gautama Buddha helps you place different religious movements in a clear chronological framework. This question asks you to identify which listed figure was a true contemporary of the Buddha, rather than an earlier teacher or a later political ruler.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The central figure is Gautama Buddha, traditionally dated to the 6th–5th century BCE. - Options include Bhadrabahu, Chandragupta Maurya, Parsvanath and Vardhaman Mahavira. - We must select the person whose lifetime overlapped significantly with that of the Buddha. - We assume standard textbook chronologies for Jain and Buddhist traditions.

Concept / Approach:
Vardhaman Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, is generally considered a contemporary of Gautama Buddha, with both living and teaching in the eastern Gangetic plains during the 6th century BCE. Parsvanath was the 23rd Tirthankara and is placed around 250–300 years earlier than Mahavira, so he cannot be called a direct contemporary. Chandragupta Maurya was a political ruler who rose to power slightly after the Buddha's time. Bhadrabahu was a Jain monk associated with the later period of Chandragupta, not with the Buddha himself. Therefore, only Mahavira meets the criterion of being a true contemporary.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Gautama Buddha and Vardhaman Mahavira are both associated with the 6th century BCE and the rise of shramana movements. Step 2: Recognise that Jain tradition clearly distinguishes between Parsvanath (earlier) and Mahavira (later), with Mahavira's lifetime overlapping with Buddha's. Step 3: Understand that Parsvanath, although a major Jain Tirthankara, lived centuries before Buddha and cannot be described as his contemporary. Step 4: Note that Chandragupta Maurya's rule begins after the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana and is linked more to the era of Ashoka and Bhadrabahu. Step 5: Recognise that Bhadrabahu is connected to Chandragupta's later life in Jain tradition, again placing him after Buddha. Step 6: Conclude that the only correct contemporary of Gautama Buddha among the options is Vardhaman Mahavira.

Verification / Alternative check:
Timelines in many history books show parallel bars for Buddha and Mahavira, indicating that both preached around the same time in Magadha and neighbouring regions. Their teachings are often compared and contrasted, reinforcing the idea of contemporaneity. Conversely, those same timelines place Parsvanath a couple of centuries earlier and Chandragupta Maurya slightly later. If you remember that Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor, is connected with the Third Buddhist Council, it becomes clear that the Mauryan dynasty postdates the Buddha. This cross checking confirms that Mahavira is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bhadrabahu is wrong because he is traditionally associated with Chandragupta Maurya and belongs to a period after Buddha's time.

Chandragupta Maurya is wrong since he was a political ruler who came to power after the Buddha's death, during the late 4th and early 3rd century BCE.

Parsvanath is wrong because he is regarded as the 23rd Tirthankara who lived about 250–300 years before Mahavira and therefore before the Buddha as well.

Common Pitfalls:
One common error is to assume that any Jain figure automatically counts as a contemporary because Buddhism and Jainism are seen together in textbooks. Another mistake is to ignore the distinction between different Jain Tirthankaras and simply pick Parsvanath because he is often mentioned. To avoid such confusion, remember the pairing “Buddha and Mahavira – contemporaries in 6th century BCE” and keep Parsvanath firmly in an earlier time slot, while Chandragupta and Bhadrabahu belong to a later political and religious phase.

Final Answer:
The religious leader who was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha was Vardhaman Mahavira.