According to ancient tradition, to which clan did Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, originally belong?

Introduction / Context:
Before he became known as the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama was a prince in an ancient republican clan. Many general knowledge and history questions ask about the clan or family group to which he originally belonged. This helps students connect the life of the Buddha with the social and political structures of north India in the 6th century BC.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question concerns the original clan of Siddhartha Gautama (Gautama Buddha).
• The options include Gnathrika, Maurya, Shakya (Sakya), and Kuru.
• We assume basic familiarity with the story of the Buddha as a prince from the foothills of the Himalayas.

Concept / Approach:
Traditional Buddhist sources describe Siddhartha Gautama as the son of King Suddhodana of the Shakya (Sakya) clan and queen Mahamaya. The Shakyas governed a small republican territory with its capital at Kapilavastu, located in the Himalayan foothills region. The Maurya dynasty arose much later, with Chandragupta Maurya ruling from Pataliputra. The Kuru dynasty is connected with the epic Mahabharata and the region around Hastinapura. Gnathrika is not the established clan of the Buddha in standard references. Therefore, the correct clan is the Shakya (Sakya) clan.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini and grew up in the region of Kapilavastu. Step 2: Connect Kapilavastu with the Shakya (Sakya) republic or clan mentioned in Buddhist texts. Step 3: Recognise that his father, Suddhodana, is described as a Shakya chieftain rather than a Maurya or Kuru king. Step 4: Note that the Maurya dynasty and Kuru dynasty belong to entirely different periods and texts. Step 5: Conclude that Gautama Buddha belonged to the Shakya (Sakya) clan.

Verification / Alternative check:
Any standard biography of the Buddha, whether in school textbooks or more detailed studies, states that he was a prince of the Shakya clan in the 6th century BC. The name Shakyamuni (Sage of the Shakyas) itself preserves this connection, as it literally means the sage or saint from the Shakya clan. This linguistic and textual evidence confirms the answer beyond doubt.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Gnathrika clan: Not recognised in mainstream historical or Buddhist sources as the clan of the Buddha.
• Maurya dynasty: A much later imperial dynasty founded by Chandragupta Maurya, flourishing in the 3rd century BC, long after the time of the Buddha.
• Kuru dynasty: Associated with the Mahabharata and the region around Hastinapura, not with the Buddha's homeland.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may confuse the Shakya clan with later dynasties or assume the Buddha belonged to a well known royal line like the Mauryas. Another pitfall is to forget that the Buddha lived before Mauryan rule and before many later dynasties. To avoid confusion, remember the frequently used title Shakyamuni and connect it directly to the Shakya clan of Kapilavastu.

Final Answer:
Gautama Buddha originally belonged to the Shakya (Sakya) clan of Kapilavastu.