Among the following Jain acharyas, who is traditionally credited with carrying Jainism to South India along with Chandragupta Maurya?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the religious history of India, specifically Jainism. After the time of Mahavira, Jainism spread to various parts of the subcontinent. A key episode in Jain tradition describes how a Jain acharya led a migration to the south, accompanied by the Mauryan ruler Chandragupta Maurya, who had abdicated his throne. Knowing who this acharya was helps you connect dynastic history with the spread of religions, a common theme in exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which acharya is credited with carrying Jainism to South India.
• Options are Sudharmana, Indrabhuti, Bhadrabahu and Sthulabhadra.
• We assume the traditional narrative of Jain migration to Karnataka.
• We focus on the acharya associated with Chandragupta Maurya's retreat to Shravanabelagola.

Concept / Approach:
According to Jain tradition, during a severe famine in the north, the Jain acharya Bhadrabahu, along with a group of monks and the former Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya, migrated to the south, particularly to the region of present-day Karnataka. They are associated with Shravanabelagola, where Chandragupta is believed to have spent his last years following Jain ascetic practices. This event is often cited as a key moment in the spread of Jainism to South India. Thus, Bhadrabahu is the acharya credited with this southward expansion in exam-oriented history.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the traditional story that Chandragupta Maurya gave up his throne, adopted Jainism and migrated to the south with an acharya.Step 2: Identify this acharya as Bhadrabahu, who is frequently mentioned in this context in Jain and history texts.Step 3: Connect this migration with Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, a major Jain pilgrimage centre.Step 4: Review the other names: Sudharmana is one of Mahavira's early disciples; Indrabhuti is linked with other philosophical traditions; Sthulabhadra is connected with Jain scholastic history but not specifically with the southward migration with Chandragupta.Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is 'Bhadrabahu'.

Verification / Alternative check:
Most standard histories of India and introductions to Jainism mention Bhadrabahu in connection with the migration to the south and Chandragupta Maurya's later life in Shravanabelagola. Competitive exam books routinely ask this question and provide Bhadrabahu as the key answer, sometimes even phrasing it as 'Which Jain monk accompanied Chandragupta Maurya to Shravanabelagola?' This consistency across sources confirms our selection.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sudharmana: An early disciple of Mahavira, not specifically connected with the southward spread along with Chandragupta.Indrabhuti: Associated with other philosophical debates, but not with this particular Jain migration story.Sthulabhadra: A Jain scholar in later traditions, not the acharya commonly credited with carrying Jainism to South India with Chandragupta.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up names of Jain and Buddhist monks or confuse different episodes involving royal patrons. Because several acharyas are mentioned in texts, it is easy to misremember who did what. To avoid this, fix in your memory a simple association: Bhadrabahu + Chandragupta Maurya + Shravanabelagola = spread of Jainism to South India.

Final Answer:
The Jain acharya traditionally credited with carrying Jainism to South India along with Chandragupta Maurya is Bhadrabahu.